The Imo State Police Command has described as false the allegation of sexual harassment and intimidation levelled against its personnel.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, informed that the allegation of assault levelled against the DPO of New Owerri Station by a certain Chief Ogumba Onyeaghala, who claimed to be a member of the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, is false and should be disregarded by the public.
The police spokesperson stated that the Commissioner of Police, on hearing the news published on a popular online media platform, set up a committee to investigate the allegation.
“After conducting a thorough investigation, the Command wishes to inform the general public that the allegations levelled against the DPO as contained in the petition are unfounded, malicious, and mischievous.
“To begin with, the said Chief Ogumba Onyeagahala is not a member of PCRC, New Owerri Division, as he alleged in the petition. His address and phone numbers on the petition are fake. Hence, all efforts to reach out to him to substantiate his allegations proved abortive,” he stated.
Okoye further stated that the PCRC New Owerri has written a disclaimer to the Commissioner of Police, distancing itself from the purported allegations against the DPO, noting that it had on several occasions commended the DPO for his remarkable leadership style and proactive efforts in safeguarding the lives and properties of the residents of New Owerri as it remains one of the safest areas in the state.
ASP Okoye hinted that officers whose names appeared on the petition and other principal officers serving at New Owerri Division have been interviewed separately and they unequivocally stated that
the contents of the petition are entirely false.
He faulted the online media that carried the story for not seeking the reaction of the command before going public without considering the negative effect of such publication on the image of the DPO and the entire police force.
“It is crucial to state that contrary to the allegations made by the Sahara Reporters in the publication, the Police Public Relations Officer was never contacted to get the Command’s reaction on the said issue before publishing a very sensational report that borders on the conduct and reputation of the DPO. Without any ambivalence, the Command views the publications as a deliberate and concerted attempt by mischief makers to dampen the reputation and morale of the Divisional Police Officers as well as the already established confidence he has built in the minds of the residents of New Owerri. Efforts are in progress to apprehend the originator and purveyors of the misleading publication,” he further stated.
He said that no amount of distraction can dissuade the command from discharging its duties for the overall safety of the state.
“Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma reaffirms the Command’s unalloyed dedication to discharging its constitutional mandates while ensuring that its personnel are protected from any form of sexual harassment and gender discrimination,” he concluded.
Sexual harassment against Imo DPO false — Police
Sexual harassment against Imo DPO false — Police
Ogun students plan protest over colleague killed by hit-and-run driver
A coalition of student bodies in Ogun State on Thursday threatened to protest over a 24-year-old student of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Aiyepe Annexe, Pelumi David, said to have been killed by a hit-and-run driver on Monday.
The fleeing driver was said to have hit David and the motorcyclist, Hassan Ariyo, who was carrying her from the rear in front of the Ogun State Orientation Camp of the National Youth Service Corps, along Ikenne-Sagamu Road, killing both of them.
The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident to journalists.
She said the car lost control and collided with the motorcycle, causing both riders to fall and sustain fatal head injuries.
Odutola said “On Monday at about 2 pm a fatal hit-and-run accident took place in Sakura Division along the Sagamu-Ikenne Road.
“The incident involved a black Toyota Camry car and an unregistered Bajaj motorcycle, ridden by a 22-year-old Hassan Ariyo from Ikenne and his passenger, 24-year-old Pelumi Ade, a student at Sapade Gateway Polytechnic.
“ Their bodies were removed and taken to OOUTH Mortuary. The parents of the deceased, accompanied by the Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government, have requested the bodies for burial.
“Efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing driver, and a sketch map and photographs have been taken for reference.”
However, student bodies in the state have disclosed plans to protest the death of the student, alleging the connivance of the NYSC officials to shield the driver who is believed to have killed the student and the motorcyclist.
The students disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, jointly signed by chairman, National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS JCC/Ogun Axis, Adeyanju Oluwafemi; National President, National Association of Ogun State Students, Thomas Kehinde, and President, Progressive Students Movement, Bestman Okereafor.
The student’s groups claimed that the suspected driver of the grey colour Toyota Camry had reportedly fled into the NYSC Orientation Camp after running over the victims.
They explained that the NYSC officials had denied that the suspected driver was hiding inside the camp, and this led to a heated argument between the students and some soldiers at the entrance of the camp.
The students disclosed that following the intervention of the chairman of Odogbolu Local Government, Shittu, the Area Commander, Sagamu, and DPO Sakora division, the vehicle was brought out just washed with the towel used in washing the car also used in covering the vehicle number plate.
The security personnel were said to have compelled the NYSC officials, after which they produced the owner of the car, who was said to have identified himself as Ojo Aina.
The student bodies, while commending the swift response of the Nigerian Police and intelligence of the Sagamu Area commander, expressed displeasure that the vehicle and driver are yet to be in police custody.
They have equally demanded the replacement of the state NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Olayinka Nasamu, for her alleged insensitivity and lack of empathy for the dead, saying that she has not acted in a way to protect the interests of young Nigerians
The student’s groups said, “The accident that claimed the life of our student and another youth was never a head-on collision as been claimed based on the injury sustained by the victims when their dead bodies were observed.
“We also demand the immediate replacement of Mrs. Olayinka Diana Nasamu, the inhumane State Coordinator, NYSC Ogun State, for lack of empathy and lackadaisical attitude towards the dead as a supposed mother.
“She was not only arrogant but also mannerless and pompous, yet she uttered words that were unheard of by a supposed mother.
“Nigerian Students will in our thousands be protesting at the NYSC State secretariat the death of our student by the driver who drove into the NYSC premises and said to be an NYSC staff.
“We demand that the driver of the alleged vehicle and the vehicle be thoroughly investigated! The protest shall be affirmatively held on Monday, July 15.”
The students also appealed to Gateway ICT Polytechnic’s management to take full responsibility if the student’s funeral.
However, when contacted by our correspondent, the NYSC State Coordinator denied being involved in the incident.
Nasamu said she was surprised to hear of such unfounded allegations and baseless reports.
She said, “I am not aware of such an allegation. The allegations are unfounded. They should have gone to the right authority to get their facts right. I am surprised to hear of such an unfounded allegation.”
Zamfara secures Turkish investment in greenhouses, dairy projects
The Zamfara State Government said it has secured foreign investments from Turkish investors.
A statement on Thursday by Governor Dauda Lawal’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, noted that Lawal started his official visit to Turkey on Sunday, June 30, which lasted six days.
“The governor travelled to Turkey in the first week of July where he met prominent investors and embarked on facilities tour of factories in different cities in that country.
“The official visit to Turkey commenced with Governor Lawal’s visit to Bursa city where Direkci Group has the biggest greenhouse project in Turkey,” the statement read.
Idris stated that the group plans to establish modernised and mechanised greenhouse projects in Zamfara.
“For Zamfara, the Direkci Group plans to establish various greenhouses, including soilless greenhouse, soil greenhouse, polyclima greenhouse, transplanting, ornamental production greenhouse and banana growing greenhouse,” he added.
According to the statement, another Turkish company, Innova Dairy Farm, will establish a modern dairy farm in Zamfara, utilising advanced technologies such as rumination and activity monitoring, herd management systems and cooling systems.
Additionally, Lawal discussed a potential collaboration with Türk Traktör, a prominent tractor manufacturing company, to acquire modern tractors suitable for farming in Nigeria.
“The company has the capability to produce New Holland and Case IH tractors at the same time. It is the first tractor-exporting company in Turkey and accounted for 88 per cent of the total tractor exports of the country in 2022,” he concluded.
SDP’s Ajaka rejects Appeal Court ruling on Kogi governorship election
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Kogi State, Murtala Ajaka, has rejected the verdict of the Appeal Court which upheld Governor Usman Ododo’s victory in last year’s governorship election in the state.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had earlier on Thursday upheld Ododo’s victory in the poll held on November 11, 2023.
In Thursday’s proceeding, the appellate court resolved all four grounds of appeal against the appellants.
The court held that the SDP and its candidate failed to prove the allegation of fraud in the election.
It added that the allegation of certificate forgery against the governor was a pre-election matter that should have been resolved by the Federal High Court.
However, in a statement issued in Lokoja, the SDP candidate alleged that the verdict was influenced by manipulations.
Ajaka added that he would appeal the appeal court at the Supreme Court.
He stressed that the journey to reclaiming his mandate was not limited to the appellate court decision.
READ ALSO: Appeal Court upholds Gov Ododo’s election in Kogi
“We must remain relentless in our pursuit of justice. We cannot afford to be deterred by setbacks or disheartened by temporary defeats. Our cause is justice and our determination will not waver. We must stand united and continue to support our legal team as they navigate these complex legal waters on our behalf.
“I want to assure you, our political followers that victory is within our grasp. We firmly believe that the truth will prevail, and justice will be served. We have full faith in the Nigerian judicial system, and we are confident that the apex court will rectify the injustices that have been inflicted upon us once again.
“We understand the frustration and anger that may arise from this situation, but resorting to violence or any form of unlawful behaviour is not the solution. We must continue to uphold the principles of democracy and fight for justice through legal means.
“We have tirelessly fought for the rights and interests of the people of Kogi State and we will not let this temporary setback deter us from our mission.
“We understand that this decision may have brought about feelings of disappointment and frustration among our supporters, but we want to assure you that this setback will not stop our determination to use all legal means to reclaim our stolen mandate.”
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Fire guts filling station in Abuja
Fire, on Thursday, engulfed the Mainland Oil and Gas filling station located in the Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The fire was said to have started at about 5:30 pm.
The inferno was reportedly caused after a tanker discharging fuel at the filling station caught fire during the process.
Personnel of the FCT Fire Service and police have been deployed to the scene to extinguish the fire and ensure order.
Confirming the incident, the FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh quickly mobilised to the scene.
Adeh said no death was recorded, adding that the fire was under control.
She said, “In response to the fire outbreak at Mainland Oil and Gas filling station in Kubwa, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth Igweh, swiftly mobilised police patrol teams from Kubwa division and personnel of PMF 50 alongside operatives of the Federal Fire Service to the scene to possibly rescue victims, extinguish the fire, and protect other assets of the filling station from being engulfed.
“While no fatalities were recorded, preliminary investigation revealed that a tanker discharging fuel actually caught fire, but with the combined effort of the police operatives, fire service personnel, and members of the public, the fire was extinguished even though the tanker got burned completely.
“While the cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be ascertained, the situation is now very much under control, as the fire has been extinguished.”
Naira recovers marginally to trade N1, 554/$1 at official window
The naira recovered marginally against the United States dollar at the official window on Thursday.
Data from the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) revealed that the domestic currency gained N7 to trade at N1, 554/$1, down from N1,561/$1 it traded on Wednesday.
The intra-day high and low recorded during the day were N1, 590/$1 and N1, 465/$1 respectively, representing a lean spread of N125$1.
The naira lost N15 against the dollar at the parallel section of the market to trade N1, 565$1, as against N1, 500/$1 recorded the previous day.
READ ALSO: Naira slumps to N1,523/$1 at official window
The naira shed N30 against the British Pound to trade at N2, 050£1 as against the previous N2, 020£1.
The Canadian dollar continues to close flat against the naira to trade at N1,200 | CA$1.
The naira shed N15 against the Euro to trade at ₦1,680/€1 as against the previous day’s ₦1,665/€1.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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LG autonomy: Supreme Court has restored hope in democracy
The Nigeria Labour Congress has welcomed the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming fiscal autonomy for local government councils across the country.
In a statement on Thursday, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the apex court’s ruling is a restoration of hope in the country’s democracy and judiciary.
Ajaero asserted that the apex court’s verdict is “both courageous and salubrious” and recalled the “tortuous” journey to the local governments’ freedom.
He said, “It’s an epochal pronouncement on Thursday, July 11, 2024, directing that financial allocations be made directly to Local Governments as well as divesting state governments of the power to remove local government executives is both courageous and salubrious.
“The Supreme Court, through this landmark judgment, has not only restored our democracy but possibly hope in democracy.
“For years we had watched with dismay and discontent the remorseless and mindless erosion of the powers of the local governments and had embarked on a series of national protests as workers.”
Ajaero also commended the 9th National Assembly, the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, and President Bola Tinubu for their efforts leading to the ruling.
He added, “We also note the effort made by the Buhari Administration to prise off the strangle-hold of governors on local governments. We must also mention the commendable role on this matter by the 9th Assembly.
“This statement will not be complete without paying tribute to the Tinubu government for its presence of mind to institute this action at the Supreme Court. We specifically commend the President and the Attorney General of the Federation.”
Ajaero, however, wants the Supreme Court ruling implemented and questions the conduct of local government elections by state electoral commissions.
“Should SIECS be allowed to conduct ‘elections’ or should NEC take over (even as they are over-burdened and are not exactly the best example)? Should there be a regulatory agency or commission with oversight over SIECs? We will find the devil in the details through a stakeholder conversation,” he said.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations.
The seven-man panel, in the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, declared that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves.
The apex court held that the power of the government is portioned into three arms of government, the federal, the state and the local government.
The court further declared that a state government has no power to appoint a caretaker committee and a local government council is only recognisable with a democratically elected government.
D’Tigress in great spirits, will do well in Paris —Coach Wakama
Ahead of the Olympic Games, Rena Wakama, the head coach of Nigeria’s senior women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, has expressed confidence in her team.
In a chat with the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), Wakama talked about the rigorous training the team have undergone since arriving in their Germany camp.
In preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics, scheduled for July 26 to August 10, D’Tigress have been camping in Saarbrucken, Germany.
Coach Wakama assured that her players would not become complacent, emphasizing that they are ready to compete fiercely against their opponents.
Read Also: D’Tigress to play three warm-up games ahead of Paris Olympics
“Things have been going well in the camp in the last few days, as we have had great practice sessions and the girls are in great spirits,” Wakama said.
“The girls are responding well to training and getting better, everyday. And that’s what matters.
“I am confident that the girls will be able to display their talents when we get to Paris. I’m excited and looking forward to the games.”
Meanwhile, the team are set to face Germany in Berlin on July 19, take on Serbia in Belgrade on July 21, and later, Japan in Lille, France on July 24.
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Sokoto gov signs law stripping Sultan power to appoint district, village heads
Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has assented to six new laws, including the amended Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law, which generated controversy across the country.
The new law stripped the Sultan of the power to appoint district and village heads in the state.
Speaking during the ceremony held on Thursday, Aliyu noted that the new laws were not meant to witch hunt any individual or group but to strengthen good governance in the state
The governnkr said, “We note with concern the unnecessary tension created by our proposal to amend some of these laws.
“Some of the reactions were politically motivated while others were done ignorantly without care to inquire from the right quarters on the details and intention of the amendment.
“It is a known fact that in every society, laws are enacted and amended to suit the needs of time and interest of the governed in line with circumstances at hand. Previous administrations had amended one law or the other in the state with a view to giving the state laws the needed touch that would fast track peace and development.
“Let me make it clear that the just amended laws are not meant to winch-hunt any individual or group but rather to promote good governance and to remove the ambiguity and inconsistency with the nation’s constitution.”
The governor further advised Muslim clerics against allowing “lazy politicians” to use them in scoring their political goals.
He, however, assured all that his administration would continue to listen to the yearnings and aspirations of its citizens.
“Whenever we come across any law that does not suit the interests of our people, we will not hesitate to replace it,” he added
The other laws include Sokoto State Tenancy Law, Zakkat, and Waqf Law, among others.
NIPR sets up committee to study Samoa Agreement
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations has inaugurated a technical team to examine and analyse the Samoa agreement and its impact on the nation following its recent signing by the Federal Government.
President and Chairman of Council of the NIPR, Ike Neliaku, disclosed this at the agency’s Special Diamond Anniversary Induction for Media and Allied Practitioners, in Abuja on Thursday.
540 journalists and allied media practitioners from the Nigerian Television Authority, African Independent Television, News Agency of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria, Channels TV, and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, among others, were inducted as new associate members of the NIPR.
The initiative evaluates the agreement’s impact on the nation’s reputation and citizens.
“The institute decided to set up a technical team of experts to study the Samoa agreement and come up with the reputation and perception implication of signing that agreement to Nigeria as a nation and to the citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Neliaku said.
He highlighted the importance of the nation’s reputation.
“What is important to us is the reputation of our country. The perception of our country, because our reputation is our core asset. And this is what we have done.
“The NIPR has assembled a team of experts, including lawyers, scientists, and professional engineers, to undertake this task.
“NIPR has the biggest body of knowledge to do this. We have lawyers, scientists, professional engineers, and so on. So we have all that is required to get the nation at every point in time what will help them,” Neliaku emphasised.
He noted that the committee is set to begin work immediately, with plans to advise the government on the findings.
“Therefore, this committee will start work tomorrow and at the end of the day, we will advise the government on the reputational implications of what has happened. So that where we need to re-navigate, we will re-navigate,” he explained.
The analysis will focus on three core values: professional, reputational, and financial.
“There are three values we pry on, as the case may be. The first is professional value. What professional value does the Samoa Agreement offer Nigeria? The second is reputational value. And third is the financial value,” he added.
Neliaku further stressed the importance of prioritizmsing reputation over financial gain, saying “You see that financial value is number three and not number one because when your reputation is intact, when your professionalism is valid, resources will flow naturally.”
The NIPR has also planned a series of chats with former Ministers of Information.
“I want to tell the Chairman of FCT, who is the Director of Public Relations, that we have accepted your challenge that the institute will convene fireside chats with all former ministers of information.
“We want you to come and sit down and share with practitioners because listening to you this afternoon, you have shared your different perspectives,” he announced.