The Oyo State Government has denied viral media reports suggesting that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, is dead.
Some social media reports on Monday night claimed that the revered monarch was dead.
However, Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatunbosun, while speaking with pressmen refuted the rumours.
Olatunbosun stated that the Olubadan of Ibadan is alive, hale and hearty.
“Yes. Olubadan is alive, hale and hearty. I spoke with one of the sons who represented the family at the coronation committee, Prince Olaseke Owolabi Olakulehin,” he said.
In a major leadership reshuffle at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has been sworn in as the new Speaker after Hon. Mojisola Meranda stepped down from the position. However, in a swift turn of events, Meranda has been elected as the new Deputy Speaker of the House.
The swearing-in ceremony took place today at the Assembly Complex in Alausa, Ikeja, following intense deliberations among lawmakers. Obasa, a seasoned legislator and former Speaker, returns to the position with a wealth of experience, promising to continue driving legislative policies that will benefit Lagosians.
Meranda, who had briefly held the Speakership, voluntarily stepped down but was immediately elected as the Deputy Speaker, ensuring she remains a key figure in the Assembly’s leadership. This development is seen as a strategic move to maintain legislative stability and party unity.
In his acceptance speech, Rt. Hon. Obasa expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support and emphasized the need for collaborative governance. He also praised Hon. Meranda for her service and commitment to legislative progress.
Speaking after her election as Deputy Speaker, Meranda thanked her colleagues for their confidence in her and pledged to work closely with Obasa and other lawmakers to advance the legislative agenda of Lagos State.
Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man, Muniru Haruna, for allegedly defiling a neighbour’s three-year-old daughter.
Spokesperson of the command, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said the suspect lured the minor into his room when she was playing.
According to Odutola, the victim’s mother, Alaba Abdullahi, heard her daughter crying and quickly went to investigate.
She saw her child walking unsteadily while coming out of the suspect’s room.
“On 1st March 2025, at about 11:00 am, the local Police outstation at Orile-Ilugun received a distress call from 20-year-old Alaba Abdullahi regarding her three-year-old daughter,” the PPRO stated.
“Alaba reported that Muniru Haruna, a 25-year-old man residing in the same area, allegedly committed the act while the victim was playing nearby.
“The incident was discovered when Alaba heard her child crying and quickly went to investigate, only to find her daughter emerging from the suspect’s room in evident distress.
“Upon further examination, it was revealed that the victim had difficulty walking and exhibited signs of physical trauma.”
Odutola stated that the minor was taken to General Hospital Odeda for medical examination and necessary treatment, adding that the police await the doctor’s results.
The PPRO noted that although the suspect has denied the allegations levied against him, the case was referred to the Division Crime Branch for investigation and will be transferred to the State CID Eleweran upon completion of the preliminary inquiry.
She reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of members of the public, especially children.
A tragic case of a missing 28-year-old graduate, Ogubode Quadri Adedamola, has taken a grim turn as his body was discovered buried near the premises of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Ileri Oluwa Parish, LASU 2. Adedamola, a graduate of the Political Science Education Department at Lagos State University (LASU) and CEO of Horlar Edu Consultancy, was declared missing on January 16, 2025.
According to his girlfriend, Adedamola had called her on the day he went missing, stating that he was in front of the church and would call her back later. However, he never returned or made contact again. When the police were alerted, they visited the church based on her account. The church’s shepherd, Sup. Evang. Whepetoji Babaniyeh, denied seeing Adedamola on the said day or knowing anything about his disappearance.
As the investigation intensified, the police obtained Adedamola’s bank statement, which revealed that ₦1.5 million had been transferred from his account on the day he went missing. A portion of the funds was traced to the bank accounts of the shepherd, his daughter, and others. Initially, Babaniyeh denied receiving any money but later claimed it was a “thanksgiving offering” when confronted with evidence by the police.
The breakthrough in the case came when Adedamola’s body was discovered buried near the church premises. Investigations revealed that the burial was carried out under the supervision of the shepherd. Additionally, a gun and an axe were recovered from Babaniyeh, further implicating him in the crime.
The shepherd has since been detained by the police for further investigation. The case has sparked outrage and calls for justice, as the community mourns the loss of a young entrepreneur and graduate whose life was cut short under mysterious and tragic circumstances.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward as they continue to unravel the details of this disturbing case.
The National President of the Afenifere Youth Council, Eniola Olajuni, who was abducted by unknown gunmen, has regained his freedom after spending 12 days in captivity.
Olajuni’s abduction had sparked widespread concerns, with calls from various Yoruba socio-political groups and stakeholders demanding his immediate release. Details surrounding the circumstances of his freedom remain unclear, including whether a ransom was paid or if security operatives were involved in securing his release.
His ordeal has once again highlighted the growing security challenges in the country, particularly the increasing cases of kidnappings targeting political and community leaders.
A National Youth Service Corp member, Rofiat Lawal, who was kidnapped along the Benin-Ore Expressway on Tuesday has regained freedom after her family paid a ransom of N1.1m.
It was gathered that Lawal was kidnapped while en route to Ibadan, Oyo State from Benin, Edo State to resume at her place of primary assignment.
The abductors were said to have demanded a N20m ransom which her family appealed that they could not afford.
Following back-and-forth negotiations, the kidnappers reportedly reduced the N20m ransom to N5m.
Giving an update on the incident, Lawal’s friend identified as Agbakwara, who was privy to the incident, disclosed today that Aminat has regained her freedom.
Odukaye Kunle, the father who brutalised his son, Boluwatife, in Otta area, Ogun State, has been arrested by the police.
This was contained in a statement made available by the Nigerian Police Force via its official X account as read in part:
“The mother of the boy and the boy will be taken to our police medical centre otta for further medical assessment and attention. The OC Medical, Ogun State has been ordered to proceed to otta on this mission.
“Kunle will be charged to court on Monday. We commend the CP Ogun State, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, and his team for their commitment and ensuring that the boy gets justice.
“We appreciate you all for your concerns as well. Thanks”.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia, Friday, announced positive sighting of moon for the commencement of the 2025 Ramadhan.
Subsequently, 2025 Ramadhan starts on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
This was announced during a live broadcast of moonsighting across different regions in the Kingdom.
Nigeria Muslims await the announcement of Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Saad Abubakar for the commencement of fasting in Nigeria.
35 lawmakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly in favour of Mudashiru Obasa’s removal as Speaker have arrived the Lagos State High Court for the hearing of a matter brought by the latter.
Lawyers to Speaker Mojisola Meranda and the House include lead counsel, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN).
Others counsels to the lawmakers are: Mr. Olu Daramola (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana (SAN); Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN); Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN); Dr. Dada Awosika (SAN); Prof. Dayo Amokaye (SAN); Mr. Mofe Oyetibo (SAN); Mr. Olumide Oyewole and Mr. Wunmi Okeremi.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Lagos State Command, has reinstated the security details of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, following an earlier withdrawal that fueled political tension.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, confirmed the restoration of security personnel during a press briefing on Thursday evening.
Earlier in the day, the removal of security escorts attached to the Speaker’s office and residence had raised concerns, particularly as security details of impeached Speaker Hon. Mudashiru Obasa were restored. Obasa later stormed the assembly complex and declared himself Speaker, even presiding over a controversial plenary session attended by only a handful of lawmakers.
Addressing journalists, Commissioner Jimoh clarified that four security personnel assigned to Speaker Meranda, who had been withdrawn, were reinstated to ensure her safety and stability within the Assembly.
The leadership tussle continues to generate debate, with Lagosians closely monitoring developments as the state legislature grapples with uncertainty over its leadership structure.
