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A Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on
Monday ordered that a Nigerian musician,
Adeyemi Fashola, popularly known as Naira
Marley should be arrested and arraigned over
alleged car theft.
The chief magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias,
ordered that the Investigating Police Officer
(IPO), Sgt. Sunday Idoko, handling the case
must present Naira Marley in court on the
next date of adjournment.

However, two of the musician’s brothers and
his cousins appeared in court over alleged
theft of a car and a cell phone.
The defendants, Idris Fashola, 18, Babatunde
Fashola, 24; and Kunle Obere, 22, are facing a
four-count charge bordering on conspiracy,
stealing, assault and obstructing the arrest of
Naira Marley.
The chief magistrate granted the three
defendants N500,000 bail with two sureties in
like sum.
He ordered the IPO to produce Naira Marley
before the court on Dec. 21, when the case
would be listed for further hearing.
The prosecutor, ASP Edet Okoi, told the court
that the three defendants committed the
offences on Dec. 16, at Eko Hotel Roundabout
on Victoria Island, Lagos.
He said that the trio who were in a motorcade
with Naira Marley, stole a Toyota Camry
vehicle with Registration No. FEE 120 AA
valued at N1.8 million and an IPhone X5 worth
N330,000 belonging to one Mr Adelekan
Ademola.
He added that the three defendants and others
at large assaulted the complainant by beating
him up.
Okoi alleged that the second defendant,
Babatunde Fashola and others at large
obstructed the police while performing their
lawful duty and prevented them from arresting
Naira Marley.
“One of the vehicles in the musiciaon’s
motorcade hit the complainant’s vehicle from
the back while he was throwing out money
from his vehicle to his fans.
” When the complainant came down from the
vehicle to inspect the damage, Obere entered
into the complainant’s Camry and drove it off
with the motorcade.
“Ademola reported to the police and the
vehicle was tracked to where it was parked at
Jakande Crescent, Oniru in Lagos.
“When the police arrived at the location in
company with the complainant, Naira Marley
and his boys started beating the complainant.
” A group of boys obstructed the police from
arresting the musician but they were able to
apprehend the three defendants,” he alleged.
He said that the offences contravened
Sections 112,172, 287 and 411 of the Criminal
Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the
bankers committee has said it will introduce a
reduced verification requirement of name and
phone number to onboard the over 37 million
excluded adult in the country.
The CBN Governor, Gowin Emefiele disclosed
this at the close of the 2019 bankers
committee retreat in Ogere, Ogun state.
Emefiele said: “We now have about 40 million
people on the BVN platform. We think that
because of the benefits of the BVN to bank
customers and the economy there is a need to
consolidate and move BVN to a new level,
something like 2.0.
“This entails for instance to reclassify and
segregate transactions that could be done on
BVN. We have two classifications. The existing
BVN that we have in the system has about 18
lines of information.We decided that we
classify into BVN premium and BVN lite.”
He further noted that if a customer is on BVN
lite, there would be a limit to the kind of
transactions the customer can do in terms of
deposit and in terms of loans.
Emefiele said: “The KYC is part of what we are
migrating into the BVN Lite. However, there are
people who are currently financially excluded,
like people in our rural communities that carry
phones, but not having financial services. With
the collaboration of NCC, we are putting this
BVN arrangement to allow them conduct
minimal financial services.”
The Governor said it should be possible to
migrate these people into the BVN lite
arrangement where they can conduct minimal
financial services, not just banking services,
but minimal financial services, “insurance and
anything you want to conduct in terms of
finance whether e-payment, or anything, you
can do it with the aid of your phone.”
He said: “ Now as you bring them into the
financial system, what it will do is that it will
help to increase our rate of financial inclusion
and reduce exclusion rate.

President Buhari had on October 8, 2019
presented a budget proposal of N10.33 trillion
tagged “Budget of Sustaining Growth and Job
Creation” for the Federal Government at the
Joint Session of the National Assembly in
Abuja.

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The Council of University of Abuja (UniAbuja)
has approved the sack of Professor Adeniji
Adedayo Abiodun of the Department of Animal
Science, Faculty of Agriculture over his
involvement in sex scandal with a female
student.
A statement signed by the Head, Information
and University Relations, Dr. Habib Yakoob,
said the Council, at its 85th Regular Meeting
held on Wednesday, 11th and Thursday, 12th
December, 2019, considered reports and
recommendations from its Disciplinary
Committee and approved the termination of
appointment of two Professors for various
acts of misconduct.
He said Professor Abiodun was dismissed for
inappropriate relationship with a female
student which is a misconduct of “scandalous
and disgraceful nature” as provided in Section
16, subsection 3(c) of the University of Abuja
Conditions of Service for Senior Staff (1999).
The statement said Professor Agaptus Buzo –
Chibuzo Orji of the Department of Science and
Environmental Education, Faculty of Education,
was also dismissed for “falsification of
academic records”, “aiding and abetting of
examination malpractice”, and also for
“Corruption and dishonesty.”
The Council also approved the demotion of Dr.
Robert Dajal, Department of Science and
Environmental Education, Faculty of Education
by a rank, from Associate Professor to Senior
Lecturer, and Mr. Gana Emmanuel Sunday
Defian, Department of Animal Science, Faculty
of Agriculture by two ranks, from Lecturer 1 to
Assistant Lecturer, for their complicity in
various acts of misconduct inimical to the
good image of the University.
“The University of Abuja wishes to restate its
commitment to high moral standards and
determination to take appropriate disciplinary
measures against any act of misconduct
perpetrated by its staff and/or students, in the
interest of justice and educational
development,” he said.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has reaffirmed
his government’s commitment to ensuring improved road
infrastructure in the state, noting that his administration is in
talks with the Federal Government to improve the
experience of commuters on the Benin-Lokoja Road during
the festive season.
Obaseki said this when he received some directors from the
Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, who paid him a
courtesy visit at the Government House in Benin City, the
Edo State capital.
Governor Obaseki said his administration is ready to
cooperate with the Ministry to ensure success in the
reconstruction of the road.
He further promised to sensitise those whose houses will
obstruct construction works, assuring that necessary
compensation will be considered.
The governor said, “The road alignment from Benin to
Okene is the main economic artery of Edo State because it
cuts across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Anything that happens to that road affects both the
economy and the administration.
“The poor condition of that road has also affected our
internal roads in the state because of the huge traffic that
goes through it. When the road is bad all other state roads
around it will be affected. It has been like that since the
construction of the road started in the last eight years.
“We are in a difficult and desperate situation in Edo State;
we are afraid of entering another raining season with that
road remaining in that state. Whatever can be done to
complete the critical alignment of that road will be
appreciated by the Edo State Government”.
Earlier, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji
Fashola said the Ministry will collaborate with the Edo State
Government to achieve their developmental objectives in
line with the ministry’s mandate on road construction.
The Minister who was represented by the Director, Highways
Roads Design, South-South at the Ministry of Works and
Housing, Engr. Oluropo Oyetade said the visit to Benin City
was to supervise the road design and brief the governor on
the effort of the Ministry in improving federal roads,
especially the Ekpoma stretch.
He said, “About one month ago, the Minister gave all four
contractors and the two Federal Comptroller of Works in
Edo and Kogi State a matching order to ensure that
rehabilitation work is done on the old alignment as
aggressive work is on-going in the four sessions of the
Federal road.
Our focus is on the two alignments in the four sessions of
the roads. The sessions include Lokoja-Okene; Okene-
Auchi; Auchi-Ehor and Ehor-Benin. All the four sessions of
the roads are receiving very aggressive work by the four
contractors and Federal Comptroller”.
Oyetade disclosed that the minister after several meetings
in the last two months, gave the directors in the four
departments in the federal highway to deliver at least one
alignment from Lokoja to Benin latest by June 2020.

Workers in Ogun State have announced the
commencement of a two- day warning strike on
Thursday to protest the failure of the state
government to negotiate the implementation of
the new minimum wage with them.
The workers , under the aegis of Organised
Labour in the state , said their colleagues in the
state and local government civil / public services
would proceed on the warning strike from
Thursday and Friday .

This was contained in a statement jointly
signed by the chairman of Trade Union
Congress , Olubunmi Fajobi , his counterpart in
the Nigeria Labour Congress , Bankole
Emmanuel ; Chairman , Joint National Congress ,
Folorunsho Olanrewaju , and the Coordinating
Secretary , Adebiyi Olusegun .
In the notice of strike sent to the governor and
obtained by our correspondent , the workers
threatened to embark on an indefinite strike by
January if the government failed to yield to
their demands after the warning strike .
The notice of indefinite strike reads in part ,
“ The Congress of Organised Labour in Ogun
State , today ( Monday) , after an exhaustive
deliberation and review of actions taken by its
leadership in getting the state government to
negotiations ’ table and the nonchalant attitude
thereon and also mindful of the directive of
national joint public service negotiation council
that all negotiations towards consequential
adjustment in the state must be concluded by
December 31 , 2019 , resolved that a two- day
warning strike would be embarked upon
starting from Thursday to Friday.
“ We must add that at the expiration of the
warning strike , if the state government fails to
respond to our demands , all workers in the
public service of Ogun State shall proceed on
an indefinite strike from January 2 , 2020 . ”

Senate will pass Buhari’s $29.96bn loan request – Lawan.
President of the Senate , Ahmad Lawan , on
Monday, confirmed that the red chamber would
approve the $29 . 96 bn loan request of the
President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari
( retd ) .
His position has therefore laid to rest ,
arguments by some Nigerians that the loan
request would be rejected just like the 8 th
Senate did in 2016 when it was first submitted
to the red chamber for approval .
Lawan , who addressed a press conference in
Abuja , however , assured Nigerians that the
National Assembly would ensure judicious
utilisation of the money .
The Senate President , who was responding to a
question on whether the Senate would approve
the loan or reject it like what happened three
years ago , confirmed in the affirmative .
He said , “ The question of whether we will pass
( approve ) the loan request of the Executive arm
of Government , yes, we will pass it . If we don ’ t
have money and you have projects to build
them, how will you provide infrastructure that
you need?
“ But one thing is that , we are going to be
critical that every cent that is borrowed is tied
to a project .
“ These are projects that will have spillover
effects on the economy and we will undertake
our oversight so well to ensure that such funds
are properly , prudently , economically and
transparently are applied on those projects . ”
Explaining why the request was rejected in
2016 by the Senate , Lawan said , “ In 2016 , the
Senate did not pass the loan request of the
Executive at that time and the reason was
because there were no sufficient details .
“ I want to inform this gathering and indeed
Nigerians that the letter conveying the loan
request of the Executive came with every
possible detail and in fact we will ensure that
we are getting the right information from the
Executive arm of Government . So, the situation
is not the same .
“ In 2016 , there were no submission of details .
This time , I think the Executive has learnt its
lesson and the letter came with sufficient
details .


“ Nothing will really militate against the passage
( of the bill) but we are going to be critical so
that every borrowed (amount ) is tied to a
project .
“ These are projects that will have spill over
effects on the economy and we will undertake
our oversight to ensure such money is
effectively efficiently prudently applied on
those projects . ”

Ex-Senate President, Nnamani still in APC, says Party

The Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress
( APC) Monday dismissed rumours making the rounds that
former Senate President, Ken Nnamani has concluded plans
to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP).
The party said on Monday there was no iota of truth in the
speculation.
An online media had recently reported that the former
Senate president and APC chieftain was making plans to
return to his former party (PDP).
But Dr Ben Nwoye, the chairman of APC in the state, said
those behind the rumour hate APC and restated that it was
falsehood.
Describing the former Senate President as a patriotic
Nigerian, Nwoye pointed out that the former number three
citizen worked hard for the reelection of President
Muhamadu Buhari in the last general election.
He recalled that when the former Senate President joined
the party, he spoke to the press and wondered why people
were speculating that he was defecting.
The Enugu APC chairman further recalled that Nnamani was
in charge of the Buhari Campaign in the entire South in the
last general election, noting that he saw to it that the party
succeeded in the South.
He, therefore, appealed to people especially the Igbos to
show some respect to our leaders before they make a
statement that tarnishes the image of our leaders.
Nwoye further advised people to consider the political
interest of the South and the overall interest of the country
as a whole before spreading falsehood.
He insisted that politics is not driven by falsehood and
character assassination, adding that Nnamani has the
capacity to communicate to the public about his political
position.
” He has remained an active and valuable member of the
APC whose reasoned opinion is highly valuable to the APC
both at the regional and National Level.
” Those who have orchestrated this falsehood should look
for positive means of channelling their energy. politics is not
driven by falsehood and character assassination” he said.

Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia
A yet-to-be-identified ex-Major-General of the Nigerian
Army has reportedly been arrested in Abia State for arms
dealing.This was disclosed by the State Commissioner of Police,
Ene Okon during the parade of suspects at the State
Command Headquarters, Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
Details later…

A cleric, Rev. Fr. Benson Irabor, has advised Nigerians to
see Christmas as a time to demonstrate love to others and
not a time to hike transport fares.
Irabor, serving in Iseluku Catholic Diocese, Delta, spoke with
the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the end of the annual
Christmas Carols of Nine Lessons held at Saints Joachim
and Anne Catholic church in Ijegun, Ikotun on Sunday night.
NAN reports that the carol was themed, “For unto us a Child
is born”.
According to the cleric, some people use the period to
extort Nigerians without any just cause, in the name of
festival season.
He said that the reason for the season was overtaken by
worldly pleasures and gains demonstrated by hike in goods
and transport fares, especially the inter-state transportation.
“Nigerians think Christmas should be a time to make excess
money through dubious means like tripling the cost of
goods and services.
” This is completely a wicked action by citizens; whether
fuel is increased or not, it has become a tradition.
“This act is completely against the reason for the season.
God’s mission for Christmas is to spread the spirit of love to
everyone who believes,” he said.
According to the parish priest in Ijegun, Rev. Fr. Andrew
Abhulime, Christians should emulate the virtues of sharing
good tidings with the needy and physically challenged
during the season.
He urged those who can afford it to share food and clothes
with the poor as a demonstration of love and care.
“Christ expects us to demonstrate our love for him by giving
alms, sharing food and clothes instead of buying excess
things for ourselves just to show off.
Also speaking to NAN, the music director, Mr Echie Israel,
an author and organist, told NAN that the season should
bring forth joy and hope, especially for the downtrodden.
Israel, also a lecturer in St. Albert the Great Major Seminary,
Abeokuta, said that carols are used to introduce the
celebration of Christmas joy to Christians.
“Choristers are instruments of this joy to the world as we
organise carols to usher in the Christmas, everyone should
be involved in spreading the message of joy and love and
not just business boom,” he told NAN.
NAN reports that the choirs in attendance included Royal
Opus Choral group, Igando, Regina Caeli choir, Isheri Osun,
Saint Brendan choir, Ifesowapo, Saints Peter and Paul choir,
Oke afa, and a host of renowned soloists.

 Police arrive scene of cult clash in Lagos.
The Police have arrived in the Surulere area of
Lagos state to restore normalcy over a
commotion that resulted in the clash of two
rival cult groups .
PUNCH had reported that there was a
commotion in the Pako and Aguda areas of
Surulere on Monday as two rival cult groups
clashed . Residents said they were confused
when they heard a cascade of gunshots .
See photos:

EFCC arraigns man for impersonating, defrauding Fashola.
Published December 16, 2019.
Oladimeji Ramon
The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission on Monday arraigned one Malik
Wakili for allegedly impersonating the Minister
of Works and Housing , Babatunde Fashola, and
defrauding the minister to the tune of N3 , 106,
216.
Wakili, who was arraigned before the Federal
High Court in Lagos , was said to have allegedly
committed the offence in March this year .
The EFCC told Justice C . J . Aneke that Wakili
conspired with one Abdullahi Umar , said to be
at large , “ to fraudulently impersonate Mr
Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN ), with intent to
gain a monetary advantage for themselves . ”
According to the EFCC , the defendant
“ converted the total sum of N3 , 106, 216 , being
the value of the Air- miles Skywards Account
Number EK 248739282 of Mr Babatunde with
the Emirate Airlines and which sum they
reasonably ought to have known formed part
the proceeds of their unlawful activity , to wit :
fraud . ”
The prosecution said Wakili acted contrary to
sections 15 (2 )( a ) and 27 ( 1) (b ) of the Money
Laundering ( Prohibition ) Act and was liable to
be punished under sections 15 (3 ) and 22 (3 ) (a )
of the same Act.
The defendant , however, pleaded not guilty to
the three counts pressed against him .
Justice Aneke adjourned till December 17 to
rule on the bail application filed on his behalf
by his lawyer , Eubena Anedu.
The counsel for the EFCC , Uduak Kufre , did not
oppose the bail application; he only urged the
judge to impose conditions that would ensure
that the defendant attended his trial .
The judge ordered that Wakili should be
remanded in the prison custody , pending the
ruling on his bail application.