A magistrate court in the federal capital territory (FCT) has sentenced a member of the house representatives, Victor Mela, to one-month in prison for perjury. 

Mela, who represents Billiri/Balanga federal constituency of Gombe state, was convicted for lying under oath in the CD001 INEC form he completed prior to the 2019 election.

FIND DOLLAR TO NAIRA EXCHANGE RATE ON ABOKI FX

The house of reps member claimed he did not have dual citizenship while in possession of a British passport which shows he is a citizen of Britain.

The court, however, gave him an option of fine.

VISIT ABOKIFX FOR ABOKI FOREX EXCHANGE RATE TODAY

The University of Lagos has postponed its 2020/2021 Post-UTME Screening exercise indefinitely.

The university management, which  had earlier announced that the screening would hold between Monday, November 30, and Saturday, December 12, 2020. However, on Thursday the postponement was made announced through a press statement titled ‘2020/2021 post-UTME: notice of postponement’, released on Thursday.

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN CHECK ABOKIFX EXCHANGE RATE TODAY IN NIGERIA TODAY?

The statement read, “The University wishes to inform all prospective candidates of the 2020/2021 Post-UTME Screening exercise earlier slated for Monday, November 30 to Saturday, December 12, 2020, that the screening has been postponed.

“New dates will be communicated as soon as possible. Any inconvenience occasioned by
this postponement is highly regretted.”

FOR GTBANK EXCHANGE DOLLAR TO NAIRA RATE TODAY VISIT ABOKIFX

This is the second time the exams are being postponed by the school management. The firsts time was when the post-UTME, which was initially slated for Wednesday, November 18 to Thursday, December 3, 2020, was rescheduled to hold from Monday, November 30 to Saturday, December 12, 2020.

The management of UNILAG had explained that the first postponement was due to a change in the date of the 2020 Senior School Certificate Examination of the National Examination Council.

It had said, “The exercise was rescheduled following the rescheduling of the 2020 SSCE of NECO.

“(It is also) in compliance with the directive from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) that all institutions should conduct their Post-UTME screening exercise after the completion of the 2020 NECO examination.”

FOR MORE BUSINESS NEWS, DOLLAR TO NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES, VISIT ABOKIFX

UNILAG postpones 2020/2021 post-UTME screening again

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday revoked the bail granted to Faisal Maina, the son of Abdulrasheed Maina.

The court then subsequently ordered his arrest for jumping bail in his trial on money laundering charges. Justice Okon Abang also ordered that Maina's  trial on money laundering charges would proceed in absentia pending the time the security agencies would be able to arrest and produce him in court.

Justice Abang also summoned Maina's surety, Sani Umar Dangaladima, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Kaura-Namoda Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, to appear in court to present reasons why he should not forfeit the N60m bail bond which he signed for Faisal.

The order for Faisal’s arrest came barely six days after the same court, on November 18, issued a similar order against his father, Abdulrasheed Maina, a former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reformed Task Team, who is facing separate N2.1bn money laundering charges before the court.

On Monday, Justice Okon Abang, sent Maina’s surety, Senator Ali Ndume, to jail for his inability to produce the fleeing defendant in court.

Earlier on Tuesday, following the judge’s November 18 ruling, Maina’s trial held in his absence with three prosecution witnesses testifying behind him and his legal team.

At the resumed hearing of Faisal’s trial on Tuesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s prosecution counsel, Mohammed Abubakar, said both the defendant and his surety had not attended court since June 24, 2020.

Abubakar therefore, applied the revocation of his bail and his arrest citing section 184 of the Administraton of Criminal Justice Act.
The prosecution also applied for the court to order his trial in absentia as provided by 352(4) of ACJA.

“My third application is for the issuance of summons on the surety, and for him to show cause why he should not forfeit the bail bond,” Abubakar added.

The judge granted the requests and adjourned the hearing till Wednesday.

Court orders arrest of Maina’s son, summons surety 

The Gombe State House of Assembly has swoen in Abubakar Luggerewo, representing Akko Central, as the 7th speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, replacing Ibrahim Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress.

It was gathered on Tuesday that Ibrahim Abubakar's removal and Abubakar Luggerewo's subsequent swearing in was done through voice votes by 16 members out of 24 members of the House of Assembly, comprising 20 APC and 4  PDP members.

INTERESTED IN CURRENCY CONVERSION RATES? CHECK OUT ABOKIFX EXCHANGE RATE TODAY IN NIGERIA TODAY!

Luggerewo, who is 36 years, was sworn in by deputy speaker, Siddi Buba, from Kwami West constituency.

A former deputy speaker, Shuaibu Adamu, announced the names of the 16 members and the motion of the impeachment which was moved by Saddam Bello, representing Funakaye constituency.

According to Buba, a member representing Balanga North, the decision to impeach Ibrahim Abubakar was a general consensus.

He said, “The former Speaker of the house was removed due to lack of confidence. We lost confidence in his leadership; and as a house, we are at liberty to change leadership. Once you lack confidence in someone then there has been a breach. We felt the best thing was to remove him and replace him with a brand new speaker.”

The majority leader, Samuel Markus, was also removed through a voice vote announced by Mustapha Usman representing Gombe south.

The speaker was replaced by Ladan Yerima, representing Kaltungo East Constituency.

The Deputy chief whip Yahaya Kaka was replaced with Saddam Bello, representing Funakaye constituency.

Gombe lawmakers ‘remove’ speaker, majority leader, and deputy chief whip

The United Kingdom Parliament will today debate a petition on End SARS protest.

The petition seeks sanctions against the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and security agencies for the killing of peaceful protesters in Lekki on October 20, 2020.

The request was created by a certain Silas Ojo and sought to get 100,000 signatures, the required number for lawmakers’ attention but it garnered more than 220,000 signatures.

The debate will touch on the excesses of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the October 20 Lekki shooting by the Nigerian Army.

It will be led by Theresa Villiers at the Westminster Hall between 6:00 pm and 7:30 pm.

A statement on the official website of the House of Commons Library said audiences will be able to watch online on the UK Parliament YouTube channel.

It further explained that if imposed, the restrictions will give the UK a powerful tool to hold accountable, those involved in heinous crimes against the Nigerian people.

Debates of this nature “allow for sanctions to be imposed on individuals and entities involved in serious human rights violations or abuses around the world.”

In October, the UK Government, through its Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, had admitted that it provided training and equipment to SARS. Duddridge had confirmed that the training took place between 2016 and 2020.

In a memo to Labour MP, Kate Osamor, Duddridge said SARS officers participated in training “designed to improve human rights, training on public finance, and community policing workshops”.

The notorious police unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has been implicated in countless cases of human rights abuses, extortion and extrajudicial killings.  This sparked a two week long protest with demonstrations held across the nation, calling for an end to police brutality.

UK parliament to debate sanctions against FG, Nigerian Army, Police

The younger brother of the Commissioner for Special Duties in Oyo State, Mrs Funmilayo Orisadeyi, in person of Mr Isaac Orisadeyi, has been killed by gunmen.

Isaac Orisadeyi, who was 45-year-old, was reportedly shot along Nihort-Idi-isin Road in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday.

Abokifx Gives You Dollars to Naira Exchange Rate

According to reports, the commissioner confirmed that two hospitals rejected the victim before he eventually gave up the ghost.

It was gathered that Isaac was on a commercial motorcycle on his way home from work around 8pm when the incident happened.

READ MORE ON ABOKIFX, Fuel price: Nigerians are paying for govt inefficiency- PANDEF

The gunmen were reportedly trying to snatch the motorcycle on which he rode, and pulled the trigger when Orisadeyi resisted them.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olugbenga Fadeyi, said the case is being investigated at the Eleyele Police Division, Ibadan.

Robbers kill Oyo commissioner’s brother

The reps from the Peoples Democratic Party in the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to handle issues arising from the recent #EndSARS protests with care and show respect for the youth.

The PDP caucus stated that in dealing with those arrested due to their involvement in the protests, the FG must follow all democratic principles. They also added that the rule of law must be observed in whatever measures the government wants to take against the protesters.

This was disclosed by the leader of the caucus, Kingsley Chinda, in a statement released on Tuesday, which was titled ‘Post-EndSARS Protest: ‘We Must Tread Carefully and Respect the Leaders of Tomorrow’, PDP Reps Caution FG…Call for Observance of Democratic Tenets, Rule of Law.’

According to Chinda,the caucus noted “with trepidation” that in the last few weeks, the media had been inundated with news reports of actions taken by the government against #EndSARS protesters and alleged supporters.

The statement partly read, “These actions, which include seizure of passports/travel documents, freezing of bank accounts, court orders sought and obtained by the government against citizens, de-registration of companies perceived to be supporters of #EndSars by the Corporate Affairs Commission and arrests and prosecution of some genuine protesters, show the insidious and ridiculous length the government has gone in muzzling the rights and freedoms of citizens, whose only offence is that they dared to speak truth to power and to a government that has become tone-deaf, on auto-drive and, of course, blind to the sufferings of Nigerians.

“Though it is the constitutional responsibility of government to maintain law and order, we believe that this purposive duty imposed by the Constitution must be discharged in a manner that accords respect for the rights of citizens and within the bounds of the rule of law. So far, the actions of the government speak volume of the way it continues to treat the citizens with disdain, stoking the flames of anarchy that would invariably devour the relationship between it and the citizens.

“When a government persists on the path of unreasonable and irrational actions, the tension that ensues between it and the citizens can only grow into civil resistance of citizens who consider it as an enemy and not partners in nation-building.

“We do hope that the government retraces its steps and engages our youths as partners and not dissidents that must be treated with scorn and discredited for voicing their opinions on the many unfortunate happenstances in our country. This government must free itself from fifth columnists bent on derailing our democracy.”

The PDP lawmakers further warned the government against muddling up the genuine agitation of the protesters with the subsequent hijacking of the protests by hoodlums.

#EndSARS: Be careful on clampdown, seizures, PDP Reps urge FG

The governor of Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu, has restricted the operation of commercial motorcycles, more popularly known as okada, in the state.

In the same vein, he also banned cars with unauthorised tinted glasses from plying the roads.

According to a statement released by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, his operators will henceforth operate between 6am and 6pm daily.

HAVE YOU READ THIS? Kwara plans to stop Saraki, other ex-governors’ pensions

The governor said the restriction became necessary following a spike in crime across the state.

“The Ondo State Government has noted with concern, the worrisome spike in crime rate across the State. In particular, security reports at the disposal of Government are considered signs deserving of serious attention. Specifically, the last week witnessed an unimaginable upsurge in robbery, kidnapping and in some cases, murder. This is no doubt, condemnable”, the statement read.

“Government, therefore, urges all security agencies to come out and confront this abhorrent development. Every necessary support in terms of both human and logistics aids shall be provided to ensure the safety of residents within the State.

“As a Government, one major responsibility is the provision of security as well as protection of lives and property. In this regard, measures aimed at achieving such goals are the least Government can enunciate.

“Consequently, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN has directed with immediate effect that all commercial motorcycle operators, otherwise known as Okada, are to, henceforth, operate within the hours of 6am and 6pm. In other words, none in this category shall operate beyond 6pm in the evening. Anyone found flouting this directive shall have his motorcycle impounded.

“That all vehicles with unauthorized tinted glasses are hereby banned from plying the roads. Every such vehicle without a duly certified permit issued by a relevant security agency shall be impounded.

Akeredolu asked residents of the state to provide useful information about criminal elements to security agencies.

Akeredolu restricts operation of okada in Ondo over insecurity

The governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has said he will set the ball rolling to ensure that the law that awards pension to all former governors and their deputies that have served in the state is repealed.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, on Friday.

The governor stated that he would initiate a bill to the State House of Assembly to repeal the law that former governors and their deputies be paid pension.

HAVE YOU READ THIS? Petrol may climb to N168 as PPMC increases depot rate to N155

The Kwara State House of Assembly in 2011 passed a bill to pay pensions to governors and their deputies who have completed their tenure in the state.

Some of the past governors of the state include the late Mohammed Lawal, Bukola Saraki, and Abdulfatah Ahmed.

The statement read in part, “Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq will next week send a bill to the State House of Assembly requesting the lawmakers to immediately repeal the law awarding pension packages to former governors and former deputy governors.

“The Governor has listened to voices of the majority of the citizens opposing the pension law for former governors and deputy governors. In line with his campaign mantra and as a product of democracy himself, he will be sending a bill to the House of Assembly next week requesting them to repeal the law.

“As representatives of the people, the lawmakers would exercise their discretion to call a public hearing on the topic to further harvest wider opinions on the topic.

“However, the Governor feels it is time for the law as it is to give way. He would rather commit scarce public funds to tackle the question of poverty and youth unemployment.”

Kwara plans to stop Saraki, other ex-governors’ pensions

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to ensure the enrolment of corps members in the National Health Insurance Scheme.

This was disclosed by the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, on Monday. He also added that the NYSC has intensified liaison efforts with security agencies to ensure the security of corps members wherever they are serving in the country.

Ibrahim made this known during a media chat with Bureau Chiefs, Media Executives, and Correspondents in Abuja.

According to him, with the annual mobilisation of over 300,000 corps members, the NYSC no doubt, “remains the most critical platform for mentoring Nigerian youths as drivers of national unity and development.”

VISIT ABOKIFX FOR GTBANK EXCHANGE DOLLAR TO NAIRA RATE TODAY

“I wish to use this opportunity to again express our gratitude to the security agencies and other stakeholders for their support. Furthermore, the scheme has concluded arrangement with the NHIS for the enrolment of corps members into the NHIS in line with a presidential directive. We have also expended huge resources on critical health needs of corps members, including footing of medical bills,” Ibrahim added.

INTERESTED IN POUNDS TO NAIRA? VISIT ABOKIFX

Buhari directs compulsory health insurance for corps members

The Kano State Hisbah Board has destroyed 1,975,000 bottles of different beer worth over N200m, which were confiscated within Kano metropolis.

During the destruction exercise which held in Kalebawa in the Dawakin Tofa LGA, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Nasiru Gawuna, said that the consumption of alcohol and all other intoxicants was forbidden in Islam.

In addition, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Hassan Fagge released a statement in which Ganduje was quoted as saying, “We have banned the consumption of beer in all parts of Kano state.”

Ganduje also added that the Hisbah Board was established with the aim of preventing evil social acts in society.

Furthermore, in the statement, the Commander General of the Hisbah Board, Sheikh Harun Ibn Sina, was quoted as saying that the beer confiscated was worth over N200m.

He further said that the board got a court order to destroy over 20 trucks of the intercepted alcohol.

Ibn Sina expressed appreciation for the support given to them by the government, and assured the governor that the board would not relent in the “fight against immoral acts and other social vices destroying society.”

Hisbah confiscates, destroys beer worth N200m in Kano

The senate committee on federal character and intergovernmental affairs has asked state house officials to stop President Muhammadu Buhari from going on medical trips abroad.

Tijjani Umar, the statehouse permanent secretary, defended the statehouse 2021 budget on Thursday. Umar said N19 billion was budgeted for the statehouse in 2021 out of which N1.3 billion was proposed for the state house clinic.

In 2017, the president spent over 150 days in the UK, treating an undisclosed ailment. Buhari returned to the UK for four days in May 2018 to see his doctor.

Danjuma Laah, senator representing Kaduna south and the panel chairman, while speaking with journalists after the budget defence session, said the president must be first treated in Nigeria before he is taken out of the country.

“Our president is not a man to be taken out anytime or anything that happens to him on sickness matter,” the Kaduna senator said.

“He must attend our clinic here and we must make sure that we equip our hospital to the best of our ability so that any emergency will be first taken care here before flying him out if the need arises.

“It is already approved [N1.3 billion for state house clinic]. I want this thing done and I want the credit to go to the whole committee – leave a legacy for the statehouse, that the clinic we requested was done within the shortest time.”

However, Umar denied claims that the Aso Rock clinic is in a “comatose” state.

“It is not correct to say the statehouse clinic is in comatose, it is not. We have realigned some many things and one of the fundamental challenges we have dealt with is the sustainable supply of drugs and consumables. Don’t forget that this is derived from the budget,” the permanent secretary said.

“We have appealed to the committee to assist us with the presidential wing of the statehouse clinic.

“The N1.3 billion is absolutely inadequate when you juxtapose the amount proposed and the labour – the status of the principals that that project is going to serve, and you compare with worldwide standards you see that it is not anything near what we need.”

It will be recalled that in 2017, there had been reports that the Aso Rock clinic did not have paracetamol and other basic medical supplies.

Stop going abroad for medical trips: Senate panel to Buhari 

Nigerian newspapers,on one page.

Court Jails Rep Member for Lying