CRIME WAVE IN KOGI

Crime Wave: Kogi State Government Harps on Job Creation

 

Governor Idris Wada


With increasing cases of violent crimes in Kogi State, the Governor Idris Wada-led administration recently introduced a new programme that has made it possible for the teeming unemployed youths in the state to acquire new skills, writes Shola Oyeyipo

At nightfall in Kogi State citizens fear the terror of the night. Aptly described as a confluence state, the fear of terror now makes citizen of a revered ‘confluence state’ to huddle together in fear day and night. This, the state governor, Idris wada is rolling up his sleeve to put at bay. He is creating job to stem crime wave.

With six tertiary institutions across the state churning out graduates every year, there is a growing rate of youth unemployment. A trip round the length and breadth of the state reveals the quantum of able-bodied young men and women in Lokoja, Koton-Karfe, Kabba, Mopa, Egbe, Ankpa, Idah, Ayingba, Ogori-Magongo, Okene, Ajaokuta and several other parts of the state who are seeking the non-existing job opportunities.

While acknowledging that there is youth unemployment and reiterating the disposition of the administration to the issue of gainfully employing the youths in the state, the Special Adviser to governor on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, enthused, “The government of Captain Idris Wada is leaving no stone unturned to create jobs and make the youth economically independent.”

THE LAW OF COURTMARTIAL

Court Martial: Law and Practice in the Armed Forces of Nigeria by A.I. Omachi, A.I. Omachi & Co., Kaduna (2012)

09 Sep 2012

Views: 644

Font Size: a / A

military law made simple

By Yinka Olatunbosun
Perhaps, one of the areas of legal practice that falls outside the spotlight of academic research until recently is found in the criminal justice administration and trial procedure in the Nigeria Armed Forces. One factor responsible for this is that over the years, court martial trials had been marked with seeming fear and trepidation which may have been connected with the prolonged military rule in Nigeria. Democracy has, however, changed the attitude and litigations in the area have become more frequent. Another factor is that court martial proceedings are often restricted from the public and journalists are often barred from reporting from the court. The martial court has thus earned a mystified position in history with the imaginary “Military Zone-Keep Off” signpost.

Still, legal practitioners have had to grapple with the dearth of legal text materials on court martial and summary trial proceedings in the Nigerian Armed Forces. The author thus wrote this book to fill the void created in the learning and practice of military law by providing in-depth information on a wide range of issues. Having been called to bar in 2002, Omachi was posted to 1 Division Headquarters Legal Service Department, Kaduna during his National Youth Service programme. This was where he first ventured into court martial proceedings at a general court martial convened by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division , Nigerian Army and since then had participated in several court martial proceedings.

LAGOS TRAFFIC LAW

Traffic Law: Lagos Ready for Enforcement

 

Governor Babatunde Fashola

As the Lagos State Government steps up effort to commence the enforcement of the new road traffic law, almost all transport operators across state have come to terms with the new law. But, Governor Babatunde Fashola advocates voluntary compliance with the new regime. Gboyega Akinsanmi writes

He never thought he could run out of luck, rather Mr. Samson Adebiyi simply thought another business opportunity had come his way, from which he could make some money. He was apparently excited when Mr. Semiu Ambali, an unsuspecting IT consumer, approached him again to buy another handset, barely twenty-four hours after he bought the first one.

Only last Monday, the Lagos State Government more strikingly expressed readiness to commence enforcement of its newly enacted road traffic law amid increasing public support. Early this week too, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) threw its weight behind the new regime, which its national executives led by Mr. Umaru Yasin visited Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Also penultimate week, all Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Community Development Committees (CDCs) pledged their support to ensure effective enforcement of the new regime, which their leaders said, would help stem the spate of motorcycle-related robbery in the state. Among others, residents’ associations too, though apprehensive about its enforcement, said a megacity without such a traffic law “depicts a bad order”.

Even before they approached an Ikeja High Court on Monday, Association of Okada Operators in the state unflinchingly gave their backing to the state government, thereby pledging to duly observe the new regime, to which Fashola assented August 2.

But their song changed the morning after the okada riders pledged their support at a stakeholders’ meeting, which was specifically organised to sensitise and enlighten them.

Beyond various meetings it had organised with critical stakeholders across the 20 local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs), the state government has been using a multi-pronged approach first to create more awareness about the law and second to inculcate a new culture of road usage in all motorists and road users.

VISA WAHALA

Torture, Frustration of Visa Applicants at VFS Centre in Abuja

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/torture-frustration-of-visa-applicants-at-vfs-centre-in-abuja/124557/

Embassy environment or Visa applicants


Nigerians applying for South African visa face untold hardship at VFS visa application centre in Abuja. Damilola Oyedele writes
Clutching office folder in one hand and a back pack housing her laptop computer and other documents needed for the day’s business, Clement Etuk, a young professional arrived at the gate of VFS global in Abuja brimming with hope. With a broad smile, he alighted from the car that brought him, but in a quick turn of events, he became unsettling at the ugly scene that greeted his arrival. He muttered few words. “Nigerians are back to the dark days of visa processing”, he said.

Etuk had arrived at the VFS global located on plot 1901, hillside plaza, Yakubu Gowon way, Asokoro to process a visa to South Africa, only to realise Nigerians are facing unkind treatment in the hands of Indians managing visa application on behalf of foreign Embassies in the country.

A fuming Etuk did the obvious: let out a rage, shouting to the high heavens, “When will this stop. We can’t be second citizens in our own country”.

Sure, for a long time, the process for visa application in the country has been one of the most harrowing experiences for many Nigerians. Indeed, to obtain a visa to any country was considered a personal achievement for many Nigerians; most of whom had to part with huge sums of money in a black market arrangement to secure the visas.

This, analyst blamed on the extent of stress that Nigerians were subjected to by many embassies operating in the country. For instance, applicants in the past usually had to travel from their locations to the major cities like Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and in some cases Kano or Kaduna, to be able to submit their applications and attend visa interviews. If the applicant does not have any relation or friend in the major city, he has to lodge in a hotel.

 

bloody sunday as robbers kill seven

Bloody Sunday as Robbers Kill Seven in Lagos Raid

 

IGP, Mohammed Abubakar

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Robbers Sunday launched multiple attacks on various targets in Lagos, leaving in their trail, deaths and sorrow. Seven persons, including three policemen, were shot dead in the raids on targets in Ojodu, Ikeja, Surulere and Agege, among others. Those who were lucky among the victims, including a year-old baby, Taiye, were left with varying degrees of injuries.

The robbers had first struck at a bureau de change in Gbagada area before moving on to Ojodu and Ikeja. Another gang was believed to have launched attacks on targets around Anthony, Oshodi, Itire, Agege, Bariga, Ilasamanja and Adelabu Street in Surulere.

In what looked like well-coordinated attacks, the robbers held the citizenry of the state in different areas to ransom while the operations lasted. It could, however, not be confirmed if the robbers were of the same or different gangs.

THISDAY gathered that the armed gang had successfully looted the bureau-de-change after shooting some people. The volley of bullets from the robbers scared residents away from the streets while the operation lasted. The terror-struck residents resorted to using the social media network, especially twitter, Facebook and blackberry messages to announce the attacks and to warn others against coming into the neighbourhood.

It was also gathered that in their attempt to make a successful get-away with their loot, the robbers had engaged a patrol team of the RRS with registration number 5251 which they met at Guinness Bus Stop, Oba Akran Road, Ikeja, in a gun duel which resulted in the death of two police officers.

Eyewitness accounts said the robbers outgunned the police officers because they took them unawares. According to an eyewitness simply identified as Akin, the RRS patrol vehicle was not aware that the SUV that was driving by had armed robbers in it and so were not prepared for the onslaught of gunfire that greeted their approach.

However, another report said the robbers opened fire on the RRS team when the policemen were pursuing them. According to eyewitnesses, the police team were pursuing the robbers when both sides engaged in a gun duel at Guinness Bus Stop.

Another gang, which operated on a motorcycle at Anthony Bus Stop on the Ikorodu Expressway, was said to have shot a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) official identified as Sosan on both legs.

Confirming the shooting of the official, the Public Relations Officer, LASTMA, Bola Ajao, said the official was responding to treatment at an undisclosed hospital where he was rushed to for treatment.