NAIJAFEED

Monday, January 30, 2012

Major Hamza Al-Mustapha sentenced to death by hanging

Embattled former Chief Security Officer, CSO, to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and a protocol officer in the MKO Abiola campaign organisation, Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan, today, at the Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, were sentenced to death by hanging for the conspiracy to murder and murder charge preferred against them.

Justice Mojisala Dada of Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere delivered the judgment Monday afternoon.

“Evidence proves Al-Mustapha, Sofolahan killed Kudiratu Abiola”

Judge Mojisola Dada of the Lagos high court ruled that Army Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, chief security aide to Abacha, was guilty of conspiracy and murder of Kudiratu Abiola, wife of late presidential candidate Moshood Abiola.

“Evidence was manifestedly heavy that they killed Kudiratu Abiola. In view of this, they are guilty of conspiracy and murder,” Dada said in her ruling which lasted several hours.

“The prosecution has proved its case beyond all reasonable doubt. In view of this, they should be hanged.”

The annulment of the 1993 elections helped paved the way for Abacha’s rise to power.

Al-Mustapha was the powerful chief security officer to Abacha, who ruled Nigeria with iron hand from November 1993 to July 1998 when he died.

Abiola was a wealthy businessman and presidential candidate jailed in 1994 after he challenged the military’s decision to annul the vote. He died in jail a month after Abacha’s death in circumstances yet to be clarified.

The judge said Sofolahan “acted as Judas Iscariot. He was friend to the Abiola family in the open and enemy in secret. He sacrificed his master (Abiola) because of his personal greed. He was a viper.”

Al-Mustapha’s defence lawyer Olalekan Ojo said he would appeal the court judgement.

Vanguard

Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote looking to end cement imporation

The importation of cement may soon come to an end in Nigeria as the expected six-million tons per annum Dangote Cement from Ibese plant commences operations.

Nigeria's cement demand in 2011 was put at 17.6 million metric tons per annum. Its total local production was 14.5 metric tons while 3.1 million metric tons was imported to bridge the gap.

Available records indicate that as Nigeria's cement demands increased by the year, its local production also improved. In 2009, the demand was 14.4 million metric tons per annum while local production stood at 8.5 million metric tons with the importation of 5.9 million metric tons.

In 2010, the demand was 16 million metric tons per annum with local production at 11.28 million metric tons per annum. In that same year, 4.72 million metric tons was imported.

A statement from Dangote Group said that the commissioning of the Ibese Plant near Ilaro in Ogun State next month which is reputed to be the largest in Africa, will make Nigeria not only a producer of the commodity, but also a net exporter in months to come.

"We are marking the closing ceremony of cement import in Nigeria with the coming on stream of our Ibese cement plant which will be producing a combined six million tons per annum from its initial two lines while additional two lines will be added immediately to increase its production to 12 million tons per annum", the management of Dangote Cement said at the weekend.

President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote had said that his organization was taking up the challenge to lead the way in the effort of making the nation self-reliant in cement production as the nation was losing a huge sum in foreign exchange on import.

He said: "Our long-term ambition is to develop 46 million metric tons of production and terminal capacity in Africa by 2015. We want to become a truly pan-African champion in the sector, capable of competing globally with the largest cement companies in the world."

Group Head, Corporate Communication of the Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina said considering Nigeria's cement need of 17 to 19 million tons per year, Dangote Group alone will be producing far more than the country's demand, with the coming on stream of Ibese plant.

"That will set the pace for exportation of our products which will lead to increased products, more revenue for the company and better returns for the shareholders," he said.

Related stories: Aliko Dangote is Africa's Richest Man

Aliko Dangote makes Forbes rich men's list

Boko Haram - No dialogue until government adopts Sharia law

The leadership of the dreaded Boko Haram, has rejected the olive branch that the Federal Government extended to it, vowing to continue its attacks, until the country adopts the Sharia legal system.

President Goodluck Jonathan had urged members of the group to come forward with its grouse to government so it would be to work out an agreement that would foster peace in the country especially in the wake of ceaseless attacks by the group on key government and private institutions, particularly in the northern part of the country.

The President in an interview session with a cable news media, Reuters at the Presidential Villa on Thursday said, "If they clearly identify themselves now and say this is the reason why we are resisting, this is the reason why we are confronting government or this is the reason why we destroyed some innocent people and their properties, why not."

His (President Jonathan's) position came as a result of the inability of the security agents, especially military personnel that have been deployed to the various flashpoints in the north to bring the activities of the group to a halt.

Reacting to the gesture, spokesman of the group, Abu Qaqa told a British Newspaper, the Guardian in an interview monitored in Lagos that Boko Haram will continue its attacks until the government succumbs to its demand.

Expressing the resolve of the group, Qaqa told the newspaper that "We will consider negotiation only when we have brought the government to its knees. Once we see that things are being done according to the dictates of Allah, and our members are released (from prison), we will only put aside our arms - but we will not lay them down. You don't put down your arms in Islam, you only put them aside."

Leadership

United Nations says Boko Haram must not divide Nigeria

Video - Boko Haram leader declares war on Christians

Friday, January 27, 2012

Video - President Goodluck Jonathan wants dialogue with Boko Haram

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan challenges the violent Islamist Boko Haram sect to identify themselves and state clearly their demands as a basis for talks.

Death toll in Boko Haram Kano attack rises to 215

Video - 120 killed in bomb blasts in Kano, Nigeria

Former President Ibrahim Babangida retires from politics

Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, has said that he has quit partisan politics, but added that he will, henceforth, provide advisory services to the nation as a statesman. He made the disclosure at the Daily Trust 9th Annual Dialogue at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja Thursday.

Drawing inspiration from former US President Richard Nixon who once told the US media he would no longer be in the public glare for bashing, Babangida said: "I have news for you my media friends: you will never see Ibrahim Babangida again. Today, my dear media friends, although I will continue to be involved by playing advisory role, I have decided never to seek political office in this country again."

He added that though, he had left office more than 20 years ago, "I am still a substance for bashing from the media."
Chastising the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, for departing from his known radical bent to public policies while he (Maku) was a student leader, Babangida said Maku had changed and had become the champion of government’s deregulation policy.

He said: "I have my brother here, Labaran Maku, who was a young student leader always leading demonstration against Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), always demonstrating against minor increases in fuel prices. Today, he is in government, he is now government spokesman.

"Maku was also one of the restless reporters against IBB transitional programme, I hope Labaran Maku will use his wealth of experience to reverse all the hot phrases and coinages used by protesters, the Lagos youths, critics and civil right activists. Most of the phrases used in the protest were coined by Labaran, as a student."

Also speaking at the event, Senate President David Mark said the African continent has no alternative to democracy, as it remains the only platform for sustainable development.

Mark, who was represented by the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), added: "Democracy is a must for Africa. The Senate has shown its commitment to both democracy and the media by enacting the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act."

Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, on his part, urged the media not to give priority to profit making at the expense of national interest.

The governor further said that the exigency of national security should compel the media to work hard so as "not to allow Nigeria go under”, adding: “when national interest is at stake, I think there is need to ask questions".

Representative of the Minister of Information, Kingsley Isadalor, said the duty of the media is to embrace the profession in such a way that both the led and the leaders become beneficiaries of the development of journalism.

Chairman of Media Trust, publishers of Daily Trust, Mallam Kabiru Yusuf, told the gathering that this year’s event was organised to x-ray the role of the media in politics, and how it affects governance and development.

This Day

Babangida to quit politics in 2015