3rd December 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,384

THURSDAY, 3 DECEMBER, 2015

www.tribuneonlineng.com

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DSS storms home of ex-DG under OBJ Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

—P6

•Throws out his belongings •Dasuki now in EFCC custody •N2.1bn received from Dasuki was for publicity —Dokpesi

Onitsha pro-Biafra protests turn bloody •4 of our members were killed —IPOB •Vehicles burnt, markets shut •IGP orders police to crush protests —P2`

Bonfire in Onitsha, on Wednesday.

Islamic state recruiting from Nigeria, US reveals —P42

Senate proposes 2-year jail term for offensive, abusive newspaper, radio, TV, social media statements —P7

Court orders S.S. Peter & Paul to vacate Ibadan premises •Orders payment of N5m damages to Aare Latosa —P4

From left, Student Union President, University of Ibadan, Olateju Aliyu Oladimeji; Senior Manager, Events, Globacom, Adeumobi Mofe-Damijo; Glo Ambassador and Nollywood actress, Ini Edo; Senior Manager, Events, Globacom, Sola Mogaji; Glo Ambassador, Ego Ogbaro and the Student Union President, Lagos State University, Sulaimon Wasiu Adeyemi, during the launch of Glo Campus Booster, at the Globacom headquarters, Lagos, on Wednesday.

Arms deal: Jonathan, Okonjo-Iweala must be prosecuted —Oshiomhole

—P4

•Oshiomhole after me because I blocked his N15bn loan request —Okonjo-Iweala

news Onitsha pro-Biafra protests turn bloody 2

Thursday, 3 December, 2015

•4 of our members were killed —IPOB •Vehicles burnt, markets shut •IGP orders police to crush protests By Chris Agbambu and Suzy Oruya

HE Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) protests in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Wednesday turned bloody as four members of IPOB, a lady and a 10-yearold boy hawking sachet water were reportedly killed by stray bullets from soldiers guns, just as several vehicles and many kiosks operated by Hausas were torched and bonfires made in strategic junctions of the city. It was gathered that the IPOB members were killed in the wee hours of yesterday, precisely 1:32a.m. at the Head Bridge end of Onitsha where they had used as rallying point during the previous day’s protest. Bonfires were made in every strategic junction in Onitsha by the IPOB members who were chanting war songs and calling President Muhammadu Buhari derogatory names. They were said to have resorted to violence when the news of the death of their members filtered into town, prompting them to torch vehicles and other valuables as they protested the killing, along the major roads in Onitsha, making bonfires and barricading the roads. Nigerian Tribune gathered from reliable source that the IPOB members invaded various markets in the city, forcing traders to close shops for safety. This, it was gathered, forced all banks and other business activities to close for the day. It was also observed that security operatives, especially the police, were off the streets and soldiers who were stationed at strategic positions kept on maintaining peace. Bonfires were seen at Old and New Market roads, Ogbommanu Junction, Savoy, Nkpor Junction, AforNkpor, Bridge Head, Oguta Road, among others. Contacted on this, the IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, said, “the soldiers killed four of our men at the Bridge Head Market at about 1:30a.m. this morning without committing any offence. “The soldiers came with the police, civil defence, DSS and others, attacked our men because we are non violent body. “We will continue the protest in Onitsha tomorrow unless the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, is released by President Mohammadu Buhari who does

not want anything good for the Igbo people,” he said. Reacting, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ali Okechukwu, confirmed the death of a police officer who he said was attached to Mopol 3 Enugu, destruction of eight Dangote trucks loaded with goods and a mosque burnt, adding that he did not know of any death of a civilian. He said that investigation into what caused the death of the police officer is ongoing but pointed at the IPOB members. In a related development, the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has directed mobilisation and deployment of Police Mobile Force (PMF) to reinforce security in the state commands where Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are engaged in protests. He has also directed Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in charge of Zone 5, Benin; Zone 6, Calabar and Zone 9, Umuahia as well as all Commissioners of Police in the affected states in the South-East and neighbouring states to henceforth maximally exercise their statutory mandate in relation to prevention and disruption of any gathering that threatens public order and national cohesion. A statement from the police headquarters, which confirmed the directives on Wednesday, noted that any person or group of persons so arrested in furtherance to the enforcement of the order will be made to face the full wrath of the law. According to the statement, the Inspector-General of Police equally issued a stern warning to MASSOB and IPOB activists to stop threatening public peace or

face the full weight of the law. It stated that the warning followed the observation by the Nigeria Police leadership of the increasing resort to acts of brigandage by persons it described as sets of misguided individuals who apparently are hiding under the cloak of MASSOB and IPOB to threaten national security and public peace in parts of SouthEast geopolitical zone and some other conterminous states. “The latest manifestation of this threat is the attempt to blockade the Onitsha end of Niger Bridge on De-

cember 1, 2015, an action that caused major hardship to innocent and law-abiding motorists, and citizens. The act also occasioned serious dislocation of business activities,” the statement noted. It said: “The InspectorGeneral of Police notes that the increasing resort to acts of brigandage of this nature is pointing to a clear attempt by the brains behind these protests to test the will of security agencies to restore order and guarantee internal cohesion. “For the avoidance of doubts, the IGP further noted that the restoration

CONTROVERSY generated over the speculated merger of Osun State higher institutions has taken a new dimension with the sack of 82 workers of Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun, by the management of the institution. Nigerian Tribune learnt that the affected workers, who were relieved of their duties on Tuesday, were members of the

that no individual or group interest can override the interest of the nation and that “democratic values provide for exploration of rule of law to advance any concern, not the resort to endless and misguided acts of brigandage, unless there is an ulterior motive as the extant instance tends to dictate. “He concluded by asserting “the Nigeria Police will not fold its law enforcement arms to allow few misguided elements to continually force hardships on fellow Nigerians either in the South-East or any other part of the nation for that matter.”

From left, Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Uriel Palti; Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Dambazau and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mr Bassey Akpanyung, during the courtesy visit of the Israeli ambassador to the minister, in Abuja, on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN.

Falae in court to testify, identifies abductors Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

THE trial of the seven suspected kidnappers of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, resumed in Akure, Ondo State capital, on Wednesday, with Falae appearing as principal witness before the State High Court.

Testifying against the seven suspects, the septuagenarian was able to identify some of the suspects brought before the court while he noted that some other members of the syndicate are still at large. Falae, who narrated to the court how he was dragged from his farm in Ilado, in Akure North Local Government Area of

Osun sacks 82 workers of College of Education, Ila-Orangun Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

and maintenance of law and public order, and protection of lives and property remain sacred and statutory mandate of the Nigeria Police. “This mandate, according to him, shall be fully executed in the overriding interests of the nation and vast majority of citizens and residents of the South-East geopolitical zone. “To this end, the Inspector-General of Police advises parents and guardians to call their children and wards to order as the patience of the Force is being stretched to the limit. “The IGP firmly affirmed

Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of the college. Confirming the development to journalists in Osogbo, on Thursday, the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of the college, Mr Segun Onifade, said “it is true that the management of Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun has sacked 82 workers.” He, however, explained that the sacked workers were contract staff of the institution, stressing that

some of the sacked workers had spent six years before the authorities relieved them of their duties. But, speaking during a telephone interview, the chairman of the college’s governing council, Mr Niyi Akande, said he was not aware of the sack, saying “I am not aware of that. I have not been told that anybody has been sacked. I am in Abuja.” Continues Page 3

the state to a forest, said the hoodlums inflicted some injuries on him when he failed to cooperate with them at the initial stage. He explained that he was being dragged for over an hour before they allowed him to rest and asked for his wife’s phone number and requested for ransom to secure his freedom. Falae said, “When they noticed my wounds, one of them went into the bush to get some leaves which they applied to treat the wounds and we took off immediately, walking in the thick forest for about 12 hours. “They spoke to my wife around 7:00p.m., ordering her to prepare N100 million as ransom to secure my freedom, but they were disappointed with her response when she offered to pay N2 million. “They gave me the opportunity to talk to my wife and reduced the ransom to N5 million, telling me that Boko Haram could not even take less than N2million as ransom and urged

me to convince my wife to look for N5 million.” The prosecution counsel, and the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede, prayed the court for adjournment of the case in order to call other witnesses in the case. He told the court that about six other witnesses will be presented before the court to testify against the suspected Fulani kidnappers who abducted the septuagenarian on his 77th birthday. The court, presided over by Justice Rotimi Olumide, ordered that the suspects should remain in prison custody while the case was adjourned till December 15, for further hearing. The Afenifere chieftain, Falae, was kidnapped in his farm on September 21, 2015, the day he turned 77 and a ransom of N5 million was paid for his release before the security agents arrested his abductors in different locations across the country.

news US to deploy homeland security in Nigeria 3

Clement Idoko - Abuja

HE United States of America (USA) has concluded plans to send her homeland security team known as Security Governance Initiative (SGI) to Nigeria to help the country end Boko Haram insurgency. US Ambassador to Nige-

Thursday, 3 December, 2015

ria, James Entwistle, made this known on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Abdulraman Dambazau (retd), in his office. Entwistle disclosed that his country has concluded arrangements to send a team to Nigeria by January 2016 to boost Nigeria’s efforts to end all forms of

insecurity in the country and the world at large. He said: “We are ready to partner with you on security. As you know the Security Governance Initiative (SGI), we will be having a team here in January in this regard. “This is a very interesting idea. It is an attempt to approach the need to reform democracy in

other to improve security performance. This project will be done with Nigerian government.” He assured the minister of total support to combat insecurity. Responding, the minister of Interior who expressed gratitude to the US ambassador, assured that Nigerian governance will partner with the US to ensure

fruitful implementation of the project. His words: “We want to assure you on our own part that we will fulfil our own part on partnership and we are confident that you will fulfil your own part also.” Meanwhile, the Israeli Ambassador, Mr Uried Palti, who also visited the minister, said he was in the ministry to reassure Nigeria on the relationship with his country.

He said his country has experience in tackling most of the challenges Nigeria is going through. In his own reaction, Dambazau told the Israeli Ambassador that “every nation has a role to play in one way or the other to bring an end to insurgency.” He also assured the ambassador of partnership to deal with the issue for mutual interest in the future.

Assist in resettling IDPs, Dogara urges Britain Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja

Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal (right) and his deputy, Ahmed Aliyu, at the opening of a two-day retreat for political office holders and senior government officials, in Kaduna, on Wednesday.

Tambuwal urges political appointees to make sacrifice in developing state Mohammad Sabiu - Kaduna

GOVERNOR Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has urged political appointees and top government officials in the state to make sacrifices in their efforts to develop the state. Speaking at a two-day retreat organised for political office holders and senior government officials from the state in Kaduna on Wednesday, Tambuwal said even though various states now face financial challenges, looking inwards and away from federal allocation guarantee future security. He said as societies evolve, governments must evolve new ways to deliver quality service to the citizens. According to him, “Public service today faces varied challenges which we may not have been taught while we were in school. With the advent of social media and citizen awareness, it has become imperative for us to run the affairs of government in the most transparent manner. “So, we envisage that deliberations and brainstorming sessions at this retreat will have far-reaching impact in evolving policies and programmes that will guide us to address the yearnings and aspirations

of the electorate who gave us their mandate with the hope that we will ensure good governance.” Tambuwal urged the participants to reduce rancour and promote cooperation for the smooth running of government.

He said friction among functionaries of government, irrespective of whatever arms or tier they belong to, is only possible if they resort to personal or selfish indulgence as against genuine commitment to public interests.

“Roles and functions have been clearly streamlined and procedures sufficiently articulated and delineated. I strongly believe that ambiguities are only created if, and only if, public need is sacrificed on alter of vested interests,” he added.

War against insurgency on course —COAS Chris Agbambu – Abuja

THE Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has visited Gajigana, Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State, on assessment of troops’ location that was attacked by Boko Haram terrorists last Sunday. He was conducted round by the Commander 5 Brigade and the Commanding Officer of 243 Battalion. In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army public relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka, Buratai said the visit was to ascertain the situation of things and give necessary directives. He also called on the public, especially those residing in the affected area, to support and cooperate with the troops by exposing suspected Boko Haram terrorists living among them. According to him, the recent wave of attacks by

terrorists in Gulak and Gajigana should be seen as isolated cases that would not be allowed to repeat itself as adequate measures are being taken to deal decisively with any of such. He also assured that the military and the security agencies would continue to improve their performances even as he warned troops to be more proactive and alive to their duties as everything is being done to support them. “It will be recalled that Boko Haram attacked troops location in Gulak on Sunday which was repelled. The troops also killed 3 Boko Haram terrorists, while quite number escaped with gun shot wounds. In addition, a Toyota Hilux, 1 PKM gun, 1 General Purpose Machine Gun, 3 AK-47 rifles, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade tube and 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade bomb were recov-

ered by the troops. “Other recoveries include, 1 Charger, 7 Boxes of 7.62mm Link, 1 GP 340 Hand Held Radio, 4 Boxes of 7.62mm X 54mm Ammunitions, 3 Anti Riot Hand Held Grenade, as well as 30 Cleaning Kits, 2 Packets of Artillery Primers and 97 pieces of Zela fuse. “The troops are further pursuing the escaping terrorists and also exploiting to further block such kind of incursion through their blocking position. The troops at Gajigana were attacked in which a soldier lost his life. The location has also been reinforced and the troops are now poised for any eventuality. “As we have entered the month of December, it is important to state that we have also entered a very critical part of the fight against terrorism and insurgency in our country.”

SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, on Wednesday, appealed to the government of the United Kingdom to assist in the resettlement and provision of basic services to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria to avoid a global spill. The speaker, who made the plea in Abuja yesterday when he received the British High Commissioner, Mr Paul Arkwright, who paid a courtesy visit, also solicited for the assistance of the United Kingdom in tracking crude oil theft in the country. While acknowledging the role of Britain in the assistance of the country in its fight against terrorism, Dogara noted that terrorism was a global problem that leaved victims displaced and

in need of basic amenities. The speaker lamented that “due to the poor revenue generation to Nigeria due to the dwindling oil prices in the global market, attending to these needs have become a serious challenge, hence the need for nations like Britain to come to our aid.” According to him, “we recognise the role of Britain and assistance in the fight against terrorism, we have been forced to recognise terror as not a national but global problem and wherever felt, it should be contained so as not to make it a global problem.” Earlier, the British High Commissioner, Paul Arkwright, had assured the speaker of Britain’s support in carrying out its duties as a parliament, adding that in any thriving democracy, the parliament was the corner stone.

Osun sacks 82 workers of College of Education, Ila-Orangun Continued from Page 2

In another development, the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to shut down economic and social activities in the state should the state government go ahead with the rumoured plan merge of its tertiary institutions. In a press release signed by NANS Deputy Coordinator, Zone D, Comrade Afolabi Saheed, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Osogbo, the association cautioned Governor Rauf Aregbesola against any reformation of the state’s education sector, contending that such policy would jeopardise the future of the youth in the state. NANS also implored the governor to immediately recall sacked workers of

the Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun. The release reads in part, “We won’t hesitate to march out en-masse on streets and major roads in order to delay daily activities within the state. We are ready to storm and stop economic activities within the state if the government persists in the approach to the fulfilment of this selfish project. “We marvelled at the way education is reformed. Hopes of students in Osun will soon be shattered with this current flow of reformation and restructuring in education sector if care is not taken. “The government has failed to identify problems of education in the state, but have decided to restructure and reform the education sector to suit their taste and to save themselves in this present economy mess we are.”

news

Thursday, 3 December, 2015

Arms deal: Jonathan, Okonjo-Iweala must be prosecuted —Oshiomhole Oshiomohle after me for blocking his N15bn loan request —Okonjo-Iweala Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

DO State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has urged the Federal Government to also prosecute former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and immediate past Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for approving spending of funds from the excess crude account without appropriation by the National Assembly. According to the governor, Jonathan and the former minister should be made to face the law since it had been established that they made approvals for which billions of dollars was released for the procurement of arms for counter-terrorism operations under Jonathan. Oshiomhole, in an interview, insisted that both Jonathan and Okonjo-Iweala must face prosecution because the Nigerian constitution did not empower the president to spend money not appropriated by the National Assembly. “The issue is whether the Nigerian president under the constitution has the power to approve funds belonging to local, state and federal governmentfunds that have not been appropriated by the National Assembly. That is a criminal offence for which Okonjo-Iweala ought to face criminal prosecution. These things are just discussed and wished away. For me, I will stand for the truth and don’t care what people will say,” he stated. Quoting the Money Laundering Act which stipulates that if one takes cash in excess of N5 million transaction, it is money laundering and it is criminal, the governor urged the Federal Government not to prosecute Dasuki without doing same for the former president and Okonjo-Iweala. His words: “Talking about revelation, look at the letter credited to Dasuki – the immediate past National Security Adviser. In his defence, which I read in your paper, he seems to admit that money was spent, but it was approved by the president. Does the Nigerian constitution empower the president to spend money which has not been appropriated by the National Assembly? And they took cash from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The Money Laundering Act says if you take cash in ex-

cess of N5 million transaction, it is money laundering and it is criminal. “So, by Dasuki’s letter, he has also confirmed that Okonjo-Iweala was privy to spending money never appropriated and, therefore, criminal and that cash were being moved contrary to the Money Laundering Act. Just using Dasuki’s own defence, you can see a case of conspiracy has been established between Dasuki, OkonjoIweala and all those involved in that transaction,” Oshiomhole submitted. Meanwhile, former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has request-

ed the Federal Government to call Edo State governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole to order, over his recent efforts to link her name to the alleged $2.1 billion arms deal. Okonjo-Iweala stressed, in a statement signed by Paul Nwabuikwu, her Media Adviser and made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Warri, that she had absolutely nothing to do with the arms issue. According to her, “It is an abuse of public office, judicial process and her human rights for Governor Oshiomhole, whom she stopped from taking a highly suspicious N15 billion loan,

to make false allegations against her while hiding under the constitutional immunity granted state governors. “As recently confirmed by the Debt Management Office, professional analysis showed that Oshiomhole’s loan request, which was based on using low interest World Bank loan to offset high interest commercial loans, would have left Edo State with a heavy debt burden and the the state would have found it very difficult to pay back. “It has become a pattern of behaviour that each time Dr Okonjo-Iweala is internationally recognised, Gov-

ernor Oshiomole and his cohorts embarked on a cynical and devious ploy of trying to pull her down locally. “Just last night, December 1, Dr Okonjo-Iweala was honoured at a high profile event attended by Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton. Dr Okonjo Iweala was honoured alongside Michael Bloomberg, Bill and Melinda Gates and Mo Ibrahim for their contributions to global development and humanity. “Governor Oshiomole and his cohorts should realise that their ill-motivated attempts to taint Dr Okonjo

Iweala’s reputation will never succeed,” he reiterated. The former Coordinating Minister for the Economy added that it was unconscionable for Oshiomhole to embark on a campaign of lies against her because she thwarted his dubious loan request. Okonjo-Iweala, while describing the Governor Oshiomohle’s unsubstantiated allegations as a cynical personalisation of the anti-corruption campaign to achieve ignoble objectives, said her lawyers were already dusting their books to defend her name against corrupt and compromised individuals.

Contract breach: Court orders SS Peter and Paul Seminary to vacate premises •Orders payment of N5m damages to Aare Latosa By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare AN Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, on Wednesday, ordered the Perfecture Apostolic of Ibadan, popularly known as S.S Peter and Paul Seminary located at Bodija, Ibadan, to vacate the land on which its property is domiciled. This was after it said it was being found culpable of breach of contract and ordered that the seminary pay the sum of N5 million to its landlord, Chief Mabinuori Adegboyega Aare Latosa, the family head and Mogaji of the popular Aare Latosa family of Ibadan. Justice Mashud Akintunde Abass, in his one and a half hours judgment on the three-year-old suit filed by the Aare Latosa family against the seminary, declared that the seminary’s failure to renew the rent as laid out in the lease agreement for a period of more than 40 years after the expiration of the original rent had led to the forfeiture of the entire lease on the land in dispute. The court gave an order of forfeiture of the lease agreement for failure of the defendant to comply with the terms of the lease agreement and ordered that the seminary should vacate the demised premises for the claimant. Justice Abass ordered the payment of N5 million as damages to Aare Latosa and gave an order that the family should re-enter and take possession of the property from the seminary over breach of the terms of the

lease agreement He finally gave a restraining order against the seminary, its agents, privies or associates from living, worshipping, using or performing any activities in whatever name or manner on the land in dispute. Chief Mabinuori had led two members of his family; Ibrahim Arowolo Aare Latosa and Madam Nimota Aare Latosa (now deceased), to file a suit against the registered trustees of the S.S Peter and Paul Seminary for its breach of a lease of agreement it signed with the family through a deed indenture on February 20, 1960. The action which started through an Originating Summons and was filed on May 11, 2012 by Oluwagbemiga Olatunji and Olugbenga Makinde of the Olujimi and Akeredolu Chambers was supported by an affidavit attached with exhibits. They asked the court to give some orders, declarations and also determine, among other things, whether the Aare Latosa family was not entitled to an order to re-enter the premises of the church as stated in the lease agreement and take possession of the said premises since the lease on the land in dispute had expired. They also asked the court to determine whether failure of the seminary to renew rent as stated in the lease agreement did not entitle the family to an order of forfeiture against the family and whether they were not entitled to money as rent unpaid since expiration of the original rent in the lease agreement and also entitled to damages and the court

determined all these in the family’s favour. Before the commencement of the case which lasted three years and passed through three judges, the Mogaji of the Aare Latosa family had made moves to ensure that the case was resolved without getting to court, but when all failed, he asked his lawyers to give a one-month notice in writing as agreed in the lease, but the seminary still ignored him. While the matter lasted, the court encouraged parties to embrace amicable settlement, but the seminary’s lawyers were not as open to the suggestion and rather than file his defense, the seminary’s lawyer, Chief Alli Balogun continued to file preliminary objections supported by written addresses without a sworn affidavit as stated in law. When the case was adjourned for judgment, the seminary changed its lawyers and gave its brief to

Jude Ebiteh Esq., who also filed an application for an extension of time in the matter, but the court, in its judgment held that his application was an abuse of court process having relied solely on the fact that his predecessor did not take the right step. According to the judge, once a counsel appeared in a matter, he had the authority of his client and it was untenable in law, adding that any action of a former counsel was binding on the new counsel and the application was trying to start trial afresh when the case had already been concluded, which he said was “misconceived in law and fact.” Justice Abass, in his judgment, held that the seminary did not join issues with the Aare Latosa family, as its counsel erroneously placed reliance on his written address and refused to take hints from both the bar and the bench. He declared that he erred in procedure and in

law. “His defense has no basis in law as it is not backed in facts, this is against the indisputable position of the law and the implication is that the action is not defended by the seminary. Parties are bound by contractual agreement which the court of law must respect when it is in written form. “I have noted with concern the seminary’s attempts to wriggle out of their agreement and failed to respect its terms after staying for 42 years on the land without paying rent to its landlord. They were recalcitrant to reminders and denied their landlord his right. “No court will allow itself to be used in bad faith to breach contract terms. It is a proper case and the family is asking for justice. They will not be denied as this is a court of justice. This is a clear and tantamount case of flagrant and fundamental breach of contractual agreement.”

Isaac Shobayo - Jos

for safety, while others simply locked themselves in the various offices. It was learnt that the situation became worse when the news filtered into the neighbouring communities of Federal Locost, State Low cost and Tundun Wada areas of Jos North Local Government Area of the state. Residents of the area suddenly went indoors and made frantic phone calls to neighbours to intimate them of the escape of the

lion, while local radio stations within the state capital made repeated announcements to intimate residents. Later, the lion was sighted close to the park at about 1.00 p.m. on Wednesday and eventually killed by the police, thus easing the tension that had enveloped the city. Confirming the incident, Director of Press Affairs of Governor Simon Lalong, Mr Emmanuel Nanle, said the lion was gunned down before it could do any harm.

Pandemonium in Jos as lion escapes from wild life park •Escaped lion killed THERE was pandemonium in Jos, capital city of Plateau State, on Wednesday, following escape of a lion from the Jos Wild Life Park at about 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday, shortly after one of the attendants fed the lion. A source close to the park told the Nigerian Tribune that immediately the management and other staff of the park noticed that the lion had escaped from its cage, they began to scamper

Thursday, 3 December, 2015

news DSS storms home of ex-DG under OBJ 6

Throws out his belongings Olalekan Olabulo -Lagos

HERE was confusion, on Wednesday afternoon, around Alexander and Bourdillon areas of Ikoyi, as gunmen, suspected to be operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS), invaded the home of a former director of the agency, Kayode Are. Are was the DSS boss during the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, between 1999 and 2007 The security operatives

threw out valuables and belongings of the former DSS boss, as well as those of his family members who were occupying the building. As of 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday, the operatives were still keeping watch on the premises. Efforts by some journalists to get near the building were frustrated by the operatives, who seized their phones but later released them with a warning to stay away. It was gathered that the gunmen, on arriving at the residence of the former

DSS boss, shot sporadically into the air, a development that scared residents of the area. A source at the DSS told the Nigerian Tribune that the operatives, which consist of officers from the Abuja headquarters office and the Base Annex in Lagos, were acting on instruction from above. “We have sent a notice to Are to vacate the building but he insisted that he has a court injunction, which restrains us from forcefully taking over the building,” a source said.

requested to, ‘shed more light on some payments that were made to me through the office of the erstwhile National Security Adviser to the former president, Sambo Dasuki. “I made my statement on the various media exposures and campaign transactions which were dutifully carried out based essentially on contractual

obligations/relationship.” The statement, however, did not explain how the office of the National Security Adviser became the cashier office for the payment of campaign expenses and the source of the money. A special panel and the EFCC are probing how trillions of naira budgeted for defence were spent in the last eight years.

Dasuki: I received N2.1bn for election media publicity —Dokpesi FOUNDER of Daar Communications (Ray Power and AIT), High Chief Aleogho Dokpesi, has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that N2.1 billion he received from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), was payment for media publicity for campaigns during the 2015 general election. Dokpesi said this when he was explaining what transpired on Tuesday when the EFCC invited him. In a statement signed by the management of DAAR Communications Plc, he said around 2.00 p.m. that day, the acting chairman of the EFCC, Alhaji Ibrahim Magu, through a telephone call, invited him to the commission. “On getting there, I was

The DSS source also stated that former DirectorGeneral was not the only person evicted from their former houses. “He is not the only one. Some other senior officers were also ejected from

RIVERS State governor, Nyesom Wike, has approved the payment of the outstanding fees of final year students of the state origin on scholarship in foreign universities. The state Commissioner

was in line with the tradition of Esun-Ekiti and the provisions of part 2 section 8 chapter C5 of the Ekiti State Chiefs Law of 2012. The governor called on the new monarch to use his position to pray for the success of the administration and to uplift the town. In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Kolapo Kolade, said the stool of the town became vacant following the death of Oba S.O. Omojola on November 30, 2014. He added that the town had only one ruling house, Iloda, adding that the people were unanimous in their choice of the new king.

for Agriculture, Mrs Onimim Jack, who oversees Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), announced the decision during a meeting with parents of the children studying abroad, under the scholarship scheme of the state government. She added that the payment of the outstanding fees for the final year students on foreign scholarship would be paid in instalments, adding that

Sunday Ejike -Abuja THE Department of State Services (DSS) has moved former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd) to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Dasuki was picked up by the operatives of DSS on Tuesday, after laying siege to his residence for about a month and restricted

AVIATION security staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on Wednesday, apprehended a man, Mr Alabibu Olushola, who was attempting to stow away in a taxing aircraft on the tarmac of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja. The culprit, according to FAAN, was arrested as soon as he had scaled the perimeter fence near the moving aircraft and after interrogation by the security staff, he was immediately handed over to the police for further interro-

no formal report had been made with the police as of the time of filing this report. He also added that DSS operatives had, in the past, not been informing police of their activities in any part of Lagos.

his movement, even when a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail and gave him three weeks permission to travel abroad for medical attention. The court, presided over by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, will sit today to hear the motion filed by the Federal Government seeking to revoke the bail granted the former NSA. At the last resumed hearing of the suit, the Director of Public Prosecution

(DPP), Mohammed Diri, prosecuting the matter on behalf of the Federal Government, told the court that a notice of appeal had been lodged at the Court of Appeal, challenging the judgment of the court granting bail to the former NSA. Dasuki had pleaded not guilty to the charges of alleged illegal possession of firearms and money-laundering preferred against him by the Federal Government.

Army arrests another wanted Boko Haram member Chris Agbambu -Abuja TROOPS of 7 Division Garrison, providing security at Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps at

all affected foreign institutions had been contacted by the state government on the development. She said other students not in final year of their studies would continue their education back in the country in two universities. The commissioner listed University of Port Harcourt and the Rivers State University of Science and Technology as beneficiary institutions under full scholarship of the state government.

Suspected stowaway apprehended at MMA Shola Adekola -Lagos

their former houses, after being duly notified,” the source added. The image maker in charge of the state police command, Joe Offor, claimed not to be aware of the incident, adding that

DSS moves Dasuki to EFCC custody

Wike approves payment of fees of students on foreign scholarship

Merit, transparency will guide selection for public offices —Fayose EKITI State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has reiterated that merit, transparency and fairness will always guide his administration in the selection of people into positions in the state, adding that there are no preferred candidates. The governor stated this in Esun-Ekiti, during the presentation of staff of office to the Elesun of EsunEkiti, Oba Ogunsakin Babatunde. In a statement in AdoEkiti by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor said his administration would also continue to respond to the needs and yearnings of the people of the state. Fayose noted that the selection of Oba Babatunde

Thursday, 3 December, 2015

gation. “FAAN therefore, reminded members of the public that access to restricted areas of the airport, including the tarmac and perimeter roads, is prohibited for unauthorised people, including airport staff who have no business being there. This is more so in view of the present security situation in the country. “The Authority will henceforth not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any person, including unauthorised airport staff found loitering around restricted areas of all our airports,” the statement by the FAAN read.

Dalori, in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State, have apprehended an 11-year-old boy, Master Usman Modu Tella, who was described as a potential suicide bomber. He is also the suspect number 82 on the poster containing photographs of 100 wanted suspected Boko Haram terrorists released by the Nigerian Army. Nigerian Tribune gathered that a preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was from Bama town and is among four children trained for suicide bombing by the Boko Haram terrorists. The suspect, it was gathered, told the army that the three others had already carried out their missions at different locations, while his job was to do same in

the camp sometime in the future. The suspect also pointed out one other suspected Boko Haram senior member, Alhaji Kerewu Abubakar, at the camp. A statement by the acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, confirmed the arrest, adding that the apprehension was a boost to the fight against terrorism and insurgency. The statement added that the suspects were assisting with investigation that would lead to the arrest of more suspects in the camp and elsewhere.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Akankuku Bamidele Fatimo now AKANKUKU LAWAL BAMIDELE FATIMO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank plc., and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Chidi Samuel Udeh am the same person bearing Chidi Nwafather Udeh and Chidi Udeh T.N. Now wish to be known and addressed as CHIDI SAMUEL NWAFATHER UDEH. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adedeji Mary Adewumi now MRS. ABIORO MARY ADEWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

7 news

Thursday, 3 December, 2015

Senate proposes 2-yr jail term for offensive newspaper, radio, tv statements •Purveyors of false publications may get N4m fine Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja

HE Senate, on Wednesday, passed a bill seeking a two-year jail term for any person who makes allegation or publishes false statements or writes frivolous petitions in the newspaper, radio or any other medium. The bill, being sponsored by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’alah, passed the second reading in the Senate on Wednesday. The bill, entitled: “A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivilous Petitions and other Matters Connected therewith” seeks to compel petitioners to accompany their petitions with sworn court affidavit. It recommends that failure to do so should attract a six- month imprisonment upon conviction. The bill also prescribes that anybody or group of persons who send any false text message or post false message on the social media against another person shall be jailed for two years upon conviction by the law court. The bill, however, provides for an option of N4 million for persons convicted of false newspaper, radio and television statements and N2 million option for offenders of false phone text messages or messages on facebook, twitter, instagram or whatsapp. It specified that: “Where any person in order to circumvent this law makes any allegation and or publish any statement, petition in any paper, radio or any medium of whatever description, with malicious intent to discredit or set the public against any person or group of persons, institutions of government, he shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment term of two years or a fine of N4,000,000.” The bill also stated that: “Where any person through text message,tweets, whatsapp or through any social media post any abusive statement knowing same to be false with intent to set the public against any person and group of persons, an institution of government or such other bodies established by law shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment for two years or a fine of N2,000,000

or both fine and imprisonment.” The bill stated that it shall be an offence for any petition to be submitted without a sworn affidavit from the law court. According to the bill, “not withstanding anything contained in any law, it shall be unlawful to submit any petition, statement intended to report the conduct of any person for the purpose of an investigation, inquiry and or inquest without a duly sworn affidavit in the high court of a state or the Federal High Court confirming the content to be true and correct and in accordance with the Oaths Act. “Any petition and\or complaints not accompanied by a sworn affidavit shall be

incompetent and shall not be used by any government institution, agency or body established by any law for the time being enforced in Nigeria. “Any person who unlawfully uses, publishes or causes to be published any petition, complaint not supported by a dully sworn affidavit shall be deemed to have committed an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment for six months without an option of fine. “Any person who acts, uses or cause to be used any petition or complaints not accompanied by duly sworn affidavit shall be deemed to have committed an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprison-

ment for a term of two years or a fine of N200,000 or both.” In the lead debate, Ibn Na’Abah said: “Our past has portrayed us as a society, where by mere expedience of writing a frivolous petition against public officials, you can have their right abused by taking certain measures that practically took away their right of presumptions of innocence only to be found later that the petition, as strong as it appears on the paper, actually lacks merit. “This sometimes lead to a lot of innocent and most times honest civil servants being taken away from the public service, only to be replaced by the dishonest ones, which invariably leads

to the draining of the public service of civil servants with the desired integrity to move this country forward simply on grounds of principles. “As a nation with strong desire to move forward, this negative trend must be reversed, if only for the desired objectives of the country.” The lawmaker disclosed that “the bill which appears ‘sunset’ in its nature, consists of four sections, which in clear terms spelt out the punishment for frivolous petition and what constitutes frivolous petition. “The bill seeks to provide punishment for frivolous petitions by making sure that only credible and verifiable petitions are presented for public use.

“The utility of the bill is to equally save the time for good governance and resources that go into investigating frivolus petitions.The bill would equally assist in shaping our negative thinking by elevating hard work over and above sychophancy and indolence. “The question to ask is, whether having passed the Freedom of Information Act, which gives unfettered access by the public information from government offices they would be right for this government to continue to waste valuable time and resources in investigating frivolous petitions from the same public and I am sure you would find no difficulty in saying no to the ugly situation,” he stated.

...Affirms ban on importation of rice Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja THE Senate, on Wednesday, reaffirmed the ban on importation of rice through land borders by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ali (retd). The Senate had, on October 15, mandated its ad hoc Committee on Import Waivers, Concession and Grants to investigate the decision of the Comptroller-General of Customs to lift the ban on rice importation. On the adoption of the committee’s recommendation on Wednesday, the Senate insisted that lifting the ban would lead to revenue losses. The lawmakers believed the lifting of the ban had already led to the evasion of Customs duty and revenue losses to Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Maritime and Security Administration Agency (NIMASA), Freight Forwarders and haulage sub-sector. The ad hoc committee indicated in its report that the existing National Rice Policy, which commenced from May 2014 and would lapse in 2017, was the outcome of the decision of the Inter-Ministerial Committee which comprised Ministries of Agriculture, Finance, Industry, Trade and Investment and Rice Millers. It stated that the meeting convened at the instance of former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and that the decision taken at the meeting was that rice could only be imported through the sea ports.

While accepting the report, the Senate urged the Federal Government to direct the Nigeria Customs Service to reverse itself and maintain the status quo, which it said had brought about stability in the tariff regime. Senator Tayo Alasoadura (APC, Ondo Central), faulted the decision of the NCS, saying there were serious security implications accompanying uncontrolled number of trucks to the nation’s porous borders. He said the committee found out from the presentation of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Colonel Ali (retd), that the Comptroller had a wrong notion that importers of rice through the land borders were ‘small-time’ importers of a few bags that would not have negative effect on the

rice policy. The committee, he said, noted that most of the rice brought into Nigeria through Benin and Niger Republics were brought in by ‘big time businessmen’ who have perfected evasion of payment of Customs duty to the country by bringing rice in trucks. He disclosed that the committee found out that anyone that imports five to 10 loads/vessels of rice into Benin Republic and destined them to Nigeria through the land borders already had predetermined motive to cheat Nigerian government of revenue through duty evasion. The panel, however, discovered further that lifting of the ban led to more serious revenue leakages as a result of heightened activities of smugglers across the borders

as they exploited it by paying for less number of trucks than actually brought in. According to the ad hoc panel, the action of the Nigeria Customs Service led to evasion of Customs duty and revenue losses to Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Maritime and Security Administration Agency (NIMASA), Freight Forwarders, haulage sub-sector and others. He added: “There is strong possibility for dubious businessmen round tripping. That is paying duty on three or four trucks load of rice and use the clearing document to bring in more than 100 more truck loads. This will inevitably affect the revenue going into Federation Account. “There is no justification for any importer to import parboiled rice that is meant

for Nigeria, discharge it at Cotonou, pay import duty at 5 per cent and load the same consignment into trucks, where he pays transportation cost of an average of N400,000 per truck to the Nigerian border and on arrival, pay another import duty either of 30 or 70 per cent. The committee does not see any logic in this.” The committee further reported that further stated that the ban on rice importation in Nigeria through land borders would improve the quality of rice produced in the country, thus creating more jobs for Nigerian farmers. The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, who presided over the session, asked the Customs Service to import rice only through the sea ports, in order to support local farmers.

...Probes N200bn education trust fund, summons TETFund executive secretary Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja THE Senate, on Wednesday, directed the Committee on Tertiary Institutions, to probe the alleged diversion of N200 billion of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) between 2012 and 2013 to unknown and unspecified uses not recognised by TETFund Establishment Act, 2011. The committee was given a month to report back to the whole House. This probe is sequel to the adoption of a motion ‘Gross Mismanagement of

Education Tax Fund 20112015’ sponsored by Senator Abdullahi Aliyu Sabi (Niger/APC) . Following the adoption of the motion on Wednesday, the committee was also mandated to look at the alleged misappropriation of the Education Tax Fund from 2011 till 2015. The lawmakers summoned TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Professor Suleiman Elias Bogoro, to appear before the Committee on Tertiary Institutions to explain the reported diversion and alleged irregularities at TETFund. Senate President, Dr Bu-

kola Saraki, who ruled on the motion, directed the Committee on Tertiary Institutions to report back to the Senate in a month. He directed the committee to do a thorough job and report back to the Senate, in order to get a clearer picture of the situation. While leading the debate on his motion, Sabi reported that the TETFund Board granted a loan to the Ministry of Education and also organised a workshop and pre-retreat in the United States and Kenya in 2014 and 2015, without recourse to the guidelines of the TETFund Act.

Sabi added that “a whopping sum of about N500 million was budgeted for advertising and media in TETFund’s 2015 budget, which contravenes rehabilitation, restoration and consolidation of tertiary education in Nigeria, in accordance with Section 3(1) of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Establishment, Act 2011.” The lawmaker disclosed that after spending nearly N1trillion between 2011 and 2015 by TETFund, the state of infrastructure in tertiary education institutions were still “shabby, dilapidated and mostly run down.”

news

Thursday, 3 December, 2015

Customs to dismiss, jail corrupt officers Anthony Ubong-Calabar

enceforth, officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) who engages in sharp practices will be dismissed and jailed, Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Colonel Hameed Ali (retd) has warned. Ali, who gave the warning on Wednesday, while addressing officers and men of the Customs Service, stressed the need for them to be of good conduct in the discharge of their duties. He reiterated the resolve of his administration to maintain zero tolerance for corruption, calling on

the officers and men of the service to shun corrupt practices. The Customs Comptroller said: “I want to make it clear to all of you that I have zero tolerance for indiscipline. I will dismiss and jail any officer found guilty. “Indiscipline will no longer have a place in the NCS. We must have officers and men with impeccable characters to promote the image of the service.

“Anyone caught falsifying any document or compromising with imported goods will also be dismissed and jailed. “The NCS has resolved that anyone caught in an unprofessional conduct, no matter the circumstances, will be dismissed and jailed for the offence,” he said. According to him, the sanctions would send a strong message to others and the Service would, in

turn, be on its gateway to reformation. “I am determined to undertake reforms and reconstruct the Service to collect more revenue into the coffers of the Federal Government. “We have been seen as the most indisciplined paramilitary organisation because we have refused to obey the laws that govern us. “Para military is all about discipline and we must

operate on that basis. We must also work in line with the law establishing the Service,” he added. The Customs boss, however, promised to reward hardworking officers and men of the Service, while also assuring officers them of good welfare packages. He added that arrangements were ongoing for the provision of suitable accommodation for the officers.

Ogun model school, basis for skilled economy —German Consul General THE German Consul General in Nigeria, Ingo Herbert, has described the 15 newly-constructed model schools spread across Ogun State as a good basis for skilled economy. “It is the best initiative for the future of education in the state and Nigeria at large,” Herbert said. Herbert , who lauded the Senator Ibikunle Amosunled administration for the initiative, made this known during a visit to the Model School located at Kobape, on Abeokuta-Interchange Expressway, expressing satisfaction with the architectural masterpiece. While noting that the model school would be an avenue for the development of vocational skills, Herbert expressed Germany’s readiness to partner with the Ogun State government on the development of vocational skills, pointing out that the success of the German economy was based on skilled people. “I’m impressed with this edifice. It is the best you can do for the future of education in Ogun and Nigeria by extension. Better life can be achieved in a place like this. “German economy is based on skilled people where vocational training and skill development can be gained. And Germany is ready to partner with Ogun State government on vocational training. “This initiative will be a good basis for a skilled economy for Ogun State. With this, future development is guaranteed,” Ingo said.

From left, Director/Producer, Hear Word, Ifeoma Fafunwa; Manager, High Value Sponsorship & Events, Etisalat Nigeria, Opeyemi Lawal; Renowned Poet, Professor Niyi Osundare and the Director, Ake Arts and Book Festival, Lola Shoneye, at the Etisalat-sponsored stage play, Hear Word, during the Ake Arts and Book Festival 2015, held at the Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Africa primed for economic growth —Tinubu THE national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, has said good leadership is key to unlocking the economic potentials of Africa. The political leader, who was represented at the event by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said this while delivering his

remarks at the formal launch of the Centre for African Entrepreneurship and Leadership (CAEL) and his investiture as the Patron, at the University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom, on Monday. The event had about eight Nigerian senators in attendance, including Gbenga Ashafa, Adeola Solomon, Marafa Buhari

and Ajayi Boroffice. According to a press release by the university, the CAEL aimed to build knowledge and capacity in Africa, as well as provide research and policy development. CAEL provides short courses, executive and doctoral training in the UK and Africa, and also develops academic partnerships

Buhari, Chinese leader to meet in South Africa for rail power talks Leon Usigbe-Abuja

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja for South Africa on Thursday to participate in the Forum on China/Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) taking place in Johannesburg, December 4 and 5, 2015. A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, noted that during the forum, the president would follow up his meeting with the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, which took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in November in New York. It recalled that Buhari had indicated to Xi Jinping at the bilateral meeting in

New York that he wanted China to re-commence stalled rail projects under newterms that would see China providing nearly all the financing required. The statement added: “Of particular interest is the coastal railway project stretching for 1,402 kilometers linking Lagos in the West with Calabar in the East; a project that is expected to be financed with $12 billion Chinese loan and which will create about 200,000 jobs. “Another rail project that will be up for renegotiation is the $8.3billion Lagos-Kano standard gauge modernisation project, of which only a segment, Kaduna-Abuja has reached completion stage.

“President Buhari is also expected to discuss ways of removing all obstacles in the way of the 3,050 MW Mambila Power Station, considered a strategic project which was conceived in 1982, but has not taken off. “The Chinese President had informed President Buhari of the willingness of his country to finance the whole project through a special loan agreement.” The statement added that the President, who will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema; Minister of Transportation, Chubuike Amaechi and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, will return to Abuja, on Saturday.

with African universities – these include the University of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, the University of Maiduguri, College of Education Minna and Bayero University Kano in Nigeria and it focuses on developing sustainable schemes to support SMEs, graduate and youth employment. In his speech, Tinubu said Africa was ready to grow its commerce and industry, but needed visionary leadership to follow through. “Africa is now, more than ever, primed for economic growth and productive partnerships,” he said. “Citizens have become more aware and engaged in the process of choosing their own leaders. They are dismantling undemocratic structures that have held them back far too long. African economies are increasingly becoming more rational and focused on identifying what shall be their critical path to development." "They are seeking to be integrated into the global economy. This will provide opportunities for businesses to grow and flourish and for those investors willing to harmonise their interests with those of a more independently-minded Africa.

FG to name monument after Etiebet THE Federal Government is to immortalise Senator Donald Dick Etiebet by naming a national monument after the late former governor of the old Cross River State. This is sequel to a motion to that effect by the Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on the demise of the former governor, who had also been a Senator of the Federal Republic in the Second Republic. In the motion co-sponsored by the senators from Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, the Senate noted the demise of the former senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1979 – 1983), Chief Etiebet, at the age of 81. The Senate further noted that the late Etiebet was also an elected governor of the old Cross River State, on the platform of the then National Party of Nigeria, (NPN) and held office from October to December 1983, which was expatiated through the military coup of December 1983. The late Etiebet, according to the motion, had held several other positions, including member of the Constituent Assembly 1977 – 1978 and member of the Constitutional Conference, Abuja, 1994 – 1995.

Convention The regional convention of Jehovah’s witnesses which comes up annually progresses to the 7 seventh week starting from December 4-6, 2015 at the Assembly hall of Jehovah’s witness Ibadan/ Iwo Road, Oyo State. The theme of the convention is titled “Imitate Jesus”!, highlight of the convention will include a two part theatrical production that will portray significant events in Jesus’ life, interviews and demonstration will feature practical ways to imitate Jesus by learning about his qualities, attitude, conduct, words and Teaching. This was contained in a press release made available to the Nigerian Tribune and signed by the media officer Mr. Paul Ukpe. According to him three days programme will start on Friday and Saturday by 8:20am to 3:55pm and Sunday by 8:20am to 2:50pm. The climax shall be a thought provoking public discourse entitled, Jesus Christ, world conqueror, how and when, which will be presented on Sunday morning.

Thursday, 3 December, 2015

Lagosmetro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

SCID tenders evidence in murder of human rights lawyer AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin

he State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Yaba, on Wednesday gave evidence at the ongoing trial of alleged killer of the late human rights crusader, Kunle Fadipe. The SCID tendered various objects recovered from the scene as exhibit before Justice Atinuke Ipaye of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja. It would be recalled that the suspect, Seun Oladapo, had on July 4, 2014, allegedly stabbed late Fadipe and others at his home at Harmony Estate, near Karaole Estate, College Road in Ifako Ijaiye. The objects tendered before the court include: a torch, dagger, kitchen knife, a pair of black hand gloves, a pair of slippers, red T-shirt, a black back pack (school bag), window blind, furniture pieces and one Nokia phone all blood stained. According to SCID, the alleged murderer (Oladapo) was brought to their office on the day of the incident

and was given first aid before he was interrogated. SCID, however, maintained that Oladapo admitted that he committed the offence. After he gave his statement, he was reportedly taken to the police hospital for further treatment. The SCID further told the court that while Oladapo was on admission, the team

continued with the investigation and discovered that Oladapo lied that he came from Abeokuta. He later confirmed he lived at No. 20, Aladito Street, Fagba, Agege, adding that he took dagger, pair of slippers and T-shirt and headed to Harmony Estate, Ifako. According to the SCID, Ol-

adapo said there was heavy rainfall on the night of the incident. He then walked round the estate and discovered that a generating set was on at the late Fadipe’s house which made him jump into the compound. Oladapo also claimed that he went there with shirt, slippers to change after the operation so that he would

not be identified. Also testifying in court, a security guard working with Harmony Estate, Bamidele Sanni explained to the court how he shot Oladapo in the leg. According to him, the son of late Fadipe came to alert them about the incident. “As I was following him to their house, I alerted other

3 women docked for stealing 1 week-old baby Sylvester Okoruwa

Rapid Response Squad (RRS) saloon cars recently commissioned by Lagos State government, now stationed at strategic points across the metropolis for effective policing.

Lagosians besiege MTN offices over wrongful deactivation Tola Adenubi Numerous subscribers on Wednesday thronged MTN offices located at Ogunlana Drive and Adeniran Ogunsanya over blockage of their MTN lines by the service providers. Many of the subscribers claimed to have registered their SIM cards months earlier and were even given free airtime as gifts. The multitude that had gathered was then reportedly informed by an MTN staff that the network’s system

blocked multiple lines in error. The MTN staff, who declined to give Lagos Metro his name, later told the bewildered multitude that they should switch off their phones and wait for five minutes before switching it on again and

then try to make calls. Many of the lines that were blocked had been barred from making calls in the early hours of Wednesday. However, when many switched off their phones and switched it on after some minutes, they were surprised

In its bid to reduce congestion on the road, Lagos State government has launched a campaign tagged “Smart Transportation for Lagos (STL). The campaign, which will be deployed through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), was flagged off by the Lagos

that their lines had started going through. The MTN staff apologised to the bewildered crowd and explained it was a system error. Many among the now angry multitude lamented the hours they had spent wait-

ing outside the MTN office to find how they could reactivate their lines. Some said they had to cancel some of their official schedules because the line that was blocked was the official line they use in transacting their daily business.

Residents vow to protect Ejigbo estate from marauding hoodlums Chukwuma Okparaocha Storms of trouble seems to be brewing in Lagos after hoodlums have reportedly begun to issue threats to res-

idents of Peace Estate CDA, Ilamose, Ejigbo asking them to vacate their houses. The residents, who are calling on the state government to step into the matter speed-

Lagos unveils smart transportation Akin Adewakun

security men in the area. “On getting to the house, we met late Fadipe on the floor close to the gate, I went inside and met the defendant struggling to escape and I shot him in the leg. We were able to chain him down and called the chairman. The chairman came and we handed over him to the police,” he said. The matter has been adjourned till today for continuation of trial.

State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to coincide with the official launch of the BRT Extension from Mile 12 to Ikorodu, which would deploy 434 new BRT buses. According to Director of Public Transport, LAMATA, Mr Olugbenga Dairo, “the Smart Transportation for Lagos is an initiative conceived by LAMATA to address the perennial issue of gridlock

traffic on the ever-busy route in Lagos. “The STL initiative is expected to become critical in addressing the challenges posed by an increasing number of mega cities in both developed and developing regions in maintaining safety, easy flow of traffic, efficiency and a friendly and sustainable urban environment,” he explained.

ily to avoid any unforeseen occurrence, insist they would do anything within their power to protect their homes from invasion under any guise and from any quarters. According to information gathered, thugs numbering about 40 recently stormed the rather peaceful community to survey the entire neighbourhood, particularly scouting for empty blocks. A few days later, the same set of thugs, this time numbering over 300, reportedly began pasting posters around demanding residents to relocate elsewhere. Giving details, the public relations officer of the estate, Evangelist Emmanuel Fakas,

said that the hoodlums said they were acting based on a court injunction which gave their principal, a certain individual called Abiodun Ojo (aka Ojo Barber), the right to take over the estate. “But the court judgement they are parading about does not cover the Peace Estate CDA. They should limit their activities to the other places covered by whatever court order they are carrying about,” he said. Speaking further, Fakas warned the suspected thugs to steer clear of the estate which it was gathered used to be a swampy piece of land but which took years and a lot of resources to sand fill.

In a bid to bridge the unemployment gap, the Lagos Island Local Government Council has created a vocational institute to train unemployed youths in the council. The council revealed that it trained 71 persons in different vocations ranging from tailoring and bead making. Speaking on the initiative, the Executive Secretary of the Council, Honourable Tijani Adetoyese Olusi, while delivering his address at the first graduation ceremony of the 1014/2015 vocational trainees said that the council decided to go into the project because it was the only way it could help to reduce unemployment and the level of crime in the society. He went on to say that the graduating students were fully trained for a period of one year free of charge. The principal of Lagos Island Local Government Vocational Education Institute, Mrs. O.O Oyebola also said that 25 students graduated from computer studies skill, six from refrigerator and air-conditioning section, three from plumbing and pipe -fitting section, 13 from hat and bead making, three from the furniture, 34 from fashion design, 23 from catering and hotel management section, three from footwear section, five from barbing and 56 from hair dressing and cosmetology.

news Bayelsa: INEC tasked on credible polls

ess than three days to the governorship election in Bayelsa, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been urged to ensure conduct of credible poll. In separate interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka, on Wednesday, stakeholders said the Kogi and Bayelsa states governorship elections would serve as litmus test for the new INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu. “Kogi and Bayelsa elections are litmus test for the new INEC chairman as his performance will convince Nigerians if he will be able to conduct 2019 general elections,’’ Mr Julius Nduka, a political analyst noted. Nduka urged INEC to ensure that card readers that would be used in Bayelsa Saturday’s election were tested and found to be sound in order to reduce electoral problems. “The INEC boss should monitor his field officers as some of them collaborate with overzealous politicians most time to rig elections.

Thursday, 3 December, 2015

“INEC should ensure card readers to be used in Bayelsa are in good condition, to avoid what happened in Kogi on November 21, where card readers failed in

many polling booths,” he said. Nduka urged politicians and their supporters to play according to rules of the game, during Satur-

A 19-man team of monitors from the Police Service Commission led by Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Yakubu Muhammad, a Commissioner in the Commission, will leave for Bayelsa State today, to monitor the conduct of police officers on electoral duties during the governorship elections holding in the state, on Saturday. Information officer of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement in Abuja, on Wednesday, said that this is in the exercise of the commission’s constitutional mandate of holding the Police accountable for its actions or inactions. According to him, it is also part of the commission’s contribution to the sustenance of the nation’s fledgling democracy since the integrity of the electoral process cannot be fully achieved if the security personnel, more especially the Police, fail to discharge their constitutional responsibilities. Consequently, he noted that the commission wishes to advise all Police Officers on electoral duty in Bayelsa State to observe the rules and regulations guiding their conduct and also work within the ambit of the rule of law, as they are advised to be fair but firm and ensure

any election in good faith,” he said. Mr Ifeanyi Ogummah, a human rights activist attributed election problems in the country to poor voter

Rig Bayelsa guber election at your own peril, PDP warns INEC JacobSegunOlatunji—Abuja

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Bayelsa State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, warned both the regular and adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against rigging the poll in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Addressing newsmen in Abuja, on Wednesday, its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, who disclosed that the party was now “fully aware that the commission, in collaboration with security forces, intends to rig the election.” “We wish to make it clear to all, especially INEC officials, both regular and adhoc, that the atmosphere in Bayelsa is already charged and that any of them, who in any way allows himself to be used for manipulation,

would be doing so at his own peril,” Metuh warned. According to him, “We are all aware of the marching order handed down to the new INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, at his furtive meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to rig Kogi and Bayelsa elections in favour of APC, but we wish to let the commission know that attempting so in Bayelsa will have huge repercussions.” “Professor Yakubu and all INEC officials involved in Bayelsa election must note the fact that the state has unique political characteristics and its resistance level to electoral injustice and fraud comes with dreadful costs.” “INEC should not pretend to be oblivious of the political terrain and volatile nature of Baylelsa State,

Police Service Commission to hold police accountable for action/inaction Chris Agbambu - Abuja

day’s election in Bayelsa. “Election should not be a do or die affair, politicians should imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting whatever is the outcome of

that all eligible voters are allowed to discharge their civic responsibilities without molestation. He also added that the commission warned that it would not hesitate to commence disciplinary action against any Police Officer caught circumventing the rules before, during or after the elections, and warned politicians and voters to

conduct themselves in orderly manner, adding that they should refrain from enticing the policemen on electoral duties so that they are not compromised. Ani assured that the commission will continue to play its role in the advancement of the nation’s democracy and the enthronement of the will of the people during elections.

especially given the recent history of militancy and as such should hold itself responsible, should there be any breakdown of law and order in the state.” Metuh, who said that INEC intended to rig the election as was done in the October 31 Borno senatorial bye-election, declared that “the nation is aware of the electoral fraud in Borno State. “Nevertheless, the National Working Committee of the PDP wishes to declare to INEC and all security agencies that the people of Bayelsa State and our members have been fully rallied in their numbers to combat, head to head, any move by anybody or group whatsoever to rig the December 5 governorship election,” he stated . Metuh equally warned all the security personnel that would be involved in the conduct of the Bayelsa election “to keep to the dictates of their constitutional role of peripheral security in elections” and not allow themselves to be used against the wishes of the people. According to him, “In the same vein, we are privy to the fact that some partisan security operatives have been deployed to Bayelsa State to help rig the election, but let it be known that no amount of force can subdue our people.” “Our members and supporters in Bayelsa State are not afraid and cannot be in-

Youth coalition cautions INEC against card reader Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

CHAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has been advised against using the card reader machine to conduct the Bayelsa State governorship election, holding on Saturday. A coalition of youth groups in the state gave the advice in a letter addressed to the INEC chairman, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, on Wednesday. The group, under the aegis of the Niger Delta Youth Leaders, said INEC should rather adopt the manual voting system, so as to authenticate the validity genuine and credible manual process of voting in the state. The youths, in the letter

signed by Comrade Charles Omosuke, Olayinka Deidor and two others, said there was no constitutional provision mandating the use of card reader machines by the electoral body. They further said card reader machines was an initiative of the immediate past INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, but which had not ensured transparency in the country’s electoral process. “We are urging INEC to transparently display the up-to-date voters’ registers per unit with passports of voters on them. “Secondly, INEC should jettison the card reader machines as it is marred with irregularities as we fear that the enormity of its irregularities could trigger violent and wanton disruption of the December 5

election in Bayelsa State, even if the Kogi State electorate were ignorant of the monumental electronic fraud that led to rigging. “We are urging INEC to adopt the use of manual voting system in Bayelsa gubernatorial election to authenticate the validity of the age-long, genuine, and credible manual process in Bayelsa State. “You will agree with us that there is no constitutional provision mandating the use of card reader machines by INEC, but only a notion initiated by Professor Attahiru Jega, which is not giving transparency in the process,” the letter read. The coalition also described the inconclusive governorship election in Kogi State as “a hyper and most sophisticated scam.”

timidated by guns. They will come out in their numbers to exercise their franchise and to defend their votes fully. We therefore caution the military and other security forces to keep to the dictates of their constitutional role of peripheral security in elections.”

education and enlightenment. He urged INEC and government to dedicate more time on educating electorate before the 2019 general elections. “Electorate need to be well educated on what they should do and what they should not do, as well as its consequences. “Even some candidates do not know what are expected of them by the Electoral Act; that’s why most time they flout guidelines that lead to nullifying elections by tribunals or courts.

Toru-Ebeni bridge will boost economic activities —Jonathan FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan has said the newly commissioned ToruEbeni bridge would help in opening up the hinterland in Bayelsa State as well as boost commercial activities in the area. Jonathan, who made this remark during the commissioning of the bridge, recalled that the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a former governor of the state, conceived the idea of the project, but he started the construction, which the present administration completed. He said his administration saw the project as a priority, which would alleviate the sufferings of the people living in the riverine communities of Bayelsa Central and West, as well as helping people of Ekeremor, who would no longer travel through Bomadi to their communities. Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, described the quality of the bridge as comparable to the best anywhere in the world. Secondus noted that, the state governor, Seriake

Dickson, has achieved a lot for the state in terms of high quality projects which, he said, would attract massive votes for his re-election. On his part, Dickson pointed out that due to the former president’s commitment to infrastructural development of the state; he decided to complete the bridge projects for him to commission. He expressed delight that the contractors, Setraco and CCECC, were able to complete both projects in record time, stressing that he is committed to building more of such bridges and other infrastructural facilities in the state if reelected. His words:”I am fulfilled for the completion and commissioning of the two bridges. The former president was committed to the development of infrastructure in the state. I want to remind you that the Ekoli and Toru-Ebeni bridges were initiated by him. That is why the commissioning of the Toru-Ebeni bridge project was reserved for Dr Jonathan as a mark of honour for him.”

IGP debunks Jonathan’s alleged attack in Bayelsa Clement Idoko - Abuja

THE Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, on Wednesday, said former President, Goodluck Jonathan, was not attacked in Bayelsa State by thugs on Tuesday, as being carried in some quarters. Arase, who spoke with newsmen at the Ministry of Interior in Abuja, confirmed that a driver actually veered his vehicle into the ex-president’s convoy,

saying from investigation no harm was intended. He said he gathered from the state Commissioner of Police that a reckless driver veered into Jonathan’s convoy. According to Arase: “From what I heard from the (state) Commissioner of Police, somebody veered into their (the president’s) convoy, but I don’t think it was intended to hurt him. We have crazy drivers all over the place; Nigerians don’t like obeying the law.”

businessnews

Thursday, 3 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Fuel scarcity won’t happen again —Information minister Christian Okeke-Abuja

inister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday, assured†that the kind of fuel scarcity that has triggered vehicular queues across the country would no longer repeat itself. ‘’We can assure you that we won’t be caught in this kind of situation again,’’ the minister said in Abuja during a visit to a newspaper outfit. He explained that the N521 billion that was approved by the National Assembly as part of the passed supplementary budget of N574.4 billion would be enough to cover the fuel subsidy till the end of the year. The minister noted that the current fuel scarcity in the country would be over in a matter of days following the approval of the subsidy payment by the National Assembly. He announced a plan to set up an ad hoc committee comprising representatives of the government,

the military and the media to enhance the exchange of information, espe-

cially concerning the war against terrorism. According to him, the

2016 budget would soon be submitted to the National Assembly, assuring

that it would address the yearnings of Nigerians. He said: “We can confi-

dently announce here today that the scarcity will end in a few days. Subsidy payment till the end of the year has been approved by the National Assembly. As you know we can’t spend money without approval.’’

Sell pressure: NSE investors move 383.38m shares worth N5.34bn

From left, Brand Manager Goldberg, Mfon Bassey; Public Affairs Manager, West/Mid-West Nigerian Breweries Plc, Tayo Adelaja and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan, during Goldberg courtesy visit to the Ooni in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Wednesday.

Unbundling of NNPC will block leakages in oil, gas industry —NEITI The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), on Wednesday, said the unbundling of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) would curb corruption in the oil and gas industry.

Dr Ogbonnaya Orji, the acting Executive Secretary of NEITI, said this at the inauguration of the initiative’s Companies’ Forum in Lagos. Orji said NEITI had earlier recommended the un-

Students of institutions of higher learning in the country can now have unhindered access to internet browsing and downloading within their campuses as next generation telecommunications network, Globacom, has launched a first-of-its-kind product tagged Glo Campus Booster. Designed to aid academic activities and social networking among students and staff of tertiary institutions across Nigeria, the Glo Campus Booster will, among other benefits, support and improve education standards, create intellectual wealth for students, and provide access to information on research topics and thesis writing. At the official launch of the product at Globacom’s headquarters in Lagos on Wednesday, the company’s Senior Manager, Events and Sponsorship, Mr. Sola Mogaji, said that the Glo Campus Booster is a special data plan that allows students and others on campus to get up to eight times more data value whenever they use their Glo lines on

For instance under the Glo Campus Booster, a N200 data recharge will guarantee a subscriber 400MB of data which is eight times more than the 50MB of data a subscriber would normally get with a N200 recharge. In the same vein, a recharge of N500 will give 1 gigabyte of data on campus. The service is available on all Nigerian campuses nationwide, including military, police, customs and immigration training institutions, Mr. Mogaji explained. According to him, “Students as well as staff on campuses can enjoy this offer when they subscribe to a Glo Campus Data Plan of N200 and above. They will subsequently enjoy enhanced data offered while used in the campuses”. He further explained that another juicy feature of the package is that the Glo Campus Data Plans can be gifted to another subscriber on any other campus within the country. He said as soon as any subscriber on the Campus Data Plan enters a school campus anywhere in Nige-

bundling of NNPC and the privatisation of the nation’s refineries as part of the reforms to be carried out in the oil and gas sector. According to him, NEITI also recommended in-

stallation of modern and standard metering infrastructure to measure crude production, open and competitive bidding in the allocation of oil blocks. He said though most of its recommendations were being taken into consider-

Glo boosts data on campuses with Campus Booster ria, “You will be notified via a flash message that you have entered a Glo Campus Zone,” he disclosed. Mogaji urged Nigerians wishing to register to enjoy the huge benefits of Glo Campus Booster to dial *777# to chose a preferred plan from N200 and above.

He said Globacom decided to offer the Campus Booster having realised the dearth of internet facilities on Nigerian campuses, and the need to enhance education and social integration through the provision of adequate data plan for students.

Mamalette.com, a website for educating mothers on parenting, family life and career, has organised a mothers’ forum tagged Mamalette live 2015. The seminar, which took place at the co-creation hub in Yaba, Lagos, featured sessions on ‘Pregnancy and Birth Experience’, ‘What to expect in the weeks following birth’, ‘Factors to consider when choosing a fertility clinic’ and ‘Sex, love and relationships.’ Many of the women expressed the need for society to appreciate the conditions under which women function as mothers and as career persons. The moth-

ers also mentioned the challenges they have to face in the early years after marriage when the children are very young and mothers have to take care of them and still must not fail to perform their career responsibilities. Mrs. Folake Adenusi urged women to be determined. They should plan their time well and resolve not to be too dependent on their husbands. Her words, “I know that it is going to demand much from us, I mean a situation where women have to get to work early and sometimes close late and yet who have those kids who also need our attention.

Mamalette holds mother’s empowerment forum

ation, ``they need urgent implementation to curb leakages of government revenues in the industry’’. Orji said that the forum was a gathering where companies would come together to discuss issues of policy implementation and how it affected them. “This is a forum where you have government, companies and civil society groups sitting together to solve the problems of how a country like Nigeria will manage its natural resources prudently. “This is with a view to ensuring that revenue generated from oil, gas and mining support national development and reduce poverty in the country,” he said. Orji said that the forum would be independent of NEITI. Alhaji Shehu Sanni, the President, Miners Association of Nigeria, said that the companies’ forum should be an advocacy platform where all the wrongs that had been happening in the mining sector would be corrected. Sanni said it was an avenue to support the new government’s thinking at diversifying the economy, especially in the area of mining. Also, Mr Tola Akinmoladun, the Chairman, Oil Producer Trading Section (OPTS), said that the forum would provide opportunity for companies to exchange ideas.

The volume of shares traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday increased by 150.04 per cent following sell pressure. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that investors exchanged 383.38 million shares worth N5.34 billion in 2,857 deals. This was against the 1.56 million shares valued at N1.56 billion exchanged in 2,699 deals on Tuesday. GTBank drove the volume of shares traded with 128.49 million shares worth N2.57 billion. Union Homes came second with 99.79 million shares valued at N495.96 million, while FBN Holdings accounted for 29.14 million shares. Zenith Bank traded 15.68 million shares worth N248.42 million. NAN reports that the market capitalisation, however, lost 0.10 per cent following price depreciation by some blue chips. The market capitalisation lost N9 billion or 0.10 per cent to close at N9.383 trillion against the N9.391 trillion posted on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the naira on Wednesday crashed further at the parallel market as it exchanged for N244 to the dollar. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the naira lost N1.5 to close at N244 on Wednesday afternoon, as against its previous value of N242.5. The naira, however, appreciated at the official inter-bank window as it exchanged for N196.97 to the dollar as against its nearly fixed rate of N197. Traders at the parallel market expressed concern that in spite of the bi weekly sale of forex to Bureau de Change (BDCs) by the apex bank, the naira continued to crash. They said that the parallel market continued to witness huge influx of currency buyers due to the ease at which they accessed forex in the market. Mr Chukuma Obi, an importer, said that the continued depreciation of the naira was having very severe consequences in the business of importation.