Court declares new number plates illegal

March 27, 2014 by Ade Adesomoju

FRSC Corps Marshal, Osita Chidoka

A Federal High Court in Lagos has declared that the new number plates introduced by the Federal Road Safety Commission are unconstitutional and as such cannot be imposed on vehicle owners.

In a judgment delivered by Justice James Tsoho on Wednesday, the court held that the redesigning of the old number plates was not backed by any law.

Tsoho, who was delivering the judgment in a suit by a lawyer, Emmanuel Ofoegbu, against the FRSC, therefore, held that the FRSC had no power to impose the redesigned number plates on vehicle owners, who had not acquired them.

The judge said, “The issue of redesigning new number plates by the respondent, is not covered under the provisions of any law in Nigeria.

“The respondent cannot force Nigerians to acquire new plate numbers by impounding cars without the backing of any legislation to that effect.

“I hold that the act of the respondent amounts to an arbitrary use of power, and is therefore illegal and unconstitutional.

“Judgment is therefore entered in favour of the plaintiff, and all the reliefs sought is hereby granted, I so hold.”

Ofoegbu had instituted the suit on September 30, 2013, to challenge the power of the FRSC to impound vehicles of motorists who failed to acquire the new number plates.

The plaintiff contended that the threat by the FRSC, which gave  October 1 deadline for all vehicle owners to acquire the new number plate, was a gross violation of the provisions of Section 36 (12) of the 1999 Constitution, which guaranteed the rights of individuals.

He maintained that the threat by FRSC was illegal, since the amended National Road Traffic Regulations (2012) should not affect everything that was done, based on the revoked  NRTR (2004), under which the old number plates were issued.

According to the plaintiff, Regulation 230(2) of the National Road Traffic Regulations (2012) states that the revocation of NRTR (2004) “shall” not affect anything done, or purported to be done pursuant to that regulation.

He submitted that  the NRTR 2004 was a subsidiary legislation, made under the Federal Road Safety Commission  Act, Laws of the Federation, as revised in 2004.

He, therefore, asked the court to declare  as unlawful, the threat by the respondent to arrest motorists, using the old number plates, as according to him, “there is no law validly made in accordance with the constitution, prohibiting its use.”

The applicant also sought a  court injunction restraining the FRSC from impounding vehicles, arresting or harassing vehicles owners, who refused to comply with the directive.

Court bans tolls collection on Lekki-Ikoyi bridge

March 27, 2014 by Ade Adesomoju

| credits: File copy

A Federal High Court, Lagos has barred the Lagos State Government from further collecting of tolls from users of the Lekki-Ikoyi Suspension Bridge.
Justice Saliu Saidu, in a judgment on Thursday declared that since the bridge was built by public funds, imposition of tolls on motorists using it was illegal.
The court held that the power of control of all navigable waterways in Nigeria, resides with the federal government.
The court held that since it was public funds that was used for building the bridge there was no basis for the public-private partnership arrangement which was adduced as the justification for toll collection on the bridge.
The suit was instituted by a civil rights lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, against the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Inland Waterways Authority, the Lagos State Government and the state Attorney-General.
Adegboruwa had urged the court to determine whether the imposition of tolls on the users of the bridge and residents of Lekki Scheme 1, Ikoyi, Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe communities, did not amount to a violation of their rights.

NJC suspends Rivers Chief Judge

March 27, 2014 by Ihuoma Chiedozie

The National Judicial Council has suspended the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice P. N. C. Agumagu.

The suspension is with immediate effect.

A statement from the Acting Director of Information in the NJC, Mr. Soji Oye, said the Council took the decision at an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

The statement explained that Justice Agumagu’s appointment was illegal, as it did not comply with the provisions of section 271 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulated that a state governor must appoint a Chief Judge on the recommendation of the NJC.

The NJC stressed that it did not recommend Justice Agumagu for appointment as the state’s Chief Judge.

Besides the suspension, Justice Agumagu is also facing dismissal as the NJC has queried him, asking him to explain why he should not be dismissed as a judicial officer for failing to abide by his Oath of Office.

The statement reads, “At its 10th emergency meeting, which was held on the 26th March, 2014, the National Judicial Council under the chairmanship of Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Muktar, considered the purported appointment, confirmation and swearing-in of Hon. Justice P. N. C. Agumagu as the substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State on the 18th day of March, 2014.

“In the course of deliberations on the matter, Council noted that it is expressly provided in Section 271 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) that the appointment of a person to the Office of the Chief Judge of a State shall be made by the Governor of the State on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, subject to the confirmation of the appointment by the House of Assembly of the State.

“The National Judicial Council did not at any time make any recommendation to the Governor of Rivers State that Hon. Justice P. N. C. Agumagu, President, Customary Court of Appeal, be appointed the substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State.

“Council therefore resolved as follows:

“That the National Judicial Council does not and will not recognise Hon. Justice P.N.C. Agumagu as the Chief Judge of Rivers State.

“That the general public and all concerned in the matter, particularly the Governor of Rivers State, the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Judiciary in Rivers State, be notified and informed that the National Judicial Council will not deal with Hon. Justice P.N.C. Agumagu as the Chief Judge of Rivers State.

“That a query be issued to Hon. Justice P. N. C. Agumagu to explain in writing within four days, why he should not be removed from office as a judicial officer for his failure to abide by his Oath of Office to uphold the Constitution and Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“In the meantime, Council in exercise of its powers under paragraph 21 (d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, has suspended Hon. Justice P. N. C. Agumagu from Office as a judicial officer with immediate effect.”

Radiation / mobile phone masts

Radiation occurs from two sources. Natural radiation exists due to materials present in the earth and particles arriving from outer space. Artificial radiation is caused by man made processes. There is no difference in the effects of the radiation based on its source.

An average person in the UK will receive approximately 10% of their annual dose of radiation from the sun's cosmic rays, whilst another 50% is due to Radon (Rn), a gas generated from naturally-occurring uranium present in the earth. Artificial radiation sources include medical treatments (approximately 15%) and fall-out from nuclear tests and accidents (approximately 1%).
A person will be continually exposed to a low level of radiation throughout their life; this is perfectly normal and does not cause any health effects. Exposure to large amounts of radiation however can cause sterility, cataracts or even death. Lower amounts of exposure over a long period of time can cause cancer or hereditary defects in descendants. Radon exposure is thought to cause about 2,500 deaths per year in the UK.
Radioactive substances register
A number of premises use small amounts of radioactive materials. Examples include americium 241 used in smoke detectors and Polonium 210 used in dust detection and anti-static devices.
All these premises are registered with the Environment Agency under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. The Environment Agency is obliged to send a copy of the certificate for each premises to the relevant local authority.
Mobile phone masts
The main concern about radiation in the last few years is radiation from mobile phone masts.
Mobile phone companies have a licence from the government to provide network installations throughout the country. They have to show some consideration in the location and the design of the installation.
Mobile phones work by using radio waves transmitted from base stations - both emit radio frequency radiation when in use. This radiation is an electromagnetic transmission of energy, similar to that from televisions or radios.
If there is a large distance between a mobile phone and its connecting base a lot of energy is needed for a phone to operate. The more energy that is used by the phone, the higher the level of radiation is emitted to the soft tissues of the head, which is more pronounced in children due to their softer head tissue. Mast aerials are unlikely to cause a heating effect beyond a few metres around its area.
Research has been carried out worldwide and more studies are continuing to assess if this radiation is a health risk - no evidence has been found at present. However, as this technology is new and with unknown long term effects, the government requires that the emission of radiation does not exceed the levels set by the ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection).
Mobile phone companies must submit a certificate with each application for a mask to prove that the levels are not exceeded.
Schools who are concerned about the radiation levels within the school grounds can request measurements to be carried out by the Office of Communications (Ofcom). A database of radiation levels at schools is being compiled.
Radiation levels measured by the Ofcom and the Health Protection Agency (HPA), at schools and other areas, have found a very small percentage of the maximum levels prescribed by ICNIRP.

Dangers of Telecom Masts Installed Near Houses

A medical report has confirmed that telecom masts in residential areas could pose health risks. Pa Afolabi Oyekanmi, who permitted a telecom company to erect a mast in his compound, is now full of regrets. According to him, it is the cause of the myriad of health challenges he now faces. "I curse the day the mast was erected here.
If I die, the telecom company is responsible," he said. The medical report issued to him at the Ado Ekiti University Teaching Hospital confirmed that some of the ailments "were caused by radiation from the telecommunication mast" erected within his premises.
The Adebusola Ogundipe family in Ibadan, Oyo State, is also on the verge of "extinction". The mother suffers sensation of pains and tingling on the legs and has been diagnosed at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, to have developed leukemia (cancer of the blood). Her children suffer memory loss, dizziness and bleed from their noses.
The veterinary doctor father said his domestic animals have all been wiped out. Doctors have linked emission of the electromagnetic impulses from the masts located close to their homes as the primary cause of their crises.
Telecom masts in residential and educational areas are dangerous but the regulatory agencies, the National Environmental Standards Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), have failed to enforce the World Health Organisation (WHO) regulations concerning the harmful practice. WHO warns that masts should be located at least 10 metres away from residential quarters.
Though telecommunication has created jobs and given a boost to investments in the country, we frown at the attitude of the average Nigerian landlord who puts money first in letting out a piece of land before thinking of the health hazards to the community. We also condemn the callous activities of telecom firms that capitalise on the people's naivety to send them to their early graves.
The adverse effects connected with regular contact with radioactive substances are legion, according to researchers across the globe. These killer masts transmit poisonous gases that impair the immune system and human neurological functions.
Frequent and close contacts with them could hamper memory and sleep patterns, cause brain tumours, cancers and Alzheimer's disease. The radiation impact on fertility and metabolism can cause depression and fatigue, according to a recent research conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Other diseases like leukemia, cancer, depression, lymphoma, eurtropenia, lymphocytosis and platelet result from hoisting telecoms masts within 10 metres radius to human habitation. It is further compounded by environmental risks. Houses located close to these masts also experience daily cracks due to vibration from the generating plants that power the system.
We insist that regulatory agencies should protect Nigerians by ensuring that erring companies are heavily sanctioned and forced to compensate people harmed by the callous activities of erecting masts at the wrong places.

2,100MW of electricity lost to pipeline vandalism —FG

March 26, 2014 by Okechukwu Nnodim 

Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo

The country has been losing about 2,100 megawatts of electricity in past few months as a result of vandalism of gas pipelines, the Federal Government has said.

The government also said on Tuesday that it was quoted out of context when it said it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Democratic Republic of Congo for the importation of power.

The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said these at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Power in Abuja during a press briefing on the current challenges in power supply across the country.

He said the recent dip in power supply was due to inadequate gas supply to the thermal power plants as a result of recurring vandalism of the gas pipelines.

Nebo said, “Some of the more recent attacks on gas infrastructure associated with the power sector include the ELPS in which a pipeline was out for over seven months with a loss of 200 million standard cubic feet of gas and generation capacity of about 800MW; the Trans-Forcados is out now with a loss of 200mscf of gas and generation capacity of about 800MW.

“Also, the Alakiri-Onne LBVS was blasted in March and this adversely impacted on gas supply to industries. There have been similar attacks on the Trans Niger with a loss of 120mscf of gas and 500MW from the Afam VI IPP. This pipeline is vandalised for bunkering about twice every month. The temporary shutdown of the Chevron gas plant this month contributed to the low peak generation of 2,672MW on March 12, 2014.”

The minister said gas shortage was not just affecting the availability of power for dispatch to consumers, but the frequency of system collapse was also strongly related to the menace.

On what the government was doing to ensure gas supply, Nebo said it was projected that additional 295mscf of gas would be available by June 2014 and another 370mscf by the end of the year.

He added, “In order to actualise the generation targets provided in the strategic plan for the power sector, the President recently approved the reconstitution of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gas to Power.

“The committee will be charged with the responsibility of identifying and ensuring that all the enablers and interventions required to deliver adequate power to the nation’s power plants are delivered on time.”

The minister apologised to electricity consumers for the difficulties currently being experienced and assured them of visible improvement by June as directed by the President.

Nebo also denied reports that the government was planning to import electricity from Congo DR.

The Minister of State for Power, Mr. Mohammed Wakili, had on Monday at a conference stated that the government had signed an MoU with Congo DR to import and export electricity.

But Nebo said, “The minister of state was quoted out of context. We are not importing power. It is just that Congo is having a very huge hydro power project and power is not something you just sign on and inject funds into.”

Diezani jet scandal: Reps uncover second aircraft

March 26, 2014 by John Ameh 

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke

Fresh revelations indicated on Tuesday that Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, maintained a second jet.

The jet, a  Global Express XRS plane, is  allegedly chartered specifically for her private and official trips overseas.

A return trip on  the  XRS plane is said to cost taxpayers €600,000.

The   jet  is different from the Challenger 850, which the House of Representatives said gulped N10bn  in the last two years to fly the minister.

Investigation by The PUNCH showed that the House Committee on Public Accounts stumbled on the second jet in the course of the ongoing probe into the N10bn expenditure on Challenger 850.

Findings also showed that the owners of Challenger 850 might have fled the country  shortly after the House ordered an investigation into the transaction between them and  Alison-Madueke.

It was gathered that the aircraft owners reportedly became jittery after the committee  declared its plan to summon them to assist in the investigation.

The PUNCH had reported exclusively last Sunday that the committee would summon the owners of the plane to testify before it.

Asked to comment on the issue, the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Solomon Olamilekan, told our correspondent that  he was “shocked by the  latest information.”

“We have heard that the owners of the Challenger have hurriedly left the country. The information is just reaching the committee; but, we are still holding our preliminary meetings,” he stated.

Olamilekan, who confirmed that the committee had uncovered a second jet, added that they were   trying to establish how many trips it made outside the country.

“We are still holding our preliminary meetings. We have to put all the facts together and agree on the mode of the hearing first.

“The question on  when to invite the minister will come after the meetings. We are still meeting.”

However, a document our correspondent obtained in Abuja on Tuesday, indicated that Alison-Madueke flew  in Global Express XRS on two occasions in 2011.

She chartered the same jet twice in 2013 on a return trip bill of €600,000 per trip.

For example, on March 21, 2011, she flew to London with the jet from  the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

On board the jet   with her were two people,  Imotimi Agama and Haruna Momoh.

The aircraft returned to Nigeria from London on March 23, conveying the same passengers.

Another trip on March 9, 2013 departed the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos  en route to London.

The passengers were Alison-Madueke, Abubakar Fari and  Momoh. The jet  returned to Nigeria on March 13 with the same passengers.

In Abuja,  lawmakers  are    asking how a serving minister raised the money to charter jets for overseas trips at the expense of the taxpayers.

One of them, who asked not to be named said,  “Nigerians deserve to know which law authorises  this type of  extravagance.

“Under which budgetary sub-head has she been chartering jets for her personal use?

“Where is the law that authorises a government minister to be flying around the world in chartered private jets?

“You are going to London, why did you not not use the British Airways or any other international airline?”

The PUNCH further learnt that those who accompanied Alison-Madueke on the trips would also be invited by the committee to assist with the investigation.

  Alison-Madueke is accused of spending about €500,000   monthly to maintain the first  aircraft.

 The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation  had on Monday denied the allegation but said it had   the legal right  to own or charter an aircraft for its operations.

“This practice is common and acceptable in the local and international business environment in which it operates. There is nothing prohibiting the NNPC from owning or chartering an aircraft,” the NNPC had said in a  statement by its Acting Group General Manager,  Public Affairs Division, Omar Ibrahim.

There was however  a new twist to the N19.7bn  Police Equipment Fund on Tuesday as the Police  denied   receiving the money from the  suspended   Central Bank Governor, Mallam  Lamido Sanusi.

 Sanusi, while defending allegations of financial recklessness levelled against him by the Financial Reporting Council, had listed the sum among funds he released to the  Ministry of Police Affairs to procure a helicopter and other equipment.

But  the police high command, which appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts in Abuja, denied knowledge of the money.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Air Wing, Mr. Ilesanmi Aguda, who stood in for the inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, simply replied “no knowledge” when the committee sought to confirm the payment.

Although he advised the committee to refer the inquiry to the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Adeola Olamilekan, informed his colleagues that the said ministry had earlier denied the payment.

Olamilekan expressed surprise over the development, noting that it would appear that the money was missing since the supposed recipients had denied knowledge of it.

He said,  “If the IG  and the police ministry deny receipt of the said N19.7bn, then the committee can rightly assume that the money is missing, until proven otherwise.

“All the major actors involved in the alleged transaction, including the CBN have a case to answer.”

In ruling on the controversial money, the committee said it would summon Sanusi and the IG   to hear from them again before taking a final position.

In a separate case, the committee summoned the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla; the Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Bright Okogu; and the CBN to explain the whereabouts of the N59.6bn released to the NNPC as subsidy claims.

While the budget office claimed to have paid the money to the NNPC, the corporation denied receiving it.

The committee acknowledged submissions by the NNPC, which indicated that  it    did not receive the money.

For it to dig into the matter further, the committee directed the corporation to write a formal letter denying that it received the money.

Ruling on the issue, the committee chairman said, “You (NNPC) will do us a formal letter explaining to the committee that at no time did you receive  N59.6bn. The  Deliotte accounting firm, in its report, claimed the fund was disbursed.

“Towards this direction, this committee hereby summons the CBN, AGF and budget office to explain why such sum of money was disbursed without any documentary evidence.

“The NNPC for now cannot be indicted until otherwise proven when the AGF and the budget office come out with evidence that the money was disbursed and cash backed.”

Will Mikel Obi leave Chelsea for Another club?

Inter are reportedly leading the chase for the Nigerian, with sources saying Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg and Valencia also interested. Inter though, are in the fore front of the race to sign the Nigerian, and they reinforced that position by sending representatives to London to meet with Chelsea after Tuesday's Champions League game. But John Shittu, who represents the player, told KickOffNigeria.com it was all speculation. "As far as we are concerned, this is all speculation. Of course it is normal for clubs to show interest," Shittu said. "But the player has not said he wants to leave, and the club has not said they want him to go. "There is always contact all the time from different clubs here and there, but he still has three years left on his contract."

How to turn $20m to $19bn in five years

March 26, 2014 by Dr. Anderson Uvie-Emegbo

Dr. Anderson Uvie-Emegbo
| credits: File copy

It is no longer news that WhatsApp has joined the Facebook family. For a company that made $20m the previous year, how did its valuation become $19bn? Where did WhatsApp get it right and what are the product development lessons for us?

Inaugurated in 2009, WhatsApp’s promise is simple – ‘chat on your mobile phone whenever, with any of your contacts irrespective of their location in the world or mobile network. After signing up, it accesses your phone contacts and displays all contacts that are already on WhatsApp. You can chat, exchange multimedia files and much more.

No frills and no long statements of “faster than fast, super reliable, unbeatable and all those bogus claims that are difficult to believe and hard to demonstrate”. By December 31, 2013, in one of its blog posts, it claimed to send 54 billion messages for about 400 million users daily.

The best form of marketing

The best form of marketing is a great business. How much advertising did Facebook, Skype, WhatsApp, Apple or Google do before many of us jumped into the bandwagon and became users? It is called the law of value. People will gravitate towards the place, product or service that returns the best-perceived value for their time, effort and resources. The BlackBerry Messenger service needed no second introduction when it came. Delicious food is its own greatest advert. Are your products and/or services up to the standard consumers need or is yours making up the numbers?

Are you comfortable with your current product development and service delivery approach? Are you a monopoly? Please think again as change and innovation comes in waves and no monopoly is sustainable. Are you planning for the next disruption to your business and product line?

A few years ago, professional taxi services were introduced in Nigeria. Did you ever use any of these? Has your patronage dropped, remained the same or increased? Where are they now?

Enter a simple mobile application powered service, “Easy Taxi” that connects taxi drivers and discerning consumers who want a reliable, convenient, fast and affordable service. I was sitting in a cab one day when I saw that the cover of the headrests of the seats had the name and logo, “Easy Taxi”. The driver was quick to introduce the service to me. He alongside other drivers had registered this new mobile taxi initiative. Easy Taxi has an app that allows users to book and track the cabs in real time.

Downloading the app from the Google Play store, it required that I switch on the location tool on my phone. As I launched the app, it located my position on Google Maps and brought out the details of a taxi close to where I was. I could see the position of the taxi on the map relative to mine. It also indicated how long it would take the taxi to get to where I was (10 minutes). It displayed the driver’s details (first and last names, mobile number and photo) and taxi details (plate number, model & colour).

The way it works is that each driver who signs up to the service has a location-enabled smartphone that can tell his/her position relative to a customer’s position. As soon as a customer launches the app, it displays the customer’s request and current location in real time to all the drivers within a particular radius of the customer’s location.

It displays the details of the first driver to accept this request to the customer. The customer sees this notification and can abort the taxi. Even at that, the Easy Taxi team immediately calls to confirm the request and advises on pricing.

Once the deal strikes, the driver clicks on a link within the app to indicate that the ride has commenced. The customer also gets a notification confirming that the ride is in progress (already boarded?). At the end of the ride, the app prompts the customer to evaluate his/her experience of the ride.

Some of these drivers have previously worked for one or more professional cab services firms. In their view, Easy Taxi is a win-win relationship that offers them dignified value for their time. Some of the drivers claim to get two to five referrals a day. With various branded items in their cars, they have become mobile advertising channels for Easy Taxi.

Easy Taxi model’s uses a “Click and Brick” (CAB) approach. Using their mobile app (Click), they act as brokers connecting customer and cab physically (Brick). For this service, it collects an agreed percentage of the taxi fare from the drivers based on the pre-agreed cost of each trip.

Easy Taxi handles marketing and customer service while the drivers handle logistics and last mile fulfilment.

Easy Taxi states that it has over 90,000 registered drivers in 26 countries and 98 cities. Its Android app has been downloaded over one million times and has a rating of 4.4 (out of a possible 5) by some 58,000+ users as at March 24, 2014. In Lagos, it is successfully exploiting the broken professional taxi hire system.

How simple is your promise?

Great businesses have simple promises and keep them. If the value is difficult to explain or understand then maybe it is not a value after all. If the product or service is unable to create stickiness among its current user base, then maybe it is time to rethink what’s on offer. An a la carte meal will never be a buffet!

WhatsApp’s promise is “Simple. Personal. Real-Time Messaging”. Easy Taxi’s promise is that “Get a Taxi in 3 clicks”. Simple Promises. Happy Customers…Money in the Bank. The challenge as always will be whether they can sustain this momentum. Only time will tell.

Somewhere out there, the next Easy Taxi or WhatsApp is waiting in the wings to take on your product(s)/service(s). What is your innovation strategy?

More Trouble for Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

More trouble appears to be brewing for the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the suspended governor to appear before it in a suit filed by some aggrieved shareholders of defunct Intercontinental Bank of Nigeria.

Ruling on an ex parte application filed by Mr Chris Uche on behalf of one Abdullahi Sani and two others, Justice Abdulramat Mohammed ordered the service of the originating summons on any adult in the office of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on the notice board of the bank.

The plaintiffs, in their originating summons supported by a seven-paragraph affidavit want the court to determine whether the suspended governor, Lamido Sanusi did not act fraudulently by deliberately strangulating the banking operations of Intercontinental Bank to the detriment of the plaintiffs as shareholders.

They are therefore praying the court to declare the sale of Intercontinental Bank by Mr Lamido Sanusi as unlawful, fraudulent and of no legal effect whatsoever.

Joined in the suit as defendants, are the Central Bank of Nigeria and Securities and Exchange Commission.

Justice Mohammed subsequently fixed the suit for May 14.

The family tree of DOGS: From tiny chihuahuas to rottweilers - this infographic reveals exactly how every breed is related

Family tree highlights the diversity of dogs and how the pure breeds are interconnected

• Chart features 181 dog breeds from tiny ‘toy’ animals like the pug and the fluffy pomeranian to working dogs like the Alaskan malamutes and family favourites such as golden retrievers and terriers
• It might seem incredible that dogs with such different visible characteristics – from their size to their type of hair – can be so different, but it is because all dogs are members of the same species – Canis lupus familiaris
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Have you ever wondered how tiny chihuahua can be related to a rottweiler or a pit bull terrier can be similar to a dalmatian?

One artist has created a dog family tree that highlights the diversity of dogs and how breeds are interconnected.

From terriers to toys and mountain dogs to sight hounds, it delineates almost every standard pure-breed dog so you can see how one canine is connected to another.

Scroll down for video

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From pugs to pinchers and spaniels to samoyeds, one artist has created a dog family tree (pictured) that highlights the diversity of dogs and how breeds are interconnected

For example, the chart shows that a chihuahua – the smallest breed of dog that heralds from Mexico – can be easily linked to rottweilers, which are popularly known to make good – and sometimes ferocious – guard dogs.

According to the chart, chihuahuas are part of the toy group and are closely related to toy pinchers, which are in turn linked to pinchers and then common guard dogs such as the rotweiller.

In the similar way, the giant saint bernard is related to the little pug via the working dogs group, then common guard dogs group, followed by the pincher and toy pincer groups, which then link to the 'toy' dogs of which the pug is a member.

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From terriers to toys - such as pugs, pomeranians and shih tzus (pictured in this portion of the chart) - and mountain dogs to sight hounds, the dog family tree delineates almost every standard pure-breed dog so you can see how one dog is connected to another

It might seem incredible that dogs with such different visible characteristics – from their size to their type of hair – can be so different, but it is because all dogs are members of the same species – Canis lupus familiaris.

Their genetic code is relatively simple compared to other species and is therefore easily adaptable as drastic changes - such as the type of hair or ears – is controlled by a single genetic variation.

The family tree makes it easy to see which dogs belong to the same ‘family’ groups. For instance, groups of dogs such as setters, pointers, spaniels and retrievers belong to the ‘sporting dogs’ group, as well as individual breeds including the vizsla and wirehaired pointing griffon.

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The chart shows that a chihuahua – the smallest breed of dog that heralds from Mexico (pictured,  left) – can be easily linked to rotweillers (right), which are popularly known to make good – and sometimes ferocious – guard dogs. Chihuahuas are part of the toy group and are closely related to toy pinchers, which are in turn linked to pinchers and then common guard dogs such as the Rotweiller

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The chart features 181 dog breeds from tiny 'toy' animals like the pug and the fluffy pomeranian to working dogs like the alaskan malamutes and family favourites such as golden retrievers and Terriers, which are pictured in this portion of the family tree

Dalmatians are relatively closely related to a number of unlikely breeds. According to the chart, the spotty dogs are closely linked to the diminutive French bulldog and candy-floss like bichon frise. 

The ‘diagram of dogs’ is for sale as a limited edition print and Pop Chart Lab, the company selling it, said: ‘Dog lovers of every preference are sure to spot their favourite canine compadre in this pedigreed presentation of man's best friends - a taxonomical treat that's best in show.’

According to a study published earlier this year, dogs and wolves evolved from a common ancestor between 11,000 and 34,000 years ago.

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It might seem incredible that dogs with such different visible characteristics - from their size to their type of hair - can be so different, but it is because all dogs are members of the same species - Canis lupus familiaris. Some of the largest types of dogs fall in the 'working dogs' category, which is shown in this part of the dog family tree

U.S. scientists said that part of the genetic overlap observed between some modern dogs and wolves is the result of interbreeding after dog domestication and not a direct line of descent from one group of wolves.

They believe their research reflects a more complicated history than the popular story that early farmers adopted a few docile, friendly wolves that later became our modern canine companions. 

Instead, the earliest dogs may have first lived among hunter-gatherer societies and adapted to agricultural life later, according to the study.

Researchers from the University of Chicago said that dogs are more closely related to each other than to wolves, regardless of geographic origin as they do not descend from a single line of wolves.

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Some of the most popular dog breeds, including labradors and golden retrievers but it are shown in this portion of the chart, but it is easy to see how they are closely related to more 'exotic' breeds such as the vizsla

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Dalmatians (pictured) are relatively closely related to a number of unlikely breeds, according to the chart. They are closely linked to the diminutive french bulldog and candy-floss like bichon frise

THE DAZZLING DIVERSITY OF DOGS: HOW DOGS LOOK SO DIFFERENT BUT ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME

Every breed of dog is a member of exactly the same species - Canis lupus familiaris, regardless of its coat, shape or size.

While some variation between breeds has occurred naturally, most of the very obvious differences are the direct result of human breeding.

Many dogs nowadays are bred for their aesthetic qualities but in the past there were more practical motivations behind human intervention in the gene pool.

Lots of dogs were raised to be the best possible hunters, such as the dachshund, which was bred to get in to badgers' setts with their low, narrow entrances - hence its name, which means 'badger dog' in German.

One possible reason dogs are so easily adaptable is because changing their genetic code is relatively simple compared to many other species.

In human genes, for example, nearly every characteristic is governed by a complex network of genes, which work in combination to display certain outcomes.

But with dogs, many quite drastic changes, such as fur type and ear shape, are controlled by a single genetic variation.

In fact, a huge research project called CanMap determined that every single biological difference affecting dogs' appearance is controlled by one of around 50 gene variations.

This simplicity is partly a result of the human activity which has tinkered with canine biology for thousands of years, and has therefore picked out the characteristics most easily changed by simple genes.

G8 becomes the G7 as leaders kick Russia out: It's not a big problem, says Putin's foreign minister

World leaders said it was up to Putin to 'change course'

• Leaders of the countries agreed to meet again without Russia
• David Cameron made it 'clear' this summer's G8 summit was cancelled

Russia was last night suspended from the elite G8 group of leading economies, who said they could not accept its breach of international law.

David Cameron, Barack Obama and other world leaders said it was up to Vladimir Putin to 'change course' over Ukraine or his country will remain excluded indefinitely.

Leaders of the remaining countries – Britain, the US, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Japan, who are calling themselves the G7 – agreed to meet again without Russia until it was ready to engage in 'meaningful discussion'. 

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G7 leaders clockwise from left, EC president Herman Van Rompuy, Canadian PM Stephen Harper, French President Francois Hollande, British PM David Cameron, US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, Italian PM Matteo Renzi and EC president Jose Manuel Barroso

They made a joint statement following crisis talks on the sidelines of a summit about nuclear security, which was overshadowed by developments in Ukraine.

Since the annexation of Crimea last week, Russian forces have stormed and seized control of three Ukrainian military bases and fuelled fears of further action.

Mr Cameron said it was 'absolutely clear' that this summer's G8 summit, scheduled to be held in Sochi – the Russian resort which hosted the Winter Olympics – was cancelled.

 

Instead, it will be held in Brussels in June, and Mr Putin will not be invited for the first time since Russia was admitted to the group in 1998.

A G7 statement released last night said: 'This group came together because of shared beliefs and shared responsibilities. Russia's actions in recent weeks are not consistent with them.'

The communique 'condemns Russia's illegal attempt to annex Crimea' as 'contravention of international law.' 

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British Prime Minister David Cameron attends a meeting of G7 leaders

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U.S. President Barack Obama hosted the meeting in The Hague, Netherlands

Foreign Secretary William Hague said: 'The President of the United States was very clear in the meeting that it will be hard to revive that (the G8) in the immediate future.

'It would need our values to be clear, our shared values to be clear again, and clearly those shared values are not shared by Russia in violating the independence and territorial integrity of a neighbouring nation.'

But Russia's foreign minister, who was also in The Hague yesterday, played down the snub. Sergei Lavrov said: 'If our Western partners believe the format has exhausted itself, we don't cling to this format. We don't believe it will be a big problem if it doesn't convene'.

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A Dutch military police officer guards Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's Catshuis residence prior to a G7 meeting in The Hague

The move to isolate Russia diplomatically came as the US urged European countries to impose  tougher economic sanctions – even if it hurts the City or energy prices.

Mr Obama said leaders were united on 'imposing a cost' on Mr Putin's regime amid concerns he has set his sights on further expansion.

US security adviser Ben Rhodes said of the sanctions: 'We would like to see a steady ratcheting up of that pressure.'

Britain and other European countries have imposed asset freezes and travel bans on a list of 33 Russian oligarchs and Putin loyalists.

But they were urged to go further as Nato commander, General Philip Breedlove, warned that Russian troops on Ukraine's eastern border were 'very, very sizeable, and very, very ready' for action.

Outnumbered Ukrainian forces were ordered to leave Crimea yesterday, and bade tearful farewells to loved ones left behind.

Russian military experts said Mr Putin would decide in the next two weeks whether to launch 'a large-scale invasion of mainland Ukraine'.

Analyst Pavel Felgenhauer said this could involve attacks on half a dozen Ukrainian cities.

'The troops are concentrated and ready for an offensive,' he said.