NEWS
Association Gets Taskforce to Check Irregularities in Oil Sector

The Association of Nigeria Refineries Petroleum Marketers (ANRPM), on Monday inaugurated a taskforce to stamp out oil bunkering, adulteration of products, artificial scarcity and other illegalities in the sector.
Reports says that the Chief Host and Delta Coordinator, ANRPM, Dr Edison Nwadiaro, inaugurated the chairmen and coordinators for Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers and Enugu States in Asaba, Delta.
Nwadiaro said that the association had a mandate to flush out all forms of illegalities in the petroleum sector in the Niger Delta region.
“Today, we are inaugurating a taskforce on bunkering, adulteration of petroleum products, dubious middlemen, artificial scarcity and all forms of illegalities in the sector.
“We have Chairmen in the nine states of the Niger Delta who will carry out this mandate in their respective states. We also have local government coordinators.
“We say no to the dubious middlemen in the oil sector, no to artificial scarcity which is usually caused by activities of middlemen, no to adulteration of petroleum products, no to bunkering and all forms of illegalities in the oil sector.
“We are trying to put a stop to these illegalities in the oil sector.
“We are a federal taskforce and we have legal backing. We will work with security agencies to ensure smooth operation.
“The association intends to identify those involved in bunkering and bring them under an association where they could approach the Federal Government to grant them amnesty.
“Just like what the Federal Government did in the past, they will be granted amnesty that will enable them stop bunkering in the Niger Delta region and our oil facilities will be secured and production increased,” he said.
He charged the taskforce to up their game and carry out their mandate diligently in their respective states.
He said that members of the taskforce would be trained so as to be equipped with the requisite knowledge to execute their tasks.(NAN)
JUDICIARY
Teenager Gets 10 Strokes Of Cane For Stealing Electric Cables

A Kaduna Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday ordered that a teenager, be given 10 strokes of the cane for breaking into a house and stealing electrical cables worth N450, 000.
The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, gave the sentence following a guilty plea by the 18-year-old now convict who resides at Kinkinau Kaduna.
Emmanuel said that the light punishment was because the convict saved the court from a prolonged trial, adding that he hoped that it would serve as a deterrent to others.
He also ordered that the recovered electrical cables be returned to the complainant, Sadiq Yusuf.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo, told the court that the convict committed the offence on May 17 at Ungwan sarki Kaduna.
He said the convict and one Mohammed Sani, now attack large, broke into the complainant’s house and stole the electrical cables worth N450, 000.
Leo said the convict was arrested when a neighbour to the complainant saw him coming out of the house with the stolen items.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017. (NAN)
CRIME
Woman In Court For Allegedly Stabbing Boyfriend With Knife

A 23-year-old woman, Abigail Victor, was on Wednesday arraigned before a Kaduna Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend with a knife.
Victor, a resident of Ungwan Sunday, Kaduna, was facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and causing injury.
The Prosecutor, Insp Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 17 at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna.
Leo said the defendant conspired with two others at large to beat her boyfriend, Dominic James, and also stab him with a knife in his shoulder.
He said the defendant, who had a misunderstanding with the complainant, accused him of cheating on her.
“In the process, she called two of her friends who came to the complainant’s house, beat him up and stabbed him.
“It took the intervention of neighbours who came to the aid of the complainant and rushed him to a hospital.
“The offences contravene Sections 58 and 284 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.
“Section 58 attracts a one-year prison term if found guilty, while Section 284 attracts a prison term of not less than five years if found guilty,” he said.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum.
He said the surety must be a blood relation to the defendant and must present a three year tax clearance to the Kaduna State Government.
Emmanuel adjourned the case until June 17 for hearing. (NAN)
Metro
First Lady Urges Nigerians to Embrace Cultural Diversity, Promote Unity

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to embrace their cultural diversity and promote unity and respect within the diverse nation.
The first lady made the call in her message on Wednesday in commemoration of the 2025 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
“The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, highlights the profound strength that lies our differences and the shared humanity that connects us all.
”There is indeed strength and unity in diversity.
“Nigeria for example is blessed with over 250 ethnic groups, each speaking a different language, but it is through our dialogue, our interactions, and our mutual respect that we find true identity and unity.
“On this day, I encourage every Nigerian to celebrate our cultural richness, to listen with empathy, and to lead with understanding.
“Let us embrace this journey together and shape a brighter future for Nigeria and the world,” Mrs Tinubu said.
The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is celebrated every year on May 21, to raise awareness on the role of Culture in sustainable socio-economic growth and development. (NAN)