Court orders AGF, EFCC to release detained Akingbola, Atuche’s wife

Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered EFCC to Akingbola, his wife Elizabeth, and of his Platinum Habib Bank (BankPHB) counterpart, Francis Atuche, being held in the commission’s custody.

Justices Charles Achibong and Fatimat Nyako gave the orders while ruling on separate ex-parte applications by Akingbola and Mrs. Atuche.

Nyako, however, refused a similar application by Mr. Atuche, but ordered him to put the EFCC on notice by serving the copies on the commission. She adjourned the matter till tomorrow for hearing.

Ruling on Mrs. Atuche’s application yesterday, specifically ordered the EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), to either release her or produce her before the court tomorrow.

Justice Achibong, whose order in respect of Akingbola was given last Friday, had directed the EFCC to release him, pending the determination of his motion for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

He directed that the order should operate as a stay of all actions, including his planned re-arraignment by the EFCC pending the determination of the said motion. He adjourned further hearing to May 18.

Tension eases in Imo

After 10 days of political maneuvering, the Imo State governorship poll has been won by the flag bearer of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in this year’s governorship election, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

This has indeed eased off the tension that has built up in the state since some of the elections in some councils were suspended by INEC on Wednesday April 27, 2011.

Okorocha, who polled 336,859 votes beat his closest rival and governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, who scored 290,496 votes. Ohakim is the candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP).

Announcing the result, which was concluded on Friday May 6, 2011, the Returning Officer of the Election and Vice chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, near Umuahia, Professor Hilary Edeoga, said, Okorocha satisfied the provisions of the Electoral Act by scoring the highest number of valid votes and therefore winner of the election.

It will be recalled that following the notice of some irregularities during the April 26, 2011 governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cancelled the result of four councils namely: Oguta, Ohaji/Egbema and Mbaitolu.

The commission directed that Supplementary Election should be held in the three councils and that of Ngor Okpala and Orji ward in Owerri North where election did not take place on April 26, 2011. But on Friday following the disagreement in Oguta council over the late arrival of election materials, the council poll was cancelled by INEC.

Judiciary strike frustrates elections tribunal in Delta

The strike embarked upon by judiciary workers in Delta State on Monday stalled the proceedings at the Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal failed to sit on arrival at the venue designated for it, as the premises had been locked by the workers, who were on strike.

The striking workers pasted notices around the courts stating that the action would last indefinitely in the state.

The Secretary of the tribunal, Deborah Musa, told NAN that the strike had paralysed activities in the tribunal.

“We arrived for work this morning and found the whole place locked up and we saw the notice that judiciary workers in the state are on an indefinite strike.

“I quickly rushed to look for the leaders of the workers and for more than one hour I begged them to come and open the premises so that we can evacuate our files and other items,” she said.

Asked where she would put the files, Mrs Musa said, “I don’t really know where I am taking them to.

You know, we don’t know anywhere or anybody here. Maybe I will put them in my hotel room in the meantime.”

Harmonised salary

When contacted, the Vice-Chairman of the Judiciary Workers Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), James Onanowe, said, “the workers want to be included in the harmonised public service salary.”

He said that the union resorted to strike when the state government failed to respond to its letter on the issue dated April 4.

He added that the decision to embark on the strike was taken by the union’s leadership on Friday, adding that “before we took that decision, we exhaustively deliberated on the matter.”

Explosion rocks PPMC Warri depot

There was an explosion yesterday at the Tanker Loading Bay of the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), near the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company, Delta State.
The explosion shook the complex and the nearby Ubeji and Ekpan communities.
Residents thought an attack by militants was on, particularly against the backdrop of last week’s threat by the Coalition of Niger Delta Militants to attack oil facilities.
The Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesperson, Lt-Col. Timothy Antigha, ruled out sabotage.
He said the Task Force was on top of the security situation in the Niger Delta.
Lt-Col.Antigha advised residents to go about their businesses while security agents ascertained the cause of the explosion.
The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the parent company of the PPMC and the Warri Refinery, was yet to make an official statement on the incident last night.
It was gathered that the explosion was caused by a petroleum tanker that caught fire while waiting to load at the facility.
Sources said the tanker, which had an electrical problem, was ignited by a spark from a component, when the driver started the truck.
The explosion led to panic particularly among other tanker drivers and agents of the various marketers in the vicinity.
A source said: “People started running helter-skelter because of the explosion and the fire.
“People who didn’t know the cause initially thought it was a bomb explosion.
“Those who ran away later came back to evacuate their vehicles and other belongings.”
Though there were no reports of any death, it was gathered that some workers around the facility suffered minor injuries during the stampede.
A combined fire fighting squad deployed from the Shell Petroleum Development Company, NNPC, and other oil firms were battling to put out the fire at the time of this report.

UCH begins free cancer screening

Following increasing incidence of oral cancer in the country, a week-long free dental screening for cancer of the head, neck and mouth commenced at the University College Hos-pital (UCH), Ibadan, on Monday.

The free screening, being organised by the Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Initiative, in conjunction with Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, United State of America, Dr Ifeolu Akinmoladun said, would be extended to Idikan today and Bodija market tomorrow.

Dr Akinmoladun, who said the public needed to be aware of the menace, added that “many of the cases of oral cancer that we are seeing are not pleasant.”

He added that many of the cases came at a time when little or nothing could be done to help the patients.

“Many people do not recognise the symptoms of these cancers, which underscore the impor-tance of everyone getting screened properly, not just those at high risk, such as tobacco and alcohol users.

The oral cancer expert said common signs of oral cancer included red or white patches in the mouth, a change in voice or hoarseness, sore throat that did not subside, or pain or swelling in the mouth or neck.

He warned that if these symptoms were found to persist more than two weeks, such victims should report promptly at the hospital.

Dr Akinmoladun said cases of sore in the mouth, difficulty in speaking or swallowing, difficulty in breathing, ear pain and bleeding from the nose must be reported at the hospital for immediate screening.

Dr Akinmoladun, who warned against oral sex, use of various forms of tobacco and alcohol, added that “when you see oral cancer in younger people who do not smoke, oral sex could be one of the reasons.”

Women lobby for 15 ministerial positions, 35 per cent of federal appointments

VARIOUS women groups in the country are lobbying President Goodluck Jonathan to concede 15 ministerial posts and 35 per cent of other federal appointments to women.

Acting under the auspices of Gender Affirmative Action and the 100 Group Platforms, the women said the demand was based on the president’s pre-election campaign promises.

They noted that the president had unequivocally declared that he would give women 35 per cent of all appointments if re-elected following the massive support he enjoyed during the campaign.

“Nigerian women, who form the bulk of voters, translated their large turnout into massive votes for the president during the elections. It is now time for our president, who has proved to be a man of his words and integrity to honour his promise of 35 per cent appointments to women,”the women said.

Their demand is coming against the backdrop of last week’s retreat by Jonathan with PDP leadership at Obudu Cattle Ranch over zoning of offices and the new federal cabinet.

The women contended that the fulfillment of the promise would be in tandem with the commitment of President Jonathan to adequate representation of women in the structures of the newly elected government and parliament.This, they said,would be in line with the National Gender Policy, the 35 per cent Affirmative Action of the Beijing conference in China and international instruments, to which Nigeria is a signatory.

They requested that a minimum of 15 ministerial appointments should be given to women even as they insisted that the list of advisory personnel should reflect at least 35 per cent of women.

Yuguda dedicates Certificate of Return to slain NYSC members

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has dedicated his Certificate of Return to the nine NYSC members killed in the state during the recent post-election violence.

Yuguda announced this in Bauchi on Monday while addressing newsmen after he was presented with the certificate for a second term by INEC.

He described the slain NYSC members as heroes of democracy whose legacies must be kept alive.

Yuguda, who commiserated with the families of the affected corps members, said all suspects arrested in connection with the violence would be prosecuted and punished.

The governor also assured the families of the slain corps members of adequate compensation.

``However, there is no amount of compensation that will replace the lives of the deceased but we will only try to assuage the pains they are presently going through,’’ he added.

He also commended the parents of the deceased for their courage and fortitude in bearing their loss.

Yuguda said his administration was determined and ready to protect the lives and property of every resident in the state irrespective of ethnic, religious or political inclinations.

The governor said his administration would ensure that every corps member posted to the state had a memorable service year, adding that automatic employment would be offered to those ready to stay. (NAN)

Akala insists on paying N18,000 minimum to workers

The out-going Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, has insisted on implementing the N18,000 minimum wage for the workers in the state to the state workers before leaving office.

He spoke in response to the warning by the Governor elect, Senator Abiola Ajimobi that he should not sign the implementation of the said wage.

Ajimobi said doing so would be tantamount to undermining the in-coming administration and it would be unfair now that the Governor was at the twilight of his tenure.

Governor Akala, in a statement signed by his Special Adviserr on Public Communication, Prince Dotun Oyelade, regretted his inability to accede to the request under any circumstance, saying that the promise to pay the minimum wage, which he voluntarily made on Tuesday March 29, 2011, a clear 29 days before the gubernatorial election, had become a covenant between him and the workers.

The governor Akala took exception to the description of his action as suspicious and controversial adding that he gave the promise with a conviction that he would be the one to implement it.

“What kind of leader will I be, if I have to acquiesce to reneging on a promise I made to my people?
I wish to leave behind a legacy of policy consistency”, he said.

He disagreed with Ajimobi that it was morally wrong for him to initiate a project that he would not implement.
Akala said, “ while it is morally and legally correct for him to effect minimum wage, governance is a continuum and its entity remains potent until the last admissible date.

In any case, the former Governor Lam Adesina sealed a whooping N1.8 billion contract for an International Market and Water Projects in the dying days of his Administration, while Senator Ladoja increased workers’ salaries and allowances a few days before his departure.The workers in Oyo State will enjoy minimum wage of N18,000 from May 1, 2011 and it is their right to reject the offer.