Tare Magbei
Top Nigerian newspaper headlines and breaking news in Nigeria today, Sunday, April 23, 2023.
N86bn Agro Products Exported in Q1 – Customs
The Nigeria Customs Service, export processing command at the Lilypond Export Terminal, has said that it processed 118,184.96 tonnage of non-oil agriculture export items worth a Free on Board (FOB) value of N86.426 billion between January and March 2023.
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The Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Babandede Mohammed, said this in a statement.
The statement listed items processed as agricultural produce which include cocoa beans, cashew nuts, sesame seeds, hibiscus flower, soya beans and ginger.
“Other items exported are mineral resources such as lithium ore, manganese ore, and zircon sand to mention but a few. Manufactured goods exported are instant noodles, cosmetics, cigarettes and beverages,” it added.
He said that despite being a new command, Lilypond export command has recorded some achievements such as, “Drastically reducing delay in export processing. It makes the business of export effective and efficient since all agencies are domiciled in one place as a one-stop shop.
‘”It has reduced congestion along the access roads to the port and also inside the port terminals, giving space for import containers. It has reduced the cost of export business. It has reduced the issue of contract cancellation. The issue of pilfering of cargo has been eliminated. Released containers can access the port within 48hrs for loading on to awaiting vessel. The command in collaboration with shipping lines has reduced the turnaround time of a vessel which decreases the cost of shipping. Lilypond Export Command has completely erased the issue of rejection and return of our agro-produce which is usually caused by delay and lack of requisite phyto-sanitary certificates.”
According to him, the command has an excellent inter-agency collaboration with other government agencies.
“I want to appreciate the Nigerian Ports Authority for coming up with the concept of Export
Former NPA Staff Jailed 14 Years For N24.3m Fraud
An Ikeja special offences court has sentenced a retired staff of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Nasiru Ogara, to 14 years imprisonment over N24.3m fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Ogara and New Age Motor Waste Basket Limited on a four-count charge of fraud.
The Commission’s counsel, Nwandu Ukoha, said Ogara induced the Director of Kelly Newton Nigeria Ltd, Usman Ademoye, in 2017, to confer a benefit on him by delivering 8,000 units of waste bin worth N5.2 million to him in the understanding that the waste bins would be paid for.
N480m Fraud: Police Declare CEO Chinmark Group, Ijiomah Marksman Wanted
EFCC added that Ogara also induced Ademoye to confer a benefit on him by delivering copies of Kogi state vehicle consolidated documents worth N19.1 million to him in the understanding that the documents would be paid for.
The first defendant was also said to have issued dud cheques to the complainant.
Although the defendants were acquitted on count four, they were found guilty on counts one, two, and three.
The presiding judge, Mojisola Dada, while delivering judgment on Wednesday, noted that the prosecution proved the case beyond any reasonable doubt.
While Ogara bagged 14 years in prison on counts one and two, he was handed a two-year sentence on count three.
Judge Dada ordered that the sentences should run concurrently, and imposed a fine of N15 million on Ogara company.
The judge also ordered the convict to restitute N24.3 million to the complainant.
How, Why Became President – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has given reasons in how and why he became president of the most populous black nation in the world.
Daily Report Nigeria reports that Buhari cited God and technology as the cause of his becoming President.
Speaking on Friday, the former Head of State described himself a lucky man owing to the various lucrative offices he has held in his life time.
Speaking at his ninth and final Sallah homage as President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, he recounted how lucky he was to have served as military Governor of Borno State in 1976, Minister of Petroleum Resources in the same year and one-time Head of State.
“I honestly consider myself very lucky; I was made a governor, minister of petroleum, Head of State, then after three attempts, God, through technology and PVC, made me President. I think God has given me an incredible opportunity to serve as your President. And I thank God for that,” Buhari said.
READ ALSO: Buhari Lists Proudest Achievement as President
The President also pleaded for forgiveness from Nigerians who may have been left hurt by his policies, saying he is human.
Thanking Nigerians for “tolerating” his eight-year regime, he said;
“Those that think that I have hurt them so much, please pardon me. I think this is a very good coincidence for me to say goodbye to you and thank you for tolerating me for more than seven and a half years.
“So, please, whoever feels I have done wrong to them, we are all humans. There is no doubt I hurt some people and I wish you will pardon me. And those that think that I have hurt them so much, please pardon me.
“I am counting the days. Democracy is a good thing; otherwise, how can somebody from the other side be a president for two terms? From my home town to the Niger Republic is eight kilometers.
“I assure you, I have deliberately arranged to be as far away from you as possible, not because I don’t appreciate the love you have shown to me, but because I think I have got what I asked, and I will rather quietly retire to my hometown (Daura, Katsina State).”
Suspended Adamawa REC Nowhere To Be Found — INEC
The suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa State, Hudu Ari is nowhere to be found says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
INEC stated that it has no idea of Ari’s whereabouts since his “unlawful” action during the supplementary governorship election in the state.
INEC National Commissioner Festus Okoye said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday.
Okoye revealed that the embattled Ari didn’t respond to calls and summons by the commission.
He said:
“We don’t know where he is because, after this particular incident, the Commission wrote him and also called him on the phone. He never returned any of the calls, he never answered any of the calls.
“We asked him to report to the Commission on Sunday we didn’t see him, we asked him to report on Monday we didn’t see him. So up till this moment, he has not reported and we don’t know his whereabouts.”
Answering the question of whether or not Ari would be declared wanted for failing to report to the Commission or answer its calls, Okoye said:
“Well, that is the responsibility of the Nigerian police. If they feel that his presence is absolutely needed during the investigation and he is nowhere to be found, it is their prerogative and discretion to declare him wanted.”
Ari had announced the supplementary governorship election results in Adamawa State on Sunday while collation was not yet concluded.
This prompted his immediate suspension which was further approved by President Muhammadu Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.
Ari’s suspension would endure until the completion of an investigation by the Inspector General of Police on the conduct/actions of the REC during the Supplementary election in Adamawa State.
The INEC National Commissioner said that the Commission commenced the process of prosecuting the controversial Adamawa REC after it received a report from the Inspector General of Police.
He said:
“We wrote to the Inspector General of Police and Secretary to the Government of the Federation. We have received a response from the Inspector General of Police and they have already commenced an investigation.
“My understanding is that the moment the Inspector General of Police concludes the investigation regarding the REC and every other individual who is involved and a prima facie case is established against the REC the file will be made available to the commission and the commission will begin prosecution of the REC.”
Akon Calls On African-Americans to Return Home
Legendary singer, Akon has called on African-Americans in the United States to return to Africa.
The Senegalese-American singer made the call during an interview on REVOLT’s Deposit$ podcast.
Akon believed that when Afro-Americans move back to their ancestral homeland, Africa could become the strongest nation in the world.
He rooted his belief in Africa’s widely known abundant resources, lands, and population, and as ingredients for success.
“Akon says Africa could be the strongest nation in the world if blacks moved back there.”
Akon’s suggestion provoked mixed reactions from netizens.
Some understood his vision as a way for African-Americans to escape discrimination and inequality in the United States.
Reps Member-Elect Ismail Maihanci Dies Weeks To Inauguration
Ismail Maihanci, the member-elect for Jalingo,Yorro and Zing Federal Constituency in Taraba State for the House of Representatives, has died .
Ismail Maihanci’s demise was announced on Saturday by presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad.
Ahmad took to his official Twitter account to mourn the death of Ismail Maihanci.
READ ALSO: Rep Member Arrested With $500k Meant to Pay INEC, Others
He wrote;
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un! Just received a sad news about the passing of our brother, Hon. Ismail Maihanci, a member-elect of Jalingo, Yorro and Zing, Federal Constituency in Taraba State. May Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannah al-Firdaus.”
Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un! Just received a sad news about the passing of our brother, Hon. Ismail Maihanci, a member-elect of Jalingo, Yorro and Zing, Federal Constituency in Taraba State. May Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannah al-Firdaus. pic.twitter.com/FMBGufKxQy
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) April 22, 2023
Opposition Parties Won’t Decide Senate Presidency, Speakership — Lawan
Abuja— The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Friday, said the opposition parties won’t be allowed to decide who becomes the next Senate president or speaker in the National Assembly.
He affirmed the selection of 10th National Assembly principals was the duty of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
However, the opposition parties would be included in the leadership structure.
This was to ensure legislative stability in Nigeria, he told State House, correspondents after joining residents of the Federal Capital Territory for a Sallah homage to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.
Lawan said:
“There is no way an opposition will decide who should be the senate president or who should be the speaker; it is our party and other leaders that will decide.
“I don’t think opposition parties are planning to usurp because it is presumptuous that the APC will not be a united party.
“The APC is a united party and the opposition party will simply work with the APC majority for us to have stability because there is no way an opposition will decide who should be the Senate President or who should be the speaker; it is our party and other leaders that will determine what zone or whoever, and the rest of us in the party will key in and of course, the opposition would have no option but to support.
“I don’t see anything wrong in the opposition talking to us, or we talking to the opposition to ensure that we’re on the same page, because we need the opposition to ensure that we get most of our constitutional amendments when the time is right, passed because we don’t have the 73 in the Senate. So, you need 73 senators at least for you to have any constitutional amendment. So, you would need the opposition.
“Don’t ever think the opposition should be pushed away. I don’t believe in that. I only believe in a bipartisan chamber because it is more productive, stable, calm, and gives you the kind of outcome you will never get with a very rancourous chamber.”
Police Sack 18 Officers in Three Months
The Nigerian Police Force has sacked 18 cops for various offences, including abuse of power, gross indiscipline, and extortion.
This is according to media reports that analyzed the number of dismissals in October and December of 2022, as well as April of 2023.
On October 4, 2022, the Police Service Commission dismissed seven senior police officers over alleged gross misconduct. In addition, they approved the demotion of 10 other officers.
The dismissal of these officers was a step in the right direction toward accountability and transparency within the Nigerian Police Force.
The Security Force was working to ensure that officers were held to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has recently made public the dismissal of eight police officers in Imo State, Nigeria.
Among them were a Chief Superintendent of Police, a Superintendent of Police, and five Assistant Superintendents of Police. One Superintendent of Police was also retired in the public interest. The commission also reduced the ranks of eleven other officers.
Commissioner of Police Muhammed Berde disclosed on December 22, 2022, that the officers were dismissed for flagrant abuse of police standard practice. The PSC’s decision to dismiss and demote these officers was a clear indication of the severity of their actions.
On April 13, 2023, the NPF dismissed three senior policemen, Inspector Dahiru Shuaibu and Sergeants Abdullahi Badamasi and Isah Danladi, for their misuse of firearms, abuse of power, gross indiscipline, and wastage of live ammunition.
These officers were caught on video shooting into the air while serving as escorts to a Kano musician— a behavior termed unacceptable and against the principles of the NPF.
In addition, on April 19, 2023, the Delta State Police Command dismissed Inspector Ubi Ebri for allegedly killing a 26-year-old man, Onyeka Ibe, along Ugbolu-Illah Road in Asaba.
The reason for the killing was allegedly due to Ibe’s refusal to give a bribe of N100. This type of behavior was not only illegal but also immoral and goes against the values of the NPF.
Commenting on the development, Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi expressed his admiration for Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, for his efforts to maintain discipline within the Nigerian police force.
As the Managing Partner at Law Corridor, Olajengbesi believed that if the energy and value for professionalism and strict discipline were sustained, the police force would experience a significant turnaround— an act that could lead to a reduction in extrajudicial killings and abuse of firearms by policemen.
He said:
“IG Usman Alkali Baba in recent times has clearly demonstrated leadership acumen and a sense of responsibility by ensuring that officers who have acted unlawfully are brought to book. We have witnessed the dismissal, demotion and prosecution of officers who have been involved in criminal activities, ranging from extortion and brutality to extra-judicial killings.
“Such actions by the IG will no doubt send a strong signal to other officers who may be contemplating similar actions that such behaviours will not be further tolerated in the police. Equally laudable is the emphasis on extending punitive actions against the commanders with direct oversight functions over notorious police units.”
Building Collapses Inside Sango Police Barracks
A building has collapsed inside the Sango Police Barracks in Oyo.
Daily Report Nigeria reports that the block of flats collapsed on Saturday evening.
The collapsed structure was shared by a Twitter user identified as Urie Keshia.
READ ALSO: 2 Dead, Many Trapped As Building Collapses In Abuja
Sharing a video of the collapsing building in front of a three-story building, Keshia wrote;
“This block just collapsed at Sango police Barracks, Ibadan, Oyo State.”
As of press time, efforts were being intensified by residents in the area towards evacuating the rubble.
Number of casualties or persons trapped inside the rubble could also not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.
Kwankwaso Making moves to Join APC – Buhari’s Ally, Kwamanda Reveals
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 presidential election, is reportedly making moves to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
AbdulMajid Dan Bilki Kwamanda, an ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, made the disclosure recently while addressing journalists at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Kano.
Kwamanda expressed his opposition to Kwankwaso’s alleged move, citing Kwankwaso’s alleged lack of trustworthiness and penchant for personal gain.
He warned the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reject Kwankwaso’s bid to join the APC, adding that his entry would cause serious division within the party.
While reacting to news of alleged secret meetings between Kwankwaso and the President-elect aiming at bringing the former Kano Governor back to the party, he warned that “we will fight to a standstill, this move, no matter what will not happen to the party”.
Kwamanda further argued that Kwankwaso’s arrival in the APC would hinder the chances of Vice President-elect Senator Kashim Shettima.
Speaking on the 10th National Assembly, he said only Northwest deserved the Senate President and that the South-South had no basis for criticizing the decision since they didn’t join forces that formed the new government.
“They didn’t work for us, they were against the Muslim-Muslim ticket. They didn’t consider it during Jonathan when the president, Senate President and his deputy were all Christians. So now it is time for the North, even in the North, it is time for Barau Jibrin to be the Senate president. This is our choice and is what we are calling for,” he said.
