Nigeria National News Today 17th January 2019

iDONSABI presents the national news for today 17th January 2019.


EFCC Guns For Final Forfeiture Of Jonathan’s Funds

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told the Federal High Court Lagos to ignore the prayer of former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on an attempt to stop the final forfeiture of the sums of$8.4 million and N9.2 billion allegedly linked to the Federal government.

The commission through it counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, while responding to the counter affidavit filed by the former first lady and others against the motion of EFCC seeking final forfeiture of the funds, held that both Mrs Jonathan and others had failed to prove the legitimacy of the funds traced to their accounts.

The funds were said to be in the custody of Skye Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, StanbicIBTC Bank and First Bank Plc respectively.

However, the court has fixed February 11 to deliver judgment in the suit.


315,032 Candidates Apply For 10,000 Police Job

The Police Service Commission (PSC), said it had received a total of 315,032 applications for recruitment as constables into the Nigeria Police Force at the close of its recruitment portal on Friday, January 11.

Head of press and public relations, Ikechukwu Ani, who made this known in a statement in Abuja, said the commission would commence the online short-listing of qualified applicants based on its advertised requirements.

Ani in the statement said: “The Police Service Commission received 315,032 applications for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force as constables at the close of its recruitment portal on Friday, January 11, 2019. The commission will commence the next step of short listing of qualified applicants based on its advertised requirements and successful ones will be invited for physical and document screening. “

The shortlisting will be carried out online.


Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of N2.5 billion Recovered From Ex-Chief Of Air Staff

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court, Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of N2.2billion recovered from former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

The judge also ordered the final forfeiture of N190,828,978.15 recovered from a former Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Director of Finance and Budget Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

Also forfeited is N101 million recovered from Solomon Enterprises, a company linked to Amosu.

The court made the order based on an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge ordered that the total funds found and recovered by the commission from Amosu and others be paid into the Federal government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) with Guarantee Trust Bank.


2019 Elections: Atiku Support Group Adopts New Strategy

As the political campaign for 2019 elections gathers momentum, a support group for the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Otu Nkwado Atiku ‘n’ Obi, has changed its campaign approach to target the people of the South East.

The support group said it decided to go that way because of the massive love and affection that PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has shown the people of the South East which were clearly demonstrated in his choice of vice president, Mr. Peter Obi.

Its National Secretary, Anyaegbunam Okoye, who led other officials and members to the group to the headquarters of Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign office, in Abuja, explained that the group is solely for Igbo people who are determined to participate in the electoral process that would herald the emergence of quality political leaders.

They have activated the structures of the group across Nigeria which would work through the platform for town unions, Ohaneze Ndigbo, age grades and other Igbo structures to woo support for the PDP candidates.


50-Year-Old Man Bags 2 Months Imprisonment For Stealing 15 Goats

A Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan has sentenced one 50-year-old Isiaka Ayegbusi to two months imprisonment for stealing 15 goats.

Magistrate Adebukola Durowoju convicted and sentenced Ayegbusi following his guilty plea and based on the facts of the case.

Durowoju sentenced Ayegbusi to one-month imprisonment for conspiracy and one-month imprisonment for stealing 15 goats.

Durowoju, however, gave the convict an option of six weeks’ community service of six hours daily at the court premises.


Barman, 25, Bags 6 Months Imprisonment For Stealing Employer’s N165,000

A Magistrates’ Court in Ogun on Wednesday sentenced a 25-year-old bar attendant, Semiu Alabi, to six months in prison for stealing his employer’s N165,000.

The Magistrate, Mrs A. F. Ojelade sentenced the accused to six months imprisonment without an option of fine.

Ojelade said that the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others.

The convict, of no fixed address, had earlier pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing.


Court Remands 2 Fake IBEDC Staff Over Alleged Culpable Homicide

A Magistrates’ Court in Ilorin has remanded two fake Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) staff, Adeleke Benjamin and Adedeji Solomon, over alleged attempt to kill one Comfort Olupinla.

The Magistrate, Esther Abu, ordered the remand of the accused at Okekura Prison in Ilorin.

She adjourned the case until Jan. 25 for further mention.


Driver Remanded In Prison For Allegedly Causing Death

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja has remanded one Chibuzor Ezede in prison for alleged dangerous driving resulting in the death of an official of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC).

Ezede, a driver who resides Opposite Chief Palace, Garki village, Abuja, is charged with causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a licence

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Omolola Akindele ordered that the defendant is remanded in Keffi Prisons and adjourned the case until Feb. 4 for hearing.


FG Holds Scholarship Exams Tomorrow ― Minister

The Federal Government has announced that the qualifying examination for the award of Federal Scholarship into Nigerian public tertiary institutions will hold on Thursday, 17th January 2019.

The examination for Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship obtainable overseas and the Sustainable Development Goals’ Scholarship for the females would also hold simultaneously.

A statement from the Office of the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu on Wednesday said the examination which would take place in the six geopolitical zones simultaneously will start by 7.00am and end by 2.00pm same day.


Buhari Condoles Kenyans Over Terrorist Attack

President Muhammadu Buhari on behalf of the Federal Government commiserated with the government and people of Kenya on the deadly terrorist attack on a hotel and office complex in Nairobi.

A statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), said while condemning the attack as “wicked, cruel and dastardly by evil people,” that Buhari assured President Uhuru Kenyatta that the thoughts of the people of Nigeria are with Kenyans at this moment of their national grief.

President Buhari called on well-meaning members of the international community to rally round Kenyans to overcome the scourge of terrorism “because any terrorist attack on one country is an attack on all countries.”

He prayed God Almighty to console the bereaved families and quicken the recovery of the several injured people.

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