Libelous documentary: Dokpesi begs Tinubu, Settle out of court

The African Independent Television (AIT) on Friday tendered an unreserved apology to the national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC),Chief Bola Tinubu, for airing a libelous documentary on him.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the apology was issued by Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman of Daar Communications Limited, owners of AIT.

The apology was tendered after both parties agreed for an out of court settlement of the N150 billion libel suit instituted by Tinubu against the broadcast outfit at an Ikeja High Court.

Tinubu, in the suit filed before Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe, had claimed that the documentary, titled "Lion of Bourdilion", was libelous and aimed at tarnishing his image.

During Friday's proceedings, counsel to Dokpesi, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), informed the court of his client's wish to embrace alternative dispute resolution.

Ozekhome said: "My lord, we have come to court today to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Every war that is fought is always settled amicably on a roundtable.

"Both parties have expressed their desire to settle amicably based on the terms of settlement which the My Honourable Lord has been furnished with.

"We reached the agreement to enable both parties to continue with the good relationship that they have always had."

Responding, Tinubu's counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), confirmed that his client had acceded to the out-of-court settlement.

"I align myself with the submissions and sentiments of my learned friend. I can also confirm that the terms of settlement which was drawn up on Jan.29 has been accepted by both parties.

"I also want to appreciate my Lord for her patience all through the duration of the suit.

"I also appreciate the claimant who magnanimously agreed to settle out of court," Olanipekun said.

Consequently, the judge adopted the terms of the settlement and acknowledged that it had been filed before the court.

NAN reports that the terms of the agreement included a retraction of the broadcast by AIT, an apology by AIT which should be aired three times, once daily on AIT.

It was also agreed that the claimant and the defendant should bear their respective costs in the suit.  

Hackers steal 20 million Alibaba users' details

Chinese officials revealed a massive hack on internet giant Alibaba.

As media Paul Carsten explains, weakness in the company's cloud service is indicative of a much wider problem across China.

However, Chinese state media said hackers tried to access over 20 million active accounts on the Taobao shopping site.

Inputting login details from a stolen database of 99 million, they found nearly 21 million of the usernames were also being used for Taobao accounts.

And, in November 2015, attempts to access those accounts were detected.

Owner Alibaba advised customers to change their passwords and Chinese police have now made arrests in connection with the attempted hack.

"Alibaba's system was never breached," a spokesman said.

Alibaba says Taobao has more than 300 million customers. (Reuters/NAN)

We're ready for Lagos City Marathon —AYORINDE

...Govt assures on security, medical arrangement for participants

The Lagos State Government has affirmed its readiness to host over 20,000 local and international Marathoners in the forth coming Access Lagos City Marathon race scheduled to hold tomorrow, February 6th, 2016.

According to the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, all logistics have been put in place and Lagos is ready to host the event as well as replicate an international version of the event in the state come Saturday.

He confirmed that several renowned marathoners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and other countries are already in town for the event, while local and other athletes are fully prepared to participate in the event.

He said the State Government has put in place water-tight security measures to protect athletes and other participants in the international event adding that a team of motorized and motorbike escorts have been provided to monitor the event throughout the duration of the race.

“Similarly we have put in place a team of fully trained and well equipped medical team that will accompany all the participants from the kick-off of the race to the end”, Ayorinde said.

He said a combined team of traffic managers will also be on ground to control traffic along the designated routes, while alternate routes have also been provided for motorists during the 7 hours event.

“The Lagos State Government is therefore appealing to Lagosians to come out en masse and cheer these athletes as well as encourage them during the course of the race,” he said.

While regretting any inconvenience the traffic restriction would cause during the period, the Commissioner said Lagosians are reminded that the gains inherent in hosting the event will further boost the economy of the State as well as promote Lagos as a destination worthy of visit by tourists, sportsmen and investors.

Another Bristow Helicopter crashes in Lagos

11 passengers survive, receiving treatment in hospital

Barely six months after a Bristow helicopter crashed in Lagos, killing some of its occupants, another helicopter, belonging to the same company has crashed in the state.

Like the previous incident, the crash occurred at the lagoon in the Oworonsoki end of the state while the helicopter was on its way to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

However, in the current incident, the 11 occupants of the helicopter survived and are currently receiving medical treatment, according to the authorities.

The passengers were said to have survived because they all wore their live jackets.

The company, in its response, said the pilot had to crash-land when he discovered a major fault in the helicopter.

Such action, it was learnt, is referred to as a prepared ditching.

4 docked for allegedly stealing `Orijin’ drinks worth N470, 000

Four employees charged with stealing their employer’s Orijin alcoholic drinks valued at N470, 000 on Monday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates' Court in Lagos.
They accused are : Rotimi Alabi, 30, of No. 16, Ajiboye St., Orile-Agege and Austine Friday, 37, of No. 15, Shitta St., Agege, both suburbs of Lagos .
Others are: Chukwudi Tabili, 30, of No. 4, Lisabi St., Agbado and Sheriff Adeoye, 32, of No. 7, Adekunle St. in Sango, Ogun.
They are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecutor, Insp. Essien Ndarake, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Jan. 24 at Agege.
Ndarake said the accused conspired to steal Guinness Nigeria PLC Orijin drinks valued at N470, 000.
``The accused, who were all staff of the complainant, stole pallets of Orijin drinks worth N470, 000," he said.
Ndarake said that the accused loaded two pallets of the drinks into a truck and attempted to drive it out of the company’s premises but the security guard on duty intercepted them.
``The theft was discovered when the guard stopped the truck being driven by accused at the exit and searched it.
``Two pallets of Orijin alcoholic drinks were found in the truck but the accused could not explain how they got there," he said.
The offences, Ndarake said, contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The News Agency of Nigeria  reports that Section 285 prescribes a three-year jail term if the accused is found guilty.
The accused pleaded innocence of the offences and were granted bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
The magistrate, Mrs A. Kubeinje, adjourned the case to Feb. 9 for mention. (NAN)