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

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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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Rivers Crisis:Former Senate President Urges Tinubu To Call Wike To Order

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Senator Adolpos Wabara ,Former Senate President

Former Senate President and Chairman Board of Trustees, BOT, of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to caution his appointee and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike to avoid plunging Rivers State into a “needless political crisis”.

This is coming on the heels of the move by pro- Wike lawmakers, to impeach Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.

This is coming on the heels of the move by pro- Wike lawmakers, to impeach Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.

Wabara also condemned the call by APC Chairman in Rivers, Tony Okocha, for the House of Assembly to immediately commence impeachment proceedings against the Fubara.

The former Senate President who accused Wike of stoking the face-off between Gov. Fubara and the lawmakers, warned that Nigeria might not survive any instability in Rivers State considering the state’s economic importance to the country

Senator Wabara appealed to President Tinubu to prevail on Wike to give peace a chance and allow his successor to discharge his constitutional roles without undue influence.

“I want to appeal to Mr President to call his appointee, Nyesom Wike to order so that his actions in Rivers do not confirm the suspicion that APC has an agenda to turn Nigeria into one party state. Wike should allow peace to reign in Rivers State.

” Mr President should appreciate the importance of Rivers as a major revenue base of the country, and should the trouble they are stoking erupt, Nigeria will definitely not escape the aftermath.”

The PDP BoT Chairman, further advised members of the Rivers House of Assembly not to yield themselves as agents of distabilization of the state “because history will not be kind to them.”

He reminded the gladiators to carefully weigh the grave implications of any attempt to forcefully remove a democratically-elected Governor or President from office.

The former Senate President who warned that the PDP would not tolerate any further intimidation or persecution of the Governor, urged “all those involved in the political brouhaha in Rivers to give peace a chance”.

On the mass exodus of PDP members in Abia State, Senator Wabara who said such scenario was not unexpected, however, urged the party faithful not to panic.

He said that the elders of the party had initiated moves to half further exit of members, describing the development as the after effect of the impunity of the last PDP-led administration in the state, and its utter disregard to internal democracy and party supremacy.

Wabara further noted that some chieftains who are leaving the party are doing so for self protection while some join the bandwagon without any deep thought of their action.

He urged PDP members in the state to remain resolute and support the on-going efforts to rebuild and reposition the party for a winning spree in 2027.

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Gombe Schools Are Safe- Prof. Maigari Assures

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Professor Aishatu Maigari Gombe state commissioner for education

 

In response to concerns about the safety of schools in Gombe State,the Commissioner of Education Professor Aishatu Maigari,has assured that schools in the state are safe.

Responding to questions from newsmen regarding school security, the Commissioner refuted rumors suggesting that schools were closed due to insecurity.

She clarified that the government decided to close schools earlier than scheduled due to various factors, including the Ramadan fast, Sallah, Easter breaks, and excessive heat.

Professor Maigari elaborated that the decision was made considering that out of the remaining two weeks, approximately ten days would be devoted to public holidays. Therefore, only four days were deducted from the academic calendar.

The Commissioner gave the public the assurance that the school calendar remained on track, because the government was implementing measures to enhance school security.

Professor Maigari therefore called on the community, stakeholders, parents, and guardians to collaborate with the government in ensuring the safety of schools.

Amidst these reassurances, Professor Maigari’s statements aim to alleviate concerns and reinforce confidence in the safety and continuity of education in Gombe State.

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Port Harcourt school smashes UTME as 50% of candidates score above 300

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Garba Usman Gero

Bishop Okoye Spiritan Secondary School has smashed the just concluded UTME as 35 students accounting for 50 percent of the entire candidates from the school, got above 300. While unveiling the result, the principal Rev. Fr Jude Ekemgba C. S. Sp, said he was filled with joy to announce the superlative performance of the students.

He attributed the success to the collective hard work of the students, staff and management. He praised the staff for their sacrifices and the students for opening their hearts to learn and to prepare adequately, which paved way for the huge success recorded. On his part the Vice principal/Dean of Studies Rev Fr Edoziem John Paul C.S.Sp described the result as a product of hardwork, strategic planning and the blessing of God.

He noted that though the school has always ranked among the best performing schools, the 2024 UTME result is a consolidation. The clergy also thanked the students and teachers for their collective role in producing the heart warming result. Also speaking the student who got the highest score of 366 Emmanuel Jeremiah returned all glory to God and thanked the school for the rigorous training that repositioned them to achieve the feat.

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