Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Abuja has told the former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh that court is not a Father Christmas that would give what it did not have.
“This is not a case of sympathy, but a case of law. This court has no jurisdiction to entertain this application.”
Justice Abang spoke today when he ruled, rejecting Metuh’s application seeking for leave to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The judge ruled that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain Metuh’s application because there was a subsisting order.
The order directed Metuh to deposit his international passport with the chief registrar of the high court as part of his bail conditions.
He added that Metuh, through his counsel, did not apply to vary the bail conditions.
“The court is not Father Christmas to give to the defendant what it did not ask for. The application lacks merit. It is accordingly dismissed. The court cannot set aside its decision.”
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal has dismissed Metuh’s appeal of no case submission, and upheld the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court , Abuja which had previously rejected the said application. [myad]
Violent protests greeted Donald Trump rally a in New Mexico on Tuesday night. The demonstrators threw burning T-shirts, plastic bottles and other items at police officers, overturned trash cans and knocked down barricades.
Authorities responded by firing pepper spray and smoke grenades into the crowd outside the Albuquerque Convention Center in what police later called a “riot.”
During the rally, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee was interrupted repeatedly by protesters, who shouted, held up banners and resisted removal by security officers.
The banners included the messages “Trump is Fascist” and “We’ve heard enough.”
At one point, a female protester was physically dragged from the stands by security. Other protesters scuffled with security as they resisted removal from the convention center, which was packed with thousands of loud and cheering Trump supporters.
Trump responded with his usual bluster, instructing security to remove the protesters and mocking their actions by telling them to “Go home to mommy.”
He responded to one demonstrator by asking, “How old is this kid?” Then he provided his own answer: “Still wearing diapers.”
Trump’s supporters responded with chants of “Build that wall!”
The altercations left glass at the entrance of the convention center smashed.
During the rally, protesters outside overran barricades and clashed with police in riot gear. They also burned T-shirts and other items labeled with Trump’s catchphrase, “Make America Great Again.”
Tuesday marked Trump’s first stop in New Mexico, the nation’s most Hispanic state. Gov. Susana Martinez, head of the Republican Governors Association and the nation’s only Latina governor, has harshly criticized his remarks on immigrants and has attacked his proposal to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The governor did not attend the rally and has yet to make an endorsement.
Trump read off a series of negative statistics about the state, including an increase in the number of people on food stamps.
“We have to get your governor to get going. She’s got to do a better job, OK?” he said, adding: “Hey, maybe I’ll run for governor of New Mexico. I’ll get this place going.”
The governor’s office fired back, saying Martinez has fought for welfare reform.
“The potshots weren’t about policy, they were about politics,” said spokesman Michael Lonergan. “And the Governor will not be bullied into supporting a candidate until she is convinced that candidate will fight for New Mexicans, and she did not hear that today.”
Trump supporters at the rally said they appreciated his stance on boosting border security and stemming the flow of people crossing the border illegally, but some said they were frightened by the violent protests outside.
Albuquerque attorney Doug Antoon said rocks were flying through the convention center windows as he was leaving Tuesday night. Glass was breaking and landing near his feet.
“This was not a protest, this was a riot. These are hate groups,” he said of the demonstrators.
Albuquerque police said several officers were treated for injuries after getting hit by rocks thrown by protesters. At least one person was arrested from the riot, police said.
Karla Molinar, a University of New Mexico student, said she participated in disrupting Trump’s speech because she felt he was attacking members of her family who are living in the country illegally. She said she believes Trump is using them as scapegoats for the nation’s problems. [myad]
The Edo State Government has retracted a letter earlier to on Edaiken N’Uselu, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as the new Oba of Benin after the demise of Momo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, the Oba of Bening.
In another letter retracting the earlier one, the Seceretary to the State Government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere said that the first letter was issued in error.
The Edo government sadi: “in deference to the revered age-long tradition and respect for the sensibilities of the people of the great Benin Kingdom, the Government of Edo State hereby withdraws a letter issued on 24th May 2016 entitled: ‘Appointment of His Royal Highness Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as the Oba of Benin.’
“The said letter was issued in error as the rites of passage of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin are still on.
“The Government will, in due course, issue a fresh letter on the installation of the Edaiken N’Uselu, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as the Oba of Benin, in line with the age-long succession tradition of the Benin Kingdom and in line with Section 19 (1) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, 1979 (as amended) and by virtue of all other laws enabling it in that behalf, after all necessary traditional rites are concluded.” [myad]
Soldiers from the 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, stationed in Bori, Rivers State are at loggerhead with the Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers (COTRA) over the arrest of the paramount ruler of Yeghe community in Ogoniland, Barinaadaa Gbaranee.
Yeghe community, in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State has been a hot spot of army operations since they invaded the community in February in search of ex-agitator, Solomon Ndigbara, whom the military has since declared wanted.
Not less than 20 persons were allegedly killed in the military operation even though the army said nobody was killed.
The Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Captain Eli Lazarus, confirmed the arrest of the Ogoni traditional ruler.
He however said the army “invited” Gbaranee for questioning concerning an investigation it was carrying out.
Lazarus said: “the paramount ruler of Yeghe community, HRH Barinadaa Gbaranee, was invited by 2 Brigade Nigerian Army in connection with an on-going investigation that relates to security within his domain. I assure you that he will return to his community as soon as investigation is completed.”
But the Chairman of COTRA, King Suanu Baridam, in a statement issued said, “We consider the abduction of Chief T.D. Gbaranee a desecration of the highly respected traditional institution and strongly reject the humiliation of an Ogoni traditional stool by the Army.” [myad]
The new Oba of Benin, His Royal Highness Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, has emerged after the death of the former one.
The Edo State Government approved the appointment of the Edaiken N’Uselu, saying that the approval was in line with Section 19 (1) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, 1979 (as amended), adding that the appointment takes effect from April 29, 2016.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to governor Adams Oshiomhole, the approval was contained in a letter dated May 24, 2016, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere.
Part of the letter titled, Appointment of His Royal Highness, Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, as the Oba of Benin, read: “It is hereby notified for general information that in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 19 (1) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, 1979 (as amended) and by virtue of all other laws enabling it in that behalf, the Executive Council of the Edo State Government of Nigeria has approved the appointment of His Royal Highness Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as the Oba of Benin, with effect from April 29, 2016.”
The death of the immediate past Oba, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, was announced late last month by the Edo state government thus:
“Our hearts are heavy, laden with pains and grief, at the announcement of the passing on to glory of Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa of Benin, our highly revered Oba, a distinguished Edo numero uno, an accomplished Nigerian, a seasoned bureaucrat, quintessential unifier, unique personage and exemplary Omo N’Oba, whose reign brought distinction, immense class, finesse and integrity to traditional institution in Edo state and the country at large.
“His carriage comes with an élan that was peculiar with the reverence of royalty. His uncommon courage was symbolic of the can-do spirit of the Edo mind. His unity of purpose was not in doubt even as he used his revered position to promote constructive engagement amongst all shades of opinion and culture in Edo state.” [myad]
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has said that the Nigeria Federal Government is in the process of repatriating from Jersey, the stolen 300 million pounds.
Onyeama who spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at a news conference organized as part of activities to mark the one year anniversary of President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration, said that the money in Jersey would have been repatriated but for a last minute objection by the people, who were supposed to forfeit it.
“We are just in the process of repatriating that in the UK itself. Sometimes very often what happens is that the people, who have ownership or who claim to have ownership (of the money) might bring up a defence.
“Like if you take the one in Jersey, it is like 300 million pounds or thereabout; now everything had been done to repatriate the money.
“It was no longer contested and then at the last minute, an objection was raised by the people, who were supposed to forfeit those funds.
Jersey, an independent, English-speaking territory with a mix of British and French cultures, is the largest of the Channel Islands located between England and France.
According to the minister, the important thing is that the process has been engaged.
He said Nigeria would not relent in seeking to repatriate the alleged stolen funds.
He also said that the process of repatriation of looted funds stacked in other countries like Switzerland and the US is in progress. [myad]
In spite of the political wrangling between Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai of Kaduna state and his fellow party man, Senator Shehu Sanni, El-Rufai, Tuesday, visited Shehu Sanni over the death of his mother.
El-Rufai was at Senator Sanni residence in Tudun Wada area of Kaduna metropolis to condole with him.
Sanni’s mother, Amina Abdullahi Sani, died on Saturday after a brief illness, the family said. [myad]
The West Africa Power Pool, a Specialized Institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the African Development Bank signed a grant agreement on Monday, May 23 worth US $1,992,721 to support the Nigeria-Benin Interconnector Reinforcement Project.
The grant will help the construction of a 330 kV double circuit high voltage transmission line from Erukan (Nigeria) to Sakete (Benin) and help meet the needs of the ECOWAS region in supplying reliable electricity supply at affordable cost.
AfDB Acting Vice-President, Operations, in charge of Infrastructure, Private Sector and Regional Integration, Stefan Nalletamby, signed for the Bank Group, while Secretary General, Siengui A. Ki signed for WAPP, in the sidelines of the AfDB Annual Meetings in Lusaka.
The Project, a WAPP key priority, will ensure stable integration of the national electricity networks in the ECOWAS Region and facilitate the accessibility to economic energy resources to all member states of the region.
Speaking at the signing event, AfDB Acting Vice-President Stefan Nalletamby said: “Energy is one of the most essential requirements for Africa’s development and a key pillar of the Bank’s High 5s vision. The project will allow inclusive economic growth needed to transform the lives and livelihoods of many in the West African region.”
The realization of the 330 kV WAPP Nigeria–Benin Project will facilitate optimal power exchanges and trading between the Member States. It seeks to establish a robust transmission link from Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria passing through Prestea, Aboadze, Volta in Ghana, Lomé in Togo, and Sakete in Benin.
“The project will definitely advance WAPP’s goal to establish more secure, reliable transmission corridors for power exchange and help catalyse the development of energy resources, and the transfer of low-cost energy supply,” WAPP Secretary General said.
“The increased volumes of power derived from the project, will boost the region’s economies and contribute to poverty reduction efforts,” he added.
The project, which would be executed in Nigeria and Benin shall result in the following among others:
construction of approximately 200 km of 330 kV high voltage transmission line;
extension of/or the construction of a new 330 kV high voltage substation in Erunkan (Nigeria)
extension of/or the construction of a new 330 kV high voltage substation in Sakete (Benin) or environ;
Installation of SCADA and Fibre Optic systems;
The Feasibility Study for the Nigeria-Benin Interconnector Reinforcement Project was carried out by NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility, NEPAD-IPPF.
NEPAD-IPPF is a multi-donor Special Fund hosted by the AfDB, which supports African countries to prepare regional infrastructure projects in energy, transport, ICT and transboundary water. It is currently supported by a number of Donors who include, Canada, Germany, UK, Spain, Norway and Denmark. Over its ten year existence since 2005, NEPAD-IPPF has prepared over 60 regional infrastructure projects, half of which have reached financial closure resulting in investment financing of over US6 billion, thus, responding directly to Africa’s integration and development efforts. [myad]
A 24-year-old woman, Nwakaego Ugochukwu, has been charged to court in Lagos for alleged sexually molesting a five-year-old girl in her residence.
The accused, a factory worker, who resides at Canal Estate, Ago Okota, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge bordering on sexual assault before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Eruada Victor, told the court that the accused on May 5, 2016, took the child to her residence where she sexually assaulted the five-year-old girl.
Victor added that the woman repeatedly dipped her fingers into the private part of the five-year-old girl and that the matter was reported to the police after the victim reported to her parents.
The offences contravened Sections 259 and 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos.
The Magistrate, E.O. Ogunkanni, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum after the accused pleaded not guilty.
He adjourned the case till June 15 for hearing. [myad]
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Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Abuja has told the former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh that court is not a Father Christmas that would give what it did not have.
