NEWS
Understand laws on crimes, Lagos CP enjoins officers
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Lagos State Commissioner of Police Idowu Owohunwa has enjoined officers in the command to always understand laws against crimes for credible investigations and prosecutions.
Owohunwa gave the charge on Tuesday during a training for prosecutors and investigators drawn from different areas and divisions of the command in Lagos.
The training was organised by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC), funded by the European Union and managed by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA).
Owohunwa, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the state Criminal Investigation Dept (CID), Mr Waheed Ayillara, said that officers must read all the codes against each crime for them to be able to have successful investigation and prosecution.
He said that the purpose of the retraining was to update the officers so that they could deliver services optimally in line with the vision and mission of the Inspector-General of Police (IG).
“If you want to be a good investigator, prosecutor, you must understand and have the law of the case you are handling. Ask questions from your colleagues that understand better.
“You must not be a novice. Get all the relevant codes for crimes”, he challenged the officers.
The Coordinator of RoLAC in Lagos State, Mrs Ajibola Ijimakiwa, said that training was meant for 200 police personnel in the Lagos Police Command on effective investigation and prosecution.
Ijimakiwa said that the training was organised in collaboration with the Directorate of Public Prosecution in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and Lagos Police Command.
She said that the training would expose the officers to the new amendment in criminal justice system in Lagos.
The coordinator said that the officers were expected to improve in their investigations and prosecutions after the training.
“We expect improvement from the officers in the ways they investigate and prosecute cases before. Some of the things they have not been doing right before now, there should be a change,” she said.
The Director of DPP in Lagos, Mr Babajide Martins, said that the training was to ensure an effective administration of criminal justice system in Lagos State.
Martins said that the training would introduce modern ways of investigation and prosecution in courts.
The director said that the training would also expose the officers to the plea bargain, District Prosecutors and their duties.
He pointed out that through the District Prosecutors, many case files might not appear in court.
“The District Prosecutors have power to stop any case file appearing before the Magistrate.
“They are to go through case files and read through. If the case is a civil matter, such case should not be brought to court and be criminalised,” he said.
NEWS
Kebbi Relocates 6 Sir Yahaya Hospital Departments for Remodeling
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The Kebbi Government has announced plans to relocate six medical departments from Sir Yahyah Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, to Kalgo General Hospital in Kalgo Local Government Area for proper remodelling.
Dr Zaki Abubakar-Zaki, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Sir Yahyah Memorial Hospital, gave the information while briefing the press in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
“Gov.
Nasir Idris has approved the transformation of Sir Yahyah Memorial Hospital into a modern facility to meet the challenges of contemporary medical care.“The relocation of some departments to Kalgo Medical Centre is necessary to facilitate the reconstruction of affected buildings and the installation of modern equipment.
“This action puts to rest rumours and speculations that Sir Yahyah Hospital is being relocated to Kalgo,” he said.
Abubakar-Zaki explained that Sir Yahyah Memorial Hospital, established in 1952, was originally built when Birnin Kebbi had a smaller population.
“However, the rapid population growth now necessitates modernisation to align the hospital with current needs.
“Gov. Idris sanctioned the hospital’s transformation during his visit, recognising the importance of modern medical care.
“Patients from the affected departments will receive their medical records for transfer to the new location.
“The departments being relocated are Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Dental, and Physiotherapy.
“Departments remaining at the hospital until the completion of the remodelling include Accident and Emergency, Maternity Unit, Paediatrics, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Dialysis, Laboratory, and X-ray.”
Abubakar-Zaki, who is also the hospital’s Permanent Secretary, noted that the hospital was currently unable to train medical interns, except for nurse interns, due to its current state.
He said once modernised, Sir Yahyah Memorial Hospital would be capable of training medical professionals at all levels.
The CMD also clarified that the hospital would continue to serve as a Tertiary Health Institution but stated it would not become a University Teaching Hospital. (NAN)
NEWS
NAHCON Approves 4 Banks to Implement Hajj Savings Scheme
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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has approved four banks to support and implement the Hajj Savings Scheme.
Abdulbasit Abba, an official in the Information and Publications Division of NAHCON, announced the development in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.
Abba stated, “A significant milestone for the Hajj Savings Scheme, three new Islamic banks—Taj Bank, Alternative Bank, and Lotus Bank have officially joined the initiative to support Nigerian pilgrims.
“These banks will operate alongside Ja’iz Bank, bringing the total number of participating financial institutions to four.
“The official signing and acknowledgment of the appointment letters took place at Hajj House in Abuja, where representatives from the three new banks received their official letters from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
“The Commissioner for Policy, Personnel, Management, and Finance, Prince Abdullazak Aliu, presented the letters on behalf of the Chairman/CEO, Prof. Abdullahi Usman.
“This expansion marks a new era for the Hajj Savings Scheme, ensuring a more robust financial structure to facilitate pilgrimage arrangements for Nigerian Muslims.”(NAN)
NEWS
Bill to Regulate Agency, Legal Fees in Enugu State Scales First Reading
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A bill seeking to regulate house agency and legal fees in Enugu State has scaled first reading in the State House of Assembly.
The bill titled, “Bill for a Law to Amend the Landlord and Tenant Law Cap 101 of of Enugu State 2024” was sponsored by the member representing Nkanu East constituency, Mr Okey Mbah.
Mbah said the move was in response to the growing complaints by Enugu State residents over rising exploitation by landlords.
He pointed out that Section 3 (4) provides that no tenant shall be caused to pay any further premium in acquiring any accommodation except legal fee payable to a qualified legal practitioner.
The lawmaker said it must be for the purpose of preparing the landlord and tenant agreement and such fee should not exceed 10 per cent of the rent.
Mbah explained that offence under this bill, when passed, would attract a N500,000 fine or a prison term of six months or both.
He said the bill equally seeks to checkmate the injustice suffered by tenants through forced, irregular, and fraudulent evictions by establishing a legally defined duration for eviction and other relevant notices.
Mbah said that the amended bill which sought to ensure that anyone who wished to be a land agent/manager must be certified by the government.
The first term lawmaker explained that there was a 10 per cent ceiling for both Agency and Legal fees, the percentage can be negotiated lesser but could never be above 10 per cent.
He also explained that the tradition of caution fee should be prohibited.
The legislator however, said that government ministry or agency was given the powers to make further regulations on housing issues in Enugu State.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the assembly, Chief Uche Ugwu, applauded the initiator of the bill describing it as being apt.
Ugwu urged the members to study the bill and get ready for deliberations during the second reading. (NAN)