Wednesday, 1 January 2014
I am still loyal to my boss: Tababa acting governor says
The Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, on Wednesday, said his loyalty to his ailing boss, Gov. Danbaba Suntai, was consistent and unshakable.
Umar, who made the disclosure in his New Year broadcast in Jalingo, said he was only holding brief for his principal, pending the time the governor fully recovered and was capable of resuming full duties as governor.
He said “as a loyal lieutenant, I will continue to hold brief for my boss by staying focused on his master plan for the development of our dear state.
“My resolve to do so is borne out of the need to ensure continuity and completion of the set goals and objectives within the life span of the current administration, started about seven years ago.’’
The acting governor listed some of his achievements to include the completion of work on Jalingo-Sunkani-Garba Chede Road and the completion and inauguration of Takum General Hospital.
Others, he added, include the connection of Suntai Village, the governor’s country home, to the national grid, as well as the state’s House of Assembly Service Commission Complex.
He said “it is to the credit of the current administration that local government workers are now enjoying a new minimum wage and we were able to pay September salaries of workers without federal statutory allocation.’’
Umar urged the state House of Assembly to hasten the approval of the 2014 budget he earlier presented to it so that the process of implementation could begin early in the year.
He commended security agencies for their roles in maintaining peace in 2013, stressing that the efforts of traditional and religious leaders was remarkable.
NAN
Schumacher in stable condition after skiing accident
Former world champion racing driver Michael Schumacher, who suffered severe head injuries in a weekend skiing accident in France, remained in stable condition Wednesday, his manager said.
Sabine Kehm said Schumacher had been carefully supervised overnight.
“His condition remains stable overnight and this morning,” she said.
“This is the good news — however I don’t want to go into any further prospects because it’s much too early, as the doctors said yesterday,” she said.
Doctors treating Schumacher at the University Hospital Center of Grenoble will not give a news conference unless there is a significant change in his condition, she said.
CNN
Mobile phones sold in Nigeria are overpriced – Dealers
Mobile phones sold in the Nigerian market have been described as being overpriced compared to other saturated markets in the world.
Some dealers, who spoke to our correspondent on the issue, maintained that aside the cost of production, a lot more cost centres were also factored into arriving at the prices that consumers eventually pay for the phones.
Some of the incorporated cost centres, our correspondent learnt, included events sponsorship and programmes at local and international levels, and cost of campaigns and promotions on products, among others.
It was also learnt that most of the phones in the country could be sold for far less than their current market prices if the artificial cost elements were tactically controlled by the phone manufacturers.
Confirming this to our correspondent in an interview, the Digital Marketing and Public Relations Manager, West Africa, Tecno Group, Mr. Mounir Boukali, said the global phone market had been characterised by wide propaganda; and as such, a lot of money was being pumped into unnecessary campaigns and sponsorships by some manufacturers.
He said the costs of sustaining the campaigns were huge, and the best way to maintain the trend was to incorporate the cost elements in the final prices of the phones, which would ultimately be passed on to the consumers.
“What makes up the prices of some of these phones is far from just the cost of production. Intended marketing costs are also factored in. That is why most contemporary phones are very expensive in Nigeria,” Boukali said.
A major phone dealer at the Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, who preferred to be anonymous, said the situation further explained the reason why the prices of such phones came crashing very fast when the attention of the manufacturers shifted from them.
He said, “Most of these phones you see in the market are overpriced. That is why you can see a similar phone with almost the same qualities being sold for half the price of another phone.
“I think this price hike is common with some very strong brands. The irony of this is that they’ve continued to do this because it works and most Nigerians do not mind.”
Earlier in 2013, the Federal Government had expressed worries over the 100 per cent dominance of the mobile phone production and assembly market by foreign companies.
As if that is not enough, 78 per cent of the market share of the mobile networks is being controlled by international firms.
The development, which was confirmed in a recent review of the sector by the Ministry of Communications Technology, necessitated the putting together of a stronger local content guideline by the Federal Government.
To reverse the foreign dominance, the government is currently working towards creating enabling environment for innovation, lower market-entry barriers and increase participation by Nigerian companies, while also encouraging the offshoot of new technology businesses.
Copyright PUNCH.
Glo/CAF award: Mikel, Toure, Drogba top list
The Confederation of African Football on Tuesday announced the top three nominees for the 2013 African Footballer of the Year award.
Nigeria and Chelsea’s Mikel Obi; reigning player of the year, Yaya Toure of Manchester City and Cote d’Ivoire and two-time African player of the year, Didier Drogba of Turkish Club, Galatasaray and also Cote d’Ivoire made the final list for the continent’s most prestigious individual football award.
The new winner will be announced at the awards ceremony holding at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos on January 9.
Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Emenike and Musa Ahmed were the last set of Nigerian players to drop out. Nwankwo Kanu who won the award in 1999, stands as the last Nigerian to receive the honour. The closest a Nigerian has come since then was Austin Okocha finishing as runner-up behind Samuel Eto’o for the 2003 edition.
CAF also released the names of top three finalists for the Africa-based ‘Player of the Year’ award. The players are Mohamed Aboutreika of Al-Ahly and Egypt; Ahmed Fathy also of Al-Ahly of Egypt and Sunday Mba of Warri Wolves, Nigeria. Mba made the shortlist from the Nigerian league before he got a place with Bastia of France last week. That move has cut him from the African Nations Championship holding in South Africa from January 11.
The continent’s football governing body said on Tuesday that, “The list is prepared through a vigorous selection process by the Technical, Football and Media Committees of CAF, taking into account the performance of the players for their national teams and clubs from January to November of each year. The ultimate winner of the award will be decided by votes from the head coaches or the technical directors of the national associations affiliated to CAF.”
CAF partners, Globacom who spoke through their Group Chief Operation Officer, Mr. Mohamed Jameel, on Tuesday said. “The partnership between Globacom and CAF was inspired by the company’s strong belief in football as a vehicle for communication and social integration. As the Glo-CAF partnership hits the eighth-year mark, we at Glo take pride in the significant strides our alliance with CAF has achieved in raising the quality and popularity of football in Africa.”
He said the Globacom will continue to use its clout in sports sponsorships in Africa to encourage people in sports, business and popular culture to excel.”
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Nigeria and Chelsea’s Mikel Obi; reigning player of the year, Yaya Toure of Manchester City and Cote d’Ivoire and two-time African player of the year, Didier Drogba of Turkish Club, Galatasaray and also Cote d’Ivoire made the final list for the continent’s most prestigious individual football award.
The new winner will be announced at the awards ceremony holding at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos on January 9.
Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Emenike and Musa Ahmed were the last set of Nigerian players to drop out. Nwankwo Kanu who won the award in 1999, stands as the last Nigerian to receive the honour. The closest a Nigerian has come since then was Austin Okocha finishing as runner-up behind Samuel Eto’o for the 2003 edition.
CAF also released the names of top three finalists for the Africa-based ‘Player of the Year’ award. The players are Mohamed Aboutreika of Al-Ahly and Egypt; Ahmed Fathy also of Al-Ahly of Egypt and Sunday Mba of Warri Wolves, Nigeria. Mba made the shortlist from the Nigerian league before he got a place with Bastia of France last week. That move has cut him from the African Nations Championship holding in South Africa from January 11.
The continent’s football governing body said on Tuesday that, “The list is prepared through a vigorous selection process by the Technical, Football and Media Committees of CAF, taking into account the performance of the players for their national teams and clubs from January to November of each year. The ultimate winner of the award will be decided by votes from the head coaches or the technical directors of the national associations affiliated to CAF.”
CAF partners, Globacom who spoke through their Group Chief Operation Officer, Mr. Mohamed Jameel, on Tuesday said. “The partnership between Globacom and CAF was inspired by the company’s strong belief in football as a vehicle for communication and social integration. As the Glo-CAF partnership hits the eighth-year mark, we at Glo take pride in the significant strides our alliance with CAF has achieved in raising the quality and popularity of football in Africa.”
He said the Globacom will continue to use its clout in sports sponsorships in Africa to encourage people in sports, business and popular culture to excel.”
Copyright PUNCH.
Battered pregnant woman: Co-workers stall probe
Police probe into the battering of pregnant Alexandra Ossai has taken a new turn as her colleagues have allegedly refused to assist investigation by not giving statements.
Ossai, a former supervisor at Toppan Printing Company, was said to have lost her seven-month pregnancy a few days after the company manager, Kaveh Noine, allegedly kicked her in the stomach. The incident was said to have occurred in the full glare of her colleagues.
An emergency surgical operation was performed on her after she began bleeding in the early hours of December 16 2013.
A lawyer, Mr. Courage Erhuen, who took up the matter on Ossai’s behalf, said, “After the story was published, Ossai got calls from her colleagues. They warned her that she should not mention their names to the police as witnesses as they would not be giving statements. They told her that they were not ready to lose their jobs.
“As it is, what the police have done so far is to take statements from Ossai’s aunt, Mrs. Olabisi Jaiyeoba, and her younger sister, who also worked in the company. They have also taken statements from Ossai.
“At presently, they are waiting to take statements from the surgeon who is currently away from Lagos State. He will be returning after the new year.”
The investigation had been taken over by the Lagos State Police Command from the Area F Command Ikeja. The new team is headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police. Noine, who was arrested last Friday is said to be in the custody of the command.
Before she was disengaged, Ossai allegedly earned N17,000 monthly, while two of her siblings who also worked in the same company earned N12,000. Her siblings were allegedly sacked without pay after the incident.
President Goodluck Jonathan had directed the Ministers of Interior, Mr. Aba Moro; the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu; Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; the Minster of Women Affairs, Hajia Zaynab Maina; and the National Human Rights Commission, to probe the matter and recommend actions
PUNCH Metro also gathered that Ossai, who for security reasons, was discharged from Mercy Hospital Fagba where she was receiving treatment a few days ago, was admitted after suffering a relapse. She was reportedly discharged on Monday.
The Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Public Advice Centre, Mr. Alex Omorondion told PUNCH Metro that he had received a petition from Ossai’s lawyer.
He said, “We have received a petition on the issue from Erhuen (lawyer), so also the Ministry of Justice. We intend to follow the matter up to the Attorney General’s office. Things will pick after the new year since the company has closed for the Yuletide.” Toppan is expected to resume production activities on January 8, 2014.
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Ossai, a former supervisor at Toppan Printing Company, was said to have lost her seven-month pregnancy a few days after the company manager, Kaveh Noine, allegedly kicked her in the stomach. The incident was said to have occurred in the full glare of her colleagues.
An emergency surgical operation was performed on her after she began bleeding in the early hours of December 16 2013.
A lawyer, Mr. Courage Erhuen, who took up the matter on Ossai’s behalf, said, “After the story was published, Ossai got calls from her colleagues. They warned her that she should not mention their names to the police as witnesses as they would not be giving statements. They told her that they were not ready to lose their jobs.
“As it is, what the police have done so far is to take statements from Ossai’s aunt, Mrs. Olabisi Jaiyeoba, and her younger sister, who also worked in the company. They have also taken statements from Ossai.
“At presently, they are waiting to take statements from the surgeon who is currently away from Lagos State. He will be returning after the new year.”
The investigation had been taken over by the Lagos State Police Command from the Area F Command Ikeja. The new team is headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police. Noine, who was arrested last Friday is said to be in the custody of the command.
Before she was disengaged, Ossai allegedly earned N17,000 monthly, while two of her siblings who also worked in the same company earned N12,000. Her siblings were allegedly sacked without pay after the incident.
President Goodluck Jonathan had directed the Ministers of Interior, Mr. Aba Moro; the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu; Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; the Minster of Women Affairs, Hajia Zaynab Maina; and the National Human Rights Commission, to probe the matter and recommend actions
PUNCH Metro also gathered that Ossai, who for security reasons, was discharged from Mercy Hospital Fagba where she was receiving treatment a few days ago, was admitted after suffering a relapse. She was reportedly discharged on Monday.
The Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Public Advice Centre, Mr. Alex Omorondion told PUNCH Metro that he had received a petition from Ossai’s lawyer.
He said, “We have received a petition on the issue from Erhuen (lawyer), so also the Ministry of Justice. We intend to follow the matter up to the Attorney General’s office. Things will pick after the new year since the company has closed for the Yuletide.” Toppan is expected to resume production activities on January 8, 2014.
Copyright PUNCH
Wife accuses SSS of abducting pastor, six children
Rita, the wife of Mr. Godson Akubiro, the pastor who was abducted along with six of his children from his Ikorodu home last Friday, has said the State Security Service carried out the operation.
PUNCH Metro had on Tuesday, Decemeber 31, 2013, exclusively reported that 27 gunmen in three jeeps and a Toyota Tundra vehicle stormed Akubiro’s home at Koya Estate, Igbo-Olomo, Ikorodu around 1.30am.
The men had allegedly beaten and tortured the entire family before forcefully taking them away to an unknown destination. Rita at the time, was said to be away on a trip to South Africa.
However, in a telephone interview with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, Rita said, “Since the incident, I have been trying to find out which security agency was responsible for the abduction. I checked with the Owutu Police Division and they denied sending policemen to the house.
“I checked the SSS office at Shangisha; I was accompanied by my lawyer. They confirmed that indeed, a team of SSS security operatives from Kogi State had reported at their office, saying they had an operation at Ikorodu. When my lawyer asked them what my husband had done, they got angry and told us to leave their office.”
Rita said she later found out that that the SSS team from Kogi returned to the Lagos SSS office with her husband and her children.
At present, Rita is said to be in hiding with the remaining three children who were left behind by the security operatives. The children were said to be aged three, seven and nine years.
She said, “Those gunmen did not spare my children; they were beaten up with iron rods. My nine-year-old boy was tied to a tree. Even my baby wasn’t spared; he was stomped on with boots. They have been receiving medical attention since the incident.
“Yesterday, the gunmen used my eldest daughter’s phone to send me a text; it was a call me back text. When I called back, the number was switched off. They have called me like three times now. Each time I pick and ask who it was, a man will just say ‘don’t worry’ and hang up. It’s like they are trying to trace me with my phone.”
Akubiro, who is founder of Mountain of Breakthrough Church, is said to be an importer of computers and desktop printers.
A neighbour, who pleaded anonymity, said, “When the gunmen were leaving, they took some computers and printers away. These are things Akubiro imports and sells.”
Akubiro’s wife and neighbours have said they could not understand what must have prompted the attack on the family.
When PUNCH Metro contacted the SSS Lagos State Director, Mr. Ben Achu, he said, “The men who took Akubiro are not gunmen as you reported; they are security operatives. It is standard procedure for them to report to our office when they are coming for an operation in Lagos.
“That incident was not abduction; the security operatives are simply following a lead. Akubiro was mentioned by a suspect, so he was taken away for questioning concerning his involvement in a criminal activity. Since his wife knows where he is, she can go there and ask to see him.” Achu was, however, silent on the children.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Director of the SSS on Tuesday said the command arrested Akubuiro, over allegation of printing and circulation of counterfeit naira notes.
Parading the pastor and 15 other suspects, who included Akabuiro’s six children in Lokoja, Fubara said the SSS had for about four months intensified surveillance on the source of fake currencies in the state.
According to the SSS Kogi boss, the operation took security agents to the Breakthrough Church in Lagos.
Fubara stated that the suspects were being investigated and would be charged to court after investigations were concluded.
According to the SSS director, items recovered from the suspects included equipment and materials allegedly used in printing counterfeit currencies.
Fubara said, “The SSS in its effort to trace the source of the worrisome fake naira currency in circulation in the state undertook a covert operation to uncover those behind the act.
“This operation took the service close to four months before a breakthrough resulting in the arrest of the 16-man syndicate led by Reverend Godson Akubuiro.”
Copyright PUNCH.
PUNCH Metro had on Tuesday, Decemeber 31, 2013, exclusively reported that 27 gunmen in three jeeps and a Toyota Tundra vehicle stormed Akubiro’s home at Koya Estate, Igbo-Olomo, Ikorodu around 1.30am.
The men had allegedly beaten and tortured the entire family before forcefully taking them away to an unknown destination. Rita at the time, was said to be away on a trip to South Africa.
However, in a telephone interview with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, Rita said, “Since the incident, I have been trying to find out which security agency was responsible for the abduction. I checked with the Owutu Police Division and they denied sending policemen to the house.
“I checked the SSS office at Shangisha; I was accompanied by my lawyer. They confirmed that indeed, a team of SSS security operatives from Kogi State had reported at their office, saying they had an operation at Ikorodu. When my lawyer asked them what my husband had done, they got angry and told us to leave their office.”
Rita said she later found out that that the SSS team from Kogi returned to the Lagos SSS office with her husband and her children.
At present, Rita is said to be in hiding with the remaining three children who were left behind by the security operatives. The children were said to be aged three, seven and nine years.
She said, “Those gunmen did not spare my children; they were beaten up with iron rods. My nine-year-old boy was tied to a tree. Even my baby wasn’t spared; he was stomped on with boots. They have been receiving medical attention since the incident.
“Yesterday, the gunmen used my eldest daughter’s phone to send me a text; it was a call me back text. When I called back, the number was switched off. They have called me like three times now. Each time I pick and ask who it was, a man will just say ‘don’t worry’ and hang up. It’s like they are trying to trace me with my phone.”
Akubiro, who is founder of Mountain of Breakthrough Church, is said to be an importer of computers and desktop printers.
A neighbour, who pleaded anonymity, said, “When the gunmen were leaving, they took some computers and printers away. These are things Akubiro imports and sells.”
Akubiro’s wife and neighbours have said they could not understand what must have prompted the attack on the family.
When PUNCH Metro contacted the SSS Lagos State Director, Mr. Ben Achu, he said, “The men who took Akubiro are not gunmen as you reported; they are security operatives. It is standard procedure for them to report to our office when they are coming for an operation in Lagos.
“That incident was not abduction; the security operatives are simply following a lead. Akubiro was mentioned by a suspect, so he was taken away for questioning concerning his involvement in a criminal activity. Since his wife knows where he is, she can go there and ask to see him.” Achu was, however, silent on the children.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Director of the SSS on Tuesday said the command arrested Akubuiro, over allegation of printing and circulation of counterfeit naira notes.
Parading the pastor and 15 other suspects, who included Akabuiro’s six children in Lokoja, Fubara said the SSS had for about four months intensified surveillance on the source of fake currencies in the state.
According to the SSS Kogi boss, the operation took security agents to the Breakthrough Church in Lagos.
Fubara stated that the suspects were being investigated and would be charged to court after investigations were concluded.
According to the SSS director, items recovered from the suspects included equipment and materials allegedly used in printing counterfeit currencies.
Fubara said, “The SSS in its effort to trace the source of the worrisome fake naira currency in circulation in the state undertook a covert operation to uncover those behind the act.
“This operation took the service close to four months before a breakthrough resulting in the arrest of the 16-man syndicate led by Reverend Godson Akubuiro.”
Copyright PUNCH.
Court remands Bale for death of police witness
An Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of a former traditional ruler of the Ilaje, Bariga area of Lagos State, Kayode Ayetiwa, in prison over the murder of 36-year-old Segun Ogbere, aka Shaggy.
Ogbere was murdered while returning from a court case in which he had gone to testify against Ayetiwa.
The deceased was the only volunteer and key witness in the murder of one James Aromire, who was killed in 2012.
PUNCH Metro had reported on December 12, that Ogbere was trailed from the court premises by suspected cult members.
The deceased had reportedly tried escaping the killers, but was cornered on Adeshina Street, off University Road, Abule Oja area of Yaba.
The police said Ogbere was stabbed and cut with machetes while he called out the name of one of his assailants. He was left to die in a pool of blood.
PUNCH Metro had reported that the victim was supposed to become the bale of Ilaje, after Ayetiwa was deposed as the traditional ruler due to the subsisting murder case he had in court.
The 54-year-old Ayetiwa was subsequently arrested for a second murder.
He was arraigned on two murder counts which read, “That you, Kayode Ayetiwa, and others now at large, on December 10, 2013, around 5.30pm at Abule Oja, Yaba Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.
“That you did unlawfully kill one Segun Ogbere, by stabbing him with knives and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”
The defendant’s plea was not taken for the offence.
The police prosecutor, Corporal Cyricus Osuji, applied that the defendant be remanded in prison pursuant to Section 264 of Administration of Criminal Justice, Lagos State 2011.
However, the defence team of Ayetiwa put up a motion for his bail. They argued that the police have no ground to prove the defendant killed the deceased.
In his ruling, the magistrate, Mr. F. J. Adefioye, rejected the bail application of the defence counsel, saying that the issue of bail was for the Directorate of Public Prosecution to determine.
“The defendant is hereby remanded in prison, pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution,” he said.
The matter was adjourned till January 29, 2014.
Copyright PUNCH.
Ogbere was murdered while returning from a court case in which he had gone to testify against Ayetiwa.
The deceased was the only volunteer and key witness in the murder of one James Aromire, who was killed in 2012.
PUNCH Metro had reported on December 12, that Ogbere was trailed from the court premises by suspected cult members.
The deceased had reportedly tried escaping the killers, but was cornered on Adeshina Street, off University Road, Abule Oja area of Yaba.
The police said Ogbere was stabbed and cut with machetes while he called out the name of one of his assailants. He was left to die in a pool of blood.
PUNCH Metro had reported that the victim was supposed to become the bale of Ilaje, after Ayetiwa was deposed as the traditional ruler due to the subsisting murder case he had in court.
The 54-year-old Ayetiwa was subsequently arrested for a second murder.
He was arraigned on two murder counts which read, “That you, Kayode Ayetiwa, and others now at large, on December 10, 2013, around 5.30pm at Abule Oja, Yaba Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.
“That you did unlawfully kill one Segun Ogbere, by stabbing him with knives and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”
The defendant’s plea was not taken for the offence.
The police prosecutor, Corporal Cyricus Osuji, applied that the defendant be remanded in prison pursuant to Section 264 of Administration of Criminal Justice, Lagos State 2011.
However, the defence team of Ayetiwa put up a motion for his bail. They argued that the police have no ground to prove the defendant killed the deceased.
In his ruling, the magistrate, Mr. F. J. Adefioye, rejected the bail application of the defence counsel, saying that the issue of bail was for the Directorate of Public Prosecution to determine.
“The defendant is hereby remanded in prison, pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution,” he said.
The matter was adjourned till January 29, 2014.
Copyright PUNCH.
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