LASU visitation panel submits report to Fashola

LASU visitation panel submits report to Fashola

Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Wednesday, received the on report of the panel of onquiry into the crisis in the Lagos State University (LASU) with a declaration that all efforts would be geared towards making the institution a leading university in Africa.

Governor Fashola, who spoke at the Lagos House, Marina, where the event took place, said it is possible to uplift the university to such a level given the abundant human and material resources as well as the talents existing in the country.

“I think that we will accept the challenge to turn LASU into such a university. It will require taking very difficult and challenging decisions, but I believe that God will give us the courage and wisdom to do so,” the governor said.

He disclosed that the government was already talking to the leadership of the Governing Council of the university “to review the masterplan of the existing infrastructure that currently lies in the university to see how we can develop a reasonable and foreseeable plan to address the conditions in which students and lecturers have to even impart and receive knowledge.”

“We believe that all of these, coupled with the recommendations made by this panel as well as the commitments that the public servants in government now make, to transform our state, will lead us to deliver a higher institution of our dream,” Governor Fashola said.

Noting that a small city like Hamburg, in harmony with a population of less than 5 million has almost 40 universities, Governor Fashola declared, “I believe that what we do here today will really be the beginning of a transformation for our country, for our state and for our people - the Black Race - in particular”.

The governor thanked members of the panel for accepting “the request from us to assist in examining how our premier institution of higher learning has been managed over the years,” adding, “In compliance with the powers vested in me by virtue of my office and in accordance with the laws setting up the institution, I express my very sincere gratitude to you for accepting the assignment”.

EFCC blames judiciary for delay in corruption trials

EFCC blames judiciary for delay in corruption trials

Evidentiary hearing into the cases of some former state executives is yet to commence, nearly four years after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed criminal charges against them, the chairman of the commission, Farida Waziri, has said.

Mrs. Farida Waziri, who was speaking in Abuja yesterday at the public presentation of Anti-Corruption Handbook authored by Tabi Joda, listed several instances where the slow pace of court processes stalled the fight against corruption.

Some of the ex-governors include Ayo Fayose, Saminu Turaki, and Joshua Dariye.

Mr. Fayose was prosecuted on December 17, 2006 on a 51-count charge on financial misappropriation totaling N1.2 billion; Turaki's trial also commenced on July 13, 2007, when he was arraigned on a 32-count charge for laundering N36 billion; and Dariye's was also set on the same date, based on prima facie case of corrupt enrichment and money laundering of N700 million.

While reiterating her call for the establishment of special courts to try corruption cases, Mrs. Waziri said court processes have frustrated the work of the agency.

"I have also called for laws that will enable us sequestrate the assets of accused persons and convert them to government assets upon their conviction. Whereas those are long term goals, I think the judiciary can do a lot to speed up our trials," she said.

Police to prosecute monarch

Police to prosecute monarch

The Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo, said he has given directives that the Deji of Akure, Oluwadare Adesina, be charged to court on a two-count charge of assault and conspiracy to commit an act capable of breaking public peace.

The charge is coming weeks after Mr. Adesina beat up his wife, Bolanle Adepoju, in public, in the city of Akure.

Mr. Onovo said this Wednesday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Police Affairs at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

He also said that the whitish substance which the traditional ruler poured on Ms. Bolanle was a chemical substance, although he could not say exactly what the chemical was.

Police authorities in Akure yesterday could not confirm whether they have indeed received any directive from Mr. Onovo to charge Mr. Adepoju to court.

The state commissioner of police, Magaji Nasarawa, could not verify the statement of Mr. Onovo when NEXT spoke to him on the telephone.

"I can't say specifically whether the command has been directed to prosecute Oba Adepoju. Once we receive such directive, I will direct my officers to urgently file a case against the monarch at the court," he said.

The spokesperson of the command, Adeniran Aremu, could also not substantiate the Inspector General's directive, stating that he was not aware of the order.

Abacha family sues FG over criminal charge in Geneva

Abacha family sues FG over criminal charge in Geneva

Two sons of the late Sani Abacha Mohammed and Abba, on Wednesday dragged the federal government before a Federal High Court, Abuja challenging the circumstances under which a criminal case was initiated against them in Geneva, Switzerland.

In the suit, Mohammed and Abba, averred that the statements used as evidence against them in the court were not obtained legally by the government’s Special Investigation Panel.

But the Federal Government, in its defence, had challenged the competence of the suit, describing it as “frivolous, utterly baseless and completely misconceived.”

In the Originating Summons, in which 24 corporate bodies were listed as plaintiffs, the plaintiffs prayed the court to restrain the Federal Government from providing mutual assistance or request for mutual assistance to any country based on the evidence (oral or documentary) obtained by or under the investigations of the SIP.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, is the sole defendant.

During the investigation, statements were obtained from the Abacha family by the investigative panel led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Peter Gana.

However, Mohammed and Abba said they “were not informed that the true purpose for which their statements were sought was to provide evidence for an investigation and their possible prosecution by the states of Jersey, the Authorities of Leichtenstein, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, France, the Bahamas and Switzerland.

“The plaintiffs were not advised on their right to consult a legal practitioner of their choice before making statements” before the SIP.

“No caution whatsoever was administered to the plaintiffs prior to the making of statements before the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Peter Gana.”

They also want the court to restrain the defendant from bringing or continuing any civil or criminal proceedings in Nigeria of foreign jurisdictions against the Plaintiffs based on the statements.

Bill Gates in Nigeria, to meet Jonathan
The founder of Microsoft and Co-chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates, has arrived Nigeria.Gates has already visited Kano, where he held talks with Governor Ibrahim Shekarau; the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero; local government chairmen; and other traditional leaders in respect of the progress made in stemming the spread of the polio virus in the country.He is expected in Abuja on Monday (today), where he will also hold talks with President Goodluck Jonathan and health officials.

‘I’ve published less than I would have wished’

Like Achebe, Soyinka and Ngugi, Ama Ata Aidoo came to literary prominence in the sixties, writing her now classic play, ‘The Dilemma of a Ghost’ at age 23. Asked what led to so many great works by would be giants of African literature around this period, Aidoo gives her own take on the issue. “I suspect [it has to do with] the whole idea of independence – some of these African countries had just emerged from open, or formal colonialism – and I think the sheer wonder, the enthusiasm, the expectations that it’s going to be a new world, must have been quite inspirational for us.” She also believes that economic and other social realities were less harsh in the 60s. “And then there is also the whole question of the grip of the writer on the English language. We just felt like writing and the language was not a problem. I think that language has [now] become… part of the problem,” she says.Ama Ata Aidoo intends to keep on writing. She is working on a novel and has just finished what she hopes will be her third collection of short stories. “I’ve published less than I would have wished. And so, if I still have the energy and maybe the tendency to write, I better just shut up and write.”

Sudan demands Uganda apology for not inviting Beshir
Sudan on Sunday demanded a retraction and an apology from Uganda for not inviting Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir to an African Union (AU) summit in Kampala next month.Uganda "overstepped" its powers, the foreign ministry said, quoted by the official news agency SUNA."The power to invite representatives to African summits is not the prerogative of the host nation but that of the African Union in coordination with the host state," it said.Sudan urged Uganda to reverse its decision and to issue a "public apology," otherwise Khartoum would demand the summit be moved to a venue that would be free of outside pressure and "blackmail."The current Ugandan presidency of the AU announced its decision on Saturday, stressing Sudan was free to send other representatives but not Beshir who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Darfur.

Police promise Akure queen protection

The Ondo State police command has beefed up security around the Federal Medical Centre Owo, where the estranged wife of the Deji of Akure, Bolanle Adesina Adepoju is presently receiving treatment, the commissioner of Police, Ballah Magaji Nasarawa has said.Mrs Adepoju was injured penultimate Sunday after her husband led a gang to her house in Akure in an effort to forcefully effect his separation from her. The incident resulted in the suspension of the king by the Ondo State council of traditional rulers.The chairperson of the state chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists, Fatimah Muraina, also urged the state police command to carry out its investigation on the matter without fear or favour.
Ms Muraina told journalists in Akure on Sunday that the alleged assault on the queen by her husband was condemnable and must be treated as a criminal case.
The town’s traditional kingmakers, which include prominent chiefs in Akure, could not be reached for comments as most of them have gone into hiding for fear of being attacked by loyalists of Mr Adesina.The chiefs, headed by the Lisa of Akure, had insisted that Mr Adepoju be removed and banished from Akure domain for the action.In addition, the state government on Saturday asked him to explain his role in the incident within four days. The directive was contained in a statement issued by Niran Sule-Akinsuyi, the state’s commissioner in charge of local government and chieftaincy matters, directed Mr Adepoju to forward an explanation of the incident to government not later than 10am on Wednesday or face the consequence.“In view of the foregoing, government hereby request for your written explanation to the allegations levelled against your person. Your representations, if any, should be forwarded to government through the commissioner in charge of local government and chieftaincy affairs not later than 10.am on Wednesday, 9th June, 2010,” read part of the statement.

2011 will break or make Nigeria- NBA warns
The Nigerian Bar Association has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that necessary arrangements are urgently put in place to ensure credible elections in 2011.The association stated this in a communiqué after its National Executive Committee meeting in Dutse, Jigawa State between June 3 and 4.The communique reads in part, “That the upcoming general elections of 2011 are make or break for Nigeria and all hands must be on deck to ensure they are free and fair.”“That delay by the Federal Government in appointing a new chairman for INEC, premised upon the need to appoint a credible person is unacceptable. We call on the Federal Government to appoint the chairman and other national commissioners immediately as further delay is inimical having regard to the time frame within which the elections must hold.“The NBA NEC observes that the voter register as presently constituted was error-ridden and unreliable and therefore calls for its cancellation and consequential compilation of a new voter register.”

I love Emeka Ike – Muma Gee

Read the following statement of Muma Gee of her relationship with Emeka Ike, the winner of the Gulder Ultimate Celbrity Showdown
"I had known Emeka Ike before GUS. But in the jungle, I got so emotionally attached to him. It was nothing personal. It was just the way I felt. This was a reality show and my family were not there. I was just alone with other people. Who wouldn‘t fall in love?Not that kind of love, please. But he took care of me. Who wouldn‘t fall in love with somebody who made your tents and had your back at any time? People shouldn‘t misunderstand that kind of love for something else. We don‘t see. I have known Emeka for so long.I am a realist. If I write a letter, it can be read in a court of law; it can be read anywhere. It can be read privately as well. I wasn‘t bothered about where he read the letter. The letter simply said how much I felt emotionally. I was only being real, I was being myself. When I was writing the letter, I was crying. I was just being myself.People just misunderstood that scene without asking questions. I apologise to Emeka‘s wife for the embarrassment the story might have caused her. The media blew the whole thing beyond proportion. It became an object of ridicule and it shouldn‘t have been so. I respect Emeka‘s wife. From my note, you would have known that the same love I gave to Emeka was accorded his wife and children. I respect him as a married man. After the phone call with his wife, I went to the bathroom area and Emeka followed me there. we were discussing about the phone call but people now misunderstood it.

MEETING

NOTICE OF MEETING

THERE WILL BE A GENERAL MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, 9TH JUNE, 2010 AT THE SCHOOL BASEMENT BY 12:00 NOON. KINDLY BE IN ATTENDANCE.

EXCO MEETINGS EVERY TUESDAY BY 12:00 NOON AT THE NEWS ROOM

JSA hosts symposium

Journalism students' Association, LASU will holds a symposium comes the 10th day of June 2010 at the school campus.

The symposium with the theme :Democracy and Journalism will examine the roles of journalist in sustaining the eleven years old democracy of the country. it will also discuss the various developmental projects in the country with a bias for Lagos state.

Expected at the event is the Honourable commissioner for Information and strategy, Lagos state, Opeyemi Bamidele, Deputy Sunday Editor, The Nation newspaper, Wale Adeoye and Dr. Ade Dosumu among others.

Meanwhile a courtesy visit will be paid to the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Lagos secretariat on Tuesday, 15th June, 2010.

Mikel out, Brown in for Eagles

Mikel: I did it for Nigeria

John Mikel Obi has explained the decision to withdraw from this summer's World Cup, after pulling out of the Nigeria squad on Saturday.
The 23-year-old joined up late with the Super Eagles after minor knee surgery had cut short his Chelsea season, and the decision has now been taken to remove him from the 23-man squad.
'It is the same knee and I did not want to risk any further damage, also I think it is in the best interest of the team for me to withdraw rather than waste a slot,' explained the Chelsea man.
'I wish the team good luck and I know that they will surprise people,' he added.
While Mikel had fully recovered from his surgery and was rightly released for international duty, his knee's ability to cope with the full World Cup training load was slower than expected, therefore his withdrawal is a precaution against a longer term injury.

He has been replaced with Brown Ideye.

Ribadu back home

Ribadu back home

Self exiled former EFCC czar, Nuhu Ribadu returned to Nigeria on Friday from the United States of America.

Ribadu who fleed the country more than a year ago after surviving an assassination attempt, noted of his return, "I feel very great. I am happy to be back home". His lawyer, Mr Femi Falana added "Mr. Ribadu came back yesterday (Friday). He was received at the Lagos airport by his wife, children and well-wishers,"

Speculations have it that he may be appointed to President Goodluck Jonathan government soon.