I can’t sell myself to pay striking workers – Fayose

I can’t sell myself to pay striking workers – Fayose

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Governor Ayodele Fayose has said he has no immediate solution to the demands of striking workers in Ekiti State, stressing that he cannot sell himself or his family to raise funds for the workers.

The governor said in a broadcast on Thursday that the workers must understand that strike was not an option and that the monthly wage bill was over N2bn but the state received as low as N751m in April.

He said, “Right now, I’m helpless. It is difficult to sell myself, my family or my property. I can only depend on what I get from Abuja. I want workers to understand that it is my priority to make them comfortable.

“Even before going on their strike, I got to know that many of them no longer come to office while many others were coming late to office.

Why I refused to come hard on those involved was that I had no moral justification to do so since I knew we were owing them.

“I don’t have powers to go on strike, we shall be waiting till when they come back, but they must realise that strike is not the best option
“Even in Government House, we don’t have money to power generators with diesel, whereas, I cannot sell myself or members of my family to raise funds, things are that difficult,” Fayose said.

The NLC Chairman, Raymond Adesanmi, in an interview with our correspondent said there was no going back on the strike.

“We are not saying the government should pay all the money at once. What we are asking for is a commitment. There should be a structured plan of how to settle all the arrears. When government is ready to dialogue, we will be waiting,” Adesanmi said.

The organised labour in Ekiti on Thursday began an indefinite strike to press home the demand for the outstanding five months salaries of workers.

Bayelsa youths arrest Agip pipeline bombers

Bayelsa youths arrest Agip pipeline bombers

*Governor Dickson promises reward to the gallant youths
Governor Seriake Dickson

Armed youths from Ikienghenbiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have been arrested for vandalising a major oil pipeline with dynamites.
Reports say, the group, which was led by Suoyou, Iyelawei and Fyneboy vandalised the pipeline along the Azuzuama – Ikienghenbiri axis of the trunk line conveying crude oil from the Nigerian Agip Oil Company flow station at Tebidaba to Brass.
A statement issued on Sunday in Yenagoa by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jonathan Obuebite, said the pipeline vandals were apprehended by youths of Azuzuama community, who got wind of the action.
They were arrested with the support of operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and one of them was shot in the leg while trying to escape.
Obuebite expressed delight that the arrests were coming on the heels of Governor Seriake Dickson’s meeting with Traditional Rulers and Chairmen of Community Development Communities( CDC) where the Governor directly placed the responsibility of maintaining peace and safeguarding oil facilities in their domains on their shoulders.
The Commissioner praised the youths of Azuzuama Community “for their gallantry, patriotic disposition and commitment to the peace and economic well being of the state and Nigeria as a whole.”
According to him, Dickson would “invite them and reward them for responding positively to his clarion call when it mattered most.”
Obuebite also called on other communities to emulate the Azuzuama community, adding that, “if every other communities can act in like manner, the current wave of attacks on national assets and related criminal acts will be drastically minimised, if not completely eliminated.”
He re-aasured community leaders and youths of government’s preparedness to continue to support and partner with them in the protection of lives and property.

Gunmen abduct two judges in Kogi

Gunmen abduct two judges in Kogi

Gunmen on Thursday reportedly abducted two judges in Kogi State.

The victims were said to have been abducted at different locations in the state.
The judges – Ali Okeme and Timothy Ali – were reportedly kidnapped on same day at different locations.

An unconfirmed source who spoke with The Nation however claimed that four persons were kidnapped, including a retired judge and a retired director.

While Justice Okeme was abducted at Ojuocha in Ofu local government area of the state, Ali was abducted on his way to the court in Ayingba, Dekina local government area of the state.

Gana, others set for parallel PDP convention

Gana, others set for parallel PDP convention

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new twist with the party set to hold two separate national conventions on Saturday.
While the faction loyal to the National Chairman, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, will be holding its convention in Port Harcourt, another faction, headed by a former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, will be holding its own in Abuja.
The two factions met simultaneously in Abuja on Tuesday to fine-tune plans for their separate conventions.
The pro- Sheriff convention is backed by the party’s serving governors, its National Assembly caucus and a faction of the Board of Trustees (BoT) led by the chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin.
The Gana group, under the aegis of Concerned PDP Stakeholders, inaugurated its 56-members steering committee to conduct its convention and pilot the affairs of the party afterwards.
Members of the group include Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Hajia Inna Ciroma, Amb. Wilberforce Juta, Alhaji Ibrahim Bunu, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, Senator Bala Mohammed, Mr. Taminu Turaki, Dr. Doyin Okupe and Mrs. Remi Adiukwu.
Also in the group are – Mrs. Josephine Anenih, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Prof. ABC Nwosu, Sen. Ben Obi, Mr. John Odey, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, Alh. Shittu Mohammed Kabiru, Senator Grace Bent, and Senator Anietie Okon.
A group of former PDP governors who are also named as members are – Chief Lucky Igbinedion, Mr. Bonnie Haruna, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, Mr. Donald Duke, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, Alhaji Mahmood Shinkafi, Alhaji Abdulkadir Kure, Sen, Ahmed Makarfi, Chief Achike Udenwa, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and a former PDP national Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo.
At a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), Walid said he met with the Gana group up to 2:30am on Tuesdays where he pleaded with the aggrieved members to drop plans for a parallel convention.
“I pleaded with them to refrain from actions capable of destroying the unity and progress of the party. I made it clear to them that I will not be attending meetings other than the ones called by the organs of the party.
“As a matter of fact, I made it clear to them that I will be leading the BoT members to the Port Harcourt convention,” the BoT chairman said.
Also speaking at the NEC meeting, Sheriff said the party had resolved to cancel results of the just concluded congresses in some states and that fresh congresses would be conducted in the affected states.

Nigeria on high alert over Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Nigeria on high alert over Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

The Federal Government yesterday raised fresh concerns over the Stevens-Johnson syndrome and called for greater alertness to curb the ailment.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is described as a rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes.

Officials said it is usually a reaction to a medication or an infection and often, Stevens-Johnson syndrome with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters. Then the top layer of the affected skin dies and sheds.

It is said to be a medical emergency that usually requires hospitalisation. Treatment focuses on eliminating the underlying cause, controlling symptoms and minimising complications.

In a release yesterday, Minister of Health, Prof.Isaac Adewole, asked the public to be more careful in the use of medications.

Adewole said the development had become necessary considering how a sibling of marathoner, Fedeshola Adedayo, died of the ailment.

Stevens–Johnson syndrome, a form of toxic epidermal necrolysis, is a life-threatening skin condition, in which cell death causes the epidermis to separate from the dermis. The syndrome is thought to be a hypersensitivity complex that affects the skin and the mucous membranes. The most well-known causes are certain medications (such as lamotrigine), but it can also be due to infections, or more rarely, cancers.

Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a milder form of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). These conditions were first recognised in 1922.

SJS usually begins with fever, sore throat, and fatigue, which is commonly misdiagnosed and therefore treated with antibiotics. Ulcers and other lesions begin to appear in the mucous membranes, almost always in the mouth and lips, but also in the genital and anal regions. Those in the mouth are usually extremely painful and reduce the patient's ability to eat or drink. Conjunctivitis of the eyes occurs in about 30% of children who develop SJS.[medical citation needed] A rash of round lesions about an inch across arises on the face, trunk, arms and legs, and soles of the feet, but usually not the scalp.

SJS is thought to arise from a disorder of the immune system. The immune reaction can be triggered by drugs or infections. Genetic factors are associated with a predisposition to SJS. The cause of SJS is unknown in one-quarter to one-half of cases.

EFCC Arrests Lagos Lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa Over Alleged Fraud

EFCC Arrests Lagos Lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa Over Alleged Fraud

A popular Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, was yesterday arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at his Lekki office  over an alleged fraudulent transaction.

The EFCC is accusing Adegboruwa of obtaining money under false pretence by knowingly dealing in renting out a forfeited asset without due authorization.

According to a one court charge, which has been filed against the lawyer by the commission, Adegboruwa allegedly conspired with some other persons to lease out a property situated at House 105 NICON Town Estate, Lekki Lagos, to one Shelf Drilling Nigeria Limited at the sum of N61, 631,944.65.

The said money was credited to his Zenith Bank’s account, from where he disbursed the funds to others including churches.

EFCC officials claimed that the legal practitioner acted illegally by leasing out a property which is a subject of an Interim Forfeiture Order made by Justice C. Balogun of the Lagos State High Court on June 18, 2012.

Adegboruwa, who is one of the lawyers of wanted former Niger-Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo aka “Tompolo would be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday.

Update: Police detain alleged Lagos wife killer in Panti

Update: Police detain alleged Lagos wife killer in Panti

The Lagos State Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni had ordered that alleged wife killer, Lekan Shonde be detained at the homicide unit, State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti-Yaba.

Owoseni gave the order Monday after the Commander Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Tunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) took the suspect to the command’s headquarters.

Shonde was alleged to have beaten his wife, Ronke Shonde to death on Thursday night, after which he ‘fled’, locking their two kids in the house with the deceased’s corpse on the ground.

The suspect, who has since been hiding, was said to have shuttled Cotonou, Benin Republic, Badagry and Ondo State since Friday.

It was gathered that he was convinced to come back to Lagos from Ondo State on Sunday night, where he had planned to flee the country from.

Shonde, it was gathered cried severally, insisting that he did not kill his late wife.

Although the police shielded Shonde from journalists, his friends, Sunday Nwobi and Gbenga Sholuki, who claimed to have known the suspect for decades, said he has never been a violent person.

They claimed that the suspect loved his wife so much that the family’s income was kept in her custody.

“At the moment he has nothing because even the money he makes was kept in an account the wife has access to. Even the ATM card is with her. Everything was under her. That’s how much he loved her,” they claimed.

According to Nwobi, he has been the suspect’s friend for 33 years, they both attended Ikeja High School, but he was a class ahead of Shonde.

“He has never been violent. I have known him for the past 33 years and I can tell you that he is a gentleman. He was in the same class with my immediate younger brother who has just returned from the United States because of this matter.

“He attended Ikeja High School. I have been in touch with him since the ugly incident and he sent me over 70 messages threatening to commit suicide.

“He told me he had quarrel with his wife on alleged infidelity. He said his wife confessed she has man friend, at her place of work.

“Lekan told me that he caught his wife talking to the man on phone and that she went to Abuja with her lover and they spent five days together.

“As the wife was confessing and begging him, he said he pushed her aside and went into the room to sleep. That he didn’t talk to her nor touch her because he was angry.

“Since he usually left the house early (5am) for work every day and returns around 8pm, he said he left that day as usual and that their eight-year-old son was the one who bolted the door, while he used his own key to lock the gate as usual.

“Lekan told me that he never knew anything has happened to his wife until he was called by his landlady on phone. That his landlady told him his wife had died and that he was a suspect. He said his landlady’s daughter also called him.

“He was on his way to the house but different people called and told him to run because police were in his house and they were looking for him as the suspect. That was why he fled.

“But as soon as he contacted me that same day, I kept telling him to come out. His aged father also told him to turn himself in and allow the law to run its course,” he said.

Similarly, Sholuki, who’s Executive Director, Campaign against Impunity and Domestic Violence said he came out for Shonde because he believed in him.

“Even as we were coming to the police command, he has spoken with his mother-in-law to notify her that he has surrendered. The woman told him that he has done very well for her family and that though they were pained, they have forgiven him and he should not think of suicide again.

“He also called his wife’s lover and told him he hoped he was happy now that he has destroyed his home. The man begged for forgiveness.
“When information came to us about what has happened, we told him to come out for the law to take its course. We have known him for a long time and he is not a violent person.

“We want justice. We are demanding a medical examination to ascertain what really happened. He is a family man. He cherishes his wife and says very pleasant things about her. All we want is justice. If scientific evidence proofs he killed his wife, then, he should go in for it.

But what we do not like is his being condemned even before autopsy result comes out,” said Sholuki.

Confirming that the suspect was in police custody, Owoseni said an autopsy will ascertain the cause of death, adding that the police was yet to interrogate Shonde.

“As you can see, he has just been brought in. It is still an allegation and the police is not the court of law to pronounce anyone guilty or otherwise.

“He has turned himself in. I confirm he is in our custody. We will ensure we get to the root of the matter.

He shall be interrogated and investigation is ongoing. We cannot say for sure what happened but autopsy report will prove cause of death,” he said.

By Precious Igbonwelundu- The Nation

Rashidi Yekini Made Adequate Provisions For His Mother: Lawyer

Rashidi Yekini Made Adequate Provisions For His Mother: Lawyer 

Contrary to the widespread rumor trending on the social media where Rashidi Yekini’s mother Sikiratu Yekini is seen standing an impoverished woman hawking bread for survival, I have to come out strongly to condemn in strong terms the malicious attempt by the uninformed sets of people who are set to tarnish the good image of late Rashidi Yekini as a prodigal son who never took care of his family especially his mother.

“This background building of Yekini`s mother picture trending online is actually a garage in the 4 flats built by my late client in Ijagbo few kilometer to Offa and about 9 kilometers away from his village, Ira.

Even before the demise of Rashidi, the woman had always been in charge of the rent of the building which runs into to several hundreds of thousands of naira without Rashidi interfering.

The Boy`s quarters at the back of the main building as at 2006 was around N48,000.00 each, while each 3 bedroom flat in the main building goes for about N80,000.00 each or more which brought her annual income from rent of the building to about half a million naira despite the fact that Rashidi was always sending pocket money to her and her siblings. Apart from this, Rashidi made sure he empowered his entire sibling by opening one of the best hairdressing saloons for his late sister, late Rofiat, who also died in 2014.

Akeem (his younger brother) was not left out of Rashidi`s generosity as he bought 18 seater bus for him among many things I do not want to mention in this forum. I wonder where did the writer got the impression that Rashidi ever neglected his mother.

Even after the death of Rashidi, nobody, not even his two daughters have ever interfered on who takes the rent. Not even the ex-wives, on behalf of their respective daughters ever query the mother about the income from the building. I wonder how she is now starving.

Two of her children are dead (Rashidi and Rofiat) leaving only Ismaila and Akeem. Ismaila is based in Kaduna with his family. While Hakeem is the only person living with her with his wife. How is she starving? Can an old woman exhaust over half a million on feeding alone in a year?

I am not against any further assistance by any well meaning Nigerian to her, but I owe my late client the duty to set the record straight and because of the negative reactions on social media especially through SaharaReporters, which portray Rashidi as an irresponsible son, who never cared about his family.

I am seriously upset about the impression being created by the people who have read the unfortunate story.

The gospel and the uncontroverted truth is that Rashidi made adequate provision for his mother. The questions that we should be asking is how are his two daughters faring and who is responsible for their education and upkeep.

By Rashidi Mohammed

COURT OF APPEAL AFFIRMS SENTENCE OF 25 YEARS EACH FOR BOKO HARAM CONVICTS

COURT OF APPEAL AFFIRMS SENTENCE OF 25 YEARS EACH FOR BOKO HARAM CONVICTS

The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos affirmed the Judgment of Hon. Justice Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos delivered on 30th September, 2014, which convicted and sentenced the Appellants to 25 years imprisonment each.

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice had earlier filed charges against 4 Accused persons for conspiracy to commit a felony, to wit, acts of terrorism, concealing information about acts of terrorism and having possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition contrary to sections under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013 and the Firearms Act, Cap F.28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Hon. Justice Buba on the 30th of September, 2016 convicted and sentenced 3 of the accused persons to 25 years imprisonment each while the 4th accused was discharged and acquitted.

The Appellants (Ali Mohammed Modu, Adamu Ali Karumi and Ibrahim Usman Ali) being dissatisfied with the judgment of Buba J filed their respective appeals to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that they were charged under inapplicable laws, the 25 years terms of imprisonment were excessive and the conviction of one of the Appellants (Ibrahim Usman Ali) was inadvertently convicted and sentenced for a count with which he was not charged.

While the Court of Appeal agreed that one of the Appellants was wrongly convicted under a count with which he was not charged, they affirmed the Judgment of Buba J. which convicted and sentenced the 3 Appellants to 25 years imprisonment each.

Treating violent Fulani herdsmen as terrorists – Punch

Treating violent Fulani herdsmen as terrorists – Punch

Fulani herdsmen are the new face of terrorism in Nigeria. Having graduated from carrying bows and arrows, their deadly arsenal now boasts sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 assault rifle which they deploy against host communities across the country. In their latest atrocity, hundreds of cattle herders descended on Ukpabi Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State last week, leaving a bloody trail. In all, the herdsmen killed 46 people, injuring several others. They burnt down houses and vehicles in the village. This is callous. The criminal herdsmen should be given the same kind of treatment being dished out to the Boko Haram terror group.
The Global Terrorism Index provides sufficient ammunition for the President to act fast, and quell the raging turbulence. In its November 2015 report, the Sydney, Australia-based Institute for Economics and Peace, which codifies the GTI, labelled Fulani herdsmen as the fourth deadliest terror organisation in the world after Boko Haram, the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq and al-Shabab. “There have been reports of a link between Boko Haram and Fulani militants, particularly in regard to smuggling and organised crime. However, unlike Boko Haram who are now affiliated with ISIL and align with the establishment of a caliphate, the Fulani militants have very localised goals, mainly greater access to grazing lands for livestock”, GTI says. In 2013, GTI recorded 63 killings against the herdsmen, which jumped to 1,229 in 2014 because of the Nigerian government’s half-hearted approach to tackling them. The institute said Fulani herdsmen murdered 847 people between January and November 2015. When the deaths caused by the herdsmen are added to those of Boko Haram, Nigeria, in 2015, became the third most terrorised country in the world out of 162 countries, just behind Iraq and Afghanistan. All these killings could not have been carried out in self-defence as a few apologists have argued.
The attacks, once again, confirm the weak security system in the country. What is the use of intelligence gathering? The question is at the core of the rampage in Nimbo. On the eve of the attacks, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had convened a security meeting that involved the then Police Commissioner, Nwodibo Ekechukwu, the Department of State Services Director, the military and civil defence commanders in the state because of an intelligence report of the imminent assault. But despite the promise of the security chiefs to prevent the attacks, they didn’t do so. This is tragic.
But we are more concerned about the failure of the Muhammadu Buhari administration to provide a strong leadership in dealing with this obvious national crisis. He was pretty late in giving his crackdown order on the marauders to the military. When criminals – no matter their political, ethnic or religious leaning – brazenly hack other Nigerian citizens to death in their homes, the President should go beyond issuing a belated press statement. It is disturbing that the President has not reached out to the community in person. This is what statesmen do in other climes when the corporate existence of their polity is at stake.
We are alarmed because the herdsmen menace is capable of threatening our corporate existence. Nobody wants another internecine war after the 1967 to 1970 experience. But a sober review of the attacks by Fulani herdsmen suggests that another ethnic uprising cannot be ruled out soon if the bloodletting continues. It takes just one act of retaliation from an ethnic group to set the country on fire. The excesses of the herdsmen in March are still fresh in Agatu LGA in Benue State, a carnage that reportedly left over 400 people dead, and their communities confiscated.
There is tension in several states over the activities of the herdsmen. Two weeks ago, some residents took over the Benin-Asaba Expressway in protest against Fulani herders, who had destroyed farmlands in 63 communities in Delta State, and had killed Akaeze Ofulue, the monarch of Ubulu-Uku, Aniocha LGA. The herders have recently perpetrated similar crimes in Lagelu, Oyo State. In January, herdsmen killed 30 people in Adamawa State, including Okezie Okoroafor, the Divisional Police Officer in Girei LGA. In April, 15 people lost their lives in a Taraba State attack masterminded by herdsmen.
The President should not pretend otherwise, as his predecessors in office did, looking the other way and allowing the herdsmen to overrun defenceless farmers. Sadly, it is the same official pretence that allowed the Boko Haram insurgency to metamorphose into a deadly terror organisation that the country has been battling with for the past seven years.
Buhari should discard his pacifist approach to the issue, and come down hard on these criminals. What we see here is a disarticulated police force. These acts of mayhem are about crime and punishment, which the police should be able to handle. Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has put the task before the President in proper perspective. “I’ve yet to hear this government articulate a firm policy of non-tolerance for the serial massacres that have become the nation’s identification stamp,” Soyinka says. “The nation is treated to an eighteen-month optimistic plan which, to make matters worse, smacks of abject appeasement and encouragement of violence on innocents. I’ve yet to encounter a terse, rigorous, soldierly and uncompromising language from this leadership….” This resonates with Nigerians who desire that their President would behave like a true leader with a grasp of what to do. Therefore, he should follow through on his directive to the security agencies to root out the herdsmen.
Buhari should remember that the whole of Nigeria is his constituency, as the President. He raised such hope in his inaugural speech, when he said, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” He should live up to this mantra. Modern governance requires a proactive, hands-on leader. The police should review their modus operandi on how to protect Nigerian communities from what seems like a Fulani army of occupation.
Fulani herdsmen must be disarmed. No group should be illegally granted an exclusive right to bear arms. It will be dangerous to think that the murderous savages won’t attempt to seize other communities. For one, they still possess enormous arms and ammunition. Security operatives should use intelligence to locate their sponsors and prosecute them accordingly.

Lagos joins oil-producing states as Aje field begins production

Lagos joins oil-producing states as Aje field begins production

Twenty years after it was discovered, the Aje field located in Oil Mining Lease 113 has achieved its first oil, putting Lagos on the list of oil-producing states in the country.

The milestone is coming after several missed targets for the achievement of first oil, the latest being March this year.
Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited, a wholly-owned indigenous firm and operator of the OML 113 offshore Lagos, on Tuesday announced the commencement of production of crude oil from the field. Other partners are New Age Exploration Nigeria Limited, EER (Colobus) Nigeria Limited, Pan Petroleum (Panoro Energy) Aje Limited and PR Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited.
Panoro had in an update posted on its website on April 20 said the final hook-up procedures were in progress with a view to bringing the wells into production shortly.
The YFP said after over 25 years of exploratory, appraisal and developmental activities, it had successfully pioneered the opening of the Frontier Benin Embayment, describing the Aje field as the first to record production from this part of Nigeria and the first production outside of the Niger Delta.
It said the inauguration of the Front Puffin Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel was successfully completed after its arrival in Nigeria on March 16, 2016.
Oil produced from the Aje field will be stored on the Front Puffin, which has production capacity of 40,000 barrels of oil per day and storage capacity of 750,000 barrels, according to the YFP.
The Chairman, YFP, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo, was quoted in a statement to have said, “The attainment of this milestone is indeed a laudable achievement not just for the YFP, but for the Nigerian oil and gas industry as a whole and indeed Lagos State, which can now be addressed as an oil-producing state.”
He said recording the achievement in the present global oil climate, together with the peculiar challenges of the field, was clearly a no mean feat.
“We are very proud of and appreciate the efforts, determination and commitment of the entire Aje project team, past and present; the constant support from our regulators, the DPR and Ministry of Petroleum; and our financiers. We believe this crucial support will spur us on to even greater achievements,” Folawiyo added.
Aje is an offshore field located in OML 113 in the western part of Nigeria in the Dahomey Basin. The field is situated in water depths ranging from 100 to 1,000 metres and is about 24 kilometres from the coast. It contains hydrocarbon resources in sandstone reservoirs in three main levels – a Turonian gas condensate reservoir, a Cenomanian oil reservoir and an Albian gas condensate reservoir.
The joint venture partners had in October 2014 taken the final investment decision to develop the first phase of the field.
They submitted the Field Development Plan to the Department of Petroleum Resources in January 2014 and it was approved in March, with first oil expected late in 2015.
Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum was granted the Oil Prospecting License 309 in June 1991 as a sole risk contract under the Federal Government’s Indigenous Allocation Programme, which was put in place to encourage the development of a locally-owned and operated Nigerian upstream oil industry.
The company said following the acquisition of 2D seismic data in 1994/95, and the drilling of the Aje-1 well in 1996, the field was discovered, adding that a second well, Aje-2, was drilled in 1997.
After the successful drilling and testing of both wells, OPL 309 was converted to OML 113 in 1998, with an initial term of 20 years, it said on its website.

Punch 

Police tortured, killed my father, says 10-year-old

Police tortured, killed my father, says 10-year-old

A 10-year-old boy, Jonathan Adewuyi has accused policemen attached to the Ayinla Police Division in Agbado, Ogun State of torturing his father to death.
The incident occurred at the weekend at 4, Itoki Road, Itoki, where the boy lived with his father, Sina Adewuyi, 45, a bricklayer.
According to the boy, his father died at about 5am on Sunday from injuries he sustained after his was brutalised by some policemen who came to extort his master, Dona Okey.
Reliving the ordeal, the boy said after the policemen beat up his father for asking why they were in his compound around 4pm, they bundled him into their bus, took him away with them and he only returned at about 10pm.
He said: “I am an apprentice working with the man (Okey) and learning to sell spare parts. His shop is in the same compound where we live. My master told them (police) he had no money with him for now because he used to give them money before whenever they came.
“When my father came out from the house, he saw policemen and wanted to know what happened that police came to our compound. But they shouted on him and told him to leave the vicinity. He told them he lived in the compound, but they refused to listen and started beating him for having the guts to talk back at them.
“He tried to runaway from them, but they chased him, caught up with him, hit him with a gun butt and asked him to enter their bus, which he refused. They bundled him into the bus and took him away.
“He did not return till about 10pm and when he came back, he was in pains with marks of brutality on his body. He was complaining of headache and chest pain and so, we gave him painkillers but he vomited them.
“My mother said we will take him to the hospital in the morning since it was already late, but around 5am on Sunday, he died.”
Continuing, the boy said they went to the Sango Ota Area Command same
Sunday morning to complain, but they were asked to go back to the division and file complaint, which they did.
“Policemen came to our house, took photographs of my late father before he was taken to the mortuary. We were asked to return to the station on Monday, which I did with some of my father’s relatives.
“At the station, they brought out so many policemen and asked me to point the people who came to my place. I was able to identify two of them who were among those that beat my father and took him away,” he said.
Calling on the state governor Ibikunle Amosun, as well as the police high command to ensure justice for her late husband, the boy’s mother, Mrs. Tunrayo Adewuyi, 35, said the policemen have murdered the family’s breadwinner.
“He is the bread winner of the family. I am only a petty food stuff trader. I have six children. Four boys and two girls. Who will help me? I don’t have anybody. The government should come to my aid,” she sobbed.
The Area Commander of Sango Ota, Adegoke Fayoade, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) said the matter was being investigated.
He confirmed that two policemen were identified and have been transferred to the State police command in Abeokuta for further action.

By Precious Igbonwelundu, Nation Newspaper

Ambode Nominates From Lagos CJ, Justice Ayotunde Philips As LASIEC Chairman

Ambode Nominates From Lagos CJ, Justice Ayotunde Philips As LASIEC Chairman

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday nominated the immediate past Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ayotunde Philips as replacement for the retired Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Hon. Justice Fatai Adeyinka.

The Governor, in a letter addressed to the State House of Assembly, which was read on the floor of the House on Tuesday, said the decision to nominate Justice Philips was pursuant to the powers conferred on him by Section 2 (1) and (2) of the LASIEC Act, 2008.

According to the letter which was read by House Clerk, Mr. Ganiyu Abiru, Governor Ambode said the nomination of Justice Ayotunde was in tandem with the provision of the law which mandated that the House must ratify such appointment by way of screening and resolution.

The letter reads in part: “Accordingly, following the retirement of Justice A.F Adeyinka, the current LASIEC Chairman, Justice Ayotunde Philips (Rtd) is being presented as the Chairman of Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

“While looking forward for the favourable confirmation of the honourable House of Assembly, please accept the assurance of my esteemed regard,” the Governor said.

After the letter was read, the House adjourned to May 9, 2016 for deliberation on the Governor’s letter.

The House, it would be recalled, had earlier confirmed Governor Ambode’s nominees for appointment as members of the Board of LASIEC.

They are Dr. Bunmi Omosehinde, Mr. Lateef Raji, Mrs. Toyin Ibrahim-Famakinwa and Mr. Olusegun Ayedun.

Ban On Hijab: Full Panel Of Appeal Court To Hear MSSN Appeal Against Lagos

Ban On Hijab: Full Panel Of Appeal Court To Hear MSSN Appeal Against Lagos

The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal yesterday adjourned the appeal filed by some muslim students against the judgment of the state high court, which upheld the ban on the wearing of Hijab (Muslim head scarf) in public primary and secondary schools in the state to enable a full panel of the court to sit on the matter.

A three-man panel presided over by Justice Amina Augie, which communicated the information to the parties in the matter on Tuesday, stated that it important for a five-man panel of the court to hear the appeal because it is a constitutional matter and also very sensitive.

Justice Grace Onyeabo had in a judgment delivered on October 17, 2014 held that the the restriction placed on the use of the Hijab in primary and secondary public schools in the state is not discriminatory and did not breach Sections 38 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution as claimed by the students.  

The Registered Trustees of the Muslim Society of Nigeria (MSSN) had dragged the Lagos state government to court over the restriction of the use of the Hijab on or outside the premises of any educational institution in the state, on the ground that it violates their fundamental human rights, is wrongful and unconstitutional .

The MSSN had filed the case against the State Government along with two pupils, who were then 12 year old, Miss Asiyat Abdulkareem and Miss Maryam Oyeniyi, students of Atunrashe Junior High School, Surulere, Lagos State.

They were joined in the suit as claimants through their fathers – Alhaji Owolabi Abdulkareem and Suleiman Oyeniyi.

The defendants in the suit are the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Commissioner for Education and Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture.

When the matter came up yesterday for hearing, Justice Augie stated that the appeal is on the rights of the appellants to wear hijab to school in line with Quranic injunction but because it is a constitutional matter it must be heard by a five-man panel of the court.

Justice Augie also said, "We are a three-man panel, and more importantly, an all Muslim panel and if the three justices went ahead to hear the appeal, it could raise issues of bias.

"Any way the decision goes, we would be under fire. We're protecting ourselves as much as we're protecting you.

"It's a very sensitive matter that will most likely still get to the Supreme Court," the court held.

Justice Augie, therefore, said because of the constitutional nature of the appeal and in the interest of Justice, hearing of the appeal will be adjourn to enable counsel to the appellant apply to the President of the Court Appeal to constitute a full panel of the court.

Taking the hint of the court, the appellants’ counsel, Chief Gani Adetola-Kazeem SAN acknowledged that the appeal is sensitive in nature and would most likely get to the Supreme Court."

Adetola-Kazeem urged the court to make the record of proceedings available to enable him write to the President of the Court of Appeal.

It will be recalled that the government had banned the use of Hijab on the argument that it was not part of the approved school uniform for pupils.

Not happy with the ban, the students filed the suit on May 27, 2013, seeking redress and asked the court to declare the ban as a violation of their rights to freedom of thought, religion and education.

In her judgment, Onyeabor held that the prohibition of the wearing of Hijab over school uniforms within and outside the premises of public schools was not discriminatory.

According to her, the ban does not violate sections 38 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution as claimed by the plaintiffs.

The judge said Section 10 of the Constitution made Nigeria a secular state and that government must maintain neutrality at all times.

Onyeabor said the government therefore had a duty to preserve the secular nature of the institutions concerned as argued by the Lagos State Solicitor-General, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN).

She noted that since the public schools were being funded by the government, it was therefore competent to issue dress codes and other guidelines to the students.

According to her, the use of uniforms engenders uniformity and encourages students to pursue their mutual academic aspirations without recourse to religious or any other affiliations.

The judge observed that the uniformity sought by the government in the issuance of the dress code would be destroyed, should the prayers of the plaintiffs be granted.