The Chief Magistrate Court, Yaba, Lagos State has remanded 11 persons for allegedly belonging to a secret society, conspiring to commit armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The 11 suspects were on Wednesday arraigned by the Lagos State Police Command before Magistrate O.Y Adefope.
They include: Bamidele Bakare, Muriana Anuoluwapo, Sheriff Alausa, Emmanuel David, Godwin Asado, Abdullahi Taoheed, Olorunwa Ayeniran, Taoheed Alade, Abdullahi Isa, Bolaji Oseni, and Tobi Adedayo
The suspects were charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit a felony and belonging to a secret society, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The charges alleged that on May 25, 2024, the 11 suspects, with intent to disrupt law and order in the inhabitants of Itire, Surulere, and Amuwo Odofin, unlawfully belonged and managed a secret society known as the Eiye Confraternity, whereby they organised and disrupted law and order in the inhabitants of the areas of Lagos.
READ ALSO: Simon Ekpa gives Nigerian govt condition for peace in South-East
More so, one locally made single-barrelled cut-to-size gun, two live cartridges, and 14 9MM Beretta pistol ammunition, which they used for their unlawful activities, were found in their possession.
It was gathered that inhabitants of Itire, Surulere, and Amuwo Odofin reported a series of robberies and criminal activities, leading to the investigation into this robbery. Consequently, a tactical team assigned to Amuwo Odofin raided the suspects’ hideout and discovered the ammunition, arresting them on May 27, 2024.
Prosecutor Haruna Magaji informed the court that the alleged offences were committed on May 25, 2024.
He stated that the alleged offences contravened and are punishable under Section 328, Section 2(3)(a)(b)(d)(e) of the Unlawful Society and Cultism Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2021, and Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The defendants’ pleas were not taken in court. Adefope ordered that the defendants be remanded pending further hearing. However, the case was further adjourned to September 25, 2024.
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Court remands 11 persons over alleged cultism, robbery in Lagos
PDP mocks APC over alleged plot to instigate crisis, forcefully take over Rivers
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday ridiculed the All Progressives Congress (APC) to quit thoughts on taking over Rivers State.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, who stated this in a statement asserted that APC’s plot to instigate a crisis in order to truncate the will of Rivers people has not only been exposed, but has failed.
No fewer than 25 Rivers State lawmakers had defected from the PDP to the APC which sparked off heated crisis in the state as the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was said to be on the line to be impeached.
However, a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, had declared that the 25 lawmaker led by Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule are still members of the PDP.
The statement, however, reads: “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to yet another hallucinating press conference by the Rivers State Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tony Okocha wherein he again fantasized that the WILL of the people of Rivers State as expressed in the governorship election which produced Governor Siminalayi Fubara can be upturned by the imagination of the APC.
“This reckless outburst by Tony Okocha further exposes the sinister plot by the APC in Rivers State which has been seeking for ways to instigate crisis, forcefully overthrow a democratic Order and impose an anti-democratic regime in Rivers State in clear violation of Section 1 sub-section 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The use of the word “war” by Mr. Okocha in his thoughtless statement clearly shows an evil intention which has been firmly resisted and will continue to be resisted by the people of Rivers State.
READ ALSO: Rivers Crisis: APC calls for state of emergency, says state at war
“The APC in Rivers State should note that its malevolent scheme to instigate crisis and forcefully take over the State has failed. Rivers State is a stronghold of the PDP and the people are solidly behind the Government of the PDP in the State.
“The PDP calls on the Federal Government and indeed the national leadership of the APC to, as a matter of urgency, rein-in and caution Mr. Tony Okocha to stop being an agent of destabilization and a threat to democracy in Nigeria.
“Our Party demands that the Inspector General of Police immediately invite the Rivers State APC Caretaker Chairman and hold him personally liable for his utterances which constitute a clear and present danger to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria and to peace and tranquility in Rivers State.
“The international community should also take note of the reckless outburst of this individual whose action and utterances are capable of negatively affecting the overall security of the country.
“The PDP for the umpteenth time warns the APC to perish the thought of forcefully taking over Rivers State as its attempts to undermine the WILL of the people will always come to naught.
“The PDP charges the people of Rivers State to remain calm and continue to work together in their solidarity with the PDP administration in the delivery of democracy dividends in the State.”
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Japan seeks 60 million tourists per year
Japan’s tourism chief said Thursday its ambitious goal of luring 60 million foreign tourists a year — more than double the current level — is well within reach, despite surging overtourism concerns.
Last year, Japan attracted over 25 million tourists from abroad, in part buoyed by the lifting of pandemic-era border restrictions in countries such as South Korea, Singapore, and the United States.
Ichiro Takahashi, head of Japan’s tourism agency, acknowledged the previously announced target of 60 million remains “tough”, but stressed it is within the realm of possibility.
“It is a figure that we can very much achieve by making the right efforts”, Takahashi told a briefing in Tokyo.
“There are still many little-known places in Japan that are left unexplored by tourists from overseas — I believe Japan has infinite tourism resources,” Takahashi said.
Over three million foreign tourists visited Japan for a third consecutive month in May, according to government statistics released Wednesday.
However, an influx of tourists to Japan has reignited concerns over overtourism in recent months, with local residents complaining of their sometimes unruly behaviour and etiquette breaches.
The city of Himeji, in western Japan, was among the latest local governments to express frustrations.
The municipality famous for Himeji Castle is mulling making the World Heritage site’s admission fees for overseas tourists four times as expensive as those for local residents, local media reported.
“A wooden structure will be worn out and become more brittle after many people climb up and down”, mayor Hideyasu Kiyomoto told Japanese media, stressing the need to “curb overtourism”.
Local citizens using the castle as a community hub shouldn’t be charged the same amount as “people who only come here once in around 10 years for sightseeing purposes”, he said.
Another flashpoint around overtourism is Mount Fuji, where a new, crowd-control gate was erected Monday along its popular trail.
The measure followed a rare step taken last month by an exasperated Japanese town to deliberately block a view of the volcano with a large black barrier, in a bid to deter photo-hungry tourists.
AFP
Imo holds LG elections September 21
The Chairman of Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, Charles Ejiogu, on Wednesday, said the local government election will take place on September 21, across 305 wards and 4,758 polling units in the state.
He stated this during the stakeholders meeting held in Owerri, Imo State.
He said “We have gathered the stakeholders to show our determination to deepen democratic governance at the grassroots level in Imo State. It has to be on record that following Nigeria’s return to constitutional governance in 1999, the forthcoming Local Government Council elections into the offices of Council Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councilors, will be the fifth having had elections in 1999, 2004, 2010, and 2018 respectively at the third tier”.
“Pursuant to its establishment Law No 14 of 2000 as amended, the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission is charged with the task of conducting and supervising a free, transparent, and credible local government council elections in Imo State.”
“To this end, the commission has scheduled to conduct the much expected Council elections into the 305 Registration Areas/Wards and in all the 4,758 polling units in the 27 Local Government Area Councils of Imo State, come Saturday 21 September 2024.”
He called on the Imo electorate to take advantage of the election to perform their constitutional duty.
“We have released the Election Guidelines and Time Table as part of the activities that will ultimately usher in the emergence of 27 democratically Council Chairmen, their Deputies, and 305 Councilors, in line with our announcement of 24th May 2024.
“Arrangements for the recruitment of Ad-hoc personnel are in top gear and this will include field and internal Ad-hoc personnel.”
“We are liaising with other democratic institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission and we are satisfied with their level of support so far, even as we look forward to more of such support. The security agencies have also assured us of their readiness to render necessary assistance. The voluntary agencies are not left out in this regard and we cannot take anyone of them for granted.”
He said ISIEC will not shirk its mandated duty of observing the primaries as duly stipulated in the Electoral Act as amended.
Traditional Rulers, Presidents General, Opinion Leaders, Women and Youth Groups, Market Associations, Trade Groups, Civil Society Organizations, Media, Clergy, and Faith-Based Organisations, Political Leaders, among others were present at the meeting.
Simon Ekpa gives Nigerian govt condition for peace in South-East
The self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile (BRIGE), Simon Ekpa, has told the Nigerian government what must be done for peace to reign in the South-East region of the country.
Ekpa called on the Nigerian government to dismantle and withdraw all checkpoints in South-East if it is really desirous of peace to return to the region.
Ekpa who made the call while speaking in an interactive X space session on Wednesday, said the recurring crisis in the South-East region should be blamed on the Nigerian government’s militarization of the region.
The Finland-based Ekpa went further to clarify what he termed the misrepresentation of the Biafran agitation, saying the only thing Biafrans want is lasting peace in their region and to achieve this, the Nigerian government should demilitarise the South-East.
The region has been wrought with violent attacks and kidnappings which has led to loss of lives and property. Ekpa and his supporters have continued to declare sit-at-home days in the area, accompanied with attacks on security agencies within the region.
“We are against the Nigerian state for militarising Biafra. Those claiming we are violent should blame the Nigerian state,” Ekpa said.
‘They brought violence while we defend ourselves. We demand to withdraw the military and dismantle all checkpoints in Biafra territory,” Ekpa said.
BRGIE, Prime Minister Simon Ekpa disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday while speaking in an X space.According to him, the Nigerian government should be blamed for the crisis in the southeast because it militarised the region.
— Simon Ekpa (@simon_ekpa) June 20, 2024
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NUC accredits 18 courses in Kwara varsity
The National Universities Commission has granted full accreditation to the 18 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes presented by Kwara State University in the October/November 2023 round of accreditation of academic programmes in the institution.
A letter to the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, dated June 6, 2024, which was signed by the Acting Director of Accreditation, Abraham Chundusu, listed six postgraduate and 12 undergraduate programmes as receiving full accreditation status that was valid for a period of 5 years.
According to a statement signed by the acting Director of University Relations, Dr. Saedat Aliyu,
made available to the press on Wednesday, the undergraduate programmes include Public Health, Film Studies and Production, Agricultural Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Food Science and Technology, Mechanical Engineering, and Fine and Applied Arts.
The others are Chemistry, Plant and Environmental Biology, Political Science, and Tourism and Hospitality Management.
The postgraduate programmes include M.Sc. Accounting, M.Sc. Business Administration, Masters in Business Administration, M.Sc. Finance, M.Sc. Public Administration, and Masters in Public Administration.
In his reaction to the accreditation result, the Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, described the result as reflective of the commitment of the management and staff of the University.
Jimoh commended the staff of the respective programmes, urging them to continue to give their best to the training of the next generation of professionals.
The Vice-Chancellor equally appreciated the roles played by the Kwara State Government and Ministry of Tertiary Education, while also commending their support during the accreditation exercise.
Tinubu’s aides fault Aisha Yesufu’s claims of Ramaphosa snub
A recent tweet by activist, Aisha Yesufu, criticising President Bola Tinubu has sparked a heated online exchange with the presidency.
Yesufu in a post on X.com on Wednesday, claimed that Tinubu was disgraced and snubbed by South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, at his inauguration event.
Sharing a video, Yesufu wrote, “My people say pikin wey no hear word for house, na for outside dem go disgrace am! Tinubu disgraced once again In South Africa”
However, Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, O’tega Ogra, and another presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, have both issued rebuttals.
Ogra decried Yesufu’s comments saying her “consistent display of crass ignorance and shameful behaviour” is aimed at garnering likes and retweets.
He explained that the first row at the event was reserved for South African royalty, and President Ramaphosa was recalled to the podium before greeting dignitaries.
He also noted that Ramaphosa greeted visiting presidents in the second row after the national anthem.
Ogra wrote, “Aisha, have the constitutionally guaranteed right to express yourself, but your consistent display of crass ignorance and shameful behavior, seemingly aimed at garnering likes and retweets, in the name of your disdain and hatred (which you profess at any given opportunity) for Nigeria is shameful, to say the least.
“For the record: 1. That first row at today’s inauguration was reserved for South African kings/royalty. 2. The South African President wasn’t expected to start greeting dignitaries at the time of the video you shared and he was respectfully recalled to the podium by the inauguration compere (see video below). 3. Immediately after President Ramaphosa finished the anthem, he went ahead to greet the visiting presidents who were all seated in the second row (similar to the way visiting presidents were seated in the third row during Nigeria’s own inauguration on May 29, 2023.
“Madam Yesufu #AishaYesufu, your persistent ignorance and hatred create a very toxic mix, which you have shown a remarkable ability to embody and fully personify.
“A cautionary word: With or without your personal enmity, Nigeria will succeed. I truly hope you receive your “Elon Cheque” in full this month.”
Onanuga also called Yesufu and her supporters “an uncouth horde of pessimists” who remain embittered over their candidate’s third-place finish in the 2023 elections.
He wrote, “Aisha and her uncouth horde of pessimists are always quick to rush to judgment with any whiff of what appears to them to be negative to the leader of Africa’s biggest democracy.
More than a year after the 2023 election, in which their candidate came third, they remain incurably bitter and toxic, more than the supporters of the man who came second.”
SERA funds Nigeria’s first astronaut mission to spacerator
The Space Exploration Research Agency, a United States entity has elaborated on its mission to send the first Nigerian civilian to space.
This marks a milestone in Nigeria’s space exploration journey, positioning the country as the first in Africa to achieve such a feat.
In an exclusive interview with The According on Wednesday, SERA’s co-founders, Joshua Skurla and Mr Sam Hutchison revealed that the project is fully sponsored by SERA with no financial commitment from the Federal Government.
They also noted that the selection process would be democratic. Nigerians will vote to choose their representative for this historic mission.
Skurla emphasised SERA’s goal- raising awareness about the benefits of space exploration and encouraging private sector investment in the industry.
Nigeria boasts a rich history in space exploration, supported by a competent space agency and talented engineers, researchers, and scientists. The country’s entrepreneurial culture and expertise in mining and agriculture make it an attractive partner for SERA.
Hutchison said, “Nigeria has much to gain from space exploration, and we believe the private sector should consider how space can fuel business growth.”
The duo explained, “Resources are limited on our planet, but in space, they’re abundant. Hundreds of thousands of asteroids—composed of materials like platinum, nickel, tungsten, and rare earth elements—float freely, waiting to be tapped. Nigeria cannot afford to look away from these resources in space. The nation must key in.”
The partnership with the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency ensures the project’s legitimacy. The first Nigerian astronaut will not only make history but also gain worldwide fame and return to contribute his quota to the nation’s economic development.
SERA emphasised the inspirational aspect of space exploration. “Now is the right time to ignite that inspiration by providing ideas like our mission,” they asserted.
“This mission opens a new chapter in Nigeria’s space journey. With a strong Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics culture and entrepreneurial spirit, the possibilities are boundless,” they noted.
In a separate interview with According Online, the President of Learn Space Foundation, Dr Anne Agi—an NGO advocating for space exploration in Nigeria and also responsible for encouraging SERA to choose Nigeria as one of its beneficiary countries and facilitating the partnership process,—highlighted the country’s potential. She spoke of the various benefits of engaging in space exploration and technology and urged Nigeria to consider investing in and building a launch site for space vehicles, akin to an airport for aeroplanes, attracting investors and generating income through satellite launches and data services.
“Nigeria should consider building a launch site for space vehicles, similar to an airport, to attract investors and generate income from commercial activities in the space economy, such as launching satellites and providing data,” she said.
At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between SERA and the Federal Government in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology Uche Nnaji reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to human spaceflight.
“Our aspiration isn’t random; it’s a core objective of the Nigeria Space Policy and Programme,” he stated. “Reviving and implementing abandoned national plans aligns with our Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
As Nigeria reaches for the stars, the dream of human spaceflight becomes a reality—one that promises to inspire generations to come.
The Director-General of NASRDA, Dr Matthew Adepoju also emphasised that the cost of sending a Nigerian to space had been fully sponsored by SERA, adding that the event marked the commencement of the agency’s efforts to implement part of its roadmap of having a human spaceflight.
He also said the event was worth celebrating at a time when Nigeria was marking the 25 years of its space programme.
“The Human Spaceflight Programme is one of the cardinal objectives of National Space Policy and Programme.
“It was with this in mind that we established the Department of Physical and Life Sciences about three years ago to forge this mandate.
“This is also coming as one of our deep space explorations because there are many spinoffs that will come from the collaboration and opportunities opened for Nigerians,” he said.
In 2016, Nigeria announced plans to send an astronaut into space by 2030, as part of its drive to develop a world-class space industry. The launch will mark the first-ever manned excursion into outer space by an African nation in the history of space exploration.
The National Space Research and Development Agency had previously assured Nigerians of its determination to collaborate with its Chinese affiliates in spearheading the groundbreaking initiative until the recent collaboration with SERA.
Rivers begins preparation for LG elections
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission said it had begun the process of conducting local government elections in the state.
This is contained in a public notice signed by the Chairman/Chief Electoral Commissioner of RSIEC, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.) and sent to newsmen on Wednesday night.
This came barely 24 hours after the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, while swearing in caretaker committee chairmen for the 23 LG council, said their tenure will not be long as the local government election will be held soon.
Fubara stated, “Let me also sound it very clear here that your tenures are not going to be too long because, as a matter of fact, before the end of today (Wednesday) or tomorrow (Thursday), there should be a process for the commencement of elective local government chairmen in our dear state.”
Already the tenure of the elected chairmen and councillors of the 23 local government areas of the state expired Monday, 17th, which had triggered a crisis in the state for three days running.
The Chairman of the Commission, in the notice, called on all political parties and stakeholders to attend a meeting fixed for next month.
Enebili also disclosed that the meeting is scheduled on Money, July 1st, 2024, at the RSIEC Headquarters along Aba Road in Port Harcourt by 10 am.
He disclosed that the meeting would unveil the timetable and guidelines for the 2024 Local Government Elections in the State.
Enebeli added that all leaders of all registered political parties, traditional Rulers, security agencies as well religious organizations and the media are invited.
The notice reads, “The Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebell, hereby invites: Leaders of all registered Political Parties, Traditional Rulers, Security Agencies, Religious Organizations, The Media, Professional Organizations, Civil Society Groups, Non-Governmental Organizations Community Based Groups and the Electorate to a general stakeholders meeting on Monday, 1s July 2024 at the RSIEC Headquarters, 239-243 Aba Road, Port Harcourt by 10.00 am prompt.
“The highlight of the meeting will be the unveiling of the timetable and guidelines for the 2024 Local Government Elections in the State. All concerned should be seated at the RSIEC Auditorium by 09:45 am, please.”
Sanwo-Olu vows to apprehend kidnappers of Fouani brothers
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured the public that the kidnappers of the three Fouani brothers will be brought to justice.
The brothers, members of a prominent Lebanese family with a business in Lagos, were abducted on June 14th.
Sanwo-Olu made the statement during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, on Wednesday.
On June 14, three brothers—Abbas Fouani, Youssef Fouani, and Amtal Fouani—were abducted in Lagos.
Fouani Nigeria Ltd. specialises in electronics and is the sole distributor of LG, Hisense, and Maxi products in Nigeria.
The three brothers were reported to be returning from their factory by boat when they were abducted.
On Tuesday, the Lagos police command said its operatives had rescued the abducted Fouani brothers.
Addressing the NBC leadership, Sanwo-Olu assured residents and visitors that the government was committed to making the state peaceful and attractive.
Read Also: Court rejects fresh bail request for suspended cop, Abba Kyari
“The security of life and property is paramount,” Sanwo-Olu said. “We are happy that they have been released, and we have met with them. We have useful information to ensure that the perpetrators of the act are not going to be spared.”
“The very recent incident that happened in Lagos was about the kidnapping of three members of our Lebanese community.
“We are happy that they have been released, and I met with them, and we have useful information to ensure that the perpetrators of the act are not going to be spared.
“We know we have an idea of how far they have gone, and we will do everything to ensure that we do not give them a space in our city and state.
“I want to assure all our citizens and businesses, both national and international, that Lagos will continue to remain safe and peaceful.
“People thought the incident happened around the Five Cowry, Falomo. No, it actually happened on the big water on the way to Ikorodu. So they were not even around Falomo.
“We want to assure you that we are on top of it. The security operatives are combing all the necessary areas. This is a strong signal that Lagos will not condone such people with evil intentions.”
The governor added that security operatives are actively searching for the kidnappers. This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, particularly for high-profile individuals and foreign nationals. The successful rescue of the Fouani brothers offers some hope, but authorities face pressure to apprehend the perpetrators and deter future kidnappings.
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