Month: April 2024

A Moroccan has been accused of knifing a pensioner to death in a UK street apparently in ‘revenge’ for the Israel-Palestine conflict was turned down for asylum in Germany, his housemate told investigators.

Ahmed Alid, 45, attacked sleeping Christian convert Javed Nouri at their shared accommodation in Wharton Terrace, Hartlepool.

This happened day after the Hamas attacked last October, Teesside Crown Court has heard.

Nouri, 31, managed to fight him off in spite of being stabbed six times.

He said, Ahmed fled into the town centre where he fatally stabbed Terence Carney, 70, jurors have heard.

The prosecution has said he was to tell police he stabbed the two men in revenge for what he believed to be the killing of children by Israel.

Nouri, via a farsi interpreter, told police he had moved into the Home Office-approved accommodation around three months before the attack.

He said he realised ‘this man was extreme in his religion’ and was a strict Muslim.

Nouri challenged him about why Alid came to the U
K and not to a Muslim country if he did not like how people lived.

Nouri told the police: ‘He told me his family is in Germany and they did not give me asylum there ‘that’s why I came here’.

He said ‘I am waiting to get a decision for my asylum and to bring them over here.

‘I responded that I pray for you so you can bring your family here because it is difficult to be away from your family.’

Nouri said Alid challenged the housemates over beer that had been left in the fridge, saying it should not be in the house.

He told police: ‘I realised he was an extreme Muslim, in his religion alcohol consumption is not good.’

Nouri said he saw Alid had started to routinely carry a knife and was scaring the other housemates.

He went to the housing bosses and told them of his concerns about Alid, particularly given that Nouri had ‘changed his religion’.

Nouri said he also contacted the Home Office with his worries about Alid.

He told detectives: ‘I told them that we are not safe here. He could attack us at any mo
ment.’

Nouri said he told a friend from church about what was happening, and twice told police about what Alid was doing.

Housing bosses warned Alid he would lose his accommodation if his behaviour continued, Nouri said.

Nouri said he saw Alid one night in the shared kitchen watching coverage of the Hamas attacks on his phone.

‘He was looking at the Hamas and Israel war and the fact that Hamas was killing Israelis and they are cutting children’s heads off and killing wives and shooting them,’ Nouri said.

‘He was sitting on the kitchen chair and checking the news on his mobile phone.

‘He was laughing and every time they would kill somebody he would praise God.’

Nouri spoke to a housemate and asked: ‘How could somebody be happy with seeing humans getting killed?

He told police: ‘I was very upset from that night and I have seen something terrible and frightening in his eyes.’

Alid denied murdering Carney, attempted murder and two counts of assaulting detectives after he was arrested. The trial continues
.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government says measures are being put in place to restore oil production in view of recent concerns regarding shortfall in oil production in Nigeria in the first quarter of 2024.

Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minster of State for Petroleum Resource (Oil) said this in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Nneamaka Okafor, on Friday in Abuja.

He said the Federal Government was actively engaged in policy evolution aimed at maximising the utilisation of all available wells in Nigeria.

The minister clarified that the oil production shortfall was primarily due to issues encountered on the Trans Niger Pipeline, coupled with maintenance activities carried out by some oil companies operating in Nigeria.

‘In response to recent concerns regarding a shortfall in oil production in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2024, measures are being taken to address the situation to, not only restore production to previous levels, but to also increase it.

‘The issues have been adequately addre
ssed, and production is expected to return to its previous levels in the coming days,’ the minister said.

Lokpobiri said Nigeria’s oil production, including condensate, which was approximately 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) prior to these developments, would soon be restored.

‘Furthermore, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is actively engaged in policy evolution aimed at maximising the utilisation of all available wells in Nigeria.

‘This strategic approach will enable the country to ramp up production, thereby generating vital revenue to stabilise the nation’s foreign exchange reserves.

‘The increased revenue will also empower the government to fulfill its commitments in providing essential infrastructure, as outlined in the 2024 budget,’ he said.

He further assured of renewed hope as Nigeria navigates through these challenges.

He urged all to remain committed to ensuring the sustainability and growth of Nigeria’s oil sector, which plays a crucial role in driving the nation’s economy.

The Monthly
Oil Market Report (MOMR) for April 2024, released by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) had revealed that the country’s oil production recorded a second consecutive decline since the beginning of 2024.

The OPEC MOMR indicated that the country produced 1.322 million barrels per day of crude in February 2024 but this dropped to 1.231mbpd in March, representing a decline of 91mbpd.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) employee, Mr Monday Osazuwa, on Friday told an Ikeja Special Offences Court how the former apex bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, on different occasions, directed him to collect three million dollars cash in tranches.

Osasuwa, while being led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), said he was a dispatch rider in Zenith Bank in 2001 before he joined the CBN in 2014.

Osasuwa said he joined the apex bank as a senior supervisor in 2014.

He said Emefiele was the Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc while he was working as a dispatch rider in the bank.

The witness said he knew Emefiele, who was his boss, while in Zenith Bank and that he later joined him at the CBN.

The witness said he was later appointed as a senior supervisor (full time) in recording and filing of documents while working in the CBN governor’s office in Lagos.

‘I was still working in the CBN governor’s office while I was appointed as a full staff mem
ber and we usually communicated through Whatsapp and email.

‘I function as a senior supervisor, recording and filing with other official roles.

‘I recall that in 2020, when he was outside Lagos, he called me that he would give me a number that a man had something I should collect from him and that the man would give me the number of another person.

‘When I got to the man’s office, I was given an envelope. I counted the money and the man said I should give it to my boss,’ he said.

The witness further told the court that the first defendant used to collect money by himself anytime he was in Lagos but anytime the defendant was not around, he would tell him to give the money to the second defendant.

Osazuwa added that Emefiele sent him to MINL Ltd. when he was with Zenith Bank.

‘This company is situated at Isolo, the first defendant did send me to collect cheques from the company from Mr Monday and when I collected the cheque from Mr Monday, I would give it back to Emefiele and he would lodge the money i
nto Dumies Oil and Gas.

According to him, Emefiele’s co-defendant, Henry Isioma-Omoile, lived in the residence of the former CBN governor.

He stated that when he collected money for his boss, he would take it to his residence at Iru Close, Ikoyi.

‘Whenever I received the money and take it to my boss’s residence, Mr Emefiele would tell me to give it to the second defendant whenever he was not at home.

‘I did not keep a record of transactions because the instruction he gave me was that I should collect the money and bring the money to his house.

‘The highest amount I collected was one million dollars all in cash and some weeks later, the businessman also called me to collect $850,000, $750,000 and $400,000 cash in tranches.

‘I have never been rewarded, paid or given anything because I am doing it out of faithfulness and he knows it but he has never for once said, ‘take this’,’ he said.

Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Mr Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, the witness confirmed to the court that he ha
d been working with the defendant since 2002.

According to the witness, Emefiele passed instructions to him through the second defendant and that he had been collecting cheques for Dumies Oil and Gas.

He, however, told the court when he was made to confront the second defendant during investigation but the second defendant failed to admit it.

‘I started collecting cheques for Dumies Oil and Gas when I was in Zenith Bank.

‘I cannot calculate the exact year I have been collecting the cheques but it all started when the first defendant was the Managing Director at Zenith Bank and I was working at Zenith Bank,’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EFCC on April 8 arraigned Emefiele on 23 counts bordering on abuse of office, accepting gratifications, corrupt demand, receiving property fraudulently obtained and conferring corrupt advantage.

Emefiele’s co-defendant was arraigned on three counts bordering on acceptance of gift by agents.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the
charge.

Earlier, Oshodi had declined the oral application for adjournment moved twice by the defence counsel.

The judge adjourned the case until April 29 for trial and hearing of application for closed-session.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has inaugurated the ‘Environmental Regeneration Briquette Project’, to ensure a better environment and address the economic challenges of Nigerians.

Kaigama while inaugurating the project said it would provide eco-friendly alternatives to firewood, targeting households struggling with harsh economic conditions, in Sheda, Kwali, FCT.

He said the project has the potential to reduce emissions and pollution, urging everyone to participate in environmental conservation.

He emphasised the project’s importance in protecting and preserving the environment, noting its significant impact on households and the broader community.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that briquette production plant project is the initiative of Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), a Catholic Church NGO and funded by Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD).

Earlier, the Chairman, JDPC, Mr Josephat Abaagu, expressed gratitude to CAFOD for
its funding support, highlighting the project’s focus on environmental sustainability and community empowerment.

According to him, the project is aimed at empowering women, youth, and parishes within the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja and beyond by providing sustainable energy sources.

Abaagu said the importance of empowering marginalised groups and creating economic opportunities could not be over emphasised.

‘This project is not just about producing eco-friendly charcoal but about empowering women, youth, and perishes within Archdiocese of Abuja and beyond.

‘By providing alternative sustainable sources of energy, we are not only reducing the strains on our environment but also creating economic opportunities for marginalised groups in the society.

‘Through this project, we aimed to provide training, resources, and support to enable our women and youth to participate actively in the production and marketing of briquettes charcoal,’ he said

Abaagu said this would not only improve their livelihoods but al
so foster a sense of ownership and pride in their contribution to environment conservation.

He called for collaboration and support from stakeholders to ensure the project’s success, urging everyone to work towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Giving an overview of the project, Mr Timothy Ejeh, the Programmes Director, JDPC, said the project was the organisation’s commitment to social justice and human dignity, particularly focusing on empowering women and youth.

He said the project, ‘Livelihood Support and Environmental Regeneration through the use of Eco-Friendly Briquettes Project seeks to improve livelihoods and reduce reliance on traditional biomass fuels.

The project, in partnership with CAFOD, would address the rising demand for fire wood in Nigeria through the production of briquettes from bio-waste materials.

Ejeh, who said the project’s deliverables, included a reduction in conventional fuel use and improved livelihoods for vulnerable populations, called for support from stakeholder
s to ensure its success.

‘This project will provide economic opportunities and promote environmental sustainability, and we have two machines, one locally made which will be producing this briquettes charcoal for our consumption (market).

‘The two machines have the capacity to produce 200,000 briquettes charcoal daily. This is to tell you that we are market ready.

‘We also introduced what is called ‘Cash for trash’. That’s when you provide us with raw materials to be used to produce these briquettes, and there’s going to be 65 per cent reduction in our supply to you,” he said.

Ejeh said when the project started earlier; the raw materials were available and almost free.

He said later people discover what it was meant for, which lead to price increase, and accessing it becomes difficult, hence the introduction of the ‘Cash for trash’ project

While saying that the stoves were also available and were in different sizes and amounts, Ejeh urged Nigerians to make use of this golden opportunity, adding that it
was cheaper compared to gas.

A representative from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Michael Adegboye, said that this project would not only provide a source of livelihood to many people but also help in climate change mitigation.

‘Obviously, this is a good way to join hands with the government in rural socio-economic development, which is an aspect of my ministry’s mandate.

‘Similarly, the project will help reduce environmental degradation, which is necessary for improved agricultural production.

‘I therefore enjoin the beneficiaries of this important project to make judicious use of it and ensure its proper maintenance.

‘I want you to know that the Federal Government is doing everything possible to ensure that there is food on the table of Nigerian citizens,’ he said

On his part, Mr Kelechi Emeh, the Country Representative, CAFOD, appreciated the inauguration of briquette production plant.

He noted that this would help in mitigating the use of unsustainable practices such as deforesta
tion and inefficient burning techniques which have led to widespread air pollution and health hazard.

‘This event marks a milestone in addressing the growing concern about the environmental impact of the traditional charcoal production methods and underscores the efforts of CAFOD in ending this menace.

‘In response to these challenges, CAFOD funded and supported the development of this safe briquettes charcoal as a sustainable alternative that offers a promising solution for a cleaner and healthier future,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Malian political parties and civil society groups on Thursday jointly rejected the ruling junta’s order to suspend political activities and vowed to mount a legal challenge to what one opposition politician called the ‘dictatorial’ move.

The West African country has been under military rule since a coup in 2020.

Tensions have risen in recent weeks, leading major parties and other organisations jointly to call out the junta on March 31 for not scheduling elections within the promised time frame.

The authorities issued a decree on Wednesday suspending until further notice all activities by political parties and groups on the grounds of maintaining public order.

Joining forces again, the parties and civil society groups said they were astonished by the decision and called it a ‘serious violation of democratic freedoms’.

The signatories to the declaration said they rejected the decree and would challenge it in court and refuse to participate in any government activity, including ongoing national talks.

The
y ‘will resist and will triumph’, the declaration said.

Earlier on Thursday, the authorities doubled-down on the decree, ordering television, print, and other media in Mali to stop broadcasting or publishing reports on the activities of political parties and groups.

‘This decree has surprised and shocked all republicans’, said Boubacar Toure, vice-president of the Rally for Mali (RPM) party of ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Toure said he thought the Constitutional Court should rule on the issue, but others called for more direct action.

In an online post titled ‘DICTATORIAL DRIFT’, senior opposition politician Housseini Guindo said it was time for ‘our people to resist this ignominy and initiate civil disobedience until the fall of the illegal and illegitimate regime’.

Mali’s current junta seized power in a second coup in 2021 and later promised to restore civilian rule by March 2024 following elections in February of this year.

However, the authorities said last September they would indefinit
ely postpone the February elections for technical reasons, deepening concerns about democratic backsliding in West and Central Africa, where there have been eight coups over the past four years.

‘We call on Mali’s transition government to honour its commitments to its citizens and hold free and fair elections’, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Thursday, expressing deep concern about the suspension of political activities.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has called on communities in and around Omu-Creek, in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, to support the government in achieving the construction of Omu-Creek Road and bridge.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, made the appeal at a stakeholders’ meeting on the construction of the first phase of the project, on Friday in Lagos.

Olumide, represented by Mr Oluwole Sotire, Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, said that the Omu-Creek Road project was one of the many great examples of the infrastructure improvements of the state government.

According to him, this aligns with the goals outlined in Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Agenda as he believes that this new road will improve connectivity and the economy of the area.

He said, ‘ As we deepen our developmental efforts in your local government area, it is important that all hands must be on deck to ensure the successful takeoff and complet
ion of the Omu-Creek Road project to enhance connectivity and vastly improve the socio-economic development of the state.

‘To this end, I urge members of the communities in and around Omu Creek Road(Phase1) as well as the entire Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State to give their unalloyed support to the people that will be involved in the project.

‘The support should also include staff of the Office of Physical Planning and Lands Bureau, who shall have to establish and deliver the Right of Way, and respectively carry out enumeration of affected property for the project to birth successfully.

‘And produce the expected benefits of improved transportation and interconnectivity within the state while also enhancing property value among others.”

Olumide emphasised that public infrastructure like roads were collective assets which belong to everyone in the community.

He said that it was the responsibility of everyone to ‘monitor and protect’ these public assets, including the new road to be con
structed.

The commissioner promised that the government would take all necessary steps to finish the project on time, adding that it would try its best to minimise any disruptions caused by the construction.

He acknowledged that some structures might need to be removed to make way for the road, noting that this removal would only happen if absolutely necessary for the project.

He promised that any property affected would be compensated according to the rules.

The Special Adviser, Works and Infrastructure, Lagos state, Mr Olufemi Daramola, congratulated the communities in and around the axis and convinced them of the project’s benefits and why they should support it.

He noted that the project aligned with Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s development plan, emphasising the government’s focus on infrastructure.

Daramola assured the community that the upcoming wet season would not be a problem for commuters, suggesting improvements compared to the past.

He encouraged residents to appreciate the governor’s efforts in develo
ping the area, emphasising that the project followed the state’s long-term development strategy.

Daramola, who highlighted the project’s significance, said it had the potential to increase property value in the area.

He requested the community’s cooperation for the success of the project, saying this is presented as the beginning of further development initiatives in the area.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Infrastructure, Mr Lateef Somide, while discussing the project brief, noted that the road, about 600 metres bridge length, would open up the creek and improve economic activity of that corridor.

He said that the road would be in two sections and would have pavements of 3.65 metres each just like what is being done presently in Lekki-Epe expressway.

He said, ‘ So it tells you that, that particular road will have nothing less than over 50 years life span upon completion and economic activities on that road will be enhanced.”

Mr Tomilola Olatinwo, Project Consultant, Advanced Engineering Consultant
s, explained some of the challenges and considerations that would go into the designing of the project.

He revealed that the soil around the creek was weak and would require special attention, adding that there was a need to build a very strong foundation, possibly going down 60 to 70 meters, to account for this.

Olatinwo also said that due to the difficult soil conditions, the project would be more expensive than usual.

The consultant said that the road was designed to have a three-lane carriageway on each side of the road, including the bridge to handle the expected traffic volume in that area.

The Project Director, Zakhia Bozhouny, Craneburg Construction Company, promised that the construction work on the Omu-Creek road project would be of the highest quality.

He said that the company would use the best materials and construction methods to build a road that is durable, safe, and functional.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stakeholders at the meeting appealed to the state government for
fair compensation for their loss and fair treatment during the construction process.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria