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Reps vow to recover two helicopters sold to private individuals

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The House of Representatives has vowed that it will recover two Bell Helicopters, Bell 206L4 BZB and Bell M2061- L4, belonging to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, sold to private individuals. Rep. Ademorin Kuye, the Chairman, House of Reps Committee on Public Assets, said this at the investigative hearing on the sale of the two helicopters in Abuja on Thursday. Kuye expressed concern over the sale of the two helicopters to private individuals, when the college was left with no helicopter for training. The committee also questioned the process leading to the sale of the helicopters as security agencies, including Nigerian Air Force, Navy and the Police, indicated interest to purchase them. The security agencies were, however, denied by the management of the NCAT. The three security agencies, according to various submissions, did not only indicate interest to purchase the helicopters by writing but also visited the college but were denied the opportunity to purchase them. Mr Shaka Imalighwe, Acting Rector, NCAT, said though he was the Deputy Rector of the college at the time the helicopters were sold, he was not part of the team/committee that facilitated the sales. Imalighwe said that he took over the management of the college in an acting capacity in January 2024. The Committee said in spite of initial appeals to NCAT to provide certain documents regarding the process that led to the sale of the helicopters in May 2023, they had not been able to provide it. This, according to him, was in respect of approval of Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the Ministry of Aviation as well as newspaper publication advertising the intention to sell the helicopters. Imalighwe told the committee that the helicopters were in service and being maintained by relevant aviation bodies when they were sold. The acting Rector of the college also confirmed to the lawmakers...
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses arrive New York

New York introduces $15 congestion charge

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After metropolises such as London and Stockholm, New York is now set to become the first city in the United States (U.S.) to introduce a congestion charge. “Today, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board voted to approve the toll rates for the nation’s first congestion pricing program.’’ The MTA, which operated transportation in the New York metro area, announced on social media platform X on Wednesday. From mid-June, most cars would have to pay a fee of &15 during the day if they drive into a zone that, with a few exceptions, covered the entire southern part of Manhattan up to 60th Street. The MTA board had previously approved the plan, which had been in development for many years. The MTA called it a “historic day.’’ This programme would reduce traffic in Manhattan’s central business district, reduce pollution, and provide critical funding for transit improvements,’’ the post read. However, the programme is currently still the subject of numerous lawsuits from politicians and residents.

Military declares Prof, seven others wanted for alleged killing of soldiers...

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has declared eight persons wanted in connection with the gruesome murder of 17 officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army on March 14 in Okuama community in Delta State. The wanted persons include seven men and one woman. They were identified as Akevwru Daniel Omotegbono (Amagbem); Prof. Ekpokpo Arthur; Andaowei Denis Bakriri; Igoli Ebi; Akata Malawa David; Sinclair Okili; Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe and Reuben Baru. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces a riss the country on Thursday in Abuja. Buba said the military would not allow the incident that led to the killing of 17 soldiers that were buried on Wednesday, to ever happen again. He urged members of the public to cooperate with the military and other security agencies with useful information to help apprehend the suspects. According to him, the armed forces is a force for stability that employs both kinetic and non knowledge netic measures to achieve the desired end state. “Prior to the ugly incident, the military had constructed several civic projects in Delta State as a sign of good will. “For instance, the construction of Multipurpose Hall and Borehole Projects in Patani Local Government Area and Medical Outreach at Aladja Community in Udu Local Government Area all in Delta, among several others. “Nevertheless, troops would continue with their efforts until the culprits are found, arrested, tried, and brought to justice by Nigerian law. “Citizens are our first line of intelligence and must rise to the occasion,” he said. The 17 personnel of 181 Amphibious Battalion comprising a Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 soldier were murdered by community youths while on peace mission to Okuama community. The slain soldiers were buried on Wednesday at the National Cemetery Abuja amidst tears and agony. President Bola Tinubu led...

Alleged Malabu Oil scam: Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, others

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Justice Abubakar Kutigi of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Thursday discharged former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) , Mohammed Bello Adoke ,SAN and six others . They were charged with legations of committing infractions relating to the controversial Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245, otherwise known as Malabu Oil scam. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), dragged Adoke and other defendants before the court on an amended 40-count charge bordering on disobeying direction of the law, offering and receiving gratification, conspiracy and forgery, among others. Adoke, who served as AGF and Minister of Justice under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was prosecuted by EFCC in the suit, marked FCT/HC/CR/151/2020. Others are Aliyu Abubakar; Rasky Gbinigie; Malabu Oil and Gas Limited; Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited; Shell Nigeria Extra Deep Limited and Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited. Ruling on the no-case submission filed by the defendants , Justice Kutigi held that any trial processes are evidence driven but in the instance case, the prosecution failed to produce certain documents or call some witnesses to prove its case. He further held that the prosecution has failed to prove the essential elements of the offences the defendants were charged with before the court. According to him, though the defendants were constitutionally presumed to be innocent, establishing prima facie case against them by the prosecution had to produce sufficient evidence to warrant the court to call on them to enter their defence. Kutigi held that in the current case, the prosecution failed to establish any prima facie case against the defendants. He cited the situation whereby about 3 counts involved forgery, yet the prosecution failed to tender relevant documents as exhibits. The judge further held that a charge must not be filed for the purpose of doing so, submitting that frivolous charge does damage to the...

Labour Party’s convention illegal, says INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disowned Wednesday’s Labour Party (LP) National Convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State. Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, said this in Abuja on Thursday. Oyekanmi said the conduct of the convention was not monitored by INEC, declining to state further why it was not monitored. The LP had on Tuesday shifted the convention from Umuahia to Nnewi. Speaking on the change in venue, Mr Kehinde Edun, the LP National Legal Adviser, told newsmen that the party had duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date. “No, it is holding in Anambra. Nnewi to be precise, not Umuahia in Abia again. In fact, Umuahia was not even the first venue we chose. Benin was the first choice before we changed to Umuahia and now Nnewi. “So, we are at liberty to pick any venue of our choice. We only need to inform INEC about the change in venue and the time,” Edun said. Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 states that political parties shall give INEC at least 21 days notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting. This includes the convention or meeting convened for the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates.

Olatunji released, as IPI, NGE, NUJ urge Tinubu to punish Generals...

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*Let’s Protect Free Press, Let’s Protect Our Democracy against military misconduct* _Being a press statement read at a press conference called by the International Press Institute (IPI), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at FCT Council of NUJ, Utako, Abuja, to update members of the public about the abduction of the Editor, FirstNews, Mr Segun Olatunji_ Gentlemen of the press. We thank you so much for honouring our invitation in spite of the short notice. The invitation by the leaderships of the International Press Institute (IPI), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) was sent out late last night. And we are encouraged by your turnout and solidarity. The IPI, the NGE and the NUJ called this joint press conference to update members of the public on the ordeal of our colleague – the Editor of FirstNews, Segun Olatunji, who armed people we earlier thought were non-state actors abducted from his home in Lagos on March 15. In a statement issued by the management of FirstNews, Mr Olatunji’s abduction was linked to a recent story published by the media organization titled, “Revealed: Defence Chief running office like family business – Public Interest Lawyers.” Narrating the ugly incident, Mr Olatunji’s wife, who witnessed the abduction of her husband, said the armed men stormed their residence a few minutes after 6 pm that day. She said on their arrival, the abductors immediately confiscated her husband's telephone before shoving him into a van. She said she asked the abductors what her husband's offence was and where they were taking him. The stern-looking men rebuffed her enquiries. For days, the Publisher of FirstNews, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, as well as Mr Olatunji's colleagues and family members, tried in vain to locate him. But those...