News
Engineer faces N500,000 cement theft charge
A 43-year-old construction site engineer, Anthony Akin, who allegedly stole 50 bags of cement worth N500,000, on Friday appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Akin, whose address was not provided, is facing a charge of stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, ASP Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 15 at 7.00p.m at Plot 18, Federal Government site, Isheri-Olofin, Lagos.
Aigbokhan said that the defendant could not account for the 50 bags of cement under his care, belonging to his employer, Mr Bello Adekunle.
He said that the defendant stole the bags of cement and converted it to his personal use.
Aigbokhan said that the offence contravened Section 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the section stipulates seven years jail term for stealing from one’s employer.
The Magistrate, Miss K. A. Ariyo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Ariyo ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until June 14 for mention. (NAN)
Another explosion occurred at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa area of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday.
This incident follows a similar explosion that shook the Trans Niger Pipeline, operated by Shell, in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area just hours earlier.
The latest explosion reportedly took place at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline deep within the forest, which transports crude oil to Brass in Bayelsa State.
While the explosion has not yet been officially confirmed, community sources reported seeing massive flames and thick smoke rising from the oil installation in the forest.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, stated that she would investigate the incident but had not provided a response at the time of this report.
A video obtained by our correspondent displays a large fire burning in a remote location.
In a separate development, Ijaw youths blocked the Ahoada section of the East-West Road leading to Bayelsa State on Tuesday in protest.
The demonstrators, numbering over 100, carried placards in solidarity with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid his political dispute with the state House of Assembly. Some of the placards read: “We demand Wike’s dismissal as FCT Minister” and “Martin Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers have defected and lost their seats.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly in October 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that the House had on Thursday last week, considered and approved the report of the House Committee on Finance which made some recommendations, particularly in controversial areas such as the Value Added Tax and inheritance tax.
While awaiting the Senate to similarly pass the bills, the proposed reforms are expected to be transmitted to the President for his assent in the days ahead.
Details shortly…
Two members of the house of representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, announced the defections in a letter read on the floor of the lower legislative chamber on Tuesday.
More to follow…