Author: oduduwanews

Relief finally came to Sunday Morakinyo and Segun Olowookere, who were condemned to death by hanging for stealing a fowl and eggs in Osun State a few months ago, as the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, granted them outright pardon on Thursday.

The development was disclosed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, in a statement in Osogbo.

According to him, 51 other inmates have also been pardoned, and the relevant agencies have since acknowledged receipt of the letters sent to them to this effect.

The statement read: “In line with the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Governor Ademola Adeleke has exercised prerogative of mercy towards 53 convicts serving various convictions within the Nigerian Correctional Service.”

“The letter of commutation dated December 24th, 2024, and which has since been received and acknowledged by the relevant prison authorities, read as follows:

“WHEREAS: the inmates whose names are set out in the schedule to this order have been convicted to various terms of imprisonment to wit:

(i) Simple offences and have served substantial portions of the sentences,

(ii) Convicts sentenced to death (having spent a minimum of 10 years in custody).

“AND WHEREAS: following the recommendation made to me by the state advisory council on the prerogative of mercy that I should exercise my power in relation to the said inmates in order to mark the 2024 Christmas celebration.

“AND WHEREAS: in the case of the 30 (thirty) inmates convicted of simple offences, I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to remit and forgive the remainder of the said sentences in whole.

“AND WHEREAS: I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to grant outright pardon to 12 (twelve) inmates convicted of simple offences.

“4 (four) convicts have their sentences commuted from death to outright pardon. AND WHEREAS: I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to commute the sentences as follows:

“1 (one) convict has his sentence commuted from death to 15 (fifteen) years imprisonment.

“6 (six) convicts have their sentences commuted from death to outright release.

“Now know ye therefore that I, Senator Ademola Jackson Adeleke, the Governor of Osun State of Nigeria, in exercise of the power conferred on me by paragraph (a), (c), and (d) of subsection (i) of section 212 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), am pleased to extend my grace and mercy unto the said inmates.

“My will and pleasure thereof is that you commute the death, life, and years of imprisonment as indicated herewith in the schedule.”

Those in the schedule are as follows:

CONVICTS RECOMMENDED FOR OUTRIGHT PARDON (SIMPLE OFFENCES)

OLABOMIJI NURUDEEN
MUSTAPHA ISAH
OLALEKAN ABDULLAHI
AYOMIDE OLOJEDE
AKEEM RAPHAEL
ADEYEMI ABIODUN
OLADIPUPO SEGUN
OMISAKIN SUNDAY
ADEMOLA ADIO
TUNDE OLAPADE
LATE CHIEF WOLE OLA
RUFUS OJO
OMOLOYE OLAJIDE OLAYEMI
CONVICTS RECOMMENDED FOR OUTRIGHT RELEASE (SIMPLE OFFENCES)

OLUBO SUNDAY
ISAH UMAR BIODUN
FAWAS KAREEM
OMIRIN TEMITAYO
OLARENWAJU AYOMIDE
DARE SUNDAY
OLADAPO TUNDE
GANIYU SAHEED
ADEWUMI SODIQ
ADEBAYO ADEOYE KEHINDE
LASIS KAZEEM
DAUDA OJO (59 YEARS)
ISMAILA RAJI
OSENI MICHEAL
AJAYI KOREDE
ABIONA NURUDEEN
OSHI SAMUEL
SHEU YUSUF OLATUNJI
OJO AANU
MUSTAPHA KEHINDE
LASIS ABEEB
ALEXANDRA IORLAHA
OJO TAIWO
AZEEZ MUJEEB
AKINYEMI DAVID
ADEOSUN ADEKUNLE
OLAOBAJU SAMUEL
ADURA ADEFEMI
PAUL BASIL
KUNLE DAVID
CONVICTS RECOMMENDED FOR OUTRIGHT PARDON FOR GOOD CONDUCT (CAPITAL OFFENCES) – 4 (FOUR)

SUNDAY MORAKINYO
SEGUN OLOWOOKERE
TUNDE OLAPADE
DEMOLA ODEYEMI
CONVICTS RECOMMENDED FOR OUTRIGHT RELEASE ON HEALTH GROUNDS (CAPITAL OFFENCES)

OLUWAFEMI FAGBEMI
BEWAJI SUNDAY
AMEHIN GEORGE
AYOMIDE ARULOGUN
TAIWO OLUWATOBI STEPHEN
ABUBAKAR ABDULAZEEZ
CONVICT RECOMMENDED TO BE COMMUTED FROM DEATH TO 15 YEARS IMPRISONMENT HAVING SPENT AT LEAST 10 YEARS IN CUSTODY

An unidentified two-year-old boy was
discovered abandoned at a dumpsite in the Iganmu area of Lagos State.

In a post on his X.com account, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, Spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, reported that the child was found on Monday night.

As at the time of filing this report, efforts ongoing to investigate the mystery surrounding the incident.

Details later.

A 20-year-old man, Akeem Sumonu, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly raping and impregnating a 16-year-old girl in the Olodo Community of Odeda Local Government Area.

The arrest was made on Tuesday by police operatives stationed at the community security post. The victim’s mother reported the incident to the police, stating that Sumonu had violently assaulted her daughter in October 2024 and threatened her to keep quiet.

The victim, fearing the suspect, initially concealed the incident. However, her mother noticed unusual changes in her behavior and injuries, prompting the victim to reveal the assault. The medical report confirmed the victim was eight weeks pregnant, suspected to be a result of the rape.

The suspect has confessed to the crime and is currently detained. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

This incident follows a similar case in March 2024 where a pastor, Adeleye Dada, was accused of raping and impregnating the teenage daughter of a church member.

A mother of the former Queen of Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola has appealed to Nigerians to help her after her daughter was remanded in Agodi prison, over the stampede that led to the death of 35 minors in Ibadan, the Oyo state, capital.

In a short video, the mother, in tears, pleaded and declared that her daughter is innocent of the charges against her.

She said, “Help me, have mercy on me, don’t let them destroy my life, my daughter has been doing this programme for over 10 years, it is to help children. Please, the world, help free Naomi, help free my daughter, she is very innocent.”

It would be recalled Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi of the Oyo State Chief Magistrate Court 1 sitting at Iyaganku in Ibadan on Tuesday ordered the remand of an ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi; the owner of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Fasasi Abdullahi Babatunde, at the Agodi Custodial Centre.

The Court said the remand order was pending the issuance of legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Oyo State.

The charges read, “That you Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi F, Alh, Oriyomi Hamzat ‘M’, Fasasi Abdullahi Babatunde ‘M’ and others now at large, on the 18th day of December 2024, between 5:00 am and 8:00 am, at Islamic High School, Bashorun area, Ibadan, in the Ibadan Magisterial district did Conspire with one another to commit felony to wit: Acceleration of death and thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

Three students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, lost their lives in a fatal car accident on Friday, December 20, along the Ago-Iwoye–Ilisan road, while two others sustained injuries.

The incident has prompted condolences from the university and an ongoing police investigation.

The Vice Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Prof Ayodeji Agboola, on Saturday, expressed his heartfelt sadness and shock over the demise of three students of the university in a fatal lone accident which occurred on Friday, along the Ilisan-Ago-Iwoye road.

The students who died in the tragic accident included Nifesimi Dada, 300 Level Geology; Opeyemi Joshua, 200 Level Taxation; and Ogooluwa Miracle Daniel, 200 Level Mass Communication.

Two other students of the University, who were among the passengers of the ill-fated vehicle were said to have been immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

However, in a statement issued on Saturday by Dr Wale Balogun, Corporate Affairs Division of the institution, the VC said the university is extremely sad over the loss of the students and is already working with relevant authorities to provide support and assistance to the affected families.

The lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency at the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. (Surv) Dele Adeola has felicitated the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on the occasion of his 57th birthday.

Adeola said this in a statement personally signed by him and made available today to ODUDUWA NEWS on the commemoration of birthday ceremony of the Governor, which usually holds every 25th of December, adding that his leadership has not only inspired the people of Oyo State but has also set a benchmark for the governance across Nigeria.

Adeola was quoted as saying:

“Your commitment to good governance, equity, and progress has repositioned the state.

“Governor Makinde’s name resonates quality leadership and accountability, should we talk about his litany of achievements in the education, healthcare, human development among other areas? He has proven that he is unequalled among his peers.

“As a leader, you exemplify courage, innovation, and empathy. Your inclusive policies and people-centered projects have given every citizen a sense of belonging. The achievements under your administration have fostered trust and unity, proving that Oyo State is truly in the hands of a capable and compassionate leader.

“On this special day, we pray that Almighty God continue to bless you with wisdom, good health, and the strength to take Oyo State to a greater height. May your days be filled with endless joy, peace, and fulfillment as you steer our beloved state towards a brighter and more prosperous future.

Happy birthday, Your Excellency!”

The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has inaugurated the 10-man Committee on the Management/Disbursement of Bodija Explosion Relief Fund be led by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal.

Governor Makinde disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen via his official Twitter handle as read in part:

“In my remarks, I charged the members of the committee to ensure transparency and efficiency in carrying out their responsibilities to those who were affected by the Bodija Incident on 16 January 2024.

“I also said that we have awarded the contract to fix the roads in that area and will be building a monument to honour those who lost their lives.

“Other members of the committee are:
Chief Iyiola Oladokun, a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and Chairman, Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group;
Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, Chairman, Bodija Estate Residents Association;
Alhaji Gafar Bello, Executive Assistant on Finance, Budget and Planning;
Mrs Ojuolape Busari, Secretary, Oyo State Emergency Management Agency;
Mr Ibrahim Lawal, the nominee of the Nigerian Bar Association;
Mr Oluseye Ojo, the nominee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists;
Engr. Ibrahim Bello; the nominee of the Nigerian Society of Engineers;
Mrs Arinola Olanipekun, the nominee of Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group and
Mr David Afolayan, the nominee of the Bodija Estate Residents Association”.

The Ogun State House of AsseAssembly on Tuesday passed the year 2025 Appropriation Bill of N1,054,542,020,147 presented to it by the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, exactly 20 days ago.

The passed bill has a slight adjustments in the recurrent expenditures of about 21 agencies, just as the capital expenditures of five agencies were also slightly adjusted, alongside the revenue targets of two agencies.

The passage of the Appropriation Bill followed the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation by its Chairman, Hon. Musefiu Lamidi, who thereafter moved the motion for its adoption, seconded by his Deputy, Hon. Wahab Haruna, and supported by the whole House during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The bill was later read and adopted clause by clause before the Committee of the Whole House, after which the motion for the third reading was moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff, seconded by the Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye, and supported by all the lawmakers through a unanimous voice vote, while the Clerk/Head of the Legislative Service, Mr. Sakiru Adebakin, read the bill for the third time before the lawmakers.

The Speaker, therefore, directed that the clean copy of the bill be forwarded to the Governor for his assent.

Some of the agencies that had their budget proposals adjusted included the Ministry of Budget and Planning, which had its estimate increased from N1.475 billion to N1.902 billion, giving an increase of N427 million; while that of the Ministry of Community Development and Cooperatives was also increased from N1.780 billion to N2.499 billion, giving an increment of N719 million.

Others, like the State Ministry of Health, were increased from N3.806 billion to N4.116 billion, just as the State Teaching Service Commission’s budget proposal moved from N34.412 billion to N35.912 billion, with that of the State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) moving from N1.347 billion to N1.372 billion; while that of the State Hospital, Sokenu Abeokuta, also got an addition from N3.208 billion to N3.348 billion.

Also, Ogun State Security Network (Amotekun) had its budget proposal increased from N765 million to N1.575 billion; while that of the State Environment Protection Agency moved from N252 million to N262 million, just as the State Library Board’s budget proposal, amongst others, was increased from N147 million to N177 million.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of 160 new Supervisory Councilors and Special Assistants across all 33 local government areas in the state.

The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Otunba Ademola Ojo disclosed this to newsmen in Ibadan on Tuesday, December 24.

The Commissioner, who also disclosed that the list, which comprised of 93 Supervisory Councilors and 67 Special Assistants includes persons living with disabilities (PLWD), marked a significant step towards social inclusion in governance.

Otunba Ojo otherwise called ‘Ijaya’ stated that the 33 Local Government Executive Chairmen have also been directed to immediately swear in the new appointees.

According to the Commissioner, the new appointees were selected based on merit, competence, and their capacity to contribute to the Makinde administration’s agenda of sustainable development especially at the grassroots.

He added that the decision aligns with the governor’s promise to ensure that all segments of society have a voice in decision-making processes under the present administration in the state.

He explained that the appointments aim to strengthen the governance framework at the local government level to ensure effective service delivery to the people of Oyo State.

“This administration is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities or background, is represented in governance, and this is so because the present administration believes in the talents and potential of all individuals, including persons living with disabilities.

The Commissioner also emphasized the need for the newly appointed officials to prioritize the welfare of their local communities while urging them to work closely with local stakeholders to address pressing issues and deliver impactful projects.

The Councilor representing Ward One, Ado-Awaye, Iseyin Local Government, Hon. Adepoju Mathew Olaniyi has rehabilitated well of Ago Afin Area, Agelu Road, Ado-Awaye, Iseyin Local Government.

The well water had in the past served the source of water for the people of Ado-Awaye but abandoned for over a decade not until recent time hat it was rehabilitated and given a facelift.

“As you know that our main function is little legislative work within the council and within my capability I have decided to do the rehabilitation for my constituents so that they can be having access to clean water especially at this dry season.

I am also planning to embark on several programmes such as medical outreach where several people will benefit.

“Once I perfect all plans I will begin the medical outreach to attend to urgent medical treatment for the aged and less privileged”, said Adepoju.