Commercial driver stabs LASTMA officer
Reports coming from the General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, has said the agency would no longer condone any act of assault, physical attack or attempted murder on any official working for the government, especially LASTMA officers.
The General Manager noted that assault on government officials while performing their lawful duties has become the order of the day and the government is ready to put a halt to this through diligent prosecution of such person(s) no matter how highly placed in the society.
It was reported that Yusuf, the mini bus driver and offender, was noted to be causing willful obstruction at River Valley Estate and after declining all entreaties to move away from the place, the vehicle was to be detained. At this juncture, the driver left only to reappear unexpectedly with a big knife with which he cut Awotola’s head and neck and he escaped afterward with the aid of the street urchins around the area but his vehicle was seized and its custody taken by the agency.
However, the Legal Director of LASTMA, Kehinde Akerele, noted that the motorist would be charged with attempted murder.
Man sentenced to seven years imprisonment for forex fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Kano State chapter, has assured the conviction of one Muallayidi Mohammed Sani.
Sani had been prosecuted on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and forgery. He and one Sabinatu Aliyu Alhassan had involved in forex exploitation, collecting Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) from commercial banks to sell at higher rates in the black market.
It was however reported that he was claimed to have been genuinely issued to facilitate the collection of PTA from commercial banks, and thereby committed forgery, an offence contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.
The prosecutor, Zarami Mohammed, questioned the court to convict him after he pleaded guilty while the defence counsel, Patience Edamaku, begged the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing her client.
As Electric charge hits higher than minimum wage
The electricity tariff of Laaga residents has gone so high that everyone cannot afford it. As a resident of the community, I will like to add my voice to this challenge and bring it to the notice of Ikeja Electric and NERC.
In Laaga community, located around Ewu-Elepe, a suburb of Ikorodu, residents have been made to pay an estimated bill that is more than the minimum wage of the entire country, Nigeria.
The constant rise in the bill is very daunting in a country where the rate of inflation keeps rising without an equivalent rise in income.
However, the residents declared their need for pre-paid meters or Ikeja Electric should keep their low voltage, as they become their Independent Power Generating Houses.
Senate confirms nine nominees as NPC, NERC Commissioners
The Senate on a Tuesday confirmed five nominees appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as Commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC).
The confirmation of the nominees followed the consideration of two separate reports by the Committees on National Identity and National Population; and Power.
The nominees confirmed as Commissioners of the National Population Commission include: Chief Engr. Benedict Ukpong Effiong (Akwa-Ibom), Mrs. Gloria Fateya Izonfo (Bayelsa), Barr. Kupchi Patricia Ori Iyanya (Benue), Dr. Haliru Bala (Kebbi), and Dr. Eyitayo Oyekunle Oyetunji (Oyo).
However, the four nominees confirmed as Commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission were Dr. Yusuf Ali (North Central), Engr. Chidi Ike (South East), Mr. Nathan Rogers Shatti (North East), and Mr. Dafe Akpeneye (South South).
INEC must upgrade its BVAS
THE Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, established by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to administer technological momentum into the electoral system must be worked on to reduce the suffering of voters.
It was reported that the BVAS in most cases failed to do its job adequately. Many people who came out to vote had to remain under the stifling sun all day.
INEC must do something about it promptly. Nigerians are watching to see if the next series of off-cycle elections and bye-elections will observe an enhanced functionality of this accreditation device. It will help them determine to vote or not to bother.
The 2023 elections require Nigerians with perhaps the last opportunity to vote in good leaders who can pull back the country from the verge of the abyss. INEC must tweak its act to give Nigerians a free, fair and credible election.
OYETOLA’S AIDE: AREGBESOLA IS NOT A SUPREME BEING
The Chief Press Secretary to Osun Governor, Ismail Omipidan, has announced that former Governor of the State and Interior minister, Rauf Aregbesola, is not God and therefore, cannot decide the fate of his principal, Adegboyega Oyetola.
He issued in a statement that the general belief among most Africans that ‘a man’s life is assigned and ruled by God’ has continued to play out in the political trajectory of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun.
It was reported that Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi advised his subjects not to misuse their resources and energy working against the re-election bid of the governor, said only those who are not interested in the growth and development of the town in particular and Osun State in general would want to run against Oyetola.
However, Omipidan added that it is God and Osun people that will decide Oyetola’s fate, not an individual trying to play God.
Court orders barber to sweep police station for 90 days for cyber fraud
An FCT High Court in Kubwa, on Wednesday, arrayed a 21- year-old barber, Isaac Clement to sweep the police station in Kwali Area Council for 90 days for cheating.
A statement issued by Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya, arrayed that the sentence should begin on Thursday. Adding that Clement must sign in and out daily after sweeping the police station.
However, the EFCC Counsel, Rita Ogar told the court that a plea deal agreement recorded February 4 had been signed by the defence counsel, Patrick Onuh and its terms approved.
She added that the offence breached the provisions of Section 320 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 322.
National Convention: Buhari Cancels Meeting With APC Governors
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday dismissed a meeting planned with governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
It was gathered that the meeting was expected to converse, among others, the procedures for holding the party’s national convention especially the setting up of sub-committees to certify the success of the exercise.
Addressing questions from journalists after his meeting with the president, Hope Uzodinma(Imo) clarified that there is nothing wrong if the APC determines to shift its national convention from the February 26 scheduled date.
However, he concluded by stating the number of years the north has had the power since 1999 till date, and the number of years south have had it since 1999 till date.
Rice sellers worry as price increase in Lagos
Some rice sellers in Lagos State have expressed concern at the increase in the cost of the commodity, with many of them criticising it on insufficient supply.
In a statement issued by the traders in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos, said that ban on importation of rice, though meant to develop local rice production, was biting hard on Nigerians.
Investigations by NAN disclose that a 50kg bag of local rice sells for between N24, 000 and N25, 000, a 50kg bag of short-grain foreign rice sells for between N32, 000 and N36, 000.
The traders solicited that the Federal Government to ensure improvement in the quality of Nigerian rice as well as ensure increased farming and supply.
Economy bleeds as Fuel scarcity worsens
It was reported that there were signs, yesterday, that the lengthened shortage of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, is taking a detach toll on the economy as it has disrupted operations in many sectors.
As a result of the short supply of the product, motorists quickly created long queues in front of the few filling stations that distributed the commodity, while many of the stations, which did not have the product remained locked.
It was issued in a statement by a commuter, Vivian Ifezue, who travels from the Ketti community to the Central Business District for work six days a week said that she pays N1, 000.
However, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, said yesterday that 23 ships arrived at the Lagos Port Complex and were dispensing petrol and other items, adding that 14 other ships were scheduled to arrive at the port between February 15 and 22, loaded with more fuel, butane gas and others.
