Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 10

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GENERAL

Bad Fuel: Oando to Drag Gunvor Before International Court

Oando Plc has commenced moves to institute legal action against an international trading company, Gunvor International BV, Amsterdam for supplying it (Oando) with the contaminated product that inflicted damages on cars in Nigeria. Oando will also be asking the court to award damages against the foreign company for the injuries which it suffered as a result of the company’s failure to disclose the contents of the product.

Fuel Scarcity Looms Over PEF’s Non-Payment Of Bridging Claims

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, (IPMAN), Wednesday, decried the non-payment of bridging claims to its members by the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), saying it has led to a situation where there was an imminent dearth of petroleum products in some parts of the country.

Govt Raises Fuel Import, Recalls Bad Products

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has taken over the importation of Aviation fuel, to check its scarcity. The policy would remain in place until the situation improves. The NNPC has also raised the quantity of refined products to be imported for the second quarter of this year from 35 to 55 cargoes, while the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the major oil marketers have agreed to immediately stop further distribution of and to recall the contaminated fuel.

Contaminated Fuel Had Alcohol – Test

Laboratory tests have confirmed that the contaminated fuel which caused a scare in Lagos recently contained E10, otherwise known as ethanol fuel. Ethanol in the fuel caused the damages to vehicle engines, reported by some motorists.

Don’t Invite Military, Ali Warns Politicians

Ahead of the court-ordered fresh governorship elections in some states of the federation and party conventions billed to take place this year, the Immediate Past Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ahmadu Ali has warned politicians against acts and pronouncements that could lead to electoral violence, as the military often seized such opportunities to sack civilian governments.

300,000 Nigerians At Risk Of Glaucoma Blindness

About 300, 000 Nigerians are at the risk of losing their sights, owing to poor awareness and slow manifestation of glaucoma, a blindness disease, Health Minister, Professor Adenike Grange, has said. This was disclosed in Abuja at the first World Glaucoma Day celebration.

Minister Seeks Special Courts To Try Child Rights Violators

Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Bungudu, at the weekend called on state governments to designate special courts to try violators of the Child Rights Act in their domains. The minister also lauded the Abia State government for being among the three states in the country to enact its child right law.

Oil And Gas Reform Tailored Towards Vision 2020, Says Egbogah

The Federal Government has once again reiterated that the on-going reform in the nation's oil and gas sector is targeted at ensuring that the nation realises the set objectives of Vision 2020. The government, however, admits that despite the huge potentials, the sector was yet to meet the aspirations of Nigerians and stakeholders.

Nigerian Envoy Robbed in S’African Hotel

A Nigerian diplomat was on Monday robbed in a South African hotel in Pretoria. Mr  Ifeanyi Omoekachie, Minister in charge of Consular Affairs, who confirmed the theft said the diplomat, who was on transit to Nigeria from Namibia,  lost “huge sums of money and vital documents”.

Celtel Commits $1bn to Quality Improvement

Pursuant to its goal of providing 20 million subscribers with unimpeded quality of service, Celtel Nigeria on Thursday announced some measures, including committing $1 billion for that purpose this year. It is also considering the provision of self-destruct generators to discourage generator theft from its cell sites.

Shell Calls For Domestic Steel Production

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has hinged oil companies' full compliance with the Nigeria Content Development (NCD) policy on government's encouragement of domestic high-grade steel production. Shell has also blamed the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) commercial process, which does not guarantee contracts to encourage investments, for the challenges facing oil companies in the implementation of the local content policy.

AP Reinstates Commitment To Expansion

Poised to remain foremost in the league of players in the nation's downstream sector of the oil and gas industry, African Petroleum Plc has said it would continue to invest in the construction of more retail outlets in the country to boost its operations.

Policeman Arrested For Assisting Robbery Gang

The commissioner of Police for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Haruna John, has ordered the arrest of a policeman who is alleged to have been rendering assistance to an armed robbery gang. The arrested policeman was kept under the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where he is answering questions over the alleged crime.

Oil Nears 105 Dollars In Asian Trade

Oil edged close to 105 dollars a barrel in Asian trade on Thursday, touching another new record high after an unexpected drop in US stockpiles and OPEC's rejection of calls to increase output.

Fuel Crisis Looms As NPA Is Set To Shut Down Tank Farms

Nigeria may be thrown into another round of petroleum product scarcity as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is set to shut down six major tank farms at Ibru Jetty in Lagos State. The suspension threat came as a result NPA’s claims that safety level at the tank farms does not meet international safety procedures and regulations.

Two Army Generals, Four Others Face Court Martial

The Nigerian Army Headquarters on Tuesday inaugurated a five-member court martial to try two Generals and four other senior army officers, who were accused of misappropriation of funds. The trial is coming 23 days after another court martial sitting in Kaduna commenced the trial of five senior army officers and 10 others for the alleged sale of arms and ammunition.

Kaduna Refinery Gets Crude Oil, May Resume Operations

Indications emerged on Tuesday that Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company may come on stream next week as crude oil supply has been restored to the refining plant. KRPC received crude oil, two years after the plant was shut down. The refining plants at Kanduna and Warri were closed in February 2006 due to lack of crude oil for their operations.

Contaminated Fuel: DPR Gives Conditions For Payment Of Damages

Consumers preparing to file claims for damages after buying the contaminated fuel that was circulated in Lagos and its environs must be prepared to prove their cases. This is sequel to Tuesday’s directive by the Department of Petroleum Resources that the importer of the product, Oando Plc, must take full responsibility for the damages caused vehicle and generating plant by the fuel.

Top Terror Recruiter Found Guilty

A man said to be one of the most feared recruiters for Islamist extremism in the UK has been convicted at the end of a major trial. Mohammed Hamid, 50, of east London was found guilty of training men in secret camps in the Lake District and New Forest to prepare them to fight abroad.

Buhari Files Appeal At S’court

The presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has appealed the dismissal of his suit challenging the election of President Umaru Yar’Adua as the winner of the 2007 presidential election. He took the decision against the advice by governors of 19 northern states.

Shell, ExxonMobil May Lose Oil Blocs

Shell, ExxonMobil and Agip, who are into joint venture agreements with the Federal Government, may lose some of the offshore oil interests with specific reference to the offshore Provision Sharing Contracts (PSCs) signed in 1993. The Federal Government has set up a review committee whose report is expected in three months.

Police Fund Inquiry Summons Okiro, CAC

The House of Representatives’ Committee probing the N50 billion police fund has summoned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) , Mr Mike Okiro; the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC); and a bank to give evidence. The National Co-ordinator of the fund, Kenny Martins, has asked a Federal High Court to stop the probe.

Govt Uncovers Plot By Politicians To Cause Violence

The Federal Government has issued a high alert to all security agencies after it uncovered plans by politicians to incite the public and trigger violence.

Health Minister Denies Arrest

The Minister of Health, Professor Adenike Grange, on Monday denied reports that she was arrested and interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Special assistant to the minister said that she was only invited to the commission to make a statement.

316 Juveniles In Prisons

The Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) on Monday said a total of 316 juveniles were remanded in 11 prisons custody throughout the country. This came against the backdrop of reports that there were 300 babies in the prisons, which the NPS denied, saying that only 19 babies could be found in the country’s 227 prisons.

Bad Fuel: Swiss Firm Rejects Blame

Gunvor International B.V, the Swiss based petroleum products exporter that supplied Oando Plc the contaminated fuel, insists the product was tested and met Nigeria’s standard and specifications, contrary to reports. The company said the alleged contamination could have occurred at a point in the supply chain.

Contaminated Fuel: DPR Moves to Sanction Oando

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) said that Oando Plc would be sanctioned for importing contaminated fuel into the country. The DPR accused Oando of importing petrol, which contained about 20 per cent ethanol, which is far higher than the five per cent recommended blend ratio.

NMA Calls For Emergency In Health Sector

The President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Dan Gana, on Monday in Abuja advocated a state of emergency in the health sector. Gana said that this was as a result of the crisis in the health sector which needed urgent attention.

Court Okays Criminal Charge Against Sacked Kogi Governor

An Abuja High Court on Monday granted leave for a criminal charge to be preferred against the ousted governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris. The court also ordered that a summons be served on Idris to answer to the charge of perjury.

NCC Threatens Stiffer Sanctions against MTN,Celtel

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned that it will impose sanctions on MTN and Celtel, by imposing a fine of N5m and a further sum of N500, 000 per day if they refuse or neglect to pay compensation to all active subscribers on their network as earlier directed.

Unethical Practices: House Moves Against Banks

In a bid to curtail the prevailing high interest rate regime in the country, the House of Representatives on Thursday began moves to probe what it called “unethical practices in the Nigerian banking industry.” The move was sponsored by the chairman of the Banking and Currency Committee of the House, Honourable Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi and 132 others who were worried that the banking sector “as the catalyst of socio-economic growth and development of any country has an unchecked and unpleasant development in the history and evolution of Nigerian banking industry in the last two decades before the banking consolidation of 2005.”

FEC Adopts Industrial Policy to Boost Productivity

The Federal Executive Council has approved a plan aimed at adopting an industrial strategy that would position the industry sector of the economy as the main driver of economic growth. In addition, the new government policy on cement would cover the shortfall between local capacity and the demand designed not to encourage the development of cement cartel in the country.

Military Committed to Protecting Democracy – Azazi

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Andrew Azazi on Thursday defended his comment last week in the media that the Nigerian Armed Forces were solidly behind President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Azazi reiterated his position that the military was responsible for keeping the peace and ensuring  that democracy was protected insisting that the only way to achieve the objective is to ensure that  everybody  is loyal and law abiding.

ICPC Arrests FG Official Over Corruption

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested a deputy director in the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Henry Ogundiya, for using his position to confer corrupt and undue advantage on himself by awarding a contract for the rehabilitation of rural feeder roads at the cost of N22, 343, 939 to a company in which he had substantial interest.

Navy Seeks More Boats To Protect Oil Installations

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye, has said that the Navy needed more boats for effective patrol of oil installations. Adekeye said the sea was a very vast area that required a ship on patrol for about 18 hours to cover from Brass to Calabar. He said currently, the Nigerian Navy only protects less than 30 per cent of the total area of coverage.

Odusina Commends Nipco on gas plant

The Minister of State for Energy (Gas) Chief Emmanuel Odusina has commended the effort of the Management of Nipco Plc in putting up a gas plant to reduce the hardship being faced in sourcing the product by the populace.

Police Confirm Arrest Of 154 Persons For Electoral Offences

The Police in Katsina State on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of 154 persons for alleged electoral offences during the local government polls, penultimate Saturday. Investigations are on in the matter.

PTD Lauds Yar’Adua Over Kaduna Refinery

President Yar’adua has been commended for his effort towards making Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) functional. The commendation was given by the chairman of Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association (PTD) Kaduna Unit, saying that the effort would make petroleum products available in the North.

Government Targets N1.2tr Yearly Gas Earnings

Nigeria may earn an average of N1.2tr yearly in earnings from gas, given the combination of various project portfolios and initiatives that will gulp $20-billion (N2.5-trillion) in the sector, when the new gas policy comes on board.

Nigerian Dies Trekking To Europe

A Nigerian, Chinedum Okoro, died in the Sahara Desert en route Libya in his bid to seek greener pastures in foreign lands. A 34-year-old Rowland Chidi Nlewedum, who has been making quick money by ferreting desperate Nigerians out of the country through illegal procedure has been arrested by the International Police Organisation (INTERPOL) over Okoro's death.

OPEC Maintains Current Output Levels

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has again shunned repeated appeals by the United States of America (USA), world’s biggest oil consumer, to increase output, insisting that the record high prices is driven by a weak dollar, speculation and political strife.

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Gunmen Strike Again In River State, Raze Police Station

Gunmen struck again, Sunday, in Bonny Island of Rivers State when they invaded the Marine Police Station and razed a part of the station during an early morning attack. The gunmen proceeded to the home of a monarch in the island and threatened the neighbourhood with dynamites.

Oil spillage: Touama-ama Youths Task SPDC On Compensation

Youths from Touama-ama community in Degema LGA have called on the Rivers State Government to intervene and cause Shell to compensate them for destruction of their fish ponds, resulting from an oil spillage from an SPDC facility in July, 2006.  The youths allege that all efforts to get SPDC to react to their claims had fallen on deaf ears.

Gunmen Kill Rumuekpe Youth Leader

About four gunmen, on Monday trailed and killed former Rumuekpe Youth Leader at Rukpokwu Market junction in the outskirts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.  He died after several bullets were pumped into him. The intentions of the gunmen remain unknown.

Gunmen Abduct Expatriate, 2 Children

Gunmen in Port Harcourt on Monday kidnapped two children of former chairman of Etche LGA of River state, Mr. Ephraim Nwuze, on their way to school and an unidentified expatriate said to be working for a German construction firm, Julius Berger, in Rumuji. A soldier from the 72 Battalion, Elele was killed in the process. The German was freed 12 hours later. The father of the children said he has confirmed that the kidnapping of his children was politically motivated, as the abductors had not contacted him for ransom.

Ateke Tom Advocates Non-Violence

Wanted Niger Delta warlord, Ateke Tom, says he has called it quits with violence even as he accused government forces of tempting him to have a re-think. Ateke revealed that although government’s forces have continued their attack against his group, he has resisted the temptation to retaliate.

JTF Explains Increased Kidnapping In Port Harcourt

The Joint Task Force (JTF) of the Niger Delta on Sunday attributed the increasing cases of kidnapping in Port Harcourt to the crackdown on illegal oil bunkering and sea piracy. Most of them, as explained by the JTF have resorted to hostage-taking as alternative means of survival.

Tussle Over Obong’s Throne Splits Efik Kingdom

The tussle over who would replace the Obong of Calabar, Edidem (Prof.) Nta Elija Henshaw VI, has gathered fierce momentum with the Efik Kingdom and kingmakers divided into two camps. One group is favourably disposed to the emergence of an Obong that could enjoy the confidence of all Efik and restore the dignity of the throne, while the other group was disposed to producing a new Obong from one of the loyalists of the late Henshaw.

Police Seize Stolen Fuel

The Cross River State police command has retrieved over 2,200 litres of stolen oil from pirates. The pirates, who were suspected to be on an illegal business trip from Nigeria to Cameroon, bunkering oil, reportedly escaped into the creeks along the Calabar River, when the marine police was on their heels.

Cameroonian Refugees Flood Nigeria

More than 5, 000 Cameroonian refugees have arrived Amana, in Obanliku LGA of Cross River State, following inter-communal war in their country. Worried by the rate of influx, the Chairman of the Council, Dr Godwin Amanke, has called on the state government to assist it to curtail the situation through regular border patrols and security checks.

Police Probe Abia Rep Over Alleged Forgery

Police at the Force Headquarters in Abuja and the Abia Police Command have opened investigations into a petition alleging that a member of the House of Representatives representing Ukwa East Federal constituency, Honourable Emeka Stanley, allegedly tampered with documents belonging to the election petition tribunal in Umuahia.

10 Die In Boat Mishap

A cloud of gloom has descended on Famgbe community in Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa State following the death of 10 persons in a boat mishap on Tuesday. An unspecified number of children also perished in the accident. The boat was going at a slow pace when a navy gun boat, at top speed, suddenly rammed into it, pushing all the occupants into the river.

Oil Communities Call For Scrapping Of NDDC

Given its alleged dismal performance in the state, oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom State have called on the Federal Government to scrap the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The communities accused the organisation of failing in its primary responsibilities to them.

Ex-Commissioner Hides In Court To Evade Arrest

A former Sports Commissioner in Enugu State, Chief Raymond Nnaji, on Thursday hid in the courtroom of the Chief Judge of the state to escape arrest by policemen. Nnaji, who had been declared wanted by the police following a bench warrant issued by an Enugu High Court, over charges of forgery and stealing, had filed an application before the Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, to quash the arrest warrant. He further alleges threats to kill him by the police and the government in power.

Mobil Confirms Oil Spill

Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) has confirmed the oil spill at the Idoho crude oil pipeline of the Qua Iboe Crude Oil Export Terminal in Akwa Ibom State, last weekend. A clean up exercise for the oil spill is already in place.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

MEND Contacts NBA Over Okah, Charges FG With Contempt

Movement for Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND) has contacted the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) over the refusal of the FG to grant the family and lawyers of its detained leader, Henry Okah access to him as ordered by a Federal High Court. Okah’s lawyers have also filed a contempt charge against the Federal Government.

Ibori Wants New Judge To Handle Case

Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori; standing trial before a Federal High Court in Kaduna have filed an application asking the trial Judge to disqualify himself from handling his trial over allegations of bias. He also wants the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to re-assign the case to the judicial division where the offences were allegedly committed. He alleges that trial in Kaduna violates his rights to fair hearing.

Police Take Over PDP Secretariat

Police have taken over the Edo State secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benin City, in what looked like the sealing of the party’s headquarters following the lingering crisis rocking the party.  The current crisis is over the occupation of the state party chairmanship seat.

Edo Police Declares Ex-Electoral Boss Wanted

The Edo State Police Command has said that the command will effect the orders of the state’s Election Petitions Tribunal to bring the former Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar Ahmadu before it.

FG Slams 14 Charges on Okah, MEND Leader

The FG has slammed a 14-count charge of treason, gun-running and terrorism against the detained leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Henry Okah, and one Edward Attata. They have also been linked to the missing arms in Army depot, kaduna.

Soldiers, NDLEA Arrest Suspected Hemp Dealers In Delta

A dismissed soldier and two others were nabbed in the process of transporting eight bags of suspected cannabis at the River Niger head bridge in Asaba, by soldiers and operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Nine women were also arrested for allegedly being in possession of 12.1 kilogrammes of the banned weeds in Ndokwa West LGA. Items recovered include; one G3 riffle, one pistol, one pump action gun, bullet proof jackets and 103 live ammunitions.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Robber Shot By Colleagues

Nurudeen Babatunde, 27, an armed robbery suspect, was mistakenly shot by his colleague after a near successful operation was foiled by the brother to the owner of the business centre that was robbed.

Sources Of Illegal Weapons Worry Police

The Lagos State Police Command, penultimate Sunday expressed worry over the seemingly intractable sources of illegal weapons that are brought into the state. The police recover an average of 30 assorted guns from suspects, monthly.

More Illegal Detention Camps Dismantled

The police in Oyo state have further discovered some illegal detention camps, alleged to be rehabilitation centres or Arabic schools, where young people are constantly abused. The promoters of these three centres, Alhaji Abdul Ganiyu Imoniyi, Alfa Ali Ademola and Alfa Mohammed Olore, claimed that they were only engaged in Arabic teaching, spiritual healing and rehabilitation.

Robbers Shoot Female Driver in Lagos

A four-man robbery gang, on Wednesday, shot at close range a young female driver in her bullet proof Mercedes jeep and made away with a bag containing an undisclosed amount of money. The robbers ripped open the jeep with their rifles leaving the only female occupant in her own pool of blood as her two legs were badly severed by the bullets.

Fire Guts Kuto Market in Abeokuta

Popular Kuto market in Abeokuta South LGA of Ondo state was engulfed in a fire early Tuesday, resulting in the destruction of food items, property and cash. The fire started at about 3.15 a.m, when PHCN restored electricity to Kuto, Amolasho and Isabo areas of the state capital.

Three Policemen, Four Robbers Feared Killed In Shoot-Out

Three policemen were feared dead at the weekend in Lagos when daring armed robbers attacked Alaba International Market in Ojo. A team of five policemen were on routine patrol and encountered the robbers, which led to sporadic shooting that claimed the lives of the three officers. Four of the robbers were allegedly killed, but their bodies were retrieved by their colleagues.

NDLEA Seizes Five Lorry-Loads Of Indian Hemp In Ekiti

The Ekiti State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the weekend discovered a warehouse where five lorry-loads of substances believed to be cannabis sativa were stored. The command was, however, unable to apprehend anybody connected with the heavy consignment of the substance at Ise-Ekiti. The agency is yet to find clues as to the identities of the owners of the substance and the warehouse.