P14 STORIES

P14 STORIES

Shiites: Commission receives 100 memos

From Andrew Agbese, Kaduna

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the clashes between the Nigeria Army and members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria has received not less than 100 memoranda from the public in its bid to investigate what led to the clash.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State had on the 29th of January inaugurated the commission to investigate the December 12 clash between the Army and the Shiites.

Secretary of the commission Dr. Bala Babaji said in an interview with our correspondent that the Nigerian Army had submitted a memo to the commission but that the Islamic Movement was yet to submit any, though he said the movement had sent a legal representative to the commission.

“They have not submitted a memo but they have sent a lawyer, and from the cooperation the commission is receiving from them, it is likely they will make a submission to the commission before the February 23 closing date,” Babaji said.

The Islamic movement initially gave conditions for appearing before the commission, one of which is the release of its leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-zakzaky from detention.

Dr. Babaji said the 100 memos so far received are mainly from concerned individuals, groups and organizations in the state.

The commission had initially set a February 16 deadline for the submission of memos but had to extend it by a week to the 23rd and will start public hearing on the 22nd.

No BVN, no salary; Wike tells civil servants.

From Victor Edozie, Port Harcourt.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike said yesterday that only civil servants with proven Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) will receive salaries beginning February, just as the state government moves to determine the actual number of staff in its employment.

The governor who spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt when the Governing Council of the Rivers State Science and Technology (RSUST) paid him a courtesy call, said that the monthly wage bill of the state government stands at N7billion while the monthly pension bill stands at N1.4 billion.

He said, “This month, if you don’t submit your BVN and physically identify yourself, you will not be paid . If only 20 staff have their BVN verified physically, they will be the only staff to be paid. With a wage and pension bill of N8.4billion monthly, the state government is determined to stop all wastages.”

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor of the RSUST, Justice Iche Ndu commended Governor Wike for investing in the development of the university through projects. He said the approval of the setting up of the College of Medicine and the approval of five hospitals for the take-off of the Teaching Hospital for the university were laudable gestures.

Man, 30, remanded for defiling 8-year-old boy

From Haruna Gimba Yaya, Kano

A male resident of Tudun Murtala quarters of Kano metropolis has been

remanded in prison custody by the Kano State Magistrates’ Court sitting in No Man’s Land over alleged act of sodomy with an 8-year-old boy.

The accused person, Hussaini Kabiru was reported to the police by

mother of the boy, Aisha Abubakar of the same address who said the

accused defiled her son.

The police First Information Report (FIR) read to the accused person

in court stated that the accused had on February 9 lured the

boy into his room where he forcefully had carnal knowledge of him

through his anus.

The accused pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of

unnatural offense preferred against him.

Police prosecuting officer Anthony Edward told the court that the

offense which contravened Section 284 of the Penal Code Law is capital

in nature, and the court lacks the jurisdiction to try the accused.

He therefore applied for another date for mention, pending legal

advice from the state Ministry of Justice.

Presiding Judge, Chief Magistrate Ibrahim Khaleel Mahmoud granted the

application and adjourned the case to March 25. He ordered the accused

to be remanded in prison custody.

ýMedia Trust donates materials to IDPs; to open literacy, vocational centres

From Kabiru R. Anwar, Yola

The Daily Trust IDP Relief Fund has donated assorted relief items to displaced persons in Admawa State.

Flagging off the donation which include foodstuff and mosquito nets, the Ameera of the Federation of Muslim Women in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Zahra Dahiru Mikaila ?said the fund also planned to establish children learning centres and women vocational centres in the three communities namely Tashan Sani, Mbamba nd Jauro Kaei in Yola South.

Daily Trust had launched an appeal fund to assist the displaced persons.

Zahra said 200 persons living in host communities would benefit from the first phase of the distribution, and that they deliberately targeted IDPs living in host communities because of the difficulty they encounter in accessing assistance as opposed to those living in government camps.

The flag-off was graced by the Zonal Ameera of FOMWAN in charge of Adamawa and Taraba states, Fati Abubakar Girei who called on wealthy individuals and organisations to imbibe the initiative of Media Trust in identifying with the less privileged.

A beneficiary, Comfort Habila said it was the first time her family of six got assistance since their displacement from Madagali two years ago. Another beneficiary, Amira Hassan thanked the donors, saying the foodstuff he received could not have come at a better time as her husband was facing serious difficulty in providing for her and their seven children.

Groups exonerate Bayelsa perm sec from baby buying allegation

From Chris Eze, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Government, Nigeria Medical Association, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and other groups have risen in defense of Dr. Wisdom Sawyer, a Permanent Secretary accused of involvement in alleged plan to buy a baby delivered in his New Survivor Hospital in Yenagoa.

The groups at a press conference held at the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health yesterday condemned what they described as an attempt to taint the image of the permanent secretary, saying he deserved commendation for the role he played in taking care of the baby.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ayibatonye Owei Owei maintained that the perm sec did the right thing to have recommended that the baby be deposited with the relevant ministry to take care of the newly born rather than abort an advanced pregnancy.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Ebiere Igodo-Adeh, said that all necessary documentation and paper work were in place at the ministry to ensure the legitimate transfer of the baby to the government since the mother lacks the capacity to take care of the baby upon delivery.

State chairperson of FIDA, Barrister Dise Ogbise Orhisere stated that after investigation on the matter, FIDA discovered that the allegation by the mother of the baby was untrue as the doctor only facilitated the process of making sure that the necessary government agency in charge of such welfare matters take custody of the baby due to the incapacity of the mother.

On his part, Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Information and Orientation, Dr Bribina Samayin urged the media to be forthright in their reportage of sensitive issues capable of tarnishing the career of someone who he said only served as a Good Samaritan to save a life.