Robbers kill five bank customers in Delta... cart away millions

Five persons were feared killed yesterday when an 11-man robbery gang attacked a first generation bank in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, and carting away unspecified amount of cash.
It was learnt that the dare-devil robbers, armed to the teeth with sophisticated weapons, blew-up the bank vault.
According to eye witness accounts, the robbers shot sporadically into the air to scare bystanders away just as customers who were inside the banking hall doing transactions scampered for safety.
The incident, which took place in the morning lasted for several minutes and the men of the underworld had a field day despite the fact that security operatives were stationed some few metres away at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Agbor.
Confirming the incident, State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Lucky Uyabeme, said the police command has intensified a full-scale manhunt for the fleeing robbers.

N710, 000 Fraud: Choir Director at Chris Oyakhilome’s Church to Face Charges

An Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Friday struck out an application for the withdrawal of a N710, 000 fraud charges against a Choir Director of the Christ Embassy Church, Lagos.
The police had on May 15 arraigned the director, Sunday Eboh, who allegedly defrauded another member of the church, David Egaifa, under false pretences of helping him to purchase a Toyota bus.
Chief Magistrate Omolade Awope struck out the application when Egaifa exhibited ignorance of implications of the withdrawal.
The complainant, who had earlier agreed with the accused to withdraw the suit, told court on Friday that he was not properly enlightened on the implications of withdrawing the case.
Mr. Egaife made this known after the prosecutor, Corporal Adekemi Adeniran, told him that he would not be able to bring back the case once withdrawn.
“Madam, it is during this section that I learnt I can’t come back for the same case after withdrawal, but I was told that l can re-arrest Eboh if he refuses to pay my money.
“My Lord, I don’t want withdrawal again. I withdraw my application,” Mr. Egaifa said.
The choir director, who lives at No. 11, Church St., Ketu, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of false pretence and stealing.
He had pleaded not guilty on arraignment, and was granted bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
The prosecutor said that he committed the offences in February, 2012 at 12:30 p.m., at the Christ Embassy Church, Ketu, Lagos.
“The accused told the complainant that his relatives are living in United Kingdom and that they frequently sent cars home for sale.
“The complainant was not totally convinced, so he asked the accused to deposit his B.Sc certificate and his NYSC discharge certificate, to be turned to him when he brings the bus. After collecting the money, the accused ran away until last week when he turned up to demand for the certificates,” Ms. Adeniran said.
She said that the offences contravened Sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 285 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing while Section 312 provides for 15 years imprisonment for obtaining by false pretences.
(NAN)

Soldiers Raid ‘Baby Factory’ in Abia

A notorious maternity home located in Umunkpeyi, Isiala Ngwa local government, Abia State and reportedly engaged in nefarious activities has been raided by a military unit from the 14 Brigade lead by an army Major.
The raid leads to the arrest of about 20 suspects.
The soldiers released 17 women and three children held in Nma Maternity and Charity Rehabilitation Home to produce children who are sold or given out for illegal adoption.
Abia State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Ugoeze Joy Alozie who disclosed this to newsmen in  her office in Umuahia, said the women – 15 of them  pregnant, two non-pregnant and three children – were brought to her ministry by 1pm on Monday by an army major.
According to her, the Major said that acting on information from concerned residents,  he and his team had raided the maternity home on Friday and arrested the women, who have been held in the home for periods ranging from one week to three months.
The matron of the maternity home was said to have escaped when she allegedly learned about the presence of the security men.
The pregnant  girls, who came from  various neighbouring states to the state to access the services of the home,  were said  to be confined to the place  and not allowed  go out until they were delivered of their babies.
The commissioner said they were still interrogating an elderly woman among them to ascertain the ownership of the child she was carrying when she was arrested.
She wondered why the home should be allowed to function as it had a questionable reputation, and added that despite campaigns and enlightenments  by the state government to stop  child  trafficking, some people were still involved in the  nefarious trade.
“When the Major brought them here in a lorry load, most of them  looked anemic, tattered and unkempt. When these mothers give birth, their children are sold and they are told they had died,” she said.
source -Leadership News

Nigerian woman is the oldest woman in the world.

By Funmi Salome Johnson of National Mirror
Mrs. Juliana Abebi Shodiya, nee Oketoogun, a centenarian, is no doubt a Christian. And this is obvious in your first encounter with her. Although, there is no record to prove the date of her birth, it is clear from her utterances about history and past events that she should not be less than 120 years old. This makes her one of the oldest in Agege-Ogba axis of the city.

In her ever vivacious manner, she ushered us into her humble abode located at garage bus stop behind a popular eatery on Agege/Ogba road, Agege, close to the palace of the Ologba in Lagos.

Incidentally, a set of twin boys who are gospel singers live close to her and she is very fond of them. On sighting one of them, Madam Juliana started singing their praise in the Yoruba language, “Taiye Kanyin, ijo le se eyin naa le o wo ra yin” meaning Taiwo and Kehinde, remain merry because you will take care of yourselves.

While speaking with Saturday Mirror, one of her neighbours who preferred to be simply addressed as Godwin from Delta State, who has lived with her in the compound for over 10 years revealed more about the old woman Madam Juliana.

“I have been living in this compound for over 10 years. I was living with my brother but when he died, I decided to still live here. I have known Mama for over 10 years that I have lived. I have never seen an old woman like this one. She is so friendly and yet so energetic.

Her memory is so sharp and she is still very agile. At first I could not believe her age but with the many stories she told me about herself, I can tell you that she is not less than 120 years old” he said.

According to mama’s grandson, Gbenga Oyewale who is in his early fifties, he is the first born of mama’s second child who died years ago.

Although Oyewale could not specifically say what Mama’s age is, he gave it as 120 years adding that she (Mama) told him of how she invited people to start attending the Holy Trinity African Church when it was founded in 1901. “Although Mama is from Owu in Abeokuta, her farm which is peculiar with Egba people is in Abese in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

She is very popular in Abese because when she was much younger, from the stories I have heard from her, she was itinerant trader called ‘Alajapa’ in the Yoruba language.”

Oyewale further disclosed that for so many reasons, she is grateful to God for mama’s life. “One would expect that at this old age; Mama would be senile and would not be able to do anything by herself. But she bathes herself and brushes her teeth on a daily basis with no assistance. She goes to the toilet unaccompanied; she knows where the toilet key is and she would go there any time she is pressed.

She warms her soup herself and does things without assistance and she is so healthy. She is really blessed” Further investigation, revealed that out of the four children of Madam Juliana (two boys and two girls), only two are alive.

Oyewale continued: “Mama has two boys and two girls namely Agbeke Oyewale nee Shodiya, Femi Shodiya, Laja Shodiya and Toyin Shodiya the last born who died at the age of 13.

My mother, Abeke Oyewale nee Shodiya who was the first child died 22 years ago at the age of 70. Uncles Femi and Laja Shodiya are still alive and are married with children but they seldom come to see Mama and that is causing her great pain” HRM Ibrahim Sanni Bamidele Ashade, the Ologba of Ogba land who ascended the throne over 12 years ago, said that he has known Mama Eleko as she is fondly called since he was a child adding that Mama is a blessing and that they all pray to be like her in old age.

“Mama is a very special person to us all and I can tell you that she is the oldest person in Agege Ogba right now. I have known Mama since I was a child and thank God for her life. She has indeed aged very gracefully,” the monarch said.
Oyewale also recalled the zeal Mama cultivated souls for God. “She is so passionate about God and she is indeed a strong believer. She is one of the foundation members of The Apostolic Church in Ijaiye Ogba in Lagos.

Up to now, they still bring her holy communion at home because of her inability to go the distance of the church regularly like she used to.” Oyewale further explained that one of the very first things she would ask you when she has an encounter with you is whether or not you attend church regularly?

“Do you go to church regularly? Don’t be far from God because He is the one who will give us all we need and He will never let you suffer. Those are the regular statements of Mama each time anyone came visiting her. She is so sharp and smart.

Without looking at the clock, she would easily tell you what the time is. She knows money calculation despite the many generations of currencies she had seen. She would always tell people that are close to her each time they come visiting her and demanding her to tell them a story. She would say, give me one thousand naira and I will tell you.

I remember one time she told one of the twins to give her money, Taiwo brought out a N10 and a N20 note from his pocket and gave them to her, and she looked at it and said Taiwo, so it’s N30 you are giving me. Her memory is sharp and she calculates well. Her only problem is hearing.

You will need to put your mouth in her ear and shout before she could hear you but her sight is as sharp as that of an eagle” Oyewale also added that he knew his maternal grandfather before he died.

He said he was in still in primary school at that time. “I know my grandfather (Mama’s husband). He was sick for over 30 years before he died. I was still in the primary school then and I remember he was almost 80 years old at that time”

He also disclosed that since he had grown to know his grandmother, she has never eaten anything made of garri and she doesn’t take drug.

“I have never seen Mama taken garri or anything made from garri. She doesn’t like to eat meat and even fish, she prefers to eat smoked fish; that’s her favourite.

She doesn’t use any drug and she is always so strong. I think she is just gifted” Although Oyewale is happy for his grandmother, he does not pray to be as old as her. “It is good to grow old in life but I don’t pray to be as old as my grand mom in life because one would witness both pleasant and unpleasant.

“Because of her old age, she had witnessed all sorts, ranging from death of children to even the death of daughtersin law. Imagine my mother died, my aunt died and even recently one of her daughters in law died which we cannot even tell her for fear that she may give up on hearing the news.

As much as it is a good thing to grow old, it is very disadvantageous when one lives too old on earth but I thank God for her life” he said.

Touts now issue new Drivers’ Licence in Lagos

 Emeka Ibemere

It’s difficult to know who is who at their sprawling office. Why?

 As you walk inside the large compound, you would be confronted by three to four men trying to lure you for a ‘business’ and it goes, if you are gullible.

Everybody you come across here is busy carrying one document or another; including the processing application forms for fresh drivers’ licenses.

Few metres away, are bunch of rough looking young men hanging around with some documents as if they were waiting for an instructions from the officers on what next to do.

 You are welcome to the office of the Lagos State Sector Command of Federal Road Safety Corps and that of the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Operational Headquarters at Ojodu, in the Ikeja area of Lagos. 

Here, everybody is involved in the issuance of the new drivers’ licence. There is a growing syndicate smiling to the banks to the disadvantage of Nigerians who try to get the new Drivers’ Licence.

Investigations revealed that both government agencies hired touts who act as marketers of the new drivers’ licence and bring returns to the officers. Also, the syndicate is so powerful that you wonder why they exist in such offices.  

The touts acts as ‘facilitators’ and provided licences, for fees of up to N15, 000 without the recipient having to take any driving test.

Thirty out of 40 officers at the Ojodu office of both agencies have no office and table. They are hired touts. The dirty jobs are done in the office of an officer(s); who vacate his office for touts.

A lady officer briefed our correspondent that the touts belonged to the ‘big shots’ at Ojodu office of the Lagos State Sector Command of Federal Road Safety Corps and that of the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Operational headquarters. The touts work for the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Officers and for the officers of the Lagos State Sector Command of Federal Road Safety Corps.

The thriving deal of extortion at Ojodu office of both agencies is worrisome that the syndicate has the entire wherewithal to call anybody’s bluff if you threat to call security men.

“The powerful syndicate that exist here is so strong that one cannot stop them”, the lady officer hinted.

The lady revealed how the touts forged official documents to issue fake licenses to unsuspecting Nigerians. Most victims are those who want theirs through short-cuts.

Drivers’ license fraud includes the use of another person’s identity, the submission of counterfeit identity documents, and all other activities intended to obtain a driver license or identification card by a person or for a person who is not eligible for issuance of such a document.

Those who patronize touts are presented with counterfeit documents with an undocumented person who is not eligible for a driver’s license or has no National identity card.

The touts also use counterfeit birth certificates or fake National ID Cards created on a personal computer by scanning a legitimate document and printing it out on a color printer after changing the identity information. In most cases, it’s another person’s birth certificate that the touts would used to register another person. Investigation also revealed that Driver’s licence of those who dies in an accident but recovered by Road Safety officers at accident scenes are also used and replaced with a new applicant.

Last March, the FRSC Corps Marshal and chief executive, Mr. Osita Chidoka, unveiled plans by his agency to replace the old driver’s licence with a new one with biometric and security features.

According to him, the plan would bring sanity to the system through the introduction of a new driver’s licensing scheme with improved security features which would make licenses difficult to forge.

He explained that with the new standard and unique features, the Nigerian driver’s licence could also be used as identification anywhere in the world. “The new driver’s licence has been designed like the credit card. It has the Nigerian logo imprinted on it. There is also the telephone number of the next of kin of the holder.

Aside the picture of the owner, it also has a ghost image of the owner on the right lower level – this forms our new strategy to curb international crime. If you are smart enough to change the picture, you cannot change the ghost image and there are some words embedded on it that are not known to the ordinary people,” he said, adding that as a deterrent “the cost of faking the new licenses are higher than the price of acquiring the original.”

Nigerians, however, have been sorely disappointed at the false start of the scheme. They won’t forget in a hurry how an elated Chidoka had boasted over seven months ago that the FRSC was prepared to roll out the new regime because it had taken the FRSC a long time to get to where it is. “Over the last one year, we have been training our personnel and deploying V-Sat across the country and we have been testing the system since March 1,” said Chidoka when the new driver’s licence and car registration numbers were launched several months ago.

But the issue was laid to rest when FRSC insisted on the uniformity in the design of the driver’s licence and vehicle number plates and the establishment of central data base, hence a memorandum of understanding was entered into with FRSC and the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation for the production of number plates required in the state.

“There is no controversy about it. It is the duty of the FRSC to design the driver’s licence and produce number plates,” a Road Safety officer said at the Lagos Sector Command of the Corps. “We have done our bit and handed the materials to the VIOs who are in charge of issuance and distribution. This is an issue we’ve been addressing since February.”

Investigations by our correspondent shows that the man-made cumbersomeness in obtaining the Drivers’ Licence was what gave rise to syndicate who operates the project to make money from the users.

The licence and vehicle registration numbers are not easily available to Nigerians who need them. Many complain that they have started the online processing for the new driver’s licenses in accordance with the directive but could not complete it and have been compelled to drive with their old licenses.

The activities of the touts are causing a huge hole in the pocket of the Federal government as the nation loses money to the syndicates issuing fake driver’s licenses across the country. FRSC boss, Chidoka, has long confirmed this as well. He said the online processing as well as physical and biometric identification was aimed at blocking the loopholes in the old system.

Though the payments for the new Drivers Licence are done through the bank, fees for the vehicle registration plate numbers are already being manipulated.

Chidoka said that the new driver’s licence costs N6, 000 for vehicles while the licence for motorcyclists costs N3, 000. Fresh vehicle registration numbers, according to him, costs N15, 000 while renewal costs N10, 000, stressing that these are all one-off payments. While maintaining that the FRSC does not issue the licenses nor sell number plates but only designs them, he also affirmed that the Corps does not determine the prices.

According to our investigation, both FRSC and the Joint Tax Board set the prices. The Lagos Sector Commander of Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr Nseobong Akpabio few months ago said the era of obtaining drivers’ licences and vehicle plate numbers via the back door, is over.

He said intending applicants for the two products should go through the right channels to procure them to avoid fakes.

"Gone were the days of getting the drivers licence and number plates by proxy or through short cuts.

"Our new machines nationwide do not accept passport photographs for capturing, except the physical appearance of the applicant," Akpabio said.

He advised the applicants not to patronize touts or give money to any officer to help in procuring the products as it would be fakes.

He also said that any FRSC official caught aiding such illegality would be in deep trouble. Akpabio said that applicants might fill the form online through www.nigeriadrivers license.org or visit the nearest FRSC drivers license centre, Vehicle Inspection Office or the State Board of Internal Revenue.

The FRSC boss said that old driver's license and number plates would become invalid as from 30 September.

"All old driver's license and number plates cease to be valid after the 30 September 2013," says the FRSC boss.

He said that the new license and number plates would create a central databank where correct information of a vehicle and the owner could be got at any time.

On Monday, the Lagos Sector Command of the FRSC flagged off the new commercial driver's licence-class 'E'- at the Ikotun Motor Park.

Akpabio told the audience that the class 'E' licence was introduced to eradicate quack drivers and achieving the aim of reducing road crashes by 50 per cent.

"The class 'E' driver's licence was introduced to know the professional drivers from the unqualified and inexperienced.

"Some accidents on the road are usually caused by unqualified drivers and with the introduction of the new class 'E' driver's licence, this will be reduced," he said.

The Sector Commander said that photocopy of the new drivers licence would not be accepted on demand, because "it is like the currency whereby the original cannot be at home and the photocopy accepted for transaction.

"It is illegal to present photocopy of your licence and keep the original at home for nobody can go to the market with the photocopy of our currency."

He condemned night travelling, saying that in the case of any eventuality, there might not be quick response.

He emphasized the use of seat belts as they help in case of crashes.

The Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr Tajudeen Agbede, told the launch that the Union would collaborate with the FRSC in obtaining the new drivers licence easily.

"We are ready to parley with the FRSC to work out arrangements that would ensure that our members do not suffer before they get the new drivers licence," Agbede said.

He advised his members not to patronize touts as they might end up getting fake licences that would put them in trouble.

Agbede appealed to the FRSC not to relent in its effort on public education to the drivers, rather than strict enforcement.

"Public education is the surest way to curb road accidents. Enforcement will only give temporary pain, but message and information can be gathered during public campaigns and this will always be in the memory of drivers," Agbede said.

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the body established by law in 1988 to prevent accidents and promote road safety Nigeria, includes the Federal Road Safety Corps.

The Commission is the policy-making arm of the organization while the Corps is responsible for operations and for implementing the Commission’s policies.

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, the FRSC's senior manager responsible for the day-to-day operation of the organization the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive explained that the FRSC was also mandated to design and produce driver’s licences for all states in the country as well as maintain a driver's licence database.

However, a solicitor and lawyer, Chinedu Okereke explained that, over time, the FRSC has taken on the power to issue drivers' licences, a function that constitutionally lies with the states.

A coalition of civil society and non-governmental organizations has also reportedly argued that the FRSC's practice of issuing driver's licences is an aberration of the 1999 Constitution .The solicitor indicated that the FRSC is being taken to court for assuming a state function and deriving the revenues associated with issuing driver's licences and vehicle licence plates .In September 2011, the coalition is reported to have ordered the immediate suspension of the FRSC's plans to implement a new driver’s licence until after the case had been heard in court .

The solicitor stated that the court date was set for 9 February 2012 and added that the FRSC has gone ahead and implemented the new driver's licence system even though they were waiting to go to court.

How to Obtain the New Federal Driver's Licence

Both the FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive and the Unit Commander stated that, to apply for a driver's licence, applicants must be at least 18 years old. First-time applicants must attend an accredited driving school.

The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive specified that it must be an FRSC-accredited driving school, after which the applicant will be sent to a vehicle inspection officer for a driving test. The FRSC website indicates that for each new driver's licence application, an applicant can retake the driving test up to three times, each time following a 30-day waiting period.

If, according to the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, the applicant passes the driving test, he or she will be given a certificate from the vehicle inspection officer before proceeding to complete the driver's licence application at a driver's licence centre.

However, the Unit Commander differed in saying that, after attending driving school; applicants apply for what he termed a six-month "test license," also called a learner’s permit. If, during the first six-month period, the vehicle inspection officer finds the applicant is not driving to standard, the applicant will be given another six-month test licence or learner's permit.

Once applicants demonstrate that they can drive "satisfactorily," they are sent to the Board of Internal Revenue to pay for the licence. The Unit Commander also pointed out that he has not yet seen a copy of a learner’s permit and that, because information on the new procedures, including how to obtain a learner's permit, has not yet been fully publicized, it may not be easy for members of the public to access information about it.

Application Process and Fees

As mentioned, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive said that the driver's licence application form is to be completed at a driver's licence centre, which, according to the Unit Commander, is located in every state capital.  Applicants then pay the fee for the new driver's licence, which the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive says costs N6, 350 approximately and can be paid online or at designated banks. The FRSC website indicates that, after completing the application form, applicants can pay online using a credit or debit card or through an e-Wallet account. However, the Unit Commander said that the licence fee is to be paid following successful completion of the test licence at the Board of Internal Revenue and that it costs N6, 500. The FRSC website states that the new licence costs N6, 000.

According to the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, once payment has been made, the completed forms are to be presented to the Board of Internal Revenue and a vehicle inspection officer at the driver's licence centre for endorsement. The FRSC website specifies that the applicant is to present the completed application form to the Board of Internal Revenue and the vehicle inspection officer. The Unit Commander added that the required documents include proof of payment, the applicant's first learner's permit and, if applicable, the second learner's permit.

Once the application has been endorsed, applicants must go to an FRSC officer at the driver's licence centre for a "biometric data capture". This involves taking the applicant's portrait, fingerprints, and signature. The Unit Commander clarified that the prints of all fingers are required. The FRSC website states that "passport photographs cannot be used to process the new driver's license".

Following the biometric data capture, applicants are then issued a temporary driver's licence that is valid for 60 days. They are also instructed to pick up their official licence at the Board of Internal Revenue office before the temporary licence expires.