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Alleged Arson: Court refuses to dismiss charge against Lebanese national, 1 other

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11 months ago

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A Federal High Court sitting in Kano, has rejected an application seeking to withdraw charges against a Lebanese national,Maged Ali-Taan and his employee Mustapha Tiamiyu, over alleged arson.

Taan who is the Managing Director of Alibert Products Nigeria Limited and his employee Tiamiyu, are charged by the Inspector General of Police on three-count bordering on conspiracy, arson and attempt to temper with electric transformer.

It will be recalled that the court on Dec.6, 2023 issued a warrant of arrest on the defendants for failure to appear before the court to answer their plea.

When the case came up for arraignment, the Prosecution Counsel, Head of Legal Department Kano State Police Command, Sunday Ekwe, made an application seeking to withdraw the charges against the defendants.

“Mylord a directive was sent to the Deputy Commissioner of Police Kano Command from Abuja in charge of Criminal Investigation Department on “Request for termination of charge” for further investigation.

“We graciously and passionately ask this court to grant our application pursuant to section 108(1)(2)(b) of Administration of Criminal Justice 2015”

The defense counsel, Barr. Hussaini Saifullahi, did not oppose the application.

Responding, Counsel to the complainant, Barr. Okechukwu Eze, opposed the application, adding that it is a federal offense.

“Section 174 of the 1999 Nigeria Constitution, says a Prosecutor have no right to withdraw charges against a defendant.

“section 107 and 108 of the ACJL gives the Attorney General of the Federation power to withdraw any case.

“Mylord i am aware that the defendants were arrested and we don’t know why they were not brought to court”

In a ruling delivered shortly after hearing of the application, Justice Muhammad Nasir-Yunusa, struck out the application for lacking merit.

“Neither the Prosecution Counsel or Deputy Commissioner are competent to make this application, it is only the Attorney General that can apply withdrawal of proceedings at any stage”

He ordered that the defendants be brought to court on Feb.12, for arraignment.

The defendants on Dec.20, 2021 were alleged to have conspired willfully and maliciously set fire on a building at no 5c Murtala Muhammed Way Kano which he occupied as a tenant and used same as show room.

“In the process Taan made a fraudulent insurance claim on the said building.

“The defendants also allegedly attempted to temper with electric cables and transformer used for supplying electricity to the said building”

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened the provisions of section 3(6),1(4)(a) and 1(19)(a) of the Miscellaneous offences Act.

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Stampede at Catholic Church in Maitama Claims Ten Lives During Food Distribution

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5 hours ago

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December 21, 2024

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Ten people have been confirmed dead in a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, on Saturday, 21st December 2024, during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and elderly individuals.

The unfortunate incident, which occurred around 6:30 am, resulted in the loss of ten lives, including four children, and left eight others injured with varying degrees of severity. Four of the injured have been treated and discharged, while the remaining victims are still receiving medical attention.

The FCT Police Command, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the tragedy, extended condolences to the families of the deceased, and wished the injured a swift recovery.

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Port-Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational- Says NNPC

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10 hours ago

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December 21, 2024

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The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has been drawn to reports in a section of the media alleging that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery which was re-streamed two months ago has been shut down.

We wish to clarify that such reports are totally false as the refinery is fully operational as verified a few days ago by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC.

Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing.

Members of the public are advised to discountenance such reports as they are the figments of the imagination of those who want to create artificial scarcity and rip-off Nigerians.

 

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Port Harcourt Refinery Halts Production Less Than a Month After Resumption

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10 hours ago

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December 21, 2024

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Less than a month after the porthacourt  appeared to have resumed production, the facility has stopped working.

It was gathered that the lifting of petrol actually stopped last Friday, December 13, as the 18-arm loading bay of the new Port Harcourt refinery was empty.

While about 18 trucks littered the stretch of the busy road leading to the refinery itself, nine trucks were spotted inside the parking yard, while the loading bay was empty.

Journalists who visited the refinery on Thursday, December 19, 2024, observed that the lifting of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) had stopped completely.

The depot, which is usually a beehive of activities where tankers scramble for space at the parking yard, was a shadow of itself with literally no vehicular or human activity relating to operations.

This was after $1.5bn was approved in March 2021 and spent on the rehabilitation of the facility.

The inauguration of the 60,000 barrel per day production capacity plant by the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, was met with celebration and fanfare.

During the re-opening of the facility, there was lifting of petrol to the excitement of the cheering crowd.

However, less than 10 trucks of petrol were lifted that day as against widespread claims that about 200 trucks carried petrol out of the bay.

 

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