NEWS
Presidential Amnesty Beneficiary Drags UBA, Ex-Militant Leaders to Court over Blockage of Stipends

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa, the state capital, has fixed 18th of December, to hear a suit filed by a beneficiary of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Citron Ebimene against an ex-militant leader, Richard Ama Ebiye, over alleged collusion with the management of the United Bank of Africa,Yenagoa branch to block his account and deny him payment of his amnesty stipends.
Also joined in the suit is the Management of the United Bank of Africa (UBA) over the alleged decision to allegedly collude with an individual to freeze and stop the Presidential Amnesty Programme Beneficiary to have access to his stipend due to claims of illegal deduction arrangement between him and his Former Militant leader.
Citron Ebimene, who is a member of the Third Phase Amnesty Programme, in a suit numbered BYHC/YHC/67/2024, said the duo of Richard Ama Ebiye and the management of the United Bank of Africa (UBA) had denied him of access to his Amnesty stipends for the last seven months and thereby violating his fundamental human rights and violating the Presidential Order granting Amnesty to former Freedom fighters in the region.
Citron Ebimene in the suit, prayed the Court for a declaration that “the continued block, freeze,place on line and /or post no debit on the applicant’s bank Account with account number 2063091014 held at the 1st respondent (UBA) by the 1st respondent in obedience for the court order at the instance of the 2nd respondent with suit number MU/M/852/2023 constitute an infringement /abuse of the fundamental human rights of the Applicant as same was obtained by fraudulent misrepresentation”
“Also an order setting aside the block, freeze, and place on line and/or post no debit on the applicant’s bank Account with account number 2063091014 held at the 1st respondent (UBA)”
NEWS
Police Recover Firearm in Nasarawa Hideout Raid, Arrest Suspect

The Police Command in Nasarawa State says it has recovered an English-made Beretta pistol with twelve (12) rounds of 9mm live ammunition during a successful raid. This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Lafia by SP Ramhan Nansel, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state.
Nansel said that the operation was part of the strategies adopted by the state Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, to tackle criminal elements in the state. According to the PPRO, the firearm was recovered at a hideout for criminals popularly known as, ‘me and you’ in the Masaka Area of Karu Local Government Area of the state. “During the operation, one Buhari Mustapha, 25, male, from Katsina State, was apprehended and the items were recovered from him after a thorough search,” he added. The police spokesperson said Jauro-Mohammed had ordered investigations into the case to apprehend other criminal elements and curb crime within the area, and the state at large. He also said the commissioner commended the personnel for their dedication and consistent pressure on criminal elements, and urged them to sustain the momentum in order to win the fight against crime. (NAN)NEWS
FCTA to Assess Abattoirs, Veterinary Clinics, Others

The Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has concluded plans to assess abattoirs, veterinary clinics and farm infrastructure across the territory.The Mandate Secretary, Mr Abdullahi Ango, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday, after a week-long meeting with directors, heads of projects and specialised units.
Ango also said that the facility tours across the area councils would provide the needed platform to engage with farmers, stakeholders and development partners. This, according to him, will fast-track implementation of agricultural programmes in the FCT.Ango, who was deployed to the secretariat from the Youths Development Secretariat, also said that efforts were ongoing to ensure that farmers received seeds, fertilisers, and other equipment before the rainy season.He emphasised the need to equip Agricultural Extension Agents with tools and training, as well as boosting public-private partnerships to attract agribusiness investments in the FCT.He called on the members of staff to rededicate themselves to service to humanity and FCT residents in particular.He stressed the need for teamwork and efficiency to achieve the secretariat’s mandate.“We cannot afford delays. Our farmers are waiting, and the nation is counting on us to boost food security.“I expect every staff member to bring their best to the table because the work ahead demands urgency, dedication, and innovation.“We must all shape up and align with the vision of the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration as well as the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud.“The “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu must reflect in our agricultural programmes,” Ango said. (NAN)NEWS
Zamfara Governor Directs 100% Increment in Corps Members’ Allowances

Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara has directed increase in allowances of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to the state by 100 per cent.
Lawal disclosed this on Friday in Gusau, while declaring open the orientation course for the 2025 Batch ‘A’, Stream I corps members posted to the state.
The governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Nakwada, at the event.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring security and welfare of all the 550 corps members
deployed to the state.
“I am happy to inform you that I have directed the resumption of payment of state allowances to all corps members in the state.
“I have also directed the upward increments of corps members’ allowances by 100 percent.
“My administration is also willing to pay special allowances to the medical corps members serving in the state,” the governor pledged.
He urged the corps members to respect and learn from the rich history, culture and tradition of the good people of Zamfara.
“I assure corps members of adequate security and warm hospitality throughout their year of service in the state.
“I wish to reiterate that we will pay full attention to your security and welfare.
“We will give you all the necessary support to carry out your duties and will provide everything necessary to make your stay here a memorable one,” the governor assured.
Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mohammad Ahmad, thanked Gov. Dauda Lawal for his consistent support to the NYSC scheme.
“We appreciate the state government for adequate provision of additional facilities as well as approval for the payment of state allowances to corp members,” Ahmad said. (NAN)