Bayelsa Poll: YDP Has No Valid Candidates, Court Declares

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday upheld the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the effect that the Young Democratic Party (YDP) has no valid candidates for the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

Justice Abang agreed with INEC that Mr. Omeih Ayebanoa, who was nominated as the running mate to the party's governorship candidate, Mr. Sunny Agadabin, did not meet the statutory age requirement for the said office.

Meanwhile, a group, the Bayelsa Coalition For Good Governance and Accountability, has demanded the immediate arraignment and prosecution of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Douye Diri, over alleged non declaration of assets by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

 

The group, which threatened legal action against the Bureau if it fails to prosecute the governorship candidate, alleged that Diri failed to declare his assets while he held sway as the Chief of Staff to the state Governor, Seriake Dickson.

Justice Abang in a judgment delivered last Tuesday held that Ayebanoa, who declared in his INEC Form CF 001 that he was 34 years old, did not meet the statutory age requirement of 35 years as prescribed by sections 177 (b) and 187 (2) of the constitution to run for the office of the deputy governor.

The court further held that the purported substitution of candidates made by party was invalid as it was done outside the September 9 dateline provided by the electoral body.

The party had in a suit dated September 26 dragged the INEC before the court challenging the rejection of its candidates for the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

It prayed the court to among others, declare that INEC is not entitled and empowered under the law to reject or disqualify any candidate nominated by a political party for election.

But in a counter affidavit filed by its  counsel, Alhassan Umar (SAN),  INEC argued that it did not disqualify the candidates of the plaintiff but rather drew the party's attention to the fact that it's running mate, Ayebanoa, did not meet the statutory age requirement of 35 years to run for the office of the deputy governor.

Specifically, INEC stated that going by the personal particulars contained in Form CF001 submitted to the Commission, Mr. Omeih Ikoli Ayebanoa, who declared that he was 34 years did not qualify to contest for the office of the deputy governor going by the provisions of sections 177(b) and 187(2) of the 1999 constitution, which prescribed an age requirement of 35 years.

Delivering judgement, Justice Abang said INEC did not disqualify the plaintiff's candidates but merely informed it that it submitted an invalid candidate based on section 177 and 187 (2).

 

"By the combined provisions of sections 177(b) and 187, the running mate must meet same qualification as that of the principal candidate. Therefore, he must satisfy the requirements of the law which is 35 years and not 34 years.

"I hold that YDP did not present a validly nominated candidate as at the close of nomination on September 9, 2019.

"Since it is a joint ticket, it will invariably affect the principal candidate, that is to say, the governorship candidate.

"I hold that YDP has no valid deputy governorship candidate, having submitted an invalid candidate.

"A person seeking election for the governorship position is not qualified unless he nominates a deputy candidate under section 177(1). Where the running mate is not qualified, it will affect the principal candidate since it is a joint ticket,” he said.

The court accordingly dismissed the suit for lacking in merit with a cost of N100, 000 against the plaintiff in favour of INEC.

Meanwhile, Diri was billed to appear before the Chairman of CCB on October 23 by 11a.m. but he failed to appear as information that got to the Bureau was that he was on a campaign tour in Bayelsa State.

Reacting to the development, the petitioner, Joseph Amberkedrimo, stated that “for the third time, the PDP candidate for the Bayelsa State governorship election, Senator Douye Diri, has deliberately refused to honour the CCB invitation to defend the allegations of non-declaration of assets and false declaration of assets. It's a grave disrespect for the rule of law and constituted authority, therefore, the CCB should do the needful as Diri is not above the law and he cannot continue to hold the CCB to ransom.

“I call on the CCB to stand up to its responsibilities and carry out its mandate without fear or favour, and there should be no cover up. The actions of Diri has proven that he is an untrustworthy individual and  a man not to be entrusted with a high office of a governor and that he cannot be trusted with the resources of the state,” he said.

Fire Guts One-storey Building in Osogbo

An early morning inferno on Thursday gutted a storey building, destroying properties worth millions of naira at Peter Ajibola street, Alekunwodo area of Osogbo,  the Osun State capital.

It was gathered that the building owned by an 80-year-old retiree, simply identified as Mrs. Olotu, caught fire due to an upsurge after electricity was restored to the area around 11:45a.m.

It took the quick intervention of fire fighters to prevent the fire from affecting other houses in the area.

Residents of the area commended the fire service officials for their proactiveness in preventing the fire from escalating.

An eyewitness, Mrs. Omolabake Samuel, said: “Few minutes after IBEDC restored power, we saw a little boy, Dada, running out from the building coughing and we saw smoke coming out of the roof as a result of the fire outbreak.

“Men of the Osun State Fire Service were really on ground; if not for their immediate intervention, things would have gone out of hand.”

Speaking also, the Public Relation Officer of the Fire Service, Mrs. Adijat Basiri, urged the residents in the state to ensure they switch off all electrical appliances before leaving their houses to prevent loss of lives and property.

According to him, "The occupant of the apartment left home without switching off all their electrical gadgets.

 "When power was restored, there was an electrical surge that resulted in the fire."

The state Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Hon Olalekan Badmus, who visited the scene of the fire sympathised with the victim.

He called for calm just as he appealed to residents of the state to be wary of practices that may cause disasters such as fire.

Mothers Of Yahoo Boys Have Organised Their Association, Says EFCC Boss

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, Thursday lamented that mothers of cyber fraudsters popularly known as ‘Yahoo boys’, are now organising themselves into an association.

Magu, who addressed journalists at the Lagos office of the commission in Ikoyi said such parents always justify their children’s activities with the arguments that they were supporting their families in the place of irresponsible, runaway or dead fathers.

Magu however, declared that the EFCC’s interest was not just to arrest the Yahoo boys but also to see to their rehabilitation.

Lagos, Ogun to Set up Joint Development Commission

With reference to their shared values, the much-touted Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Commission would soon become operational with the aim to manage the overflow of development from Lagos State to Ogun State.

Barring any last-minute hitch, the governor of the two states would soon put pen to paper as arrangements have been concluded to make the Commission operational before the end of the year.

Disclosing this on Thursday at a breakfast meeting of Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce in Lagos, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, said the two states also planned to set up an education unit to monitor standards of education in the two states on a daily basis.

 

Abiodun and his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have been communicating with agencies of government, development partners and private sector operators on areas of infrastructural development, climate change and food security.

Both have also taken steps to closely monitor activities in the public schools through the introduction of Education Delivery Unit.

According to him, "We have introduced Education Delivery Unit to closely monitor deliverables in our schools. We want to ensure that what needed to be done is done including keeping the school environment, toilets and others clean at all times.

"We have seen that Edo State is making progress in primary education. We may adopt the state model. We are giving identity numbers to our students and their teachers, so that we would be able to know their whereabouts at any point in time. We have also introduced e-learning by giving instructional tablets to our students to ensure that uniformed curriculum is taught in our schools."

On the Ogun-Lagos Joint Commission, Abiodun said officials of the two states have met and worked out modalities on areas of cooperation, which include agriculture, particularly on rice production; waste management and development of infrastructure at the border towns.

He said the South-west states have also adopted a security outfit ‘Amotekun’ to tackle insecurity in the region, adding that his administration was working towards providing adequate security, infrastructure, good health and education to the people and investors.

Also speaking, Sanwo-Olu said the defunct Lagos-Ogun Mega City project conceived in 2005 could not take off due to lack of political will, but assured the states that the project would be revived through the Lagos-Ogun Joint Commission.

Sanwo-Olu noted that it was imperative for the two states to work on their comparative advantage and cooperate in the area of agriculture, water supply and sharing of information on security issues.

Speaking earlier, the Life Patron of Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Oba Otudeko, called on the two governors to complete all uncompleted projects left behind by their predecessors and involve the private sector to bringing about rapid development in their states.

Oyo Pilgrim Absconds in Saudi Arabia, Says Board

A female hajj pilgrim from Oyo State, who attended the recently concluded 2019 hajj exercise, Saheed Anifat Foluke, reportedly absconded after the holy pilgrimage.

The Chairman of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board, Muslim Wing, Prof. Sahed Malik, made the disclosure while presenting the report of the 2019 hajj operation to the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, at the Governor's Office in Ibadan.

He said the disappearance of the pilgrim was noticed when the board was preparing the last batch of pilgrims from the state to King Abdul-Azeez International Airport, stating that all efforts to locate the absconded woman through the address of her guarantor in Ibadan proved abortive.

Malik, who recalled how the governor refunded N51, 000 to every pilgrim before departure to the holy land, lauded Makinde  for the 2019 hitch-free hajj operation, and called for speedy completion of the administrative building of the board at the Olodo hajj camp.

 The governor pledged both personal and government's support to the Muslim welfare board to deliver its mandate effectively.

 

A total of 914 pilgrims performed this year's hajj exercise from the state.

 

NBA Calls for Declaration of State of Emergency on Security in Edo ...Gives state govt 72 hours’ ultimatum to secure judge’s release

Following the near-deplorable security situation in Edo State, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Benin branch, on Thursday called for the declaration of state of emergency on the state of security in the state.

The call was contained in a joint statement signed by the association Chairman, Mr. Collins Ogiebaen, and Secretary, Mr. Pius Oiwoh, which was made available to journalists.

The association said the call became necessary due to the rising wave of insecurity across the state.

The statement added that no fewer than eight lawyers and judges have been abducted across the state within the last nine months, with the most recent being the abduction of Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme last Wednesday.

The Bar vowed to shut down all court proceedings in the state should the law enforcement agencies fail to secure the release of Nwosu-Iheme.

The body gives the state government 72 hours to secure the release of the Justice.

In the statement, the NBA, which condemned the worsening security situation in the state, said bandits and kidnappers have laid siege in the state, calling on the state government to as a matter of urgency, overhaul the security architecture of the state.

According to them, "The security of lives and property is the responsibility of government. Our judicial officers must also be given adequate security in their homes, work place and while moving from one place to another. Lawyers and indeed other citizens must be adequately protected.

"You will recall that about a month ago, the bar called off the boycott of courts in respect of cases of armed robbery and kidnapping which was in force since April 17, 2019.

"The resolution leading to the boycott was prompted by the rising trend of kidnap of lawyers and other indigenes of our dear state as well as the rampant incidences of armed robbery which effect needs a declaration of a state of emergency in our state."

Justice Nwosu-Iheme, who is the Chairman of the Edo State Appeal Panel entertaining petitions arising from the judgement of national/state assemblies elections, was last Wednesday morning abducted by suspected gunmen in Benin-city.

The Justice of the Court of Appeal was kidnapped on Benin-Agbor road on Wednesday morning while her police orderly was killed.

Ortom Warns Cattle Owners Against Penalties of Open Grazing …As Livestock Guards Impound Cows in Makurdi

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has told cattle owners in the state to ensure that their animals are properly ranched to avoid open grazing or be ready to face sanctions as stipulated by law.

The governor gave the warning yesterday when he sighted a herd of cattle roaming the streets at Iniongun road, Wadata area of Makurdi as he inspected areas ravage by flood.

He directed Livestock Guards to immediately impound the animals and take them to the Quarantine Unit, stressing that by provisions of the ranching law, the cattle would be auctioned if the owner fails to pay the requisite fines after seven days.

Governor Ortom said the law does not accord preferences to any individual or group, whether or not they are Benue indigenes.

He stated that herders who refuse to keep their livestock in ranches would be prosecuted in accordance with provisions of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017.

Ortom called on Benue people to volunteer information regarding open grazing of animals to Livestock Guards, saying officers and men of the agency would not be everywhere.

The governor also lamented over the failure of previous administration to dredge the River Benue which he revealed is the main cause of the flooding in the State.

He maintained that the dredging of the River remains the only permanent solution to halt the incessant flooding experienced in the State.

Ortom also decried the release of water from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon, noting that this is responsible for the flood that has displaced thousands of people as well as caused a humanitarian problem.

"As you can see, many people have been displaced with nowhere to go. Many houses and property have been destroyed.  We have no option than to open camps to house the displaced persons," he said.

Army Operation in Southeast not Intended to Disrupt Peace, Says Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, has said no operation of the Army in the Southeast is intended to disrupt the existence of peace in the region.

Buratai spoke during the opening ceremony of a 2- day media- military relations summit organised as part of events flagging off the Operation Atilogu 1 for the South East region.

The COAS who was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations of the N.A, Enobong Udo said that the commencement of the operation was carefully chosen to coincide with the yuletide season when there is usually an increase in criminal activities in the country.

He explained that targeted at criminals and not the peace-loving people of the country and the region as the exercises have ensured that peace reigned in the previous years.

''The Operation like other similar operations,  is intended to help people in the South East have a hitch-free festive season. The Army is not at all against the people of the South-east because similar operations are ongoing in other zones of the country,'' he said.

He further maintained that the Nigerian Army remains one of the major instruments that has kept the country together over the years.

''The army has fought really hard to ensure that insurgency is completely stamped out of the country henceforth, thereby ensuring that development is attained.''

Seeking further, he said ''the task of defending the lives and property of Nigerians is not an easy one and that is why men and women of the army need to be well equipped with their duties''.

Earlier in his address, the Grand Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division of the N.A  L.A Adeboye assured people in the South East of the army's resolve, together with other security agencies to ensure that lives and property are safeguarded, especially, during the yuletide season.

He also said the summit will help galvanize the media and public support towards the operation as well as ensure a professionally responsible army.

In his address, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi said the summit would not have come at a better time that now when there is an ever-increasing need to improve on the security of lives and property.

Ugwuanyi who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Simon Ortuanya, however, said that the state government was ever willing to corporates with security agencies in the state to ensure the security of lives and property.

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Kidnappers of Kano Children to Face Death Sentence, Says Ganduje

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State on Thursday called for the immediate amendment of the Penal Code on kidnapping to the death penalty. 

The governor made the call at the inauguration of the 16-man Commission of Inquiry over the kidnapping and selling off of nine Kano-born children in Onitsha, Anambra State. 

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, held at the government house, Ganduje said he directed the Ministry of Justice to amend the law, which hitherto provided for imprisonment to a death sentence. 

According to him, the issue of kidnapping had taken a new dimension in the state that only capital punishment could contain it. 

The governor described the kidnapping of the nine children as heinous, adding that it was not Islamic or Christianity but criminality which has to be dealt with accordingly. 

Ganduje lamented that the rescued children had been deprived of their culture, religion, and family, stressing that the state government must rehabilitate the victims in order to reintegrate them into the society. 

"These children will be rehabilitated. We must rehabilitate them. We must make them continue performing the Islamic religion. They will grow in our religion and culture," he said

Ganduje announced that the rescued children would enjoy the free and compulsory basic and secondary education introduces by his administration, adding that the government had also offered university scholarship to the victims. 

He also donates the sum of N1 million each to the parents of the victims, stating that the government had now taken care of one of the rescued children yet to identify his parents. 

Parts of the Terms of Reference given to the Commission included: "To conduct an inquiry into cases of missing persons in Kano State from the year 2010 to date and to procure all such evidence, written or oral, and to examine all such persons as witnesses as the commissioners may think it necessary or desirable to procure or examine.

"To summon any person in Nigeria to attend any meeting of the commissioners to give evidence or produce any document or other things in his possession and to require the evidence (whether written or oral) of any witness to be made on oath or declaration, such oath or declaration.

"To admit or exclude the public or any member of the public or press from any hearing of the commission, to prepare comprehensive data of missing persons in Kano State within the period and circumstances in which they disappeared.

"To find out both immediate and remote causes of​ cases of missing persons and to prepare and submit a written report including findings and recommendations to the Government of Kano State."

The Commission is also expected​ to hear from the victims or their relatives, collect evidence both written and oral, visits sites (as the case may be), find both immediate and remote causes of the kidnap case and make recommendations to the Government for proper action, in order to eradicate such wicked act.

The Solicitor-General of Kano State, Amina Yusuf Yar Gaya administered Oath to members of the Committee.

In his remarks during the occasion, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Adeolu Samuel Adeyemo, who is a member of the Commission of Inquiry wept as he condemned the act of kidnapping children disassociating Christians and CAN from such dastardly act.

According to him, "as I sit here today, I see the gravity of the sin committed by the perpetrators of this crime. I have seen the harm done to the parents because I am a parent. 

"I was touched, very touched when we learnt about the rescue of these kidnapped children. It booked my heart and my heart is still broken. This is a crime against humanity which is condemned by God.

"In the Bible, it is not permitted to separate a child from the mother until the age of 13. This is evil punishable in the sight of God. Those people who committed this crime are not Christians and do not represent the tenets of Christianity.

"Kano is a​ mini Nigeria and we want to thank Governor Ganduje for making Kano a home for all. Nobody kidnaps for Christ. CAN condemn this act and Christians all over the world condemn it "

Also speaking, Eze Ndigbo in Kano, His Highness, Igwe Boniface Ibekwe described the issue as worrisome and condemnable.

Igwe Boniface noted that "whatever is bad is bad. This is not only a taboo, but it is also a criminal matter that must be tackled. The Igbo community in Kano has not experienced this kind of thing.

Drama as Senate Committee Screens NDDC Board Nominees

 

There was mild drama on Thursday as the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs screened 15 out of the 16 nominees for the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Midway into the screening of the nominees by the committee headed by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, a committee member, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, picked holes in the resume of the nominee for the post of Executive Director, Projects, Otobong Ndem (Akwa Ibom), when he appeared before the committee.

He had sought to know why there were discrepancies in the candidate’s educational record, saying from the CV before him, the nominee had his school certificate in 2007, National Diploma in 1999 and Higher National Diploma in 2002.

On his part, Senator George Sekibo wondered why the nominee also claimed to have obtained his Master degree in 2012 and Bachelor of Science degree in 2019.

He also asked him: “As a former member of the House of Assembly, were you a Speaker or a Deputy Speaker? If no, why did you prefix your name with the words ‘Right Honourable’?

Adding his voice, Senator Rochas Okorocha stressed that since Ndem had served in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, he should be asked ‘to take a bow and go’ citing what happened during the confirmation of the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, a  former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who was accorded a similar courtesy during his screening by the Senate last July.

Another committee member, Senator James Manager, however, engaged Okorocha in heated exchange for insisting that the nominee be asked to take a bow and go.

He pointedly told him: “Senator Okorocha you are new here...you are new here.”

The committee chairman, however, intervened to calm the situation, conceding that it is true that Amaechi was asked to take a bow and go as a former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

According to him,  the questions put to the nominee were serious issues that needed clarification.

Responding to the issues raised, the nominee, Ndem, alluded to the fact that there was omission in his resume, explaining that his first Ordinary Level Certificate which he obtained in 1995 was omitted, added that he got his school certificate result in 2007 so as to enable him study law after his HND programme.

Although the nominee promised to make his certificate available to the committee, he was however asked to take a bow and go.

The remaining 14 nominees whose names were earlier this week sent to the Senate for confirmation by President Muhammadu Buhari, had the courtesy of 'bow and go' extended to them by the committee.

First to be screened was a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu (Edo) as Chairman of the NDDC board, and the nominee for the position of the Managing Director, Bernard Okumagba (Delta)

Odubu, a former member of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007, was asked to ‘take a bow and go’ in line with the parliamentary tradition of the Senate extending such courtesies to former members of the National Assembly nominated for appointment.

Okumagba, the NDDC MD nominee, was also asked to ‘take a bow and go’ after both the Chairman of the Committee, Nwaoboshi, and Senator Manager attested to his suitability for the job.

The other screened nominees were Maxwell Okoh (Bayelsa), for the position of Executive Director, Finance and Administration; Prophet Jones Erue (Delta); Chief Victor Ekhator (Edo) and Nwogu Nwogu (Abia).

Others are Theodore Allison (Bayelsa); Victor Antai (Akwa Ibom); Maurice Effiwatt (Cross River); Olugbenga Elema (Ondo); Hon. Uchegbu Chidiebere Kyrian (Imo); Dr. Yimbe Nunieh (Rivers); Northeast representatives were Ardo Zubairu (Adamawa), and Abdullahi Bage (Nasarawa), who will represent the North Central geopolitical zone.

The 16th nominee and representative of the Northwest zone, Aisha Murtala Muhammed Kano), was not available for screening yesterday.

The Committee, however, has mandated its chairman to screen the remaining nominee next Monday.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the committee chairman implored the nominees to put in their best towards the development of the Niger Delta region in the event of their confirmation by the Senate.

Speaking further, Nwaoboshi urged them to see their appointment as a call to service and a privilege to contribute their quota for the overall growth of the people and the communities.

Speaking on behalf of the nominees, Victor Ekhator thanked Nwaoboshi and the members of the committee for the opportunity to appear before them and promised to put in their best in the discharge of their duties.

He also thanked the committee chairman for being a true statesman, detribalised politician and a man who embraces everyone irrespective of their political affiliation.

President Buhari  had in a letter dated October 18 requested the Senate to confirm the nomination of a 16-man board for the NDDC.

In the two-paragraph letter addressed to the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, and read at plenary last Tuesday, Buhari stated that "in accordance with the provision of section 2(2)(a) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) (Establishment) Act, 2000, I write to forward for confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the under listed nominees for appointment into the NDDC board to occupy the positions indicated against their names."

The Senate President, Lawan, thereafter, referred the Buhari's request to the Senate Committee on Niger Delta headed by Senator Peter Nwaobosi, and has one week to report back to plenary.

FG Will Provide Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare, Says SGF

 

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has assured Nigerians that the federal government will cater for the welfare of war veterans, who fought and sacrificed to ensure national peace and international stability.

Mustapha made the pledge at the launch of the Nigerian Legion 2020 Emblem Appeal Launch on Wednesday.

The team of the Nigerian Legion led by its National Chairman, Brig. Gen Jones Akpa (rtd), was on a visit to the SGF, where it presented the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem to him.

He said Nigeria has a duty to continue to remember those who laid down their lives to ensure stability, unity and peace in the country.

Mustapha recalled that the country earned international adulation for sacrificing a number of its military personnel in many peace keeping missions globally.

Akpa pleaded with the SGF to see to the cause of veteran administrations, and to support the families of personnel who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars and the Nigerian civil war.

”There are many other socio-economic issues that impact on veterans and their off-springs that we in the Legion are empowered and compelled to tackle, such as provision of jobs, health care, subsidised accommodation, land, sea and air transportation as well as agro-allied industries on the Legion owned farms,” Akpa said.

He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari administration for ensuring a regular 30-day cycle of payment of pension to veterans, thereby removing the major impediment to their welfare.

Akpa also urged the SGF to inform other Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) that the Legion will be visiting them in continuation of the Emblem Appeal Launch.

NAFDAC, Pfizer Keep Mum over Recall of Xalatan Eye Drop

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and one of the pharmaceutical giants in Nigeria, Pfizer, have kept mum over the recent recall of Xalatan Eye Drops from the Nigerian market by the two organisations.

In a letter sent to some hospitals across Nigeria by Pfizer pharmaceuticals recently, it advised that Xalatan 0.0005 percent eye drop solution be recalled immediately at patients’ level, and that it has gotten the approval of NAFDAC to halt its distribution in Nigeria.

But when journalists sought the thoughts of NAFDAC on the recall, and what this means for Nigerians who may go ahead to use the eye drops, neither the Director-General of the organisation, Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye, nor the Director of Communication of NAFDAC, Dr. Jimoh Abubakar, responded to messages and several calls put across to them.

Pfizer Nigeria, which promised to respond to the query only through email, did not also respond to emails sent to it, as at the time of filing this report.

Xalatan is one of the regimens for the treatment of glaucoma in Nigeria.

The recall sent to doctors read in part: “Please be advised that Pfizer is recalling, at the patient level, the below lots of Xalatan 0.005 per cent w/v eye drops solution (the ‘Product Lots) from distribution in Nigeria.

“The cause of this voluntary recall is due to the identification of two separate confirmed counterfeit Xalatan 0.005 per cent w/v Eye drops 2.5ml solution lots, with authentic Pfizer Lot numbers W6769 and AK4753, being distributed in the legitimate supply chain in the Nigeria market where the authentic Xalatan 0.005 per cent w/v Eye drops 2.5ml solution with the same Lot numbers being distributed.”

It said the use of the counterfeit product Lots has a high probability to cause therapeutic failure and adverse effect such as infections, adding that the potential risk to patients was considered high as patients will not be able to identify the counterfeit product.  “The product batches affected are those with Lot numbers W67369 expiring 10/2020, and AK4753 expiring 10/2021,” it said.

On July 3, 2019, the Senate asked NAFDAC to recall Avastin Intra-occular injection for the treatment of eye defects. It was alleged that 10 patients went blind after administration of the injection at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna.

Avastin was originally approved for the treatment of cancer.

Nigerians Should Endure Short-term Pains for Long-term Gains, Says NCS

The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), on Wednesday urged Nigerians to endure short-term pains in order to enjoy long-term gains from the partial closure of the country's land borders.

This is as the NCS announced the seizure of 99 containers valued at N2.03 billion from its two area commands in Port Harcourt.

Addressing journalists after an inspection of the seized items at the Customs Area II Command in Onne, Rivers State, Ali noted that many Nigerians are complaining of hardship arising from the border closure.

He said many people have stated that the time was not ripe for the closure of the borders as the government was yet to provide the necessary infrastructure to encourage local production of needed goods.

According to him, "There will never be a good time. The decision to close the border is ripe; we don't need to have 100 percent electricity or good roads before we take the step.  Most importantly is that we must be able to bear the initial pains in order to stabilise and have long  term successes.

"We don't have to eat rice everyday. There are other alternative foods. I assure you that the price will stabilise and the ordinary farmers will have value for their farming business."

 

The Customs comptroller general also advised Nigerians to be wary of rating imported foreign rice as most them currently in the market are expired and are re-bagged, after polishing them with chemicals.

"All those things they are bringing into our country are aimed at bringing us to our knees. We must reach out to Nigerians for them to know the deadly effect of what they are consuming.

"We are consuming expired foreign rice. When it causes cancer, we would begin to find who to blame. What they (importers) do is that they polish and re-bag the rice after polishing it with chemicals for unsuspecting consumers to eat," he stated.

Ali also said there was need to dredge the country's ports to allow big ships access in order to boost maritime revenue in the country.

He said: "The problem is that we don't have a deep sea port. Most of the big ships, when they come, they discharge on the high sea because our ports are not deep, then we have to use barges to evacuate them.

"It is a big challenge that none if the five ports in the country is deep. This is an issue the government needs to tackle. So the government needs to tackle it and make the ports accessible for big ships as well as make them viable.

"Dredging the Calabar, Warri, Cross Rivers and Lagos Ports is an investment which the government needs to make to boast the maritime revenue."

On the people arrested for importing fake, sub-standard expired goods, Ali said they would be prosecuted after full investigations to serve as deterrent to others.

Meanwhile, Ali has said NCS seized 99 containers valued at N2.03 billion in its two Area Commands in Port Harcourt.

The Customs, he said, seized 11 containers in Port Harcourt Area I Command while it confiscated 87 at Area II, Onne Port.

He said: "Port Harcourt Area 1 Command has effected seizures of 1530kg Pangolin Scales falsely declared as Shale (raw material for analysis) for export and captured on SGD No. E296 of 01/10/2019 with Air Way Bill No. 172-9474-8124 by Divine Help International Limited (the declarant) on behalf of Optimal Logistics Limited (the exporter),” adding that the items have a black market value of N826, 200,000.00.

Alleged Murder: Edo Police Arraign Two FRSC Officers

 

Edo State Police Command on Wednesday arraigned two Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) officials in Benin-city for an alleged murder of a 38 years old passenger, Samuel Odion.

The suspects, Onotu Joseph, 32, and Francis Igboh, 35, who are officers of FRSC in  Edo State were alleged to have killed Odion on October 14, 2019, at Owa hill, Benin-Asaba Road in the state.

On October 21, the two corps marshals were arrested by the police for allegedly beating a passenger to death when he prevented the driver from being extorted by the officials.

Initially, four of the officers identified as Francis Igboh, Sunday Ogi, Samson Alolade and Joseph Onolade, serving at Abudu outpost in the state, were involved in the alleged murder.

While the police were able to arrest two of the suspects, two still remained at large.

It was gathered that the deceased passenger, Odion, 36, had hired an Audi 80 car and was traveling in it when the driver was flagged down by the embattled FRSC personnel at Okwuaghe Hill on Agbor road in Edo State on October 14, 2019.

The deceased passenger was said to have aided his driver to put up strong resistance against alleged extortion attempts initiated by the FRSC officers.

It was gathered that the altercation that ensued between the officers and the passenger paved the way for the driver to flee the scene, living him at the mercy of the operatives.

Thereafter, the enraged road safety agents allegedly descended on the passenger, who they chased to a nearby bush and allegedly beaten to death.

They were further alleged to have abandoned the corpse, returned to their official vehicle and sped off.

It was also gathered that the driver who drove to the deceased passenger’s residence where he earlier picked him in a nearby village, to inform his relatives, was accused of kidnapping him and swiftly handed over to the police in Abudu.

Police investigation, however, led to the arrest of the two of the FRSC officers, who eventually took investigators to the bush where the decomposing body was evacuated on October 17, 2019.

On this premise, the two corps marshals (suspects) were arraigned in court on a two-count charge, bothering on conspiracy and murder.

According to the charge sheet, "That you Onotu Joseph 'm'  and Francis Igboh 'm'  had on or about October 14, 2019, at about 12.00hrs at Owa Hill on Benin-Asaba  expressway in the Benin judicial division did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit (murder), thereby committed an offence punishable under section 324 of the Criminal Code Cap 48, Vol. 11, laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 now applicable in Edo State."

The trial judge, Hon Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele, remanded the two in prison custody, and fixed hearing for November 12, 2019.

Speaking to journalists, the state Counsel, Peter Ugwumba, said the suspects were arraigned for justice to be served, adding that the case had been referred to the state legal department for advice.

Kogi, Bayelsa Guber Polls: INEC Releases Data of Eligible Voters

With less than 16 days to the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday officially released the data of eligible voters in the two states as well as the Kogi West senatorial district elections taking place the same date being November 16.

According to INEC Chairman, Professor Mahood Yakubu, "Bayelsa State has eight local government areas, 105 Registration Areas (RAs), 1,804 Polling Units (PUs) and 923,182 registered voters of which

498,790 (54.3 percent) are male while 424,392 (45.97 percent) are female."

He further stated that "the number of PVCs collected across the state as at September 30, 2019, is 889,308 (96.3 percent) with 33,874 (3.76) remain uncollected."

For Kogi State, Yakubu said the "state has 21 LGAs, 239 RAs, 2,548 PUs while the number of registered voters is 1,646,350 of which 825,663 (50.1 percent) are male and 820,687 (49.9 percent) are female.

"The number of PVCs collected is 1,485,828 (90.2 percent) leaving 160,522 (9.8 percent) uncollected. The Commission will make available detailed figures of PVCs collected in each state by LGA and Registration Areas as part of our continuing effort to deepen transparency and accountability."

 

The INEC chairman said copies of the data would be made available at the Commission stakeholders' meetings in Yenagoa and Lokoja, adding that the same information will also be uploaded on the Commission's website.

On the Nembe state constituency supplementary election in Bayelsa State, he said it would have been held seven months ago but for protracted litigation, and that it was finally settled by the Supreme Court.

 Yakubu said the elections would take place in six polling units with a total of 2,076 registered voters.

On the Kogi West senatorial election, he said the total number of registered voters in the senatorial district is 432,515.

Meanwhile, Yakubu said all uncollected PVCs have been retrieved from LGA offices and deposited at the branches of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Bayelsa and Kogi States for safe keeping pending the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

The INEC chairman said at the end of the governorship primaries in both states,   45 political parties in Bayelsa State (42 male and three female) and 23 in Kogi (21 male and 2 female) would be on the ballot.

However, he said no political party nominated a Person with Disability (PWD) as its governorship candidate.

According to him, "We have already published the names of the candidates, their running mates and other details on our website. We have similarly re- published details of the 14 candidates for Brass 1 SC supplementary election in Bayelsa State and the 24 candidates for the Kogi West senatorial re-run election.

Yakubu further said the notice of polls and the last day for submission of names and addresses of polling agents by political parties is November 2, 2019, adding that it would be followed by the last day of campaign on November 14, 2019, and the election day which is November 16, 2019.

The INEC chairman disclosed that all non-sensitive materials for the elections have been delivered to Bayelsa and Kogi States, and have been appropriately put in batches in line with the Commission's plans.

He added that the training of ad hoc staff has been intensive and concluded in Kogi State on Tuesday, while that of Bayelsa State concluded yesterday.

Yakubu further disclosed that each election duty official would also be issued with a letter of appointment which contains his/her responsibilities, remuneration, mode of payment and procedure to lodge complaint (if any).

He said: "Given the volatile nature of politics and elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States, the Commission decided to engage with stakeholders early and continuously. In addition to several focused engagements, we had major stakeholders’ meetings in the two states. We have planned another engagement with stakeholders in Yenagoa on November 7 and in Lokoja on November 11, 2019.”

Lagos Govt Set to Auction 53 Vehicles Impounded for Traffic Offences ...As task force awaits directives on 7,350 impounded motorcycles

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) on Wednesday concluded arrangements to auction 53 vehicles that were impounded for various traffic offences.

While 31 vehicles were impounded and forfeited to the state for illegally plying one way, 22 others were those that were seized and abandoned for over six months at the taskforce’s yard. 

It was gathered that the 31 vehicles were forfeited to the state government following conviction at the mobile court. 

Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi disclosed that owners of the impounded vehicles who abandoned their cars have contravened the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018, stating that public notice has been issued for owners of both the court forfeited and abandoned cars to identify their vehicles at the agency’s car parks in Ikorodu and Bolade-Oshodi.

"At the expiration of the one month verification exercise, the agency shall apply to the court for an order of 'Public Auction' where members of the public would have opportunity to buy any of these vehicles”, the chairman said.

Egbeyemi clarified that the owners of the vehicles forfeited to the government pleaded guilty before Magistrate Omobola Salawu of the Lagos State Mobile Court at Oshodi after their arrest for driving against traffic.

He affirmed that in addition to forfeiture of the vehicles, each traffic offender was sentenced to 100 days 'Community Service' at any public institution.

The chairman, however, maintained that with the state government’s zero-tolerance for violation of the law, the agency will continue to prosecute traffic offenders until sanity is restored on our roads and law-abiding citizens are allowed to commute without being impeded by unlawful individuals.

Meanwhile, he also confirmed that over 7350 impounded motorcycles are presently in custody of the agency for plying restricted routes, including highways and bridges across the state.

He stated that the agency is awaiting further directive from the government in respect of the impounded motorcycles.

He clarified that the motorcyclists were apprehended around restricted routes like Agege, Pen-Cinema, Apapa, Ikorodu, Mile 2, Obalende, Oyingbo, 2nd Rainbow, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Ojota, Maryland, Yaba, Oshodi, Ikorodu Road, Apongbon, Ikeja and Iyana-Ipaja.