News
Independent Day Blasts Okah To Call 103 Witnesses From Nigeria
Militant Leader, Henry Okah, yesterday told a Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court that he would call 103 witnesses from Nigeria to testify in his defence.
Okah is facing terrorism charges in relation to the Oct. 1, 2010 twin bomb blasts in Abuja.
Okah is slammed with charges of delivery, placement and detonation of explosives which occurred during Nigeria’s 50thIndependence Day celebrations, as well as an alternative count of conspiring with others to do so.
The prosecution, at the last adjourned date, told the court of plans to bring additional charges relating to terrorism, terror financing and possible money laundering against him in connection with the March 15, 2010 explosions in Warri, Delta State.
Okah’s counsel Rudi Krause told the court yesterday that Okah needed the witnesses to be subpoenaed to South Africa where they could testify free of intimidation.
Krause presented the list to the court.
The counsel told the court that the list he presented was a preliminary one but was brought early to give the prosecution sufficient time to prepare as Okah needed them to testify in the court.
He said the witnesses might not be able to testify freely in Nigeria, adding that at a later stage, he would provide further details of the witnesses to the court.
Krause also told the court that Okah was ready to go on trial and would not want the case delayed, adding that the conditions in which he is now being held were harsh.
He said that since cell phones were recovered in his cell in February, he had been moved to a punitive cell where he could not communicate with people and did not see sunlight.
Krause said Okah was alone in a cell which was for over 40 people, noting that his requests for medical attention had continued to be ignored by the prison authorities and his condition was progressively getting worse.
“He can’t speak to anyone, he sleeps on a concrete slab with a little mattress provided in the cell with no windows, no sunlight and his injury is getting worse,’’ the lawyer said.
Krause said he was told that a doctor who was assigned to see him had later withdrawn his services when he was told that the person he was to see was a security risk.
He urged the court to make a note on his detention warrant to indicate that he be given medical attention.
Krause also urged the court to rule that the case will no longer be adjourned at the Magistrates’ court again after the prosecution urged for more time to finish investigation and bring proof of indictment against him by August 24 ahead of the January 30, 2012 trial date.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Shaun Abrahams, told the court that the state required more time to conclude its investigation as it was awaiting some information from service providers and two unnamed countries.
He said the trial date had tentatively been set for January 30, 2012 and said the state was not delaying the matter.
Abrahams also told the court that Okah had lost a bid for a leave to appeal against denial of his bail at the High Court last week and had indicated that he may approach the Supreme Court of Appeal.
He said that measures had been put in place to enable Okah to have access to medical help after the doctor earlier assigned to him withdrew.
Abrahams said the list of witnesses presented by Okah’s counsel was so long that if followed through might make the trial take up to between three and four years.
He assured that proof of indictment will be served on Okah by August 24 which was still within the nine month period from February which the prosecution promised to conclude its investigation.
Magistrate Hein Louw in his ruling, refused to rule that the adjournment for more investigation requested by the prosecution must be the final one.
He said he could not do so since they were still awaiting information from two countries which was not within their control.
Louw however said it this did not mean he would allow further adjournments for investigation as he could decide to order the prosecution to go to trial even if they claimed they were still investigating.
He said that in all likelihood, the trial would proceed on January 30, 2012.
Louw said since both parties had agreed on the issue of medical treatment, he would endorse the warrant to reflect that Okah be granted access to it.
He adjourned the case to August 24 to allow for further investigation by the prosecution and serving of proof of indictment.
The Southern Africa correspondent reports that Okah was arrested on October 2, 2010 in Johannesburg and appeared in court on October 4,2010.
He applied for bail but was denied as the South African authorities said they had a good case against him and were sure they could get a conviction even though Okah argued to the contrary.
The state during the bail application, said they had evidence of phone call and e-mail contact between Okah and suspects held in connection with the explosions in Nigeria.
Meawhile, President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that government would not overlook the explosions which rocked the Force Headquarters in Abuja on June 16.
Jonathan made the pledge while receiving a delegation of the family of the late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who came to commiserate with him at the State House, Abuja, over the bomb blast.
Our correspondent reports that the late Prime Minister’s family members led by Malam Yakubu Tafawa Balewa, were in the State House on a thank-you visit to the President, for naming the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs building after their father.
Jonathan said that government was taking definite steps to strengthen national security.
He said the explosion was an act of terror, which had become a global trend, but gave assurance that his administration was taking steps to ensure the safety of all Nigerians.
The President said that naming the Foreign Affairs Headquarters building after the late Prime Minister was not an accident, but “a recognition of his contributions as Nigeria’s first foreign minister’’.
He said the action was also to recognise Balewa’s contributions to the development of Nigeria as its first Premier.
On plans by the family to establish a foundation in memory of their father, Jonathan advised that they should ensure the appointment of people of integrity, who would keep the good name of the late Prime Minister alive.
He promised that the former Prime Minister’s mausoleum would be upgraded, to serve as a suitable tourist attraction for visiting foreign leaders and visitors.
Earlier, Yakubu Balewa had expressed appreciation to Jonathan, and spoke of his family’s plans to set up a foundation in memory of their father.
He said the foundation would focus on good governance and good neighbourliness.
In a related development, as Nigerians continue to condemn in its entirety the incessant bomb attack on innocent citizens, especially the latest bombing of Police Headquarters, Abuja, the Enugu State governorship candidate of the Congress For Progressive Change (CPC), in the 2011 general elections, Chief Emma Ugwu , has called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency probe the ugly incident with a view to bringing those behind the unholy act to book to serve as deterrent to others.
Making the call in a chat with newsmen in Enugu at the weekend, the front line politician, noted that unless drastic measures were put in place to address the worrisome development, the nation’s nascent democracy would be in a very serious jeopardy.
Chief Ugwu regretted that the bomb scare and continuous killings of innocent Nigerians in some parts of the country in no small way portend danger for the country’s march for a stable democratic rule, adding that no responsive and responsible government would fold its arms and watch the lives of its citizens threatened and wasted as it is being witnessed in the country in recent times.
Hear him: “President Goodluck Jonathan’s government should look inwards within its rank and file to find out those behind the latest bombing with a view to finding out whether members of Boko Haram have infiltrated the security network of the country. In addition, government should also find out the immediate and remote causes of the social insecurity in the country as we are yet to come out from the post election violence”.
The CPC chieftain therefore used the forum to further advise the Federal Government not allow some disgruntled elements to create unnecessary tension and panic in the country, adding that no person or group of persons is bigger or more important than the country, as the corporate interest of the nation remains paramount.
He also advised Nigerians to always emulate countries like America and Britain where politics is based on developmental issues, pointing out that national interest should take precedent over selfish and sectional interests at all times.
“If bomb could explode and kill people in the nation’s police headquarters, then, how safe is the ordinary Nigerian in other less tight security areas in the country? This is a serious issue which the authority should not hesitate to address”, he further stressed.
He, therefore, urged the entire people of Nigeria, especially the political class to close ranks and support President Jonathan in his tireless efforts to take the country to the next level.
The Federal Government has agreed to offer additional N20.5 billion for the completion of the Bonny-Bodo road project in December.
The government, however, said if the construction company, Julius Berger, was not ready to accept the offer, the contract will be terminated.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, said this during a meeting with the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Lars Ritcher and members of Bodo-Bonny Road Peace Committee, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The reports that Julius Berger had requested asking for a N28 billion variation on the 82 per cent completed project.
The company hinged its request on the rise in exchange rate, construction materials, and diesel among others.
Umahi, however, said the government was willing to provide N20 billion out of the N28 billion that Julius Berger requested for.
According to him, the Bonny-Bodo road contract which was initially awarded at the cost of N120 billion in 2015, was later varied at N199 billion with a completion dateline of December 2023, which has since elapsed.
The Tide’s source recalls that in 2017, an agreement between the Federal Government, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and Julus Berger on modalities for funding the project cost of N199.923 billion, without any further increase.
“If you do not accept the Federal Government’s offer by Friday and resume work on the site, the previously expired 14-day ultimatum for termination of project will be enforced.
“I want to let you know that we are the client. No contractor will dictate for this ministry, and there is no job that is compulsory that a particular contractor must do.
“We give you an offer. If you do not like the offer, you walk away. You don’t force us or we don’t force you.
“Agreement of contractual relationship is a mutual understanding,’’ the minister said.
Umahi said that had Julius Berger adhered to the project timetable, the project would have been completed on schedule before the impact of foreign exchange.
“Our position is very simple, we reject the conditions of Julius Berger totally and we ask Berger to please go back to the site to complete the project based on our offer.
“Our offer is unconditional and we say, accept or reject, so you cannot subject our offer to your conditions ,’’ he added
Umahi said the company should be humble in its dealings and exhibit solidarity during challenges.
Earlier, Richter had explained that the company suspended work on the site to seek some clarifications from the ministry.
According to him, the company asked for the augmemtation of N28 bilion because as at the time the contract was awarded the exchange rate was N305 to a dollar and diesel was N350 eor litre.
“We will still require some outstanding materials; that means that the initial agreement can’t fly because the variation of project is not sufficient and the exchange rate is also not in our favour to compensate the additional costs.
“That is why we decided to go back to our original proposal of the augmentation. Augmentation is a very normal process for all contracts,” the managing director said.
Chief Abel Attoni, Palace Secretary, Bonny Kingdom, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the decision to complete the Bodo-Bonny road project.
Attonu urged the parties to be patriotic and make the necessary sacrifice for the actualisation of the project.
The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, yesterday, set aside the warrant of arrest against Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rivers State, and five others.
Justice Emeka Nwite stated this while delivering his ruling in an application seeking to vacate the warrant of arrest which he issued on January 31, 2024.
The Judge said he was misled by the police in ordering the arrest of Ehie in connection with the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly on October 30, 2023.
The Police, had told the court that Ehie and five others masterminded the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly amid a plot to impeach Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The five others are Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benedict, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri, and Chibuike Peter, alias Rambo.
Justice Emeka Nwite while setting aside the warrant said it has now become a mere academic exercise.
The judge further granted same to the 2nd to 5th Defendant/Applicant in same suit.
Femi Falana, SAN, and Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, who appeared for the defendants in separate suits, held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to have granted the order.
While Falana filed a motion seeking an order to set aside the January 31 order by Justice Nwite, Aladedoye applied for a stay of execution of the arrest order.
In a motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/112/2024 dated February 2 and filed on February 7 by Falana, Ehie sought two orders, including “an order setting aside the order made on January 31 for want of jurisdiction.
“An order of this honourable court staying the execution of the order made on the 31st January 2024, pending the hearing and determination of this application.”
Giving six grounds of argument, Falana argued that the complainant had not filed any criminal charge or motion before the court.
The senior lawyer argued that the court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the ex-parte application as the alleged offences of conspiracy, attempted murder, murder and arson took place in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
“He submitted that the court lacked the vires to grant an application to arrest and declare his clients wanted in respect of the alleged offences.
“The complainant/respondent (IG) did not adduce evidence of terrorism in the affidavit in support of the application.
“The complainant/respondent did not cite any section of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013 (as amended) alleged to have been contravened by the applicants,” he argued.
Aladedoye in a motion on notice dated and filed February 9, on behalf of the five defendants, sought two orders, including
“an order staying execution or further execution of the order(s) of this honourable court made on the 31st of January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicants.
“An order of injunction restraining the complainant from carrying out or further carrying out the orders of this honourable court made on the 31st January 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicant in this case.”
Giving a three-ground argument, Aladedoye said that a notice of appeal had already been filed against Justice Nwite’s orders.
According to the senior lawyer, the notice of appeal contains grounds that challenge the jurisdiction of the honourable court.
The Inspector-General had, in a charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, arraigned the defendants on a seven-count criminal charge bordering on terrorism and murder.
The authorities of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE), Rumuolumeni, in Rivers State, have stated that 13 students will be graduating with first class while 182 graduands will bag Ph.D during the 42nd convocation ceremony of the university billed to hold today and tomorrow.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, disclosed this during pre-convocation press briefing held in his office, yesterday, to unveil the programme for the convocation ceremony.
Onuchuku said that the 13 students were among the 4,653 graduands expected to graduate for the 2022/2023 academic session with first degree, while 897 students will be graduating with postgraduate degrees.
The Acting Vice Chancellor while giving the breakdown stated that 13 students made first class, 890 students bagged second class upper while 2,739 students had second class lower for first degree.
He further stated that 182 graduands bagged PhD, 667 got master’s degree and 48 got postgraduate diploma, adding that the convocation ceremony will hold today and tomorrow for first degree graduands and postgraduate graduands respectively.
He said that a total of 47 programmes out of the 54 programmes being undertaken at the first degree levels had been given full accreditation by the National University Commission (NUC) as well as all the programmes at the postgraduate school.
“We have ensured that our programmes both at the first degree and post graduates are in line with the NUC stipulated guidelines and speculations. We have also ensured that we are in line with both our academic and administrative policies,” he said.
Prof. Okechukwu urged the graduating students of the institution to always remember to use thier positions to help their alma mater as well as project the institution in a good image in the larger society.
“Try to ensure you finish any project you want to do, evaluate it first and avoid unfinished or abandoned projects. We will be graduating first degree graduands on Friday while Saturday will be for postgraduates, “he added.
Prof. Onuchukwu also said his administration had achieved a lot since he assumed office as Acting Vice Chancellor, stressing that his administration had improved on the welfare of the staff and the students.
“There are a lot of projects completed in the school; we have also given scholarship to some students and also encouraged departments to do same. We also impacted positively on our host communities”, he said.
Akujobi Amadi
-
Niger Delta1 day ago
APC S’South Executives Strategise For Victory
-
Business1 day ago
Empty ATMs: ‘Entrepreneurs, Customers, Banks, PoS Operators Accountable’
-
News1 day agoUNN Begins Innovative Forum To Reduce Graduate Unemployment
-
Politics1 day ago
‘Fubara, Dev Game Changer For Rivers’ Economic Growth’
-
Sports1 day ago
Okpekpe Road Race: Organisers Expect More
-
News1 day ago
Telcoms Seek Tariff Hike To Offset Soaring Costs
-
Nation1 day ago
Ogun PDP Chairman, Adebutu Trade Blames Over Electoral Defeat
-
Niger Delta1 day ago
PIA: Bayelsa Ready For Littoral Communities’ Mapping Exercise