All Posts in "Day: June 30, 2021"

My Husband Lied,Evans’ Wife Tells Court 

Alleged kidnap: Wife implicates husband in Evans' trial
The wife of an alleged kidnapper, Ogechi Uchechukwu, who was arrested alongside Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, in the criminal allegations of kidnap, Uche Amadi, told Ikeja High  Court that her husband lied about his involvement with the alleged kidnap kingpin.
She told Justice Hakeem Oshodi that her husband had travelled from Port Harcourt to Lagos in 2016 after receiving a call from his friend, Somtochuckwu alias Evans, who invited him to come and do a job (nature of the job not mentioned).
She informed  her husband lied in his evidence before the court that he only visited Lagos for the first time after he was arrested by the police on May 24, 2017.
The witness, Ogechi, her husband (Amadi), Evans and three others: Chilaka Ifeanyi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba are standing trial before an Ikeja High Court, Lagos for allegedly kidnapping one Mr Donatius Dunu who is the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceutical Ltd.
Testifying, in her defence, on a two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping, Ogechi said, “I own a shop and sell provisions in Port Harcourt. I was in Port Harcourt when I was arrested by the police. But my Lord I visited Lagos, with my son, in August 2016 during the long (school) vacation.
“My husband invited me to Lagos in August and I spent 2weeks there before I returned to Port Harcourt. It was on May 24, 2017 when a Hilux Van, filled with policemen, packed in front of my shop. The police officers marched into the shop, saw my husband and arrested him.So if anyone comes to this court and say that Amadi has never been to Lagos except in 2017 when he was arrested, then that person must be lying”.
Her husband, Amadi, had earlier testified that he had never visited Lagos before  his arrest.
He told the court that he was arrested alongside his wife in Port Harcourt and that he didn’t know or have any relationship with Evans.
But  ogechi,in her evidence before the court,said: ” When the police officers arrested my husband, they also dragged me along when I tried to ask them what offence he committed.
“They took us to a police station in Port Harcourt and I spent three weeks there.
“They later transfered us to Lagos where I spent 3 months before we were charged to court.
” At the station in Port Harcourt, they asked me if I knew that my husband is a kidnapper and I said no. I told them that my husband is a taxi driver and when he is off from work, he helps me out in the shop”.
Asked if she lived with her husband and knew the kind of business he did while in Lagos, she said nodded in the negative.
During cross examination by the State prosecution, Adebayo Haroun, the witness said that her husband was formerly doing a clothing business in 2004 at Aba, Ariaria International market before he got a contract job and they relocated to Port Harcourt.
She further said that they moved to Port Harcourt in 2013 when her son was 9-years old.
“My husband got a contract to drive a big truck that carries dirts (from dustbins) but he left Port Harcourt in 2016 to Lagos,” she confirmed.
When asked why her husband left Port Harcourt, she said, “my husband told me that his friend invited him to Lagos. He said his friend, Somtochuckwu and I believed him”.
” Was your husband always at home with you throughout your two weeks stay in Lagos?” The prosecutor asked and she replied in the affirmative.
The prosecution further asked, “in your statement to the police, you referred to a name ” Evans Somtochuckwu” as the name of your husband’s friend that invited him to Lagos?” And she replied “Yes”.
When asked if that her husband’s friend was inside the courtroom, Ogechi said yes, while pointing straight at the 1st  defendant (Evans).
When asked if she recalls the house or area she visited her husband, she replied, “No. I took a bus from God is Good Motors to Lagos and entered a taxi, which my husband called for me”.
“You were in court when the victim/PW1, Donatius Dunu, said that where he was kept, he heard a voice of a woman and her child?” The prosecutor asked and she replied yes.
She said that stayed in a 3 bedroom bungalow apartment when she visited her husband in Lagos.
Online Editor by — June 30, 2021 in News 0
State Libraries Now Museums-NASU

NASU laments lack of modern books, computers, software programmes in libraries
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has decried the
deplorable state of some state libraries across the nation, saying that most of them have been turned into museums for ancient books.
The Union which consists of international and Nigerian examination bodies and library employees made this known in Bauchi on Tuesday during their meeting.
 The National Deputy President of the union, Comrade Obabunmi Sunday,who disclosed this in Bauchi, said ancient books now dominate the facilities in the country.
“The deplorable conditions of our libraries in Nigeria cannot be overemphasised, especially in the state owned libraries across the Nation. Most of them have been turned into a museum where ancient books and educational materials are kept for records purposes.Moreso, the buildings and the other facilities in the library boards are grossly dilapidated and not conducive for effective learning and research” he said
He lamented that the development has not encouraged students to make use of the libraries, adding that the lack of modern editions of books, computers and software programmes in the libraries could not advance the e-learning process which is the acceptable standard in other countries of the world.
“No nation can advance in this era of globalization which also affects modern technologies without investing on the research and reading culture of the children, acknowledging the fact that a child education is a long term investment for the nation.
“As stakeholders, we have continuously appealed to the Federal and State governments to see the need to rehabilitate and equip the national and state libraries and we hope that our plea will see the light of the day even in the prevailing situations of this present government” he added
Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the Union, Alh. Abdullahi Tafida Bello commended the Bauchi State Government for rectifying the issues of omission of the salaries of the rank and file membership of NASU. He, however, urged the state to implement leave grant, promotion and payment of omitted salaries to the affected workers.
Representatives of West African Examination Council, National Examination Council, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, National Business and Technical Examination Board and other related trade unions were in attendance at the event that was held at the Bauchi State Library.
Online Editor by — June 30, 2021 in Education 0
We’ll PIB,Supplementary Budget In Two Weeks-Reps

The House of Representatives has assured thatvit will pass the  Petroleum Industry Bill,the 2021 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N895.8 billion presented to it by President Muhammadu Buhari,and Electoral Act in  two weeks.
Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila announced this after reading a Communication from President Muhammadu Buhari, requesting lawmakers’ approval of the 2021 Supplementary Appropriation at the resumed plenary on Tuesday.
President Buhari in the letter read on the floor of the House said that it has become necessary to prepare the 2021 supplementary Appropriation Bill, considering the urgent need to make provision for procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccines.
 He said : “We propose to fund N45.63 billion of the N83. 56 billion required for the COVID-19 vaccine programme by drawing on existing World Bank loans which will be a structured as well as other grants totalling 113.2 million US dollars.
“The balance of N37. 93 billion required for COVID-19 vaccines, salaries and other health-related expenditures totalling N41.6 billion and N48.2 billion recurrent component of defence and security will be funded by borrowing N135 billion from some special reserve levy accounts.
“We propose to fund the balance of N722.4 billion for capital expenditure on defence and security and capital supplementation from new borrowings in the absence of any supplementary revenue sources”, the letter read in parts.
He  tasked the lawmakers to work hard to ensure the key legislations are passed within two weeks before they embark on their summer break from mid July.
He added:”I will be meeting with the adhoc committee on PIB, today by 3 pm to tidy up somethings. We need to pass these legislations before we go on summer break. Two weeks is a very short time. We must do it all. These are landmark legislations, including the supplementary  budget”.
Online Editor by — June 30, 2021 in Politics 0
I Fled Nigeria To Safe My Life-Kanu 

Nnamdi Kanu tells the court that he fled Nigeria to save his life.
Maazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, has  revealed  why he jumped bail and fled Nigeria.
Kanu is being prosecutend by the Federal Government on 11-count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods.
Having been secretly ferried to the Federal High  Court by operatives of the DSS for the continuation of trial, Kanu sought the permission of the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako to address the court and present his side of the story.
Granted the permission, Kanu told  the court  that his house was unlawfully invaded by security men with his life seriously threatened.
He further alleged that he would have been killed along with others on the day of the invasion if not for the wisdom he applied to jump out of the country.
Kanu was reacting against the allegation by the prosecution counsel, Shuaibu    Labaran that Kanu jumped the bail granted him by the court and fled the country.
Meanwhile,Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has disassociated  from alleged press statement issued regarding the  rearrest and re-arraingment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB). 
 
 
Chiedozie AlexOgbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo who said  this in a statement made available to journalists in Enugu on Wednesday.
He  said : “Attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been drawn to a publication currently circulating in the media suggesting that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has issued a statement regarding the alleged rearrest and re-arraingment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB). 
 
 
“Ordinarily, we would have ignored the said press release, but silence in this circumstance would mean giving validity to such fallacy by the unsuspecting public.Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Ambassador Professor George Obiozor has not issued any press statement on the matter. Ohanaeze Ndigbo as the apex Igbo cultural organization does not issue public statements in a hurry.
 
“I hereby dissociate ourselves from the said press release and also warn those mischief makers, impostors and charlatans peddling the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to achieve selfish gains to desist from that shameful misadventure.In the event of further breach of this warning Ohanaeze Ndigbo will be compelled to invoke the full weight of the law to deal with the offenders,” he said
Online Editor by — June 30, 2021 in News 0
Police Nab Three Men, Native Doctor Over Possession Of Human Parts

Police nab 'native doctor' with human parts in Abia -
Police operative in Delta State have arrested  three persons with fresh human blood  along Nsukwa junction along Ogwashi-Uku/Kwale axis of Delta State.
Spokesperson to the Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe disclosed that the three suspects identified as Monday Nwite ‘m’ 27yrs, Madabuchi Nweke ‘m’ 26yrs and Nwite Sunday ‘m’ 21yrs all of Ebenta village in Ohaukwu LGA, Ebonyi State were apprehended with fresh human blood on their way to Kwale.
He said:  “The Dragon patrol team 31 while on stop an search duty at Nsukwa junction along Ogwashi-Uku/Kwale road intercepted a commuter sienna bus travelling from Asaba to Kwale.All passengers were asked to submit themselves for search, during the search three suspects were found with a container filled with Fresh human blood”.
Edafe disclosed that the suspects confessed to have murdered some unknown persons in Ebonyi State.
He revealed that the suspects were on their way with the murdered person’s blood to a native doctor whose identity is unknown for now but resides in Kwale.
“They were taking the blood to the said native doctor  for rituals purposes.  One rosary necklace tied with charms was also recovered from them” he asserted.
Besides, a 60 year old native doctor, Godfrey Akpudje, has been arrested with three human skull in Isiokolo axis of Delta State.
According to Edafe, ” Following a report from Ejiro Okoro ‘m’ 35yrs that his sister (Name withheld) aged 65yrs who died sometime in 2019 and was buried  at Ekpan Ovu,  that the corpse was exhumed by unknown person.
Edafe Ejiro Okoro ‘m’ 35yrs reported that his sister (Name withheld) aged 65yrs who died sometime in 2019 and was buried  at Ekpan Ovu,  that the corpse was exhumed by unknown person. On the strength of this report,
Edafe revealed that the DPO Isiokolo Division nabbed the suspect who confessed to have exhumed the corpse, and removed the skull of the deceased.
He also disclosed that two human skulls were recovered from the suspect, who claimed to havee got one of the human skull from Osun state from a native doctor who is now late.
Online Editor by — June 30, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0
Sanwo-Olu Explains Lagos Relaunch Of JigiBola

Governor Sanwo-Olu Relaunches, Expands Jigi-Bola Programme
 Lagos State Governor,Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured  that his administration will  remain committed to making life better for the residents of the state.
He spoke  at the relaunch of JigiBola, an initiative of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the state’s former Governor, to address the issue of growing preventable visual impairment among residents of the State.
 Sanwo-Olu who was represented by Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, his Deputy said that the primary goal of this administration is to improve the comfort and well being of the people and it would stop at nothing to achieve that.
He said 20 years ago, one of the visionary leaders and Former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, out of genuine concern for the wellbeing of Lagosians conceived the initiative under the Blindness Prevention Programme.
“Today we are relaunching the Jigi-Bola initiative in celebration of one of the many legacy grassroots outreach programmes of the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to restate our commitment to improving the wellbeing and welfare of Lagosians.
”I am pleased to announce that our administration has taken a step further with the Jigi-Bola initiative by broadening its scope to include  hearing aid programme, which will cater to the needs of Lagosians with hearing difficulty through the provision of hearing aids and other medical support,” he added.
He noted that vision and hearing impairment can make life difficult but could be prevented with early care and intervention, that that was why this administration is relaunching the initiative as a Free Sight and Hearing Aid Programme.
“The aim of this relaunch is to improve the capacity for efficient eye and ear care delivery and to ensure that Lagosians do not lose their vision and hearing when it could have been prevented.
Speaking further he said that the initiative is open to all Lagosians including those in the grassroots across the 20 Local Government Areas.
According to him, the services to be offered include early detection of eye conditions that may lead to blindness, eye and ear health education, free eye surgery and treatment, and also the distribution of hearing aids and eyeglasses.
Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, First Lady of Lagos state while also speaking at the event said the re-launch marks a significant landmark in the annals of Lagos State and a clear testament of the determination of the administration of Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to prioritize all aspects of healthcare delivery.
“In addition to giving free eye care services, this Jigi-Bola Re-Launch Initiative has gone a step further by distributing Hearing Aids.  Hearing loss or hearing impairment is the most prevalent sensory disability globally and a condition that is a growing concern.
“Hearing impairment is a silent or invisible disability which makes it hard to notice a person with such disability. The use of hearing aids by those with impaired hearing due to sensorineural hearing loss results in a dramatic turn in the quality of life of these individuals. Sadly, only about one in five people who need hearing aid actually use one”
Online Editor by — June 30, 2021 in News 0
Carbon,Visa Partner On Increased  to Payments  In Africa

Carbon partners with AXA Mansard to launch healthcare benefits program - Fintech Finance
 Carbon, a pan-African fintech company providing access to basic financial services for Africans, has  announced a strategic five-year partnership with Visa, the world leader in digital payments, to offer both digital and physical issuance of Visa cards to its customers.
By leveraging Visa’s payment functionalities, Carbon will deploy an instant issuance process in three key markets including Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya.
The collaboration between both companies includes financial support from Visa and will be spread over the five-year partnership period.
The funds will be used to provide implementation and marketing support to help drive further growth and adoption of Visa’s payment solutions across Carbon’s products.
said Chijioke Dozie,
The Chief Executive Officer/Co-founder of Carbon,Chijioke Dozie,said Carbon is focused on delivering an unparalleled banking experience that is both safe and reliable across all touchpoints.
He added: “We want more customers to enjoy some of our popular products like Carbon Zero through their Carbon card, and key to achieving this is our partnership with a leading payments and fintech-friendly company like Visa.”
According to him, following  the arrival of debit cards, Carbon is building on its fast-growing user base of over 650,000 customers and a strong 2020 fiscal year which saw the company process ₦96.54 billion (~$241.35 million) in payments and ₦25.21 billion (~$63 million) in loan disbursements, eclipsing the previous year’s numbers despite the pandemic.
Speaking,Vice President, Visa West Africa,Kemi Okusanya,said the rapid pace of technology innovation has driven a powerful shift in business and consumer expectations in finance.
She added:“Whether it is changing the way people invest, manage money, receive loans, or send real-time payments to friends and family, Visa is a natural partner for fintechs including Carbon, providing them with new ways to reach their customers through Visa’s vast network and global scale.”
Adding Visa cards to its payments stack will also enable easier access to Carbon Zero, the company’s Buy Now Pay Later product, which allows consumers zero percent financing on items they need the most but cannot afford immediately.
Online Editor by — June 30, 2021 in Banking&Finance 0
Senate Moves To Stop  Illicit Funding Of  Terrorists In Nigeria

The Senate has considered a Bill that would disrupt the financial flow and funding of criminal enterprise and terrorist financing in Nigeria through the seizure of assets and monies marked as proceeds of crime.
The bill, Proceeds of Crime Bill, 2021, the piece of legislation, was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi North).
Canvassing support  for the bill, Senator Abdullahi said it seeks to provide for a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the recovery and management of proceeds of crime or benefits derived from unlawful activities.
According to him,its passage and assent into law would harmonize and consolidate the legal provisions on the recovery of proceeds of crime in Nigeria.
He said Nigeria had severally attempted to put in place an appropriate Proceeds of Crime legislation since 2007.
He added:“Efforts to develop a comprehensive bill have been impeded by agency rivalry since 2011. The effort to sign the Proceeds of Crime Bill into law in 2019 was delayed as a result of complaints by agencies that claimed that the Bill is intended to take away their powers.During the evaluation of Nigeria in 2007 by the International Financial Action Task Force (FATF), they observed in their report that the legal framework for the recovery and management of stolen assets in Nigeria is inadequate and do not comply with international standards.”
He lamented that due to lack of centrally managed database on recovered assets, effort to track and maintain the actual number of the seized assets, their location and their value is made difficult.
He said:“There have been reported and verifiable instances over the years that showed that some recovered assets were being misused, stolen or lost. Further investigations have shown that some of the agencies opened multiple accounts for the payment of forfeited assets without keeping proper records. It was against this background that Mr President constituted the Presidential Audit Committee on Recovery of Assets (PACRA) in 2017.
“Not surprisingly, the committee’s findings re-iterated the need for comprehensive and more innovative approach in the management of recovered assets in a transparent and accountable manner so that these assets would become a source of revenue for the country as is the case in many developing and developed countries of the world,” he said.
The lawmaker recalled that sequel to the submission of the report of PACRA in 2018, the President directed that measures be put in place pending the passing of the Proceeds of Crime Bill into law.
He explained further that the Proceed of Crime legislation is considered as one of the vital conditions to secure Nigeria’s full membership of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Abdullahi said, when passed by the National Assembly and assented into law by the President, the bill would provide for the seizure of assets from criminal enterprises, including terrorist organizations, and bandits who undertake their operations with funding from individuals within or outside the country.
“A strong asset recovery measure can also disrupt the activities of these criminal organizations and reduce the level of insecurity in the country,” he said.
In his contribution, the Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for the move to have the Proceeds of Crime bill introduced and passed by the National Assembly.
“It is not very unusual to see me get up here and commend this government for bringing an executive bill that is in the interest of the country.
“But this is one of those bills that I want to commend the APC government for taking a step in the right direction, so that we can deal comprehensively with the matter of corruption in Nigeria,” the Minority Leader said.
Online Editor by — June 30, 2021 in News 0
Default:PenCom  Fines 25 Employers N446.17m

 

Embrace pension scheme to prevent poverty at old age, PenCom advises Nigerians - Homeland News
The National Pension Commission has said it fined 25 employers the sum N446.17m for not remitting the pension funds of their employees
It also recovered N608.55m from the employers who deducted the monthly emoluments of their workers but did not remit to their respective Pension Fund Administrators.
 The agency disclosed these in its first-quarter 2021
 It said:“Following the issuance of demand notices to defaulting employers whose pension liabilities had been established by the Recovery Agents, the sum of N608,554,747.59 representing principal contribution (N162,385,260.05) and penalty (N446,169,487.54) was recovered from 25 defaulting employers during the quarter under review.”
The report said in the first quarter, 25 states of the federation had enacted pension laws on the Contributory Pension Scheme, while seven states were at the bill stage.
It said of the five states operating other pension schemes, four states had adopted the Contributory Defined Benefits Scheme, while one (Yobe State) operated the Defined Benefits Scheme.
Online Editor by — June 30, 2021 in PENCOM 0
Africa’s Mobile Money Transactions Hit $767bn

Africa accounted  for $767 billion global mobile money transaction in 2020,representing 64% of the value of the transactions within the period,a report by CR2,has report.
The report is titled,’CR2 Market Insight: African Banking and Payments Trends’
The transactions which passed the half a billion mark,was spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic,the report said,adding that development the prospect for growth of mobile transaction in the continent is very promising.
Traditional banking and payment channels, like ATMs and POS also show an upward trend, highlighting the wide range of needs of the African population.
According to the report,In Botswana, both the volume and value of transactions at ATMs and POS show a steady increase year-on-year.
It said,in January to March 2018, the number of ATM transactions stood at 9.979 million rising to 15.241 million transactions in the first quarter of 2020,adding that POS figures show similar growth, with 9.986 million transactions being recorded in the first quarter of 2018, rising to 15.423 million transactions in the first quarter of 2020.
In Kenya, one of the leading mobile money markets, ATM and POS transactions took a slight dip at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have bounced back and continue to show an upward trend,it added.
It said:”While card penetration in Africa lags behind the rest of the world, this too is showing growth. For example, the number of cards issued in Ghana rose by 11% year-on-year from 2018 to 2019, with the volume of transactions rising by 51%. But this growth occurred alongside a steep uptake in the volume of mobile money transactions (a year-on-year growth of 39%) highlighting consumers’ appetite for a variety of payment methods and channels.
“This is a trend we see reflected across the continent and highlighted in a McKinsey study that includes the results from their Covid Africa Consumer Pulse Survey conducted in April last year, showing the likelihood of increased or decreased use of particular banking channels. Using Nigeria, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa as examples, it predicts a significant growth in both online and mobile banking”
The report  admonished  banks  to ensure that they reduce the barrier of entry for their customers – or potential customers – regardless of their location, income, or literacy level by offering a broad range of banking channels and instruments for payments.
It said within the various markets, a number of market enablers and the interplay between them affect consumer uptake of different channels,including  regulatory requirements, existing card penetration and mobile penetration.
It added:”In countries like South Africa where traditional banking channels have an existing stronghold and card penetration is high, there are a low demand and uptake of digital wallet offerings, despite high mobile penetration.In Nigeria, for example, slow adoption of regulatory and policy requirements stunted the mobile money market, while in Kenya, where the regulatory stance was more hands off, mobile money grew quickly and continues to rise.
“In many countries, a change in government policies at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdowns were implemented and bank branches were closed, helped to spark a surge in digital banking, mobile money customers and transactions.In Rwanda, the Central Bank introduced a variety of policy changes, including free transfers between bank accounts and mobile wallets; free mobile money transfers; zero merchant fees for mobile POS contactless transactions; and increased transfer limits. This resulted in a 450% increase in person-to-person payments; a 200% increase in the number of people using mobile payments; and a 700% increase in the weekly value of funds being spent digitally at merchants.
“Access channels and reach are also essential considerations for banks, particularly as a driver for financial inclusion. For much of Africa’s rural population, the proximity of a banking service or payment channel determines their habits. For many, an agent will be their nearest financial service access channel, followed by POS, ATM, Post Office and then branch. The more significant the service offering, the further away it is. This again emphasises the need for banks to offer an array of channels.The fact that a large portion of Africa’s population is underbanked or unbanked, also underlines the need for a full range of services, from basic cash in, cash out and person-to-person transfers through to more enhanced services, including electronic payments such as debit orders, insurance offerings, access to credit and customer loyalty programmes”.
Online Editor by — June 30, 2021 in Banking&Finance 0