An Upper Area Court in Makurdi on Wednesday dissolved the marriage between Jennifer Ojeka and Joseph, on grounds that he starves his wife of sex.
Delivering judgment, the judge, Ms Rose Iyorshe, held that evidence before the court showed that the marriage had broken down completely.
Iyorshe ordered Ojeka to return the bride price paid by Joseph.
The News Agency of Nigeira (NAN) reports that Ojeka instituted a divorce case against her estranged husband, Joseph on grounds that he beats her up at any little provocation and denies her of sex.
“I have tried everything possible to make the marriage work but all efforts failed,” the petitioner told the court.
She said that she married to Joseph in 2012 under the Calabar Marriage Law and Custom.
The respondent who refused to honour court summons, however, sent an account number to the court for the petitioner to pay back the bride price.
Category: News
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Court dissolves 8-year-old marriage as husband starves wife of sex
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COVID-19: SDG sensitises 2,400 Almajiris, gives them PPE in Yobe
The Yobe office of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) says it has sensitised 2,400 Almajiris across the state on personal hygiene and distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to them in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The state Programme Officer, Mohammed Ibrahim, made this disclosure on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu.
He said the SDG had so far reached out to 2,400 Almajiris in 24 schools in some Local Governments Areas within the three zones of the state, as part of the response to COVID-19 pandemic.
“We sensitised them on personal hygiene and distributed PPE to them such as hand sanitisers, face masks, soap and wash-hand-basin among other items”.
Ibrahim said the decision to take the campaign against COVID-19 to Almajiri (Tsangaya) schools was informed by the neglect being suffered by the Almajiris in the implementation of various programmes.
He noted that the effort of Mai Mala Buni led administration of upgrading the Tsangaya schools and giving the Almajiris access to quality education was in line with that of the SDG.
“Gov. Buni’s position on Almijiri education system is very clear. He believes that Borno and Yobe states have been the hub of Quranic knowledge for centuries.
“Gov. Buni feels that Yobe cannot relocate Almajiris. Instead, he directed the State Universal Basic Education Board to develop a strategy for integrating the Tsangaya school into a formal learning system,” he said.
In their resction, Mallam Sani Salisu and Bukar Babagana, Almajiri school teachers in Damaturu, lauded the state SDG for the sensitisation and provision of PPE.
They also expressed optimism on the state government’s plans to integrate the Almajiris into the formal learning system, saying that would bring out the best in the Almajiris.
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COVID-19: Viewing centre operators set to enforce NCDC protocols
Operators of viewing centres in Kwara have expressed readiness to obey government order by providing hand sanitisers for use and as well observe physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The operators spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Wednesday,
They expressed their readiness to play according to the rules of safety as football league across Europe is set to resume fully in few days’ time.
The owner of Champion Viewing Centre in Olunlade, Ilorin, Bayo Olatunji, said that he would allow few number of viewers in order not to violate government directive on social gathering.
“I have made up my mind not to flout government order. I have already bought enough hand sanitisers and water buckets to use at the entrance and I will also allow 30 customers in to allow one metre each for their sitting arrangements,” he said.
Another viewing centre operator in Offa Garage, Wasiu Olarewaju, said he would prevent crowd from gaining entrance.
“I will play according to the rules. It will be first come first serve.
“My viewing centre used to accommodate over 70 before the coronavirus but now I will not allow overcrowded centre. I will allow just 50 people in,” he said.
Kunle Abolaji, Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Viewing Centre at Sango, Ilorin, warned other football viewing centres not to provoke government but to obey government order on safety.
“What we have been praying for has happened. Football is back.
“We need not provoke government to close down viewing centers. Let us obey safety conditions put in place,” he advised.
Bode Babatunde, a viewing centre operator at Taiwo, Ilorin, said he had placed safety rules at the entrance of his football house.
“I have specified the rules such as compulsory use of facemask before you can be allowed inside. Compulsory washing of hand and use of sanitiser before match and during half time as well as one metre space between every viewer,” he said.
Another operator at Unity area, Ilorin, Kayode Aina, said viewing centre had been his only source of income.
“I don’t have any alternative. I am ready to do the right thing and screen everybody coming in to watch matches.
“I will enforce use of face mask and allow small number of viewers in order not to provoke government,” he said.
NAN reports that football activities had been suspended for the past three months across the globe due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
NAN also reports that football activities resumed in some parts of the world as German Bundesliga resumed two weeks ago.
Spanish Laliga, English Premier League and Italian Serie A are set to resume June 11, 17 and 20 respectively with other top leagues also set to resume soon.
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Woman in court over alleged N110m land fraud
A 49-year-old woman, Aishatu Sani,on Wednesday appeared in a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Wuse Zone Six, over alleged N110 million land fraud.
The police charged Sani, who resides in FHA, Lugbe, Abuja, with three counts of criminal conspiracy, cheating and fraud.
The Prosecution Counsel, Fidelis Ogbobe, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in 2015.
He alleged that the complainant, David Anidi, reported the matter at the Area Command Metro through a written complaint in August 2015.
Ogbobe alleged that the defendant conspired with one Gbenga Olarenwaju, currently at large and deceived the complainant into believing that she was the owner of a plot of land.
In addition, the prosecutor alleged that the complainant, Anidi transferred N110 million into the defendant’s Skybank account number 3011984315, being payment for the land.
He further said the complainant also gave Olarenwaju the sum of N100, 000 to effect change of ownership of the land to his name.
Ogbobe said it was when the complainant went to the Abuja Municipal Council to verify the land papers, he was informed that the documents were fake.
He said every effort to get his money back failed.
The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 97,322 and 364 of the Penal Code Law.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Magistrate Ahmed Ndajiwo admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1 million with one reasonable and reliable surety in like sum.
Ndajiwo adjourned the case until July 20, for hearing.
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EU accuse Russia, China amid flood of virus disinformation
The EU on Wednesday urged social media platforms to do more to counter harmful health hoaxes and conspiracy theories linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, much of it from Russia and China.
According to a new communication from the European Commission, EU experts have observed a massive wave of poor health care advice, false claims and online scams, and attempts by foreign actors to intervene in domestic EU debates.
“For example, some groups have pushed dangerous assertions that drinking bleach could cure the new coronavirus.
“Belgium’s Poison Control Centre has recorded an increase of 15 per cent in the number of bleach-related incidents,” the experts said.
Brussels has pushed social media platforms to promote official information sources and remove dangerous misleading content.
However, it expected companies like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube-owner Google to do more, such as compiling monthly reports.
Commission Vice President Vera Jourova said, “we know only as much as platforms tell us, which is not good enough,” said on Wednesday in Brussels.”
The EU has been actively raising attention about misinformation since 2015, with a programme that mainly focuses on pro-Kremlin sources.
However, in the wake of Covid-19, the EU started expressing concern about China’s official narratives surrounding the pandemic.
The new report names “foreign actors”, namely Beijing and Moscow, that took part in campaigns to undermine the democratic debate in the EU, sometimes focused on polarizing debates and at times, trying to promote their own image. -
COVID-19: CSOs urge FG to assist Bauchi State Govt. with facilities, palliative
The Bauchi Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Covid-19 Situation Room has urged Federal Government to assist the state government with equipment and palliative to curb the spread of the global pandemic.
The Chairman of Executive Directors Forum, Mr Sodangi Chindo, made the call in a statement on behalf of the CSOs Covid-19 Situation Room in Bauchi on Wednesday.
The Bauchi CSOs’ Covid-19 Situation Room is a coalition of CSOs and NGOs in the fight against the pandemic in the state.
Chindo said “Bauchi State is one of the states with high records of coronavirus patients in the country.
“We are calling on the Federal Government to assist the state to help cushion the high cost of treatment and lifestyle of the people.”
He also urged the Federal Government to assist the state to widen the scope of the testing index, and called on the state government to buy more testing kits to improve the capacity.
“This is necessary because it has been reported that the virus is at community transmission I the state,” he said.
He also encouraged the state government to put more stringent measures on border lockdown as the ban has not been lifted to further curb the spread.
The chairman advised the government to involve CSOs in the distribution of palliatives around the state and reiterated the commitment of the CSOs to support government toward curbing the spread of the pandemic.
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AEDC, Aquivis Technologies deploy electrical fault locator
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), in partnership with Aquivis Technologies Ltd. have deployed a smart high-tension overhead line fault circuit locator to detect electrical faults in its installations.
Aquivis technologies is a leading company in Africa’s energy sector.
Mr Oyebode Fadipe, AEDC’s General Manager, Corporate Communications in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday said that the infrastructure would eventually be integrated as a distribution management system Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).
Fadipe also said that the Smart Grid Outage Management solution deployed by the company was the first of its kind in the country, adding that it was a pilot programmed for AEDC.
According to him, industry players hold the view that the infrastructure cannot have come at a better time than now in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) when customers are becoming increasingly concerned about the service delivery.
“Especially, in the area of feeder/grid management where outages trigger the loss of power supply to numerous customers of different categories including homes, offices, medical and educational facilities.
“Which are just beginning to recover from the debilitating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,’’ he said..
Speaking on the deployment, the Managing Director of AEDC, Mr Ernest Mupwaya said that the successful implementation of the smart overhead fault detection monitoring solution had enabled AEDC to address the operational challenges of incessant tripping.
Mupwaya said that the equipment had also assisted AEDC on fault detection and prolonged outages on both the 11Kilo Volt (KVA) and 33KV feeder infrastructure where it was deployed.
He said that the detection solution would substantially reduce the time required to repair faulty lines and reduce operational expenses, improve network reliability and operational efficiency, provide safer work environment for line crew and ultimately better customer satisfaction.
According to the managing director, AEDC has continued to show great commitment to the reinforcement of its distribution network and the improvement of its services to customers.
“The engagement of Aquivis to deploy the high-tension faults clearing solution forms part of AEDC’s initiative to reduce its Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses.
“As well as improve network reliability of the 11kV and 33kV overhead feeders as well as customers’ satisfaction.
“The deployment of the solution by AEDC is part of its network reinforcement programme.
“The deployment of the real-time overhead fault detection monitoring solution has brought about improved network visibility, reliability and operational efficiency in AEDC,’’ he said.
Mupwaya said that with the completion of the first phase of the project, AEDC would be extending this deployment to other parts of its network to achieve increased level of distribution automation.
He said that the deployment of the infrastructure would bring about clear grid visibility and a platform for the improvement of operational efficiency and service to AEDC’s esteemed customers.
Also speaking, the Managing Director, Aquivis Technologies, Mr Jimi Kolawole disclosed that the grid management solutions addresses the technical and commercial challenges currently plaguing distribution link of the Nigerian power sector.
Kolawole said that the infrastructure would also create a ubiquitous, dedicated and highly reliable machine-to-machine communication network where all solutions could leverage upon.
According to him, AEDC has been in search of real-time monitoring solution with two-way communication that will not only improve the company’s ability to monitor remotely, but also the ability to perform remote interventions.
“ Together with our partner, Trilliant UK, we carefully reviewed their requirements and selected our award-winning communication platform, the wireless secured Mesh AMI platform to achieve the two-way machine-to-machine communication objective.”
“With this solution, AEDC will quickly and easily identify and resolve faults, resulting in more efficient operation and safer conditions for line crew, and monitor feeder status in near real-time.
“It will also prevent unscheduled downtime and safety risk, increase meter uptime, improve reporting to regulators, capture and analyse critical distribution data to further enhance reliability and efficiencies.
“It will also ensure quicker integration of other smart grid solutions like AMI smart metering) on the back of the established communication network,’’ he said.
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Senate confirms 6 nominees for appointments as RMAFC Commissioners
The Senate on Wednesday approved six out of the seven nominees by President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment as Commissioners for Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RAMFC).
The Senate’s approval of the nominees followed the presentation of a report by its Chairman, Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs Sen. Adetunmbi Olubunmi (APC Ekiti North).
The report was also for the consideration at the Committee of the Whole.
The approved nominees are: Salamatu Bala, representing Adamawa, Alfred Egba (Bayelsa) and Alhaji Adamu Dibal (Borno).
Others are Oladele Gboyega (Osun), Bello Wammakko (Sokoto) and Ahmed Yusuf (Taraba).
The Senate, however stood down the confirmation of Mr Emmannuel Nwosu, representing Imo, following a security report against the nominee, by the Department of State Security Services (DSS).
Senate also at plenary, approved President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination of Mr Lamidi A. Yuguda, as Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Other nominees confirmed to serve as full time Commissioners for SEC are :Mr Reginald C. Karawusa representing Imo, Mr Ibrahim Boyi representing Katsina and Mr Obisan Joseph, representing Lagos.
Their confirmation was also sequel to the presentation of a report from the Committee on Capital Market by the Chairman, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (APC-Ogun ) and consideration of same at the Committee of the Whole.
Senate at plenary also considered for first reading five bills.
The bills are : 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill, 2020 by Sen. Ovie Omo -Agege (APC Delta Central) and Criminal Code Act CAP P30 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2020 by Sen.Uche Ekwunife (PDP-Anambra).
Others are, Federal Audit Service Commission Bill, 2020 by Sen. Mathew Urhoghide (PDP-Edo), among others.
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Coronavirus situation in Seoul seen reaching worst point
The coronavirus outbreak in Seoul appears to have reached its worst point over the past week, an analysis of official data showed on Wednesday.
It however, reached worst largely due to a recent string of cluster infections traced to crowds and sports facilities.
The capital’s average daily number of confirmed COVID-19 cases recently already surpassed the previous high point reached in the middle of March, when the number of new infections linked to a call centre in the southern ward of Guro was spiralling.
“The number of coronavirus patients isolated in Seoul’s hospitals for medical treatment is also approaching the previous high point,’’ the analysis showed.
It found that the daily average of locally transmitted cases per week, or the seven-day moving average of daily cases, stood at 18.9 persons in Seoul on Sunday and 19.3 persons on Monday, compared with 17 persons recorded on March 14.
The daily average for Tuesday is estimated to hit 18.9 persons.
Yonhap used the moving average method in its analysis to reduce statistical loopholes caused by decreases in the number of tests conducted on weekends.
The number of hospitalised coronavirus patients, including those who arrived from abroad, rose to 359 people as of 10 a.m. Wednesday, compared with the previous high point of 408 people recorded on April 5.
Considering the recent spike in new cases, the number of patients requiring hospital treatment is expected to continue to grow for the time being.
The number of hospitalised patients was in excess of 200 between mid-March and late April before declining, however, beginning in late May, the figure has risen above the 200 mark.
In contrast to a steady decline in imported cases, locally transmitted infections traced to clubs, churches, warehouses, call centres, indoor sports facilities and a health product retailer have broken out throughout the Seoul metropolitan area.
Since May 2, the capital’s reproduction rate of the coronavirus, which reflects the average number of people getting infected by a patient, has remained above 1, meaning the virus is steadily spreading in the city.
The number of cumulative COVID-19 infections in Seoul reached 1,027, while South Korea reported 50 new cases on the day, raising the total caseload to 11,902.
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COVID-19: Commuters decry checkpoints, say discrediting social distancing policy
Some Commuters have expressed displeasure over activities of security personnel at the checkpoints linking Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The commuters who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Abuja, said the operation was inimical to the social and physical distancing policy, causing traffic jams and inconveniences.
They also alleged that the operatives were also engaged in extortion, causing hardships for commuters and making mockery of a policy that was aimed at protecting citizens.
They noted that going by the alleged illegal activities of the security personnel at the roadblocks, the desired results would not be achieved.
The commuters therefore, called on the Federal Government to review security arrangements at the area.
They also described as unusual, the number of military, paramilitary and police personnel at the checkpoints on all the routes leading into Abuja from Nasarawa State.
Mrs Aina Adesida, a civil servant who resides in Masaka, Nasarawa State, noted that the presence of security agents on the road was causing more problems, rather than solving any issue.
According to Adesida, she always gets to the checkpoint by 6.30 a.m. and it will take her between one to two hours before she could drive through the check point.
She attributed the delay to the care-free attitude of the security personnel at the checkpoints points.
“The problem is that they are too many at the check points, and so they issue different contradicting directives.
“At a time an officer will say block the road while another will say narrow it to one lane, while another will come and divert the motorists to another direction, causing lots of confusion,’’ she said.
Mr John Bamaiyi, a civil servant, also complained of alleged maltreatment of people on the road by the security personnel, causing people to spend one to two hours at the Checkpoints.
Bamaiyi said it was unfortunate that a journey that should have ordinarily taken 15 minutes from Mararaba Orange market, to the checkpoint would take more than an hour.
Also, a top government official who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said the indiscriminate police checkpoints on the highways and adjacent roads from Nasarawa to FCT, was causing a lot of problems.
He said the situation was worse mostly in the evening when civil servants and other road users were returning from their work places.
He said towards the closing time when the traffic would be high, road users would be subjected to temperature checks for hours unending in the sun.
NAN also observed that in the afternoon the four lanes would be narrowed to one lane, creating long queues.
Another user, a medical personnel who simply identified himself as Dr. Boniface, noted that the activities of the personnel was detrimental to government’s efforts at curbing spread of the coronavirus.
Boniface said relevant agencies at the checkpoint must review their operations to save the public from inconveniences and spread of the virus.
He urged the Federal Government to abolish the checkpoints or design another method to alleviate people’s suffering and the spread of the virus.