News
JUST IN: 119 Inmates Escape From Suleja Custodial Centre
Not less than 119 inmates have escaped from the Suleja medium security custodial centre on Wednesday night.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirmed the incident and said efforts were on top gear to arrest them.
The escape was linked to torrential rainfall that wrecked havoc on the facility.
The Public Relations Officer of the Federal Capital Territory Command of the NCoS , Sampson Duza said 10 of the inmates have been arrested and brought back to the facility.
He said:”A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, 24 April 2024 has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying part of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of a total of one hundred and nineteen (119) inmates of the facility.
“The Service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunction with sister security agencies have so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot chase to recapture the rest.
“The Service is not unmindful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era and that they are old and weak.
“The Service is making frantic efforts to see that all ageing facilities give way for modern ones. This is evidenced in the ongoing construction of six (6) number of 3000-capacity ultra-modern custodial centres in all the geo-political zones in Nigeria as well as the ongoing reconstruction and renovation of existing ones.
“The Service wishes to assure the public that it is on top of the situation and that they should go about their businesses without fear or hindrance. The public is further enjoined to look out for the fleeing inmates and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security agency.”
News
Simon Ekpa: FG’s attempt to extradite self acclimated freedom fighter may hit brickwall
The Federal Government’s attempt to extradite pro-Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa, from Finland to face terrorism charges in Nigeria may hit brickwall.
According to The Africa Report, this is due to Finnish legal restrictions.
The self-declared prime minister of the Biafra Government In Exile (BRIGE) was arrested alongside four others by Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over terrorism related activities.
The Finnish police said they suspect that Mr Ekpa “has contributed to violence and crimes against civilians in South-eastern Nigeria.”
Nigeria’s defence chief, General Christopher Musa while reacting to the arrest, said the country will proceed to push for Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria.
While Finland has confirmed Ekpa’s arrest, the country made it clear that, according to Finnish law, the country will not extradite its nationals outside the European Union or Nordic countries.
This further complicates Nigeria’s request since there is no extradition treaty between the two countries.
Even though Finland and Nigeria are in contact, the legal framework prohibits the transfer of citizens for trial in non-EU countries.
According to reports, everything has to be done according to Finnish legislation, which has very strong protections for freedom of speech
“The issue of an extradition treaty is very fundamental. If there is no extradition treaty between the two countries, there can be no legal basis or justification for extraditing Ekpa,” a Lagos-based lawyer Festus Ogun said.
Vince Onyekwelu, former British Police Officer and National Security Risk Strategist said the chances of Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria are also slim.
Onyekwelu said while appearing on Arise TV:
“Professionally speaking, the Finnish Authorities have done their due diligence and have every right to arrest Simon Ekpa. It is left for the court to look into the request by the Chief of Defence Staff to extradite Ekpa to Nigeria. However, with the absence of an extradition treaty between Nigeria and Finland, Ekpa’s extradition will seem unlikely.”
News
Minimum wage: Yobe Gov approves N70k for workers
Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has approved the payment of N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants in the state effective December 2024.
This is contained in a memo signed by the governor, following recommendations by the committee on Minimum wage constituted by the state government.
The committee had recommended for a reconciliation of local government finances to ensure a hitch free transition process of the local government councils from the existing salary structure to the new minimum wage.
The reconciliation process which is nearing completion is expected to be concluded soon for approval, and quick enrolment of the local government employees into the new minimum wage salary structure.
The committee had recommended for a reconciliation of local government finances to ensure a hitch free transition process of the local government councils from the existing salary structure to the new minimum wage.
The reconciliation process which is nearing completion is expected to be concluded soon for approval, and quick enrolment of the local government employees into the new minimum wage salary structure.
According to a statement signed by the spokesman to the governor, Mamman Mohammed, the Government expects civil servants in the state to reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best to ensure effective and efficient service delivery
News
Retired 85-year-old Col bags P.hd
A retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army, Bolaji Titilola Onafowokan, aged 85, is among the first set of doctoral degree students produced by the Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwole Banjo, disclosed this at the weekend, while briefing the press on activities to mark the 16th convocation ceremony of the university.
He said the first set of PhD holders to be produced by the institution totalled 67.
“I am happy to inform you that the university will, at this 16th convocation ceremony, graduate its first set of doctoral degree holders.
“They are 67 in number and the list included a retired Army Colonel, Bolaji Titilola Onafowokan, who is 85 years old. And he is getting his PhD in Educational Technology.
“I salute his courage and doggedness to pursue this dream of his. Even younger ones shy away from this kind of task.
27 First Class
“Also, out of the 4,140 graduating students, 27 have first class. We are also graduating 4 M.Phil, 275 Master’s degree and our best graduating student is Adedeji A. Adedamola with CGPA of 4.91.
“We are also giving honorary degrees to four distinguished Nigerians namely: Dr Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi, Prince Oluyemisi Adedoyin Shyllon, Otunba Jaiyeola Wasiu and Engineer Jubril Dotun Sanusi,” he stated.
Prof. Banjo, who is winding down his tenure as the VC of the first university of education in Nigeria, added that some projects would be inaugurated by the Visitor, Governor Dapo Abiodun.
“We are happy to say that within the last one year, we have done some projects to add to what we have on ground. We have expanded the Medical Centre and the fund used was from our internally generated revenue.
“We are also weaning ourselves of epileptic power supply as we have our own Independent Power Project. It is 800 kva which can be scaled up.
“Even as it is, it is enough for our needs. It is less expensive than what we pay monthly as electricity bills to the power firm serving this area,” he said.
The VC also disclosed that the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, would deliver the convocation lecture titled, “From classroom to cloud: Leveraging digital literacy for national development.”
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