News
You Should Be Sanctioned For Perjury’, PTD Chides NUPENG President
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has taken a swipe at the President of the Union, Williams Akporeha for giving false details while standing in the witness box with the intention to mislead the trial judge in the court on Wednesday.
Akporeha spoke before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama while testifying as the second prosecution witness (PW2) in the attempted murder trial of 20 leaders of PTD.
But while reacting to the account given by NUPENG President, in a chat with some journalists on Thursday at Top Galaxy hotel, Kaduna, Comrade (Alhaji) Tajudeen Abubakar, an elder of the PTD in Kaduna Zone, who was one of the observers during the court proceedings in his allegations concluded that the President was a “perjurist” for lying under oath.
Comrade Tajudeen also expressed worry on how a President of a highly respected Union in the oil and gas sector would have allowed himself to be used for such an embarrassing show of shame to spin lies, an act which according to him stripped the President of every dignity, honour and integrity left in him.
He added that false testimony can not be admissible as evidence in law as it was evident that Akporeha was seen to be fidgeting, incoherent and repetitive throughout the session at the open court in a bid to justify his claims which obviously lacked evidence or proof in the temple of justice.
“NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha claimed if not for the efforts of security personnel he would have been killed or subjected to the violent attacks that nearly claimed the lives of the union’s Secretary General, Afolabi Olawale and the illegal National Chairman of the PTD, Augustine Egbon. I can’t believe you said all these on oath even as a Catholic. Know that there will surely be consequences for misleading the court. Taking National Union leaders of PTD, who have served the union for many decades with excellent records to court on a five count criminal charge, bordering on attempted murder, breach of peace and assault, is not just ridiculous but a taboo, very sacrilegious and purely anti union. And we urge all stakeholders in the trade union movement to take note of this dangerous and shameful aberration.
“Akporeha was simply not a believable person, he brazenly stripped himself of every honour, dignity, and integrity left in him at the Federal High Court of FCT on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. His testimonies were flatly contradicting so much that his legal counsel found it difficult to save him from the embarrassment he put himself, while also desecrating the office he is occupying as a President.
“What he did openly on Wednesday will go down in history and that costly sin will continue to hunt him for bringing the union into total disrepute. Lets keep our fingers crossed as Justice Yusuf Halilu has adjourned further proceedings till November 20, 2024. One thing is certain, Comrade Lucky Osesua, Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Comrade Chief Peter Moudebelu (Onwa), Comrade (Dr) Humble Obinna Power will get justice, and will be discharged and acquitted to the shame of their detractors and destiny killers.
“Akporeha has also failed to realize that he will be cross-examined, whereby all his purported testimonies would be scrutinised and rendered invalid before his very eyes. Whoever that might have told him to do what he exhibited on Wednesday is his greatest enemy in life who truly wishes him no good. Unfortunately these are the kinds of leaders we now have in the union today, those who could not assert authority, and could not call spade a spade, Akporeha is a perfect example of this type of leadership and recruitment error.
“NUPENG President obviously didn’t articulate his thoughts properly, you further claimed you were peeping from the window of the office of the Branch Chairman which gave you vantage position to see all what transpired, and thereafter called the driver of the General Secretary to know his principal’s whereabouts, which means you had your phones with you. You failed to use the same phone that moment to capture videos or pictures of what you saw at record time. The union has its internal mechanisms for resolving crisis not explored, only for you, the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale and your ilk to come to the Court, spin lies and try to be the judge in your own case. That will never work, justice delivery is based on evidence, facts and sufficient proof, not through sentiments or emotions.”
PETROAN said it summoned an emergency meeting with its National Executive Council after the NMDPRA raised the fuel under-dispensing issue.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has directed its members nationwide to immediately inspect their dispensing meters following concerns raised by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over under-dispensing of petroleum products at retail outlets.
PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme.
He said the association summoned an emergency meeting with its National Executive Council on Tuesday after the NMDPRA raised the issue, with the meeting lasting until about 10 pm.
“PETRON circulated a message around the country, calling our members to check their meters as quickly as possible,” Gillis-Harry said.
He added that several members had already begun inspecting their equipment, stressing that faulty meters could result in either under-dispensing or over-dispensing.
“Equipment can be faulty over time because of usage,” he said, recalling that he had previously lost money in his own retail business because a faulty meter was dispensing more fuel than customers paid for.
Gillis-Harry assured motorists that PETROAN members would continue to ensure that customers receive the quantity of fuel displayed on the pump.
“But I can tell you that PETRON members will, at all times, insist on making sure that they sell their products one litre for one litre,” he said.
The PETROAN President also urged motorists to pay attention to the quantity displayed on dispensing meters while buying fuel and to request receipts for their purchases.
He explained that customers should know the capacity of their vehicle’s fuel tank and compare it with the quantity displayed on the dispenser.
“Oftentimes, we educate our staff to call the attention of the patron to check the meter while it is being dispensed. And also to get the customer to check after the product has been dispensed,” he said.
According to him, PETROAN also works with the Weights and Measures Division of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the NMDPRA to ensure that dispensing meters remain functional and accurate.
“PETRON consistently works with the Weights and Measures Division of the Ministry of Trade and Investment, and also the NMDPRA. These are the two regulatory authorities that ensure that our meters are functional. And they are up to date and accurate,” he said.
The NMDPRA has warned filling station operators against under-dispensing petroleum products, with outlets found short-changing consumers liable to sanctions, including the revocation of their operating licences.
Gillis-Harry said PETROAN had taken the regulator’s concerns seriously and had begun working with its members to address any possible faults.
“But we took what the NMDPRA called our attention to yesterday very seriously. And we already started working on that,” he said.
Channels
TEHRAN — Millions of Iranian children returned to classrooms on Wednesday as schools across the country reopened after months of disruption linked to the war and security situation in the region.
Parents accompanied their children to school, with girls arriving in uniforms and mandatory headscarves, as the new academic year began in Tehran and other parts of Iran.
The reopening follows months of uncertainty after classes were suspended following the outbreak of the conflict on February 28. One of the deadliest incidents occurred in the southern city of Minab, where a school was struck during the conflict, killing dozens of people, including children.
Iranian officials said the tragedy had cast a shadow over preparations for the new school year, with authorities taking steps to mark the return of students while remembering those killed.
In Minab on Wednesday, Iran’s Vice President for Science and Technology, Hossein Afshin, rang the school bell at a primary school to officially signal the start of the new academic term.
The traditional bell-ringing ceremony is normally associated with the president and forms part of nationwide celebrations welcoming approximately 16.5 million Iranian children back to school.
A separate ceremony featuring President Masoud Pezeshkian was held two days earlier this year, before the Iranian leader travelled to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
The reopening represents a return to normal educational activities after months in which the conflict disrupted daily life and forced schools to close in affected areas.
For many families, however, the first day back to school carries mixed emotions, coming after a period marked by military attacks, deaths and widespread disruption.
The government has sought to maintain the annual school-opening tradition despite the difficult circumstances, while officials have continued to commemorate victims of the conflict.
The new academic year will now see millions of Iranian students resume lessons as authorities attempt to restore regular schooling following the prolonged disruption.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has said that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, has fundamentally redefined infrastructure development across the nation’s capital.
Wike made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja, while addressing newsmen after he inspected some ongoing road projects designed to de-congest traffic and unlock development across the territory.
The minister inspected the ongoing construction of Arterial Road SI, from Ring Road II to Arterial Road S20 (Oladipo Diya Way) in Kaura District and Collector Road C2 in Life Camp to Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way).
He also inspected the ongoing construction of Arterial Road N16 from Ring Road II to Ring Road III and the Jereton Mariere Street by the Apo Legislative Quarters in Gudu District, as well as the ongoing remodeling and renovation of the IBB Golf Course.
“We are happy because we can see that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has redefined infrastructure as far as the FCT is concern,” Wike said.
Expressing satisfaction with the pace of work and quality of execution, the minister said that the administration remained on track to deliver the projects ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He particularly expressed optimism that the Arterial Road N16 would be completed as scheduled, in spite of the complex terrain and heavy bridge construction on the road corridor.
He noted that in spite of the difficult geography, the firm guaranteed delivery by the first week of January.
“If that N16 job is completed, obviously, the entire area will be a different thing altogether. That is a very huge infrastructure landmark,” he said.
Speaking on the renovation of the IBB Golf Course, the minister reaffirmed that the club would be fully operational and ready to host major tournaments by November.
Addressing financial backings for the ongoing projects, Wike said that the 2026 capital budget had hit 60 per cent performance.
He added that in spite of initial delays in budget release that briefly affected contractor payments, funding flow had stabilised, enabling contractors to work at full capacity.
He dismissed political rhetoric ahead of the upcoming election cycle, while advising political office seekers to focus on presenting their records to voters rather than engaging in distractions.
Fuel Under-Dispensing: PETROAN Orders Members To ‘Check’ Meters Nationwide
Kwankwaso Blames Tinubu’s Fuel Subsidy Removal for Nigeria’s Economic Crisis
Iranian Children Return to School After Months of War Disruption as New Academic Year Begins
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