NIGERIAN NOTCH

By Afe Babalola In recent times, there has been an increase in the arrest and arraignment of persons alleged to have published false and misleading information against public figures. The first of these was that of a blogger who was arrested, arraigned and subsequently remanded in prison in connection to a publication relating to a cleric. Since then there have been more of such incidents, including journalists of mainstream media outlets. Understandably, these arrests have attracted scrutiny from the public. While some have condemned what they see as highhandedness on the part of the complainants who in most cases are elected government officials, some have argued that the right to freedom of speech comes with a responsibility to keep within the law and that anyone who fails to keep within accepted boundaries must be subjected to the law.  However, most notably has been the perspective that the complainants should simply have filed civil actions against those they cl...

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate an alleged plan by Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa to sell Atala Marginal Field (OML 46), an oil field owned by the state government. All Progressive Congress In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, in Abuja on Tuesday, the party urged EFCC to uncover the details leading to Dickson’s resolve to sell the oil field. Nabena alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government in Bayelsa was planning to sell the oil field to fund the Nov. 16 governorship election.  “Our law enforcement and anti-graft agencies cannot fold their arms while Bayelsa state is being robbed to enrich the pockets of a few people and fund the election of the PDP in the state. “EFCC must take immediate action before the outgoing governor and his cronies bankrupt the state and sell government’s owned resources to themselves,” he said. Bayelsa poll...

.........pays tuition fees for them. The Nnewi Progressive Youth Movement yesterday took the teacher's and Pupils of Ndiakwu Community Primary School by surprise. The surprise was certainly a pleasant one as they came to pay the tuition fees of the best performing Pupils in the school from Primary 1 to Primary 6. While interacting with Nigerian Notch the leader of the group Nelson Okeke said they were in the school to pay tution fee for Pupils who came tops in their various classes, a gesture he said was to encourage them to aspire higher in their pursuit of education. He however said that what they are doing as a group is to touch the lives of Pupils in schools throughout Nnewi, a measure he said will take them round the four quarters of the town. He therefore called on well meaning individuals to support the cause of the group which is to promote education in Nnewi town. The Pupils who received the gifts were very thankful to the group for the apprec...

Anambra South Agenda 2021 a socio political group of Anambra South extraction at Orthon Palace Ekwulobia today held  a stakeholders meeting to further streamline on the adoption of a popular candidate of Anambra South extraction to occupy Agu Awka come 2021. In his keynote address the National Convener and Coordinator of the group, Venerable Chris Orajekwe, thanked the members of the group for coming out enmasse to witness the coming together the actualization of their dreams towards the instilling good governance in the state. He stated that equity demands that Anambra South should be supported to occupy Agu Awka, come 2021, going by the trend of events in the state. He maintained that its long overdue, and demands that other zones in the state should support Anambra South come 2021. In the same vein he said, " 2021 is another election year when all Anambrarians will take a firm decision on the zone and person that will steer political and socio-economic destiny of th...

Its no longer news that the Senator, representing Anambra Senatorial District, Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Uba got a landmark judgement at the recently concluded Anambra South Elections Petition Tribunal. The good news however, is that the landmark and well articulated Judgement by the justices of the law, led by Hon. Justice Okara Ebimie Thelma, and assisted by Hon. Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi and Hon. Justice Ngele Gilbert Alo. The tribunal stand further exposed the flaws and lipholes of the petitioners, who lost the election blur and black, and further adjudication can be seen as an after thought, not just in law but to the sensibilities of all well meaning Anambrains and most especially Anambra people from the South. In an official judgement document of the tribunal made available yesterday to Nigerian Notch Newspapers, we realised that Senator Ifeanyi Uba, not only floored his petitioners, but put the records straight that he won the election, free and fair. Most of the Evide...

As part of his unflinching commitment to accelerate the pace of development in the state, Governor Emeka Ihedioha, Thursday, held a strategic business meeting with officials of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP in New York, United States, the CPS to the governor said in a press release made available to newsmen. He said  Governor Ihedioha who is part of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, delegation to the 74th United Nations General Assembly, congratulated Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie, leader of the UNDP team, who is also Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations, for attaining such height in the UN hierarchy. He called on the UNDP to assist his administration towards achieving its policies and programmes in the areas of youth development, job and wealth creation, environment, renewal energy, e-governance, tourism and agribusiness in Imo State. In her remarks, the leader of the UNDP team, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie, who is also Regional Director, UNDP...

The body of Robert Mugabe will be buried in his home town, following a final twist in a row over the former Zimbabwean leader’s resting place. Family Wins Tussle: Mugabe to be buried in home town Mr Mugabe’s casket arrives at the Blue Roof, his residence in Borrowdale, Harare. PHOTO: Reuters Mugabe died this month aged 95 and a funeral was held in the capital Harare. The government had resisted his family’s wish for him to be buried in his home region of Zvimba, deciding that he should lay in Heroes Acre – a national monument and burial ground. The family eventually consented, but on Thursday the government backtracked. It was not immediately clear what prompted the late change in plans. The Mugabe family had appeared content with the burial at Heroes Acre, after it was agreed that a mausoleum would be built for the former leader. In a statement published on Thursday, Information Minister Nick Mangwana said the change was in line with policy “to respect the wishes of familie...

ABU sacks 16 staff over sexual harassment, others On September 27, 201910:14 amIn Newsby Hamed Shobiye Facebook Twitter Email WhatsApp Pinterest Share Ben Agande – Kaduna. Management of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has sacked 16 staff over sexual harassment, negligence of duty and corruption.  The affected staff who were drawn from various departments and faculties in the institution were subjected to the university internal mechanism before their sack was officially announced. An official of the university who craved anonymity, confirmed the decision, adding that it was ratified by the governing council of the institution.  The Institution’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Sama’ila Shehu, confirmed the staff sack’ but said not all those affected were teaching staff Sexual harassment: 63 CSOs threaten legal action against perpetrators AAU-ASUU Chairman says allegations of sexual harassment is blackmail He said: “The offences range from mishandling of ...

The police on Friday arraigned three fake prophets who allegedly defrauded an applicant of N100,000, at a Magistrates’ Court in Asaba, Delta State. The trio – John Ifeokochukwu (25), Uchenna Obinna (36,) and Mr. Ifeanyi Udenwoke (31) – were arraigned on a one-count charge of fraud. Septuagenarian docked for misleading police in Osun Police discover mass grave of kidnap victims in Benue  The prosecution counsel, Mrs Rachael Offor, told the court that defendants committed the offence on Sept.ember 14, at the Prescott Hotel in Asaba. Offor alleged that the defendants told the complainant, Miss Loveth Isibor, that they were prophets with powers to deliver her from any afflictions. She said the offence was punishable under sections 516 and 419 of the Criminal Code Cap C21 Vol, laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.  After the charges were read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty. The Magistrate, Mrs Edith Anumodu, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N10...