A Maritime industry expert, Mrs. Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore, on Thursday, urged the Federal Government to secure and harness the advantages of the nation’s ocean resources.

Edodo-Emore, Chairman, Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd., made her observation in Lagos, stressing that illegal, undocumented and unregulated fishing that occurs in the country‘s waterways needed to be checked, in addition to securing the ocean resources.

“The competition facing the Nigerian fishermen in the fishing industry in Nigeria is enormous. One is that industrial fishing organisations from different continents come to take advantage of our oceans.

“It requires us to be alert, our security apparatus needs to be alive and alert to make sure that our oceans and its resources are protected.

“It is important for government to know that there is need to educate and train its people, to be able to take advantage of the ocean resources.

“And so, we need for the Ministry of Agriculture, the minister in charge of fishing, to work with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and security forces to protect our oceans,” she said.

She noted that it was important to ensure the use of technology to address some of the challenges confronting the fishing industry such as catching fish, storage and preservation.

She also said that effective storage of fishes makes it readily available for sale at any point in time.

“Technology will ensure our fishes move out of the country but unfortunately, many of our fishermen are artisanal and we need to move from artisanal to industrial fishing.

“In doing this, requires training, involvement of government, push and support from them. It also requires collaboration with other countries.

“The fishermen are already in associations. What needs to be done is to bring technology to that association and support them,” she said.

She noted that these issues affecting fishing and fisheries as well as the country’s ocean resources would be addressed at the Maritime Business Roundtable Breakfast Meeting (MBRBM), scheduled for April 13 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island.

According to her, the aim of the MBRBM is to bring users and suppliers of Nigerian maritime and aquacultural services together to share ideas and explore opportunities in Nigeria’s Blue Economy.

She listed some notable personalities for the roundtable including Dr. Bashir Jamoh, Director General of NIMASA, Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State, Benedette Okonkwo, President, Nigerian Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) and many others.

The benefits of the meeting are: visibility, growth, networking, impartation and exchange of knowledge and solutions.

An Indian appeals court National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has upheld a penalty of 162 million U.S. dollars imposed on Google by the country’s antitrust regulator.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI)’s penalty is connected to a case related to Android’s market dominance.

The NCLAT said the CCI order did not violate the principles of natural justice and Google was liable to pay the fine.

Google defended itself saying “we believe it (the CCI decision) presents a major setback for our Indian users and businesses that trust Android’s security features, and potentially raising the cost of mobile devices.’’

“We upheld this penalty,’’ NCLAT said earlier on Wednesday, adding that “the appellant (Google) is allowed to deposit the penalty.’’

The order is seen as a major setback to Google in India.

The NCLAT had held that Google asking the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to pre-install the entire suite of Google applications amounts to imposition of unfair conditions.

Over 95 percent of smartphones in India use the Android system.

In October 2022, the CCI imposed a fine on Google for anti-competitive practices in relation to Android mobile devices. Google had challenged the ruling before the NCLAT.

Meanwhile, the search giant has been given 30 days to pay the penalty and implement the order.

Google now has the option to challenge the order in India’s Supreme Court. 

– Xinhua

… Court stringently grants them bail***

The Lagos State Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) on Thursday arraigned Chrisland School Ltd and four staff members for the alleged involuntary manslaughter of the 12-year-old student, Whitney Adeniran.

The Ikeja High Court however admitted the four staff members, comprising Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao, Nwatu Ugochi Victoria on a two-count charge of manslaughter and negligent acts, to bail conditions, after the defendants, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

 Justice Oyindamola Ogala admitted the defendant’s bail after the defence counsel moved the motion for bail dated  March 28 and March 29 respectively.

There were no objections from the prosecution, led by the Lagos State Attoney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN.

Ogala admitted the first and second defendants to N10 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum

She also admitted the third and the fourth defendants to N20 million bail each with two sureties each in like sum.

The judge said all the sureties must be gainfully employed, have credible and verified evidence of financial status and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

“All the sureties must have two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government and must submit their international passports with the Chief Registrar of the State High Court,” Ogala said.

The court, however, ordered the defence counsel to write an undertaken in order for the defendants to be released to them before the perfection of their bail.

The defence counsel were Mrs Bimpe Ajegbomojon (first defendant), Richard Ahonarougho (SAN) second defendant), Olukayode Enitan, SAN, ( third defendant),  Ademola Animashaun (fourth defendant)  and Mr Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, (fifth defendant) while Mrs Oluwatodimu Ige held brief for the family of the deceased.

The five defence counsels urged the court to grant bail to the defendants on self-recognisance.

According to the charge, information signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr  Babajide Martins, on March 24, the defendants allegedly committed the offence on  Feb. 9, at about 1. 00 p.m. in Agege Sports Stadium, Agege, Lagos.

The prosecution said that the defendants negligently killed Adeniran by not ensuring her safety.

The state also submitted that the defendants acted in a reckless and negligent manner that endangered human life.

Onigbanjo, while arraigning the defendants, informed the court that the state would be presenting 17 witnesses against the defendants.

“We shall be praying for a date to open trial,” he said.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offence contravened Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Ogala subsequently adjourned the case until May 25 for the commencement of trial.