WHY THIS DOG WAS ARRESTED FOR STREET TRADING!

Dog, as they say, is man best friend.
Dogs are used for many things. While some are pets, others act as security guards, yet some people in the village use theirs for game. In some part of Nigeria, dogs are special delicacies.
In western world, dogs also participate in races. Sometimes, dogs are used for transports, such as dog sled.
Dogs come in different forms and kinds, Doberman pinscher,Boxer, alsatian, even Beagle popular known as *bingo* here etc, are all types of dogs. and their prices vary according to breeds.
In Nigeria dogs are sold anywhere: in the market, at private homes even along the street.
As Government policies affect human and their behaviours, dogs are not left out. Some years ago, during the administration of Lucky Igbinedion, then Governor of Edo state of Nigeria, street trading was not as much as anything to bother anybody, not even the Governor gave a hoot or bark at anybody. Now, Adams Oshiomole is the governor, and he has resurfaced and reintroduced Idiagbon/Bhari junta style of governance by way of WAR AGAINST INDICIPLINE (WAI) to drive out street traders and government property thieves. To show that he can bark and bite, the chairman of WAI, Mr D. Olukoga went into the street of G.R.A today and arrested a dog displayed for sale along the road of G. R.A..and demanded that until the owner of the dog pays a fine of N5000, the dog will not be release on bail. What disturbs my mind now is whether like the police, the dog would need a surety to take it on bail? If so, a fellow dog or a man? If non is done would chairman of WAI charge the dog to court? In the first place should he have arrested the dog or the seller? What is your opinion?

Boko Haram: Terrorism and suicide Bombing in Nigeria

Pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373, some “associated individuals and entities” engaged in terrorist activities are labelled terrorists and placed in a list maintained by a UN Counter Terrorism Committee. This Security Council Committee established pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida, the Taliban and associated individuals and entities oversees the implementation by States of sanctions measures imposed by the Security Council on individuals and entities associated with the Taliban, Usama Bin Laden and the Al-Qaida organization. The Committee maintains a Consolidated List of individuals and entities subject to the sanctions measures. The resolution aimed to place barriers on the movement, organization and fund-raising activities of terrorist groups. Adopted unanimously on September 28, 2001, Resolution 1373 is a counter-terrorism measure passed following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. The resolution was adopted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, and is therefore binding on all UN member states. All UM member nations are therefore obliged to cooperate in tracking and targeting any individual or entity added to the list. The contention of this article is that it is now expedient, that the Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram, be formally declared a terrorist organisation and be placed in the consolidated list. Recent bomb attacks by the Islamist group, Jama’atu Ahl-Sunnati Lil Da’awati wal Jihad, popularly known as the Boko Haram, have raised questions about Nigeria's ability to defend itself. Of particular concern is that Boko Haram may be affiliated to Al Qaeda and might be receiving foreign finance. Having long regarded the Islamist sect as a localised problem, security sources now admit they believe the radical Islamist group to be receiving training and expertise from outside Nigeria. Boko Haram has, until recently, focused their activities in the far north-east of the country. The group sharply increased its attacks ahead of the country’s April 2011 presidential election. But on 16 June 2011, a suicide bomber believed to have been trained by al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in Somalia drove a car loaded with explosives into Nigeria's national police headquarters, killing himself and one other person. 20 others may have died in the explosion and scores injured. The fact that its national headquarters had been hit is hugely embarrassing to the Nigeria police force. The group has carried out similar attacks on police and army barracks in the past, but this is the highest-profile federal target they have hit. In a statement issued in Hausa, moments before the Abuja attacks and in response to the Nigeria Police chiefs’ threat to wipe out Boko Haram within weeks, the group said some of its members have just returned from Somalia where they went for training. If this claim proves true, it will be the first time a bomber trained in Somalia was used, again showing how Africa's most failed state, largely under control of jihadists inspired by al-Qaeda, is capable of exporting terror tactics far beyond its borders. Security sources believe Boko Haram fighters are travelling to Somalia for training, with some thought to have gone to Afghanistan too. That information has been partially corroborated by above statements claiming to be from Boko Haram, and unconfirmed reports that Somalis have been detained in Nigeria. After the Abuja bombing, the group said it planned more attacks, and they kept to their promise; yesterday suspected members of the Islamic sect bombed three beer gardens in Maiduguri, killing 25 people and wounding 12 others, Nigeria authorities said. President Goodluck Jonathan approach to the menace so far is to announce June 10 that his government will use a “carrot and stick” strategy to end the violence, offering patronage, jobs and amnesty to Boko Haram members if they agree to stop the attacks. There are doubts about this strategy’s prospects for success. Boko Haram’s organizational and leadership structure is opaque and the reasons for the attacks are unclear. This makes it difficult to negotiate with the group. The violence has come nowhere near levels seen in 2009, under late Nigeria President, Umaru Yar’adua, before a crackdown on the group resulted in the killing of an estimated 800 Boko Haram members and former leader Mohammud Yusuf. The Borno State Government also adopted "Operation Flush", an attempt to clamp down on the Islamist sect. So far there has been little sign that it works. In the last few weeks Boko Haram appears to be bombing police stations in the North-eastern state at will. Boko Haram, whose name in the local Hausa language means “Western education is sacrilege,” has not limited their attacks on government officials and the Nigeria Police. They also attack churches and businesses they claim violate sharia laws. Their stronghold is Maiduguri, which is about 540 miles (872 kilometers) from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. The risk is that if not curtailed the attacks may inspire reprisals from Northern Christians. Many now agree with Reverend David Bridley, who told BBC that "Boko Haram is an expression of the al-Qaeda movement and the attack on Christianity." Several Islamic clerics who dared criticise Boko Haram have been assassinated. The rest are in hiding. The question is: who finances Boko Haram activities? The group claims “they were inspired by al-Qaeda and the Taliban”, but that financial support was coming from "brothers inside Nigeria". Boko Haram’s attacks have for the most part been tactically unsophisticated, employing small arms and homemade explosives. . However, the group appears to have improved its arsenal and tactics, as seen in the June 7 coordinated attacks on St. Patrick’s cathedral and the Gwange police station. This matches the typical pattern of evolution for small militant groups of Boko Haram’s ilk. Observers say the improvement in weapons quality likely means the group has made contact with suppliers in Chad or Niger, two countries awash in small arms. One notable attack targeted a joint police and military unit in Maiduguri on May 12. The militants reportedly used a command-detonated improvised explosive device on the side of the road near the unit’s checkpoint. To successfully construct and deploy such a weapon requires technical and tactical capabilities vastly superior to those demonstrated in previous Boko Haram attacks. And according to STRATFOR, a research body: “This may indicate that some Boko Haram members or cells have received outside training — possibly from Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) or another of the more sophisticated militant groups with an interest in stirring unrest in Nigeria. Connections between Boko Haram and AQIM have long been rumored, but there is no way to verify a link”. STRATFOR also said their sources report “seeing Nigerians in AQIM training camps near the Niger-Mauritania border, but these were not necessarily affiliated with Boko Haram” Sources at the Nigeria Force Headquarters said the preliminary reports by the experts assembled by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Hafiz Ringim to unravel how the person carrying the bomb entered into the force headquarters and successfully detonated the bomb showed that the mega-tonne bomb, used could be found only in military and related installations. Nigerian newspaper, the Guardian suggesting insider help says “not only was the specie which wrecked the havoc similar to what is being kept in military armouries, the level of accuracy in detonating the bomb has left the NSA with no option than to raise queries on the dependability of certain elements posted to certain strategic exclusive places and vulnerable points”. Many scoff at President Jonathan's much vaunted "carrot and stick". They say his solution is seemingly getting ever lighter in the vegetable department. The poor leadership offered by President Goodluck Jonathan to resolve the nation’s plight compounds the problem. It is hardly surprising that Boko Haram has shown little interest in the two "carrots" on offer - dialogue and amnesty. In a defiant posture, the Boko Haram sect said last week it was not ready for any dialogue as being offered to its members by the Borno State government and police. The sect’s spokesman, Abu Zaid, told journalists their refusal to go into any negotiation is hinged on the fact that the security agents were using threats and brutal force against the sect. He said that Islam encourages dialogue when certain conditions are met adding, “It is mandatory for Islam to have a sovereign land where Sharia is being practiced in the strict sense so that the dialogue will be between the Islamic country and the country of the unbelievers.” attacks by the Islamist group, Jama’atu Ahl-Sunnati Lil Da’awati wal Jihad, popularly known as the Boko Haram, According to the Blueprint magazine, Abu Zaid, further said: "We are urging Nigerians not to under-estimate us. We are capable of doing more than what we did at the police headquarters in sha Allah...our targets are government institutions and government officials, especially the security agents and politicians... So far, we have screened nearly 100 persons for suicide attacks for this year alone in Nigeria, while more than this number are getting ready for next year". What next? It is left for President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigeria Security Agencies to stop treating Boko Haram as ‘Boy Scouts’. What we have in our hands is a fully evolved Terrorist group. Nigeria media could help by stopping to refer to this group as ‘militants’. Pundits commit grave error by equating Boko Haram with ethnic agitators like MASSOB, OPC and MEND. MEND, MOSOP, OPC and other militant groups in the country were formed by people to vent their anger against years of neglect by government to the questions of injustices, social, economic and political problems facing the nation. Boko Haram is a terrorist Organisation whose exact makeup is unclear, their aims and agenda is obscure. The group seems to largely lack organizational structure or strong leadership. Like Al Qaeda, Boko Haram is most likely a loose confederation of militant cells or individuals operating relatively independently from one another. This Nigerian Islamist militant group should be formally declared a terrorist organisation and be placed in the UN Security Council consolidated terrorist list. Written by Daniel Elombah #end

‘Waziri signed letters that exonerated accused politicians'

 In early 2009, Mohammed Buba Marwa, then Nigeria's ambassador to South Africa, became dissatisfied with his status as a diplomat. He wanted an elective executive position, which in our country gives virtual free rein for a leader to do as he pleases, calling the shots and dispensing patronage. A former military administrator of Lagos State, Mr Marwa tried to be the number one citizen of Nigeria in 2007, when he sought the presidential nomination of the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But the attempt came to nought, partly due to his indictment for corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Realising that his chances of being president in 2011 were slim, Mr Marwa decided to run instead for governor of his home state of Adamawa. However, the same EFCC report which was used to stifle his chances four years ago posed the same threat to his new ambition. Mr Marwa was indicted by the EFCC for assisting Sani Abacha, Nigeria's former military dictator, to launder money and for benefitting from the illicit undertaking. The particular case involved the purchase, in 1996, of 1500 trucks from Tata Overseas sales and services, an Indian company, for $149 million and another set in 1997 for $29 million. While the first batch was for the Nigerian Army and the Police, the second was for the national electoral body. Mr Marwa, who was then defence advisor at the Nigerian permanent mission to the United Nations in New York, negotiated the deals. Both Mr Marwa and the late dictator, according to top EFCC officials, benefitted from the payment of $12 million dollars as kickbacks. The money was put in different accounts in foreign countries, including the Cayman Islands and Kenya. The matter was investigated not only by the EFCC, but also by US authorities, whose request led to the EFCC's investigations in the first place. The matter was still under investigation when Farida Waziri became chair of the anti-graft commission in 2008. With the appointment of Mrs Waziri, Mr Marwa saw an opportunity to cover up his allegedly corrupt past and ready himself for an obstacle-free governorship contest. It turned out Mrs Waziri was ready to play ball. Seeking clearance In order to realise his political ambition and free himself from arrest and prosecution abroad, Mr Marwa struck a deal with Mrs Waziri. He would be cleared of any wrongdoing. However, he had to initiate the clearance process. On June 16, 2009, lawyers to Mr Marwa from Mike Ungwanyi and Co. legal firm wrote to Mrs Waziri, seeking clearance for their client. The letter was entitled "Kickbacks for contracts with TATA to supply vehicle for military police... by Marwa when he was military attaché in NY in 1996". Three weeks later, Mr Marwa received a letter from Mrs Waziri clearing him of the allegations. Without recourse to previous investigations and indictments, even by international security agencies, Mrs Waziri stated in her response to the ambassador, in a letter dated July 6, 2009 that "investigation has now been closed and the matter brought to an end as there is not sufficient evidence to warrant prosecution". When contacted, Femi Babafemi, the spokesman of the EFCC admitted that the EFCC did write a letter but denied its content. "I'm not aware of anything like that (clearing Mr Marwa). What I know is that some years ago, there was a request by his lawyers to ask for the status of the case and the commission replied that we don't have anything yet to prosecute him." With Mrs Waziri's secret clearance in hand, Mr Marwa was ready to be governor and to tell anyone who cared to listen that he was sparkling clean. But for the Court of Appeal, which postponed governorship election in Adamawa State till 2012, he would have given incumbent Governor Murtala Nyako a run for his money. He is currently waiting in the wing for next year's political battle with Mr Nyako. Part of a trend Rather than go after corrupt public officials and bring them to book, Mrs Waziri has in the past three years operated a clearing house for several corrupt people in what appears to be a gesture of appreciation to those who helped her clinch the EFCC top job. Less than eight months into her tenure, the EFCC chairperson secretly and, under strange circumstances, cleared top government officials, including at least two former governors, of corruption charges levelled against them. Former Governors Victor Attah (Akwa-Ibom) and James Ibori (Delta), on whose necks hang monumental allegations of corruption, also benefitted from Mrs Waziri's negative generosity. She issued clearance letters to the two men, certifying them clean. These letters have helped the beneficiaries to not only escape prosecution by the EFCC but also by international agencies such as the Metropolitan Police. While the EFCC, after much public outcry and condemnation by international agencies and governments like the United States, eventually decided to prosecute Mr Ibori, the other two beneficiaries, Messrs Attah and Marwa still possess the "get out of jail card" handed them by Mrs Waziri. Payback time While the reasons given for clearing each of these former public officials differ, sources in the commission believe that the roles played by these individuals in the appointment of Mrs Waziri as the commission's boss was a major factor. Mrs Waziri was appointed EFCC boss in May 2008 following the removal of Nuhu Ribadu, the pioneer chairman of the commission in controversial circumstances. Her appointment was however marred by controversy, as she was accused by a section of the media and civil society as previously acting as legal advisers to former governors who were being prosecuted by the EFCC during Mr Ribadu's tenure. The former governors believed to be behind Mrs Waziri's appointment include Mr Ibori, Mr Attah, Bukola Saraki (former governor of Kwara State and incumbent senator), and George Akume, former governor of Benue State, who is also now a senator. The EFCC is yet to commence prosecution of the latter two - Messrs Saraki and Akume - despite their having been indicted for corruption by the agency. Though the cases are different, the formula for getting Mrs Waziri to issue clearance letters basically followed the same pattern. Each of the "political heavyweights" would have his lawyer write to the EFCC asking for clearance, and the EFCC was always in a hurry to oblige. Even when investigations were still ongoing, Mrs Waziri would quickly issue a letter clearing corrupt elements of any wrongdoing. The Akwa-Ibom Econet deals "The commission wishes to state emphatically that it has not at any time or in any correspondence with the persons (Mr Ibori; Mr Attah; and Bola Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos) referred to in these media reports or any other person cleared them of complicity in all matters relating to them which are either in court or still under investigation." This was a statement released by the EFCC on September 11, 2009 and signed by Mr Babafemi, the commission's head of media and publicity. Mr Babafemi explained that the commission had to clarify the issues because it was "inappropriate to input or infer that the three former governors have been exonerated in matters that are still pending or yet to be determined by the law court, which is the only competent organ of government that can pronounce guilt or innocence in matters like the ones under reference." The matter referred to by Mr Babafemi was the management of the proceeds made by the states headed by these former governors through the sale of their states' shares in Econet Wireless, now Airtel. The three governors were being investigated by London's Metropolitan Police for laundering proceeds of the states funds into personal accounts in the UK. However, Michael Aondoakaa, then minister of justice and attorney general, refused to co-operate with the Met claiming that the EFCC had cleared the three men of any wrongdoing. What Mr Babafemi refused to disclose was that eight months before his statement, the EFCC did clear at least one of the governors. In a letter dated January 21, 2009 and addressed to Adeptus Caxton of Martins Agbor and Segun, lawyers to Mr Attah, the EFCC stated that "investigation into this matter has been concluded and there is no case of money laundering established against your client." The letter was a response to that by Mr Attah's lawyers titled "Akwa-Ibom Investment and Industrial Promotion Council, African Development Fund Inc ." The letter, signed by Umar Sanda, then Mrs Waziri's close aide, was Mr Attah's "get out of jail card" as it cleared him of any wrong doing as regards the disposal of Akwa-Ibom State shares in Econet, which was disposed through the African Development Fund, Inc. When asked to clarify the reason for this clearance letter, Mr Babafemi said: "I am not aware of that (existence of the letter)". It however appears Mrs Waziri had a change of mind long after the letter was delivered to Mr Attah. Five months after its clearance of the former governor and three months before Mr Babafemi's statement, the EFCC, in a letter addressed to Mr Aondoakaa, again indicted the former governors. The letter, dated June 30, 2009, was a response to Mr Aondoakaa's letter written a day before and entitled "Money Laundering, African Development Fund Account No. 0140011552". The letter, signed by Mrs Waziri, stated that "Delta, Lagos and Akwa-Ibom States invested in shares of V-mobile." The letter further stated that the states sold their shares and "disposed of proceeds through African Development Funds, Inc." Indicting the three former governors, Mrs Waziri stated that "the respective state governors James Ibori, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and Victor Attah converted the funds to their personal use." Getting specific about Mr Attah, Mrs Waziri stated that "in the case of Akwa-Ibom, $18.5 million was realised from the sale of the shares. "The funds from the transaction which were frozen in Access Bank were released on the written advice of the EFCC dated 12, January 2009." While Mr Babafemi, two years after issuing his statement, claims that investigations are still ongoing on the Econet money laundering case, Mrs Waziri's letter guarantees Mr Attah freedom from prosecution. Ibori is clean The most bizarre of the clearance letters are those issued to Mr Ibori. Prior to Mrs Waziri's assumption of office, the former Delta State Governor was having it rough with the EFCC. The EFCC under its former chairman had cashed in on the loss of immunity by the former governor to arrest him and start his prosecution, even as he attempted to bribe Mr Ribadu with $15 million. Apart from the EFCC, Mr Ibori was also being investigated by international agencies, particularly the London Met for corruption and money laundering. With the appointment of Mrs Waziri however, Mr Ibori saw an opportunity to escape prosecution. He wanted to be cleared of any wrongdoing by the EFCC as a way of weakening the case against him by the Met. Two of the major evidences being used by both the EFCC and the Metropolitan police were Mr Ibori's corrupt links with Wing Aviation and Ascot Offshore. I want clearance Sensing that the controversy over Mrs Waziri's appointment had simmered down, Mr Ibori, who helped enthrone her, approached the EFCC boss for clearance, even when the allegations against him were still being investigated and a case pending against him in court. So, he got his lawyers to write Mrs Waziri requesting what one of our sources describes as a "get out of jail card". Investigations show that the EFCC chairperson promptly responded. The letter, personally signed by her and dated December 22, 2008, reads in part, "From the record of investigation conducted, there was no nexus established between Mr James Ibori or the Delta States Government, and Wings Aviation Limited, nor was it established that Wings Aviation Limited was used to launder funds for on behalf of Mr James Ibori." The letter was a response to an earlier one by Mr Ibori's counsel, Efere Ozako and Associates, dated December 11, 2009 and titled "Wings Aviation/ Captain Nogie Meggisen." This newspaper was able to establish that although the EFCC letter was signed by Mrs Waziri, the content did not originate from her. It came from another source outside the EFCC, believed to be Mr Ibori himself. Ibori drafts, Waziri signs But Mr Ibori felt the letter was not exonerating enough. So the former governor made a hand-written amendment and asked his emissary to take the amended version back to Mrs Waziri for reissuance. Explaining the rationale behind the clearance letter, Mr Babafemi said that "based on the investigation report, there was no record in the CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) linking him with Wings Aviation." When confronted that an EFCC investigator in a sworn affidavit at the court, as well as the Met established that Wings Aviation was used by Mr Ibori to launder funds, Mr Babafemi said: "What I know happened is that that letter was written based on the report available in the case file at that time." Realising that his first letter of clearance over Wing Aviation deals, despite evidence to the contrary, wasn't sufficient particularly with the Met, an emboldened Mr Ibori asked for more. In a letter by his counsel, Seni. M. Adio of Copley Partners, Lagos, and dated March 3, 2009, Mr Ibori sought clearance over any wrongdoing as regards Ascot Flowlines Limited. EFCC investigators, as stated in an affidavit signed by Yahaya Bello, a lead investigator, at the Federal High Court Benin in 2007 established that Mr Ibori, through Henry Imasekha, a close associate, was involved in the ownership of Ascot. But Mrs Waziri didn't mind weakening her agency's case against Mr Ibori. She issued him a letter without delay. "There has been no nexus established between James O. Ibori or Delta State Government with Ascot offshore Nigeria Limited nor was it established that Ascot offshore Nigeria Limited was used to launder funds for on behalf of James O. Ibori and or Delta State government," Mrs Waziri wrote. With these letters, Mrs Waziri and Mr Ibori thought, the former governor was not only free in Nigeria but also in the UK. However, following pressure on Nigeria by the American authorities and other international organisations, the EFCC retraced its step, decided to cooperate and assist the Met and also to prosecute Mr Ibori. The former governor is currently in the UK where he is being prosecuted for money laundering. Mr Babafemi, the commission's spokesman, again denied the existence of this letter. According to him, "No, that was a forgery (the Ascot letter). I only know of one letter. Ascot is part of the issue that has led to the fleeing of Ibori from Nigeria." Civil society reacts According to Shehu Sani of the Civil Rights Congress, EFCC owes Nigerians a duty to tell which of the governors they have cleared and which of them they have not. "The politics of clearance or not is simply to blackmail the former governors into silence and to revive their cases whenever they become critical of government," he said Jiti Ogunye of Lawyers for Human rights said the fact that the letters were issued by Mrs Waziri in a very secretive manner without letting the public know these persons have been cleared of wrongdoing suggests that those who authored these letters knew that the letters were made to exonerate without any good reason. "Otherwise," Mr Ogunye continued, "Mrs Waziri and EFCC would have gone public with these clearances the way they've been inundating the public with perceived success stories and achievements they've made." Source: http://234next.com

Businessman in court for lodging without payment


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A 37-year-old businessman, Temitope Boaz, was on Friday arraigned in Lagos for allegedly lodging in a rest house without payment. Mr Boaz is standing trial before an Igbosere Magistrate Court on a two-count charge of lodging without payment and issuing a dud cheque.

The prosecutor, Frank Innah, told the court that the accused lodged at the Camelot Rest House on Victoria Island, Lagos, from June 18 to June 21. He said Mr Boaz incurred a bill of N165,000 and issued an Intercontinental cheque No. 069151110 for the same amount. Mr Innah said the cheque was rejected when presented for payment as the accused did not have sufficient money in his account.

He said the offence contravened Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail conditioned upon the payment of N150,000 and the guarantee of two sureties in like sum. The Magistrate, C.J. Momodu, adjourned the case till July 6 for further hearing.

In a related development, a businessman, Joseph Echezona, on Friday appeared before an Igbosere Magistrate Court for robbing a company of a container loaded with motor spare parts. Mr Echezona, 25, is standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery. The accused was alleged to have hijacked the container sometime in August 2010 while armed with offensive weapons.

According to the prosecutor, Raymond Odion, "the accused with others at large, while armed with dangerous weapons, hijacked the container and took it to an undisclosed location."

He put the worth of the stolen items at N10 million, property of Auto Sea Cargo Company, Lagos.

Source...
http://234next.com

Trader in court over theft of dry fish



A 32-year-old trader at the Iddo Market, in Lagos on Thursday pleaded guilty to receiving 188 pieces of stolen dry fish worth N65,800.

Chidi Emmanuel who was charged with conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property admitted before an Ebute Metta Magistrate Court that he received the fish from a man simply identified as Bash.

The prosecutor, Mercy Ofanson, had submitted that Mr Emmanuel received the stolen fish from Bash on June 19 at the Iddo Motor Park, Ebute Metta.

"The fish was stolen from Isiaka Ango by Bash and received by Mr Emmanuel. His intention was to sell the fish and remit the proceeds to Bash," she told the court. "Emmanuel has been in the act of receiving stolen goods from Bash."

She said the offence contravened sections 390 (9), 427 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, and was punishable with seven years imprisonment on conviction.

A.O. Olatunji, the magistrate, ordered Mr Emmanuel to be remanded at the Ikoyi Prison, and adjourned the case till July 22 for judgment.


In a related development, a trader, Chibuike Eze, on Thursday appeared before an Ebute Metta Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing 49 and a half bags of beans worth N670,000.

Mr Eze, 22, is standing trial before Oyindamola Ogala on a one-count charge of stealing, but he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Eshiet Eshiet, said Mr Eze collected the bags of beans from Chike Obiora on the pretext that he would pay for them after reselling them.

He said the alleged theft took place on May 27 also at the Iddo Market.

The court granted the accused bail conditioned upon the payment of N200,000 and the guarantee of two sureties in like sum.
http://234next.com

ICPC Uncovers Fraud Inministries, FCT, PHCN,Customs!

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other
Related Offences Commission has uncovered
massive fraud valued at over N16.85bn in federal
ministries, departments and agencies following a
systemic review in their activities, SUNDAY PUNCH
findings have shown.
The commission noted that while it exposed
N1.85bn in MDAs, an additional N15bn fraud was
allegedly uncovered in the Nigeria Customs and
Excise alone.
A copy of the report exclusively obtained by our
correspondent on Saturday showed that the
MDAs' evaluation, which harped on capital project
verification, was prepared this June by the ICPC.
The examination, meant to encourage probity
and adherence to due process, the anti-graft
agency added, revealed large-scale financial
inconsistencies and questionable deals in the
MDAs.
Among MDAs indicted in the six-page report are
the Federal Ministry of Transport, Nigeria Ports
Authority, Power Holding Company of Nigeria,
Federal Ministry of Science and Technology,
Petroleum Equalisation Fund, Federal Capital
Territory, Federal Medical Centres in Ebute Meta,
Lagos, Asaba and Owo; National Human Rights
Commission and the Energy Commission.
For instance, the investigation into the affairs of
the PHCN showed that many approved projects,
which were paid for by the organisation, could
not be found for verification.
The report added that money paid for various
abandoned projects, as well as duplicated
projects could not be accounted for.
PHCN: Funds not accounted for
Part of the ICPC report reads, "The PHCN blames
the inability of the Central Bank of Nigeria to
speedily guarantee the safety of the funds of the
foreign firms involved in the projects as well as
the problems of delays in clearance at the ports
by the Customs and the Standard Organisation of
Nigeria.
"We found the same contract in one location
awarded to two different companies, such as the
procurement and installation of power
transformer at Plot 14, Phase 1 Layout. The
contract for the 500KVA transformer was
awarded to Jianem Eng. Company Ltd. and
Danmarke Trading Company Ltd. at
N7,716,127.25 each.
"The committee also discovered an abandoned
pilot scheme for geographical information system
in Benin, Edo State, where out of an appropriation
of N100m for the project, N99,780,388 had been
paid. Similar projects are also sited in Ibadan and
Lagos and are said to have been completed, but
there is no guarantee and therefore requires
verification," the report noted.
Again, the ICPC said its investigation revealed that
there had been provision for the procurement of
pre-payment and billing programme meters for
PHCN transmission offices in Enugu, Ibadan,
Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Yola and
Benin, valued at N1.5bn; but"reports have it that
these pre-meters are not readily available in these
areas."
Contract inflation, duplication
On the Federal Capital Territory too, the report
said there was gross inflation of contracts for the
Millennium Development Goals projects in the
nation's capital.
It noted that the contract for an eight-bedroom
storey building was awarded in different locations
in the FCT at different contract prices of N27.3m,
N29.4m, N30m, N32m and N47.6m .
The ICPC added that the FCT could not account
for the N47,710,960.50 budgeted for the
construction of 16 cluster classrooms with
drainage and landscaping; and another
N7,308,450 for the construction of a fence and
gate house.
Curiously, the ICPC said, there was no evidence
the money was returned to the treasury.
FCT: Insider 'trading'
The anti-graft agency noted that the issue of
insider trading was still a source of concern in the
affairs of the FCT.
The report added, "Two or three companies were
discovered to be the beneficiaries of almost all the
contracts of the FCT in 2009.
"For example, Aco Furniture Ltd alone was, in
2009, awarded various contracts for the
construction of an eight-bedroom storey building;
and supply of three sets of teachers' furniture to
Junior Secondary School, Rubochi.
"The company also won four other contracts for
the supply of eight sets of classroom chairs and
other contracts for the supply of 10 sets of
primary school classroom furniture.
"The second contractor, M/S Simag Nig Ltd, was
awarded six different contracts for the supply of
40 and 60 leaves exercise books; six sets of
classroom furniture; provision of books for FCT
secondary schools, construction of central store/
exam processing/teachers' development office
and construction of zonal education office at
Kwali."
Transport Ministry: Fund diversion
At the Federal Ministry of Transport, the ICPC said
its verification of capital projects revealed"the
payment of a whopping sum of N26m to some
members of staff of the ministry for monitoring
and evaluation of the contract of National
Transport Survey and projection, out of a total
contract sum of N174.81m."
The ICPC also said it discovered at the ministry
that 46 contractors who had executed various
contracts between 2008 and 2009 were yet-to-be
paid. The commission, however, said the
procurement officer had written and undertaken
to pay them in June 2011.
The report noted that it was strange that the
ministry had not yet paid, even when provision
for it was made in the 2008/2009 budget.
"It is possible that the money had been diverted
since some of the contracts were from overhead,"
the report stated.
NPA: Payment for unapproved projects
At the Nigerian Ports Authority, the ICPC
discovered the payment of mobilisation fees for
projects that were yet-to-be approved because of
variation.
They are payment of 15 per cent mobilisation or
N12,014,100 for the supply of four Mercedes
Benz fire water tankers, out of the contract sum
of N80,094,000.
The report noted that the request for variation
was still awaiting approval.
The same goes for the supply of two Mercedes
Benz fire-fighting trucks at N189m. Mobilisation of
N28.3m had been paid.
"We note the payment of 15 per cent mobilisation
fee of N3,540,000 for the supply of 200 chemical
protection suits, out of the total contract sum of
N25.5m for the supply of the equipment that was
yet to be ascertained."
PEF: Excess expenditure
The ICPC said it was highly suspicious of insider
trading at the Petroleum Equalisation Fund,
where only two companies, Oma Hosting Ltd and
JMG Ltd were the only two beneficiaries of all the
contract awards in 2009 for the supply of all
generators to depots nationwide.
"Clarification is yet to be established as to the
source of N25m excess expenditure, where N30m
was budgeted to the National Emergency
Management Agency for the supply of RIV, but
N55m was actually expended," the ICPC said.
ICPC spokesman, Mr. Folu Olamiti, said the review
of the agencies was a system of checks and
balances to ensure that the appropriate measures
were taken in government transactions.
He said the objective of review was to ensure
probity through control and check on abuse of
the process and excesses in government
agencies.
Olamiti said the aim of the system review was to
check corruption, by putting the ministries and
agencies on their toes.
Meanwhile, some of the indicted agencies have
declined comments on the investigation, while
those who spoke said they were not aware that
the ICPC had carried out an investigation into
their activities.
For example, spokespersons of the Energy
Commission and the Ministry of Transport said
they were not aware of any investigation or
review by the ICPC or the release of any report on
the investigation.
Also, the PHCN Public Relations Officer, Mrs.
Efurun Igbo, said she was not aware that the ICPC
had carried out any investigation.
She said, "The fact that they have not arrested
anybody shows that there is nothing wrong here.
If it's the ICPC that I know and we read about in
the papers, if they suspect something, they will
investigate."
Chief Press Secretary to the FCT, Mohammed
Sule, who requested details of the report in order
to comment, also refused to respond to further
enquiries after he was provided with specific
details.
In a related development, the review came a
week after operatives of the commission had
grilled five officials of the Nigeria Customs and
Excise for the theft of 10 containers from the
Lagos ports.
The containers had equipment for power projects
valued at N15bn.
The containers, which had been lying at the ports
for many months, were diverted to the Ikorodu
terminal and finally evacuated with the aid of
forged documents.
It was learnt that the five Customs officers, led by
an assistant comptroller (names withheld), moved
the containers, which they thought had been
abandoned, out of the Ikorodu terminal with
forged papers.
SUNDAY PUNCH learnt the fraud was exposed
when an internal investigative panel was set up
by the Customs to investigate the disappearance
of the containers from the ports.
Our correspondent further gathered that the
Presidency had directed that the case be
transferred to the ICPC for investigation.
Olamiti also confirmed that five Customs officers
had been grilled by the anti-graft agency over the
matter.

» Nigeria, 9 others top list of international investors


Nigeria and nine other countries in  Africa top the list of ten best countries for investment by international investors. The country is the second African country in order of preference after South Africa by the international investor community in 2011.

The others are Kenya; Ghana; Angola; Tanzania; Rwanda; Botswana; Uganda and Mozambique.

A survey conducted by Africa Business Panel shows that the 10 countries were earmarked as the continent's favourites on investment chart out of 53 economies on the African continent.

According to the survey, Nigeria and the other nine countries have the most desired potentials for international investor community who increasingly see Africa as 'the last frontier' for attractive growth opportunities.

The survey also indicated that investors expect over half of the ten fastest growing economies in the world in 2011 to be Africa.

Mr Ogo Ibok, CEO at Skill Enhancement Centre (SENCE) Nigeria ,said that Nigeria has the market for investors.

Ibok said, "Nigeria has a huge population with a huge potential for growth, despite the infrastructural challenges, the opportunities for investors cannot be over estimated. Ghana is an emerging market, with a stable government".

Sunday Vanguard investigations revealed that it is no coincidence that Nigeria and the nine others selected by the international investor community in 2011 are all sub-Saharan.

Northern Africa suffered a setback in confidence from investors owing to the political turmoil which started at the beginning of the year.



Source...
http://www.vanguardngr.com