News
Police release Agba Jalingo on bail
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command said on Saturday that the journalist and publisher of CrossRiver Watch, Agba Jalingo, who was arrested at his resident in Lagos State, had been released from detention at exactly 10:00pm.
The journalist was asked to report to the Command on Monday.
Earlier, the command had confirmed his (Agba Jalingo) receipt and detention and that investigation was ongoing.
Adeh said, “On Saturday, August 20, 2022, Agba Jalingo was arrested by State CID operatives in response to a petition filed against him by one Elizabeth Ayade.
“He was arrested over a false allegation, claiming that she paid one Mr Pascal to write an examination for her at the law school.
“Upon the receipt of this petition, we went ahead to invite Mr Jalingo, but he refused to come, leaving the police no option but to secure an arrest warrant, which was why he was arrested in Lagos.
“Investigation is currently ongoing, and the unraveled facts will be communicated subsequently.”
Jalingo’s legal counsel, James Ibor, who spoke to our correspondent, noted that his relatives and friends have been apprehensive, especially since the police in Abuja had earlier denied receipt of him.
Ibor said, “We’ve been apprehensive. His family and friends have been apprehensive since he was arrested, but we became more apprehensive when the police authorities in Abuja denied receiving him hours after he left the Airport in Lagos.
“This should not be happening in a country that has laws. Why would you arrest a journalist without inviting him over a publication he made?
“The police in Abuja later confirmed that they’ve received him, and we hope that they’ll release him.”
Jalingo had on Friday announced that his Lagos residence was under siege by policemen.
He was later reportedly detained at Alapere Police Station, Lagos.
The wife of the activist, Violet Agba, confirmed this to our correspondent, Friday evening.
She noted that the police had planned to transfer the activist to Abuja tomorrow morning.
“They took him to the police station, he will be moved to Abuja tomorrow morning,” she said.
She claimed that Jalingo was being arrested for alleged defamation of character of the wife of Frank Ayade, the brother of the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade.
“We asked them for an arrest warrant or charge sheet, but they didn’t present it to us. They only told us that he’s been invited for defamation of character of Frank Ayade’s wife.” She added.
Meanwhile, an advocacy group, Rule of Law and Accountability Centre, RULAAC, has called for an immediate release of a Cross River State activist and journalist, Agba Jalingo, who was earlier arrested by policemen at his Lagos residence on Friday.
Jalingo was said to have been arrested and detained at Alapere Police Station, Lagos over an alleged defamation of character of the wife of Frank Ayade, the brother of the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade.
RULAAC urged the Nigerian police to desist from being influenced by politicians, saying the arrest of the journalist and his family members was unlawful and would further tarnish the image of the security outfit.
It noted that such could be translated to a violation of fundamental rights which was contrary to the provision of the constitution.
RULAAC’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, made this call in a statement on Saturday where he explained that only the courts possessed the right to determine whether or not an act was defamatory.
The statement read, “Who knows the motive of those who besieged his office in Calabar since they didn’t appear to be police officers and took flight upon sighting security agents?
“RULAAC has spoken with sources close to Agba Jalingo who revealed that Agba Jalingo was never invited by the police before they besieged his house in such Gestapo fashion.
“Police should avoid portraying themselves as available for hire by politicians or other persons of influence to be used to settle scores. It is not helping the battered image of the police.”
News
Grid collapse: TCN restores power to 90% substations
The Transmission Company of Nigeria has said 90 per cent of its substations have received bulk power supply following efforts to recover the grid which suffered another collapse on Tuesday.
It said the ongoing restoration of the national grid which collapsed for the sixth time this year is ongoing and almost completed.
The Public Affairs General Manager of TCN, Ndidi Mbah said in a press statement that it has restored supply to Abuja.
On Monday, the grid collapsed at about 6:18 p.m., plunging many into darkness.
Checks by our correspondent confirmed that power generation dropped from 3.87 gigawatts at 5 p.m. to 3.56GW at 6 pm., and then to 0.00GW by 7 pm and 8 pm.
Reacting, electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory decried the incessant grid collapses, describing them as an embarrassment to the country.
But the transmission company in a reassuring message said the problem would be resolved soon.
The statement read, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby states that the national grid experienced a partial disturbance, on Monday, 14th October 2024 at about 6:48 pm and notes that efforts to fully recover the grid are still ongoing.
“Although the recovery of the grid commenced immediately, with Azura power station providing the blackstart, grid recovery reached advanced stages at about 10.24 am, today when it encountered a challenge that caused a slight setback in the recovery process.
“The slight setback notwithstanding, TCN continued with the grid recovery process, which has reached an advanced stage, ensuring bulk power availability to about 90 per cent of its substations nationwide.
The statement added that supply has been restored to the Abuja axis and other major distribution load centres nationwide.
“Supply has been restored to the Abuja axis and other major distribution load centers nationwide.
“The partial disturbance did not affect the Ibom Gas generating station which was islanded from the grid yesterday and continued to supply areas in the South Southern part of the country such as Eket, Ekim, Uyo, and Itu 132kV transmission Substations during the period.
“Investigation into the cause of the incident will be carried out as soon as the grid is fully restored.”
News
FG predicts 5-day heavy downpour across 22 states, FCT
The Federal Government has issued a forecast of five days of heavy rainfall, which could lead to flooding in 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), starting today, October 14, 2024, and ending on October 18, 2024.
The prediction was made by the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre under the Federal Ministry of Environment in a statement released on Monday.
Communities living along the flood plains of Rivers Donga, Benue, and Ogun have been advised to evacuate immediately due to increasing water levels, which could lead to severe flooding.
Affected Areas.
The following states and their surroundings are predicted to experience rainfall that may result in flooding:
1. Osun State: Ede, Ile-Ife, Ilesa, Osogbo
2. Delta State: Escravos
3. Cross River State: Ikon
4. Taraba State: Donga, Ibi, Wukari, Bandawa, Beli, Bolleri, Dampar, Duchi, Garkowa, Gassol, Gungun Bodel, Kambari, Kwata Kanawa, Lau, Mayo Ranewo, Mutum Biyu, Ngaruwa, Serti, Yorro
5. Nasarawa State: Rukubi
6. Kebab State: Argungu, Birnin-Kebbi, Gwandu, Kalgo, Ribah, Sakaba, Yelwa
7. Gombe State: Bajoga
8. Katsina State: Bakori, Funtua
9. Borno State: Biu, Briyel
10. Kaduna State: Birnin-Gwari, Buruku, Kaduna, Jaji
11. Niger State: Bida, Kontagora, Lapai, Lavun, Magama, Mashegu, Mokwa, New Bussa, Rijau, Sarkin Pawa, Suleja, Wushishi
12. Yobe State: Dapchi
13. Adamawa State: Demsa, Farkumo, Ganye, Gbajili, Jimeta, Mayo-Belwa, Mubi, Natubi, Numan, Song, Shelleng, Wuro Bokki
14. Kogi State: Ibaji, Omala
15. Kwara State: Jebba, Kosubosu
16. 16. Bauchi State: Kari, Tafawa Balewa, Kirfi
17. Plateau State: Shendam
18. FCT: Kubwa, Gwagwalada, Bwari 19. Kano State: Sumaila
20. Oyo State: Kishi 21. Sokoto State: Silame
22. Zamfara State: Majara Advisory.
The government has urged residents in these areas to take precautionary measures and remain alert.
The forecast highlights the potential for flash floods, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Residents are encouraged to monitor updates from local authorities and evacuate if necessary.
The Ministry of Environment and disaster management agencies are collaborating with state governments to prepare for emergency responses.
News
Nigeria in darkness as national grid collapses again
The national electricity grid has collapsed again throwing the country into darkness.
The grid collapsed at about 6:18 pm on Monday, leaving Nigerians in darkness.
Reports said the power generation dropped from 3.87 gigawatts at 5 pm to 3.56GW at 6 pm and 0.00GW at 7 pm and 8 pm.
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the grid collapse in a statement on Monday evening.
The EEDC informed its customers “of a general system collapse that occurred at 18:48 hours today, 14th October 2024,” saying this has resulted in the loss of supply currently being experienced across the EEDC network.
“Consequently, due to this development, all our interface TCN stations are out of supply, and we are unable to provide services to our customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States.
“We are on standby awaiting detailed information of the collapse and restoration of supply from the National Control Centre (NCC), Osogbo,” the EEDC stated in the statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh.
EEDC distributes power to the five South East states.
Also, the Abuja Disco confirmed the grid collapse in a statement Monday night.
“Dear Valued Customer, Please be informed that the power outage being experienced is due to a system failure from the national grid at 6:58 pm today, affecting the power supply to our franchise areas.
“Rest assured, we are working with the relevant stakeholders to restore power as soon as the grid is stabilised. Thank you for your understanding,” the company said.
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