Arik Air will support Emirates Airline

Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest carrier has re-affirmed its partnership with Emirates Airline in view of their recent decision to suspend their Abuja service.

To clarify some of the misinformation in the press and among the public, Arik Air’s Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Mr. Suraj Sundaram said “Arik Air and Emirates have a long standing partnership through an interline agreement since 2011 which enables Emirates passengers to have access to the entire Arik Air network for connections to and from within Nigerian destinations and to other West African countries. 

This means Arik Air will be able to assist with accommodating Emirates passengers from various Nigerian destinations (including Abuja) and other West African markets to Lagos on Arik Air’s flights for onward connection to the Emirates service from Lagos to Dubai.”

Arik Air’s interline agreement with Emirates Airline increases the travel choices for customers from Nigeria and West Africa to travel to various global destinations offered by the Emirates network.  Such partnership also allows Emirates passengers to tap into Arik Air’s strong network that currently serves 18 destinations in Nigeria and 10 West and Central African destinations.

 

IS JIMOH IBRAHIM TRYING TO EVADE PAYMENT OF N843.2 JUDGEMENT DEBT TO EX NICON AIRWAYS STAFF?

         Dr JIMOH Ibrahim, the defendant

Reports posted by Lateef Lawal

One of those standing for  the upcoming gubernatorial in Ondo State, Dr Jimoh Ibrahim, owner of the defunct NICON Airways is currently embroiled in litigations over his refusal to pay the staffers he laid off when the airline packed up in 2008.

The workers led by Mr Henry Iwelumo  and four others  representing all members of staff of Nicon Airways Limited, whose salaries and allowances have not been paid by the Defendants since may, 2007) had dragged Ibrahim before the National Industrial Court, Abuja in Suit No: N/C/LA/192/2011 before honourable Justice M.N.Esowe.

The Court at the end of the case awarded to the Plaintiffs the sum of N843, 207,151.00 (Eight Hundred and Forty Three Million, Two Hundred and Seven Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty One Naira), as aggregate sum of the salaries, allowances, deductions and contributions of NICON AIRWAYS WORKERS from 2007 till 2010, against the Defendants (DR. JOMIH IBRAHIM & NICON AIRWAYS). 

The Court also ordered Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim to pay the Workers the above sum within six months from 16th September 2013, three years after the date he was supposed to settle the his former staff, Dr. Ibrahim has refused, neglected and failed to pay the above stated salaries and entitlements of the Workers as ordered by the Court, in total disregard and disobedient to the court order. 

Instead, the defendant, through his lawyers, filed an Application to set aside the Judgment on the ground that he was not served personally at his residential address in Ondo State.

It will be recalled that sometime in 2004, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim teamed with Captain Idris Wada and acquired the EAS Airline, which was transformed to NICON Airways and in July 21, 2006, Jimoh acquired 290,000,000 (Two Hundred and Ninety Million) shares of NICON Airways and was appointed the Managing Director of the Since Jimoh has the majority shares in the company. 

The Plaintiffs (workers in the NICON Airways) were employed by the Defendants (NICON Airways) in the Company and have at all material time committed their youthful age in rendering various services to the Company in line with the terms of the employment agreement. 

In May 2007, NICON became indebted to the Plaintiffs as it could not pay the salaries and entitlements of services already rendered by the Plaintiffs in line with the contract of employment.

 

The Plaintiffs led a delegation to one of the Directors of the company, Captain Ibrahim Wada, to demand for their salaries but were duly informed that their salaries would be paid soon.  

Relying on the assurances of the Director of the company, the Plaintiffs continued to render services to the company with the hope that they will receive their salaries.

 

In May 2008, the Plaintiffs resumed in their duty post at the company’s  premises only to discover that the valuables in the office of the company has been carted away by the Directors and their agents. 

All the effort made by the Plaintiffs to reach the Directors of the company was unsuccessful as they switched off their mobile phones.

 

Notwithstanding the above, the Plaintiffs continued to attend the company’s office believing that the Directors of the company would return all the properties of the company they carted away. 

Having waited endlessly without any formal communication whatsoever from the company or the Directors, the Plaintiffs then briefed the law firm of Alpha-Harris Solicitors to institute a court action at the National Industrial Court, Abuja to ventilate their rights to their salaries and entitlements on the ground that “labourers deserve their earned wages and emoluments”.

However, on 7th of June 2015, upon the application of the Workers through their solicitors, ALPHA-HARRIS SOLICITORS, the Honourable Court made an Order for Mareva Injunction attaching the share capitals of Jimoh Ibrahim in the following Companies:

 

1. Nicon Luxury Services Ltd;

2. Nicon Group of Companies Plc;

3. Global Fleet Oil and Gas Ltd;

4. Global Fleet Industries Ltd;

5. Nicon Investment Ltd; and

6. Energy Group Ltd.

 

The Court further made an order for Mr. Jimoh to surrender his share certificates in all these companies to the Chief Registrar of the Court. Instead of obeying the court order, Jimoh Ibrahim has through his lawyers filed an application to discharge the order of court. 

The application is yet to be heard by the court. The case is coming up on Monday, 31st October 2016 for the hearing. 

Meanwhile, the case has suffered several adjournments at the instance of the Jimoh Ibrahim's lawyers trying to delay the Judge from hearing the applications and doing justice in the case. 

It was reliably gathered that  the whole essence of the delay is to wait until he runs for governorship election, and if elected, to evade his obligation to satisfy the judgment sum under the cloak of immunity and is he trying to evade the payment? Only the court can decide when the case comes up next Monday in Abuja.

However, the laid-off workers are suffering and some of them are dead, handicapped by age, hunger and exposed to other traumatic conditions, while Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim and its NICON Airways withheld their salaries and entitlements for about ten years now.

Overloaded train derails in Cameroon; kills 53

An overloaded train derailed along the route that links Cameroon's two major cities last Friday, killing at least 53 people and injuring more than 300, the government said.

The injured could not be evacuated until rail travel is re-established, said government spokesman Issa Tchiroma, adding that the death toll is likely to rise.

"It has been a sad day in Cameroon," he said. "The president has extended his message of condolence to the families that lost their loved ones and asked me to tell all of you that he is concerned about your well-being and quick recovery."

Some of the dead are still lying amid the overturned rail cars while others have been evacuated to the Eseka hospital mortuary.

Volunteer rescue workers, family members and others at the scene gave first aid as those stranded and hurt cried for help in Eseka, where the trained derailed and damaged the rail lines about 120 kilometers (75 miles) west of the capital, Yaounde.

The train that derailed between Yaounde and the port city of Douala had been carrying 1,300 passengers instead of the usual 600, rail officials told state radio. The accident came as heavy rains have caused landslides along roads in the region. A portion of the road linking the capital Yaounde to Douala had collapsed, so the 30-year-old rail lines were overtaxed, the rail officials said.

Eseka is hard to reach by road, and there was panic at the site of the crash where very few doctors and medical staff were available.

Health Minister Andre Mama Fouda, who flew to the scene with other officials, called on medical staff from neighboring towns to come and help and said that the government would take care of the injured.

AP

SOUTH AFRICA WITHDRAWS FROM INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

South Africa has decided to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, after previously ignoring an ICC arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

Reuters and The Associated Press both say they have seen a document, signed by South Africa's foreign minister, declaring the country's intent to withdraw. The AP reports that legislation to finalize the move has to pass South Africa's parliament, but notes that passage of such a bill is likely.

Just days ago, Burundi became the first country ever to withdraw from the ICC. The country's parliament overwhelmingly approved the proposal, and the president signed it into law on Tuesday.

That's two ground-breaking moves to depart from the war crimes court in just one week. The AP notes there are concerns that more African countries will opt to leave the court given longstanding objections to the ICC's focus on the continent — every person tried by the ICC has been African. (Other trials for war crimes and genocide have been carried out by ad hoc tribunals pulled together for a specific conflict, such as those created for Yugoslavia and Cambodia.)

"South Africa was an early supporter and advocate of the court and its withdrawal announcement marks probably the biggest setback yet for the ICC," NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton reports. "Predictions say Kenya will likely be next."

Both Burundi and South Africa have objections to the court that extend beyond its regional focus. Earlier this year, the ICC launched an investigation into killings, sexual assault and torture in Burundi, humanitarian news agency IRIN reports. Burundian officials accused the court of being an "instrument" to destabilize low-income countries.


THE TWO-WAY
Sudanese President Flies Home After South African Court Orders His Arrest
South Africa's departure, meanwhile, is prompted by the country's objections to a warrant for the arrest of Bashir, who was indicted by the ICC in 2009 on charges of war crimes and genocide in Darfur.

The ICC cannot arrest individuals itself; it relies on countries who participate in the court to make arrests. And, the AP notes, it has no enforcement mechanisms to compel countries to carry out their legal obligations.

Last year, Bashir flew to South Africa for a summit. The South African government declined to arrest him, saying they had granted immunity to all heads of state at the summit.

A South African court ruled that the country was obligated to arrest Bashir, but he left the country without an arrest.

Explaining the country's withdrawal from the court, a South African minister says the government does not want to carry out ICC arrest warrants which amount to "regime change," the BBC reports.

The AP has some essential background on the history of the court, and the context for African objections to the tribunal:

"Many in the international community cheered when the treaty to create the ICC, the Rome Statute, was adopted in 1998 as a way to pursue some of the world's worst atrocities: genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Not all countries signed on, and before this week's decisions by Burundi and South Africa, the treaty had 124 states parties. Notable countries that have not become states parties include the United States, China, Russia and India. Some countries are wary of The Hague, Netherlands-based court's powers, seeing it as potential interference. ...

"Only Africans have been charged in the six ICC cases that are ongoing or about to begin, though preliminary ICC investigations have been opened elsewhere in the world, in places like Colombia and Afghanistan. One case that caused considerable anger among African leaders was the ICC's pursuit of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta for his alleged role in the deadly violence that erupted after his country's 2007 presidential election. The case later collapsed amid prosecution claims of interference with witnesses and non-cooperation by Kenyan authorities. The African Union has called for immunity from prosecution for heads of state, and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at his inauguration in May — with al-Bashir in attendance — declared the ICC to be 'useless.'"

BOKO HARAM RELEASES 21 KIDNAPPED CHIBOK GIRLS

21 Chibok girls that were kidnapped by the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group have been released. 

The girls were released in the early hours of yesterday (Thursday), October 13. More than 200 girls were abducted from their schools in Borno state in 2014 by the terrorists and while some of them have reportedly died, the rest have been held by the dreaded group. 

A government source  revealed that the terrorists dropped the girls in the Banki area of Borno state where they were subsequently picked up by a military helicopter. 

Some of the mothers of the abducted girls have called on President Buhari to help locate their children.

Garba Shehu, one of the special assistant to the president later confirmed the release of the girls and said they have been handed over to the Department of State Service. 

The release of the girls comes a few months after the group called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to release its fighters in exchange for the girls. 

It was however not clear whether or not some Boko Haram members in government custody were released in exchange for the release of the 21 Chibok girls.

This is coming a day after the group carried out a deadly attack through a car bomb in Maiduguri, Borno state, killing eight people. 

Some Nigerians have reacted to the release of the girls with some wondering if Boko Haram terrorists were exchanged for the girls. 

Late yesterday government realised the names of the freed Chibok girls.

They are:

Mary Usman Bulamar, Jummal John, Blessing Abana, Luggwa Sanda, Comfort Abila, Maryam Basheer, Comfort Amos, Glory Mainta, Saratu Emmanuel, Deborah Ja'afaru, Rahab Ibrahim, Helin Musa, Maryamu Lawan, Rebecca Ibrahim, Asabe Goni,Deborah Andrawus, Agnes Gapani, Saratu Markus, Glory Dama, Pinda  Nuhu and Rebecca Mallum.

Gaza-Bound Boat Docks at Israeli Port After Interception

A boat carrying 13 pro-Palestinian female activists was escorted to shore and docked at an Israeli port yesterday (Thursday) after being intercepted by the navy while trying to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, military said.

The military said the women on board, who included a Nobel peace laureate, "were transferred to the appropriate authorities for further processing."

Sabine Haddad, spokeswoman for Israel's Interior Ministry, said 11 of the passengers were being detained for 96 hours and would then be deported.

Haddad said the women were given the option to leave Israel before that time but they refused. The two other women, both journalists, were deported immediately and left Israel Thursday morning.

The boat, docked in the port city of Ashdod, was sponsored by the International Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a collection of pro-Palestinian groups mostly based in Europe.

The coalition has sent several aid boats to Gaza in an effort to draw attention to Israel's blockade of the territory, but last successfully reached the area in 2008.

The Dutch-flagged boat was carrying 13 female activists from different countries, including Mairead Maguire, an Irish Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Organizers said the Israeli navy intercepted the boat about 40 miles (60 kilometers) from the Gaza coast on Wednesday and took over the vessel without any resistance.

In 2010, Israel raided a Turkish-led flotilla bound for Gaza, killing 10 Turks in an incident that sparked a years-long rift with Turkey that is only now being mended.

The boat's arrival coincided with a flare-up of violence along the Gaza border. Gaza militants launched a rocket that slammed into the Israeli city of Sderot, while Israel responded with airstrikes targeting infrastructure belonging to the Islamic militant group Hamas which rules Gaza.

Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza after the Hamas militant group seized power in 2007. The blockade has stifled Gaza's already weak economy, where unemployment is over 40 percent, and prevented tens of thousands of people from traveling abroad for jobs, studies and other visits overseas.

Israel says the restrictions are needed to prevent Hamas from importing weapons, and says it has eased the blockade to allow more goods into the territory. It considers Hamas, an armed group sworn to Israel's destruction, a terrorist group, and the sides have fought three wars since the Hamas takeover.

Israel has called on groups wanting to deliver aid to Gaza to do so through its official channels rather than trying to breach the blockade. Virtually all supplies to Gaza enter through Israeli-controlled border crossings after undergoing security checks.

The New York Times/AP