Justice I.M Sami of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced two oil thieves to one year imprisonment each for illegal dealing in petroleum products.
A statement by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),signed by its Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale on Tuesday, explained that the convicts, Friday David and Ikechukwu Utobo, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt’s zonal office on August 18,2020 on one-count separate charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products.
One of charge read: “that you Ikechukwu Utobo being the driver on board Mark Tanker with registration number KPR 667 XA on or about the 3rd of March , 2020 at Iwofe, Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without appropriate licence, deal in petroleum product to wit: illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit/Automotive Gas Oil and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federal of Nigeria), 2007 and punishable under Section 1 917) of the same Act.
The convicts pleaded “guilty” to their separate charges.
In view of their plea, prosecution counsel, M.T. Iko called a witness, Assistant Detective Inspector Isaac Kazzar who is a staff of the commission, to review the facts of the case and tender Exhibits.
Iko urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant as charged.
Justice Sani convicted and sentenced David and Utobo to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N400,000.00) each. He also ordered that the product on board the Trucks be sold by the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court and the proceeds paid into the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
Social media disruptive, useful, declares Bagudu
From Shuaibu Zubair Tatu, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, says Social Media were very crucial, useful and indispensable, just as they were disruptive.
Bagudu spoke on Tuesday, in Birnin Kebbi,while declaring open a one-day, ” Kebbi State Government New Media Consultative Meeting/ Forum at the Presidential Banquet Hall.
“In the world of today, the Social Media usage is in Vogue, globally , and Nigeria, as well as Kebbi State will not lag behind,” he added.
It was attended by the Governor, the SSG, Babale Umar Yauri, top ranking government officials and the Social Media Practitioners, Bloggers and Online Publishers.
He said that,the event was organized as part of the efforts by his administration to improve the feedback mechanism, between the government and the electorate.
Bagudu said: “We are here to learn from each other, exchange knowledge and learn about new technologies.
“This will in turn boost good governance, the participation of people in governance and shape the right opinions.
“Also, we will be able to record meaningful progress, shape what can be done by the government, hence, and enhance growth and development.”
Bagudu further admonished the social media practitioners, bloggers and online publishers to always endeavour to ask questions, disseminate information that is objective, incisive and useful.
The Kebbi Governor also underscored the need for them to always be ethical, patriotic and nationalistic, while necessary enquiries and investigations should be done.
He pledged to continue to invest more to improve social media practice in the state, adding “however, with technology, you need to be imaginative, interested and inquisitive.
“I must however commend you for your sustained efforts to continuously disseminate the activities of the state government,
“You have also been able to inform us wherever we have gone wrong and this is very important fora for any people -oriented governance.”
Bagudu stated that the state government was ready to assist any group that can articulate what they think the government can do for them.
Commenting on a recent survey that ranked Kebbi State as one of the five states with least Internally Generated Revenue as asked by one of the participants , Bagudu averred that, the state government focused more on creating meaningful activities in the state, rather than increasing taxes.
“Our logic is to enable the people of the state to make more income, so as to feed their families, as well as provide some services like medications and education.
“By doing so, they are complementing the efforts of the state government, which is equivalent to raising the revenue, by increasing taxes.”
Bagudu further admitted that, the state government can do better in terms of economic activities.
The governor noted that, Kebbi state was abundantly blessed with myriad of natural resources which were yet to be fully explored and exploited.
Earlier in his remarks, the Secretary to the state government, Babale Yauri Umar urged the social media practitioners to desist from posting or publishing stories that were capable of causing crises in the society even if such were true.
“It is better not to post stories that can cause tension or crises in the society especially stories that involves ethnic killings.
“Such is capable of not only creating tension but could lead to crises in the society. Instead of posting such stories, confide in the relevant government officials for necessary action,” he advised.
The SSG also charged the social media practitioners to feel free and seek for information about the activities and programs of government from relevant government ministries and establishments.
The Commissioner of Information, and Culture, Alhaji Mahmud Warra, said that the meeting was expected to sensitise and sharpen the practices of Social Media practitioners as well as update them on ethics of new media handling globally and locally in the state.
“You should learn and avoid libel, character defamation and slander against individual, as well as compliment government in fostering societal development rather than criticisms.
“You should see yourselves as partners in the state architecture and development, ” Warra urged the participants.
He lauded the governor for his tireless effort in supporting the Information sector of the state.
