Tag Archives: grants

Buratai Grants Automatic NDA Admission To Nasarawa Students

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The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, has said that the 150 students of the Command Science School, Lafia, will get automatic admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) upon graduation.

Buratai stated this yesterday in Lafia during the official commissioning of the school which is the first and only one in the entire northern Nigeria, explaining that the project will enhance military/civilian relationship.

Buraitai, who was represented by the head of administration in his office, Major General Bello Abubakar, explained that the project which started in July 2014 is a collaborative effort between the Army and the Nasarawa State government.

The Command Science School which took off 17th September 2016 has admitted 150 students into the junior class out of which 130 students are indigenes of the state. He called on them to reflect the discipline and uprightness that the military represents, adding that states like Kebbi, Jigawa among others are already clamouring for the establishment of such in their states.

Also speaking, the state governor, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura said that establishing the school in the state will not only widen the scope of education and academic excellence in the state, but will open opportunities for indigenes who want to take up career in the military. The governor who was represented by his deputy,  Hon. Silas Agara, urged the management of the school to make best use of the equipment.

Credit: leadership

Lalong Grants Plateau Residents Amnesty On Arms

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Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has promised to grant amnesty to  residents in possession of illegal arms who are willing to surrender them  to security operatives.

Governor Lalong made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven in Jos, the state capital.

Plateau State has had its own share of crisis in recent times which has claimed many lives, leaving many people displaced while properties worth millions of naira was destroyed.

The unfortunate situation  has paved way for the proliferation of light and small arms which is now the challenge bedevilling security operatives in the state.

Governor Simon Lalong who was on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Special Task Force, Operation Save Haven, with some of his officials were taken round the base for an inspection of the environment.

The large arms and ammunition displayed were to said to have been seized in various parts of the state by the Special Task Force deployed to restore peace, law and order in the state.

Governor Lalong who was surprised by the large quantity of the seized arms immediately announce his decision to grant amnesty to any one in possession of illegal weapons either locally made or foreign.

In his remarks the Commander Operation Safe Haven, Brigadier General Nicholas Rogers, suggested that some of the manufacturers of such weapons can be employed by the defence weapons industry if they sincerely come out.

He advised Plateau State residents in possession of illegal arms  to take advantage of this opportunity to surrender their weapons for the sustainability of the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.

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http://leadership.ng/news/555038/lalong-grants-plateau-residents-amnesty-on-arms

Tribunal Grants Ize-Iyamu Order To Inspect Election Materials

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Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin City has granted an order for the People’s Democratic Party and its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to inspect all the electoral materials used by the Independence National Electoral Commission for the conduct of the September 28 Edo State governorship election.

Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressive Congress was declared winner of the election after he polled over 319, 483 votes to defeat Pastor Ize-Iyamu who polled 253,173 votes.

The order by the tribunal followed an ex-parte motion filed by Counsel to the PDP and Pastor Ize-Iyamu, Barr. Kingsley Obamogie

Barr. Obamogie said the motion was in compliance with section 151 of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended which he relied on to pray the court to grant them the order to inspect the INEC materials.

Chairman of the tribunal, Hon. Justice .A. Badamasi granted the order after listening the argument of Obamogie.

Other members of the tribunal are Justices E.A. Ade Sodun, and Hon. Khadi Adamu Usman who are to serve as members.

Obamogie said, “In compliance with the section 151 of the Electoral Act of 2010 as amended, we have approached and pray the court to grant us the permission to inspect all the Electoral, materials used by INEC in the just concluded Edo State Governorship Election”.

An official of the tribunal would only be inaugurated only when petitions have been filed by aggrieved parties and their candidates that participated in the governorship election.

He noted that aggrieved parties have 21 days within which to file petitions.

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Tribunal grants Ize-Iyamu order to inspect election materials

Court Grants Bail To Man Who Allegedly Raped 12 Year Old Girl

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A Surulere Chief Magistrates’? Court in Lagos on Friday granted bail to a 40-year-old man, Friday James, in the sum of N500,000 for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Ipaye Nwachukwu, ordered the accused to provide two sureties in like sum.
Nwachukwu said that one of the sureties must be blood relation of the accused while the other must not be a civil servant not below GL-14.

She said that the accused must deposit N100, 000 to the chief registrar’s account, and adjourned the case till Sept. 9 for mention.
James, a resident of No. 15B, Onakoye Str., Sari-Iganmu, Lagos, pleaded not guilty to a one-count charge of defilement.
Prosecutor Anthonia Osanyade told the court that the accused committed the offence at Sari-Iganmu, Lagos, at about 6.00 p.m., on Aug. 20.
Osanyade said that the accused sent the girl to buy N20 pure water for him.
“On her arrival, James dragged her into his room when she stretched her hand to give him his change and forcefully had sex with her,’’ she said.
She said ?the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
Credit: dailytrust

Chinese Govt Grants Scholarships To 24 Nigerians

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The Chinese Government has offered scholarships to 24 Nigerians to study in various universities in China, being part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

Chargé d’ Affaires of the Embassy of China in Nigeria, Mr. Qin Jian, disclosed this today in Abuja at a send-off party organised by the embassy for the beneficiaries.

The envoy, who described education as the foundation of a nation, said that “since 1987, China has provided 700 government scholarships to Nigerian students.”

He also added that “237 Nigerians are currently studying in China under the Chinese government scholarship scheme, apart from the self-sponsored ones.”

Qin described the gesture as a “great inspiration for our furtherance of bilateral exchanges and cooperation in educational field between Nigeria and China.”

He urged the students to make good use of the opportunity and ensure smooth completion of their studies with a view to serving Nigeria when they return.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, Ms. Ayotunde Adesugba, who spoke on behalf of the Federal Government, thanked the Chinese government for the gesture.

According to her, Nigeria and China have come a long way, adding that both countries have a lot to share.

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http://punchng.com/chinese-govt-grants-scholarship-24-nigerians/

Court Grants Former Adamawa Governor, Fintiri, N500 Million Bail

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Former Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has been granted bail by an Abuja court.

Mr. Fintiri was remanded on Thursday, following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a five-count charge of money laundering.

The EFCC accuses him of defrauding the Adamawa government to the tune of N970 million and 4.8 million dollars when he was the governor of the state for three months.

Mr. Fintiri pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed granted him a N500 million bail on Thursday, ordering that Mr. Fintiri provides two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must have properties in any part of Abuja, and titled documents of the properties are to be submitted to the court registrar.

Mr. Fintri is to also submit his international passport to the court registrar.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Court Grants Pastor Caught With Human Skulls Bail

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A magistrate court sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has granted bail to one Pastor Gabriel Josaya, (a.k.a Eli-Wakuku), the founder of St Moses Orimolade Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Osere area, Ilorin, who was allegedly caught with human heads some weeks ago.
In her ruling, Magistrate Kehinde A. Yahaya, who also ruled on bail application on other two accused persons, Gabriel Moyosore and Yinusa Sa’ad Ayinla, said the accused persons were granted bail in the sum of N2 million each with sureties, who must be civil servants on Grade Level 14 and above.

She said the sureties must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
The accused persons were, however, not in court because the Prison Service authority informed the court that they couldn’t get fuel to transport them to court.
It was alleged that on February 5, Eli-Wakuku conspired with Moyosore, Ayinla and Alfa Alaba Isiaka (now at large) and others to exhume corpses at the Muslim burial ground and remove the heads of the dead.
They were accused of unlawfully gaining entry into the Muslim cemetery in Osere area of Ilorin, since 2009 till date, where some human skulls were allegedly removed by them which they sold to various customers at the rate of N8,000 per skull.
They were charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass and unlawful possession of human heads, offences contrary to sections 97, 348, and 219 of the penal code.

Credit: dailytrust

Court Grants N300,000 Bail To Alleged Rapist

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A Gudu Upper Area Court in Abuja on Wednesday admitted Ibrahim Ali to bail in the sum of N300, 000 for alleged rape of a 10 year-old girl.

The presiding officer, Umar Kagarko, said the court admitted the defendant to bail because of the number of days he spent in custody during interrogation.
Kagarko ordered Ali to produce a reliable surety in like sum.

He said the surety must be a public servant with a reasonable grade level and reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He adjourned the case till May 31 for hearing.

Ali of Bwari was arraigned on a two-count charge of rape, threat and criminal intimidation.

The Prosecutor, Olajide Olanipekun, told the court that Saadiya Haliru of Shere Bwari, reported the matter at Bwari Police Station on Feb. 9.

He said that Ali had on Jan 25, had unlawful and forceful carnal knowledge of her without her consent.

Olanipekun said that the incident took place at an uncompleted building at Shere village, Bwari in FCT.

The prosecutor said police investigations revealed that Ali also threatened to kill the girl if she told anybody about it.

He said Ali had confessed to the crime, adding that the offence contravened Sections 283 and 397 of the Penal Code.

Ali pleaded not guilty.

Credit: NAN

Court Grants Alex Badeh N2 Billion Bail

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Nigeria’s former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, a N2 billion bail.

Judge Okon Abang ruled that Mr. Badeh presents two Abuja-based sureties with N1 billion each, in addition to surrendering his international passport.

Mr. Badeh is facing corruption charges, accused of receiving N3.9 billion as part of $2.1 billion arms money allegedly diverted by former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

He denies the allegation.

On Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said it recovered $1 million from Mr. Badeh’s apartment, a claim the former defence chief strongly denied.

The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, said the money was found in one of the properties confiscated from Mr. Badeh.

But Mr. Badeh’s lawyer, Samuel Zibiri, said the claim was to seek “media hype”.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Japan Grants Nigeria $11m For Electricity Upgrade

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Government of Japan has extended the aid of JPY 1.317 billion (about $11 million) to the Federal Government of Nigeria for emergency improvement of electricity supply facilities in Abuja. At yesterday’s grant signing ceremony at the headquarters of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Abuja, Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sadanobu Kusaoke, said the project was targeted at assisting Nigeria’s economic development by helping to attract more investments by improving the power sector. Kusaoke explained that the grant was to be used in the upgrade of two substations in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State. “We aim to prevent voltage drop, reduce power loss and stabilize power supply to approximately 7,000 households in Abuja.

The project will make Abuja more attractive for investors as well as residents,” the ambassador said. He stated further, “Power sector has long been one of the priority areas in Japan’s development cooperation in Nigeria. As early as the 1970’s, Japan helped finance the strengthening of the capacity of Kainji Hydro Power station. “Japan also partnered Nigeria to electrify rural areas mainly in the North. In future, more ambitious power sector projects will follow.” The Japanese Ambassador further disclosed that at the Fifth Tokyo International conference on African Development, TICAD V, in 2013, the Japanese government declared its commitment to promoting inclusive growth in Africa through support to the power sector, adding that the current $11 million power project embodies the spirit of that 2013 declaration.

Responding, Minister of Budget and National Planning Senator, Udo Udoma, while appreciating the Japanese government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, for the grant, reiterated the federal government’s readiness to ensure effective management and sustainability of the project through the power ministry. Revealing more details about the project, Udoma stated: “The project aims to install capacitor banks in Apo and Keffi substations in FCT and Nassarawa State respectively, adding that “it will contribute to stable power supply, decrease transmission loss and improve system reliability.”

Credit: NationalMirror

Court Grants Nnamdi Kanu Bail

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has released the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kanu on bail.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola admitted him to bail unconditionally while ruling in an application filed and argued by his lawyer Vincent Obeta.

In the ruling, Justice Ademola who had last month granted permission to the Department of State Service to detain Mr Kanu for 90 days, set aside the order.

According to him, the continued detention of Mr Kanu after two months without trial violates Section 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution.

Credit: ChannelsTV

Court Grants Dokpesi N200 Million Bail

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A federal high court sitting in Abuja this afternoon admitted the embattled former Chairman, Daar Communications,  Dr. Raymond Dokpsi to a N200 Million bail.

The court ordered that to perfect the bail conditions, Dokpesi must produce 2 sureties in like sum who must be directors either retired or serving in either public or private sector. Those serving must show letter of appointment.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole ordered that any further invitation for any further investigation must be through his lawyers giving 48 hours ahead of time.

Dokpesi’s international passport must be deposited with court registrars and sureties must deposit their own passport photograph.

Dokpesi is charged along with his company – Daar Holding and Investment Limited by the EFCC on a six count criminal charge.

They are accused of violating the Money Laundering Act, the EFCC Act and the Public Procurement Act.

Credit: DailyTrust

Court Grants Dasuki Bail On Self Recognition

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A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday granted bail to former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, arraigned before the court for illegal possession of firearms.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Adeniyi Ademola granted Dasuki bail on self-recognition, after he pleaded not guilty.

However, the judge directed Dasuki to submit his passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.

The Department of State Service (DSS) arraigned the former NSA on a one-count charge of illegal possession of arms, contrary to Section 27(1Ai) of the Firearms Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Mohammed Diri, told the court that during a search on the accused person’s resident on July 16, the items were found in his possession.

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Court Grants Ohakim N270m Bail For N270m Fraud

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A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday granted a former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, bail in the sum of N270m.

Ohakim, who is being prosecuted for N270m fraud allegedly perpetrated in 2008, is to produce a surety resident in Abuja to guarantee the bail.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in his ruling on the bail application, filed by Ohakim, also ordered the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, ?to submit the passport and other travel documents seized from the former governor to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.

The judge was silent on where the accused person should remain pending when he would meet the bail conditions. But Justice Ademola had, on Wednesday, ordered the accused person to remain in EFCC custody pending the hearing of his bail application on Thursday.

At the hearing of the bail application on Thursday, the defence counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), urged the court to grant his client’s prayer. He said his client, whose passport had been seized by the EFCC, had remained faithful to the bail conditions granted him by the anti-graft agency. But the prosecutor, Mr. Festus Keyamo, opposed the bail.

He argued that rather than granting bail to the accused person?, the court should grant an accelerated hearing. But the judge in his ruling held that the accused person had placed sufficient materials before the court to warrant granting him bail.

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Terrorism: Court Grants Sen. Ndume Leave To Travel Abroad

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An Abuja Federal High Court yesterday granted an application by Sen. Ali Ndume, who is charged with terrorism to enable him travel to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj.

Ndume was arraigned after he was implicated by a suspected member of the Boko Haram sect, Ali Konduga, who has since been convicted and sentenced for the offence.?

Delivering a short ruling on the Senator’s application, the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, ordered the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) Litigation, to release Ndume’s passport and other travel documents to him.

Justice Kolawole also ordered Ndume to return the travel documents to the DCR within 72 hours of his return to the country. Ndume’s application, which was dated June 23, 2015, and moved by his counsel, Miss Rose Okotie-Eboh, was not opposed to by the prosecution counsel, Mr Muslim Hassan.

The Senator, who had been granted such applications in the past, will embark on the trip to Mecca on July 3. He had deposited his passport and other travel documents with the court registry in fulfilment of the bail conditions given him by the court since his arraigned on Dec. 3, 2013.

Credit: NAN

Rivers Election Petition Tribunal Grants Wike Leave

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The Rivers Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday granted substituted service of court processes on the Rivers Governor-elect, Nyesom Wike.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Muazu Pindiga, granted the application after listening to a motion ex-parte brought by the petitioner’s counsel, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

Wike, the defendant, was the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship election held on April 11, while Dakuku Peterside, the petitioner, was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The motion ex-parte. also prayed the court to grant a leave to the petitioner to bring his application outside or before the hearing session.

Other prayers sought by the petitioner was an order for him to argue some issues outside or before the hearing session.

He also sought for an order for the petitioner to deliver to the third respondent, the PDP, the court processes through the state chapter of the party.

Akeredolu told the court that the bailiff of the Court of Appeal in Rivers has tried twice to affect the service of court processes on the governor-elect but was not successful. According to Akeredolu, the motion ex-parte is supported with a 19 paragraph-affidavit of non-service and a written address to support the argument.

He said that the motion was brought in accordance with the Electoral Act and the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rule.

Pindiga, who granted the prayers, ordered that the court processes should be pasted on the wall of the house of the governor-elect. “I have gone through the motion ex-parte and it is hereby granted; all the court processes are deem valid,” the chairman said.

At the inaugural sitting before the court session, Pindiga told the court that the tribunal only has 180 days to sit on the governorship election issue in Rivers.

According to the chairman, the tribunal will be fair and will be guided by the Electoral Act in the discharge of its duties.

Pindiga called for the cooperation of all litigants and journalists, adding that the “tribunal will sit by 9 a.m. in all the days of the week or on any day agreed upon by all the counsel.”

Credit: NAN

Tribunal Grants Agbaje Leave To Inspect Governorship Election Materials

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The Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday granted Mr Jimi Agbaje leave to inspect all polling materials and documents used in the April 11 governorship election in the state.

Agbaje was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the election in which the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) declared Mr Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress as the winner.

The three-man tribunal, led by Justice Muhammad Sirajo, gave the order while ruling on a motion ex-parte filed by Agbaje’s counsel, Mr Clement Onwuenmunor.

The tribunal also ordered INEC to provide certified true copies of all polling documents, including printed data from the card reader machine, in each polling unit.

However, the tribunal rejected Agbaje’s request to inspect the polling documents and devices used in the conduct of the March 28 Presidential Election in Lagos State.

Sirajo noted that the tribunal was set up solely to hear and determine the petitions relating to the governorship election.

“The tribunal does not have the power to make an order for the inspection of the documents and devices used for the presidential election. It is hereby refused,” he added.

The tribunal also rejected Agbaje’s application, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, seeking an order to compel INEC to produce all polling documents, and card reader machines used for the governorship election.

According to the panel, the petitioner can request for materials and documents it deemed necessary to his case by way of subpoena when the tribunal has fully commenced proceedings.

The judge noted that the respondents should be given the statutory time to file their replies to the petitioner’s originating summons, adding that notices would be sent to parties for the pre-hearing conference.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Agbaje had petitioned the tribunal over the election which he lost to Ambode of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Agbaje had alleged some irregularities during the election which he said contravened the provisions of INEC approved guidelines for the election.

The respondents in the suit are : INEC, Ambode, APC and the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State.

 Credit: vanguardngr

Tony Elumelu, Nigerian Billionaire Entrepreneur To Fund 1000 Budding African Entrepreneurs

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Tony Elumelu, Nigerian Billionaire entrepreneur as part of a $100 million (67million pounds) initiative to boost Africa’s private sector has decided to fund 1000 budding African Entrepreneurs.

Mr. Elumelu explained that the 1000 were chosen from 20,000 applicants from 52 African states who applied .
Mr. Elumelu was listed by Forbes Magazine last year as the 26th richest African with networth of $1 billion.
Tony makes history with his donation being the largest by a businessman towards the development of small businesses in Africa according to reports from BBC’s Lerato Mbele from South Africa.
Tony’s ultimate goal is to drive Africa’s economic and social transformation from within and to radically intensify job creation in Africa.
Great work Tony!!!!!