EVENTS

Two Fake EFCC Operatives Bag 46 Years Jail Term in Lagos

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5 months ago

June 16, 2024

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Justice O.O.Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, has sentenced the duo of Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Sadiq Adekunle to 46 years imprisonment for impersonating operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, while executing a fake court order.

They were re-arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC on an amended five-count charge bordering on impersonation, attempt to obtain property, possession of documents containing false pretence and unlawfully wearing the uniform of the EFCC.

One of the counts reads: “ That you, Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Sadiq Adekunle, on or about the 12th day of May, 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, attempted to obtain property from one Oriyomi Johnson under the pretext that the “Chief Magistrate Court, Lagos State Judiciary, Mushin, Lagos” issued an Order to the effect that the property located at New Horizon Estate, Lekki- Ikate, Lagos be seized and the said apartment sealed pending the arrival of the said Oriyomi Johnson ,which representation you knew to be false and committed an offence of attempt to obtain property by false pretense contrary to Sections 8(b) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section11(3) of the same Act.”

Another count reads: “ That you, Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Sadiq Adekunle, on or about the 12th day of May, 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court not being a person holding any office in or authority of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, wore a jacket bearing the official mark of the Commission ,which was calculated to convey the impression that you held such authority and committed an offence of unlawfully wearing the uniform of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission contrary to Section 79(1) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”

They pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

Following their guilty pleas, the prosecution counsel, Abdulhamid Lamido Tukur, gave a review of the facts of the case to prove the guilt of the defendants.

Tukur, thereafter, urged the court to convict the defendants as charged and sentenced them accordingly.

Justice Abike-Fadipe found them guilty as charged on counts one, two, three, four and five.

The defendants, who were given an opportunity to address the court, pleaded for mercy.

Delivering judgment, Justice Abike-Fadipe sentenced the defendants each to seven years on counts one to three each, one year on count four and eight months on count five.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

The convicts were arrested sometime in May, 2021, following credible intelligence received by the Commission, while they were in the middle of an illegal operation at the New Horizon Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

Items recovered from them at the point of arrest included fake EFCC identity cards, jackets, and a court order purported to have emanated from Mushin Magistrate Court.

They were subsequently arraigned on October 12, 2021 an amended five-count charge, to which they initially pleaded not guilty.

EVENTS

NLC announces indefinite strike action

Published

2 days ago

November 11, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

NLC announces indefinite strike action

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NLC announces indefinite strike action

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has ordered its members in states that are yet to commence the implementation of the new minimum wage to commence an indefinite strike, beginning from December 1, 2024.

The directive is part of the resolutions of the NLC after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the weekend.

“The NEC notes with deep frustration the persistent delay and outright refusal by some state governments to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act. This betrayal by certain governors and government officials across the country flies in the face of both legality and morality, as workers continue to be denied their rightful wages amidst rising economic hardship. It is a blatant disregard for the law and the lives of millions of Nigerian workers, who are being exploited by the very leaders sworn to protect them.

“The NEC therefore resolves to set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee that will among others commence a nationwide assessment, mobilization and sensitization campaign, educating workers and citizens on the need to resist this assault on their dignity and rights. Furthermore, the NLC shall initiate a series of industrial actions in all non-compliant states and shall not relent until the minimum wage is fully implemented across Nigeria.

“To this end, all state Councils where the National Minimum Wage has not been fully implemented by the last day of November, 2024 have been directed to proceed on strike beginning from the 1st day of December, 2024. Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have,” the NLC communique read in part.

EVENTS

Travellers must report reckless driving to curb crashes — FRSC

Published

3 days ago

November 9, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

Travellers must report reckless driving to curb crashes — FRSC

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The Plateau State Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission, on Friday, concluded a series of activities aimed at reducing road accidents during the 2024 ember months with a call on travellers to report reckless driving in order to achieve the objective.

The campaign, tagged “Speak Up Against Dangerous Driving: Crashes Kill More Passengers Than Drivers,” kicked off on November 6, 2024, in Jos, the state capital, with a press briefing, town hall meeting, fliers distribution to the members of the public as well as motorcade carnival to sensitise the people.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Sector Commander of the FRSC in the state, Maxwell Plateau, emphasised the need for behavioural change among drivers.

He stressed that passengers have the right to a safe drive and encouraged them to caution drivers who violate road rules.
We must appreciate the selfless services the transport subsector in the country ensures that the movement of people, goods, and services get to their destinations safely.

“However, we must be deliberate in playing our role to maximize safety. As such, FRSC will, at this critical moment, intensify, increase visibility, provide prompt response to rescue, and add more gravity to the enforcement of traffic rules and regulations to ensure our safety. However, passengers also have their own roles to play.

EVENTS

MINISTER OF STATE WORKS ON THE SPOT ASSESSMENT OF ILLELA-BADAGRY SUPERHIGHWAY

Published

3 days ago

November 9, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

MINISTER OF STATE WORKS ON THE SPOT ASSESSMENT OF ILLELA-BADAGRY SUPERHIGHWAY

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MINISTER OF STATE WORKS ON THE SPOT ASSESSMENT OF ILLELA-BADAGRY SUPERHIGHWAY

Minister of State Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo has expressed satisfaction with the level of progress so far made on the Multi-Million Naira Illela-Badagry Superhighway conceived to connect Northern with the Southwestern part of Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic.

This is during an on the spot assessment to illela Amarawa the originating point of the legacy Project.

Contract for the construction of the 3 lane carriageway was awarded on 14th August, 2024 by President Bola Tinubu led Administration to create jobs, connect Communities and fast track economic development of the Country in line with his renewed hope Agenda on Road infrastructural development.

Work on the phase One 1A covering 120km that stretches 4 Local Government Areas of Sokoto State commenced on the 4th November as directed by the Minister of Works David Umahi.

The Minister of State Works Bello Muhammad Goronyo embarks on an on the spot assessment to ensure total compliance by the Contractor handling the Project

On the recent revocation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road Project, the Minister lamented that, after eight Years the Federal Government can no not be hold to ransom by underperforming Firms.

Goronyo stated that the Ministry will re-award the contract to a more serious company in due course to facilitate movement of goods and services.

Representative of the Contracting Firm Willie Barkhursen and Federal Controller of Works incharge of Sokoto State Maigwandu Kasim assured that, the Project is being executed according to specifications and would be completed within the agreed 24 Months period.

A joint reconnaissance survey is ongoing under the Office of the National Security Adviser to ensure safety of workers and equipment