Author: oduduwanews

By: Comrade Ismael Taiwo,
Former PRO, NANS Oyo State.

The intrigues behind the continuous incarceration of the suspended Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa no longer new to the discerning minds as it has become a norm and usual style adopted by successive governments to oust the Anti-Graft Agency Czar who is found not to be in their good book especially when such has their cronies in the watchlist.

Bawa, before his removal faced alot of onslaught and series of unfounded allegations carefully orchestrated by those who have their hands soiled in corrupt activities, these attacks vis-a-vis innuendos that trailed weeks to his suspension should not be a surprise to the students of history as it has been a usual norm and tactics deployed by people loyal to successive new administration to boot out every chairman of the Anti-Graft Agency whenever transition of power beckons.

Corruption fight is the most difficult task to be carried out especially in this country of ours, where corrupt practices hold sway on a large scale, and as such the actors in these dastardly acts fight nail and tooth to get away with their corrupt cases, the usual say, “corruption fighting back” validates the claim of the difficult task.

The EFCC since its creation in 2004 has suffered alot of onslaughts by those who think they are above the laws of the land and as such they can continue to pillage the resources of our country without having questions to answer.

It is however sad that we continue to weaken our institutions on the alter of political vendetta. An important agency like EFCC should not be left at the behest of corrupt people to determine its fate. The political actors, since the creation of the agency, have successfully had their way by showing an exit door to its successive chairmen through the political manipulation of Villa boys.

Bawa was suspended through a letter communicated by the Secretary to the Government of Federation over what it termed as a “weighty allegation” as quoted in the letter.

Immediately after his suspension, he was invited by the Department of State Services and since then he has been in detention for more than a month without charging him to Court or making known the allegations leveled against him.

It should perturb sensible minds that someone who was suspended on the basis of “weighty allegations” has not been charged for more than a month. The DSS has again in its usual oppressive style turned itself to a tool in the hands of politicians used to launch their misiles on those not in their good book. It is laughable, that after a month of his suspension, DSS is still looking for its usual trump-up charges to nail him as the case of the twisted allegation of ‘possession of firearm’ leveled against ex-CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele. Where then the veracity of the claim of “weighty allegations” claimed in the Bawa’s suspension letter if after a month DSS is still looking out for what to be used to nail him? This is nothing but a political vendetta and a means to pave way for those who have corrupt cases hanging on their necks.

It was also in the news that few days after Bawa’s suspension, the DSS invaded EFCC allegedly to cart away files of those under corruption probe. DSS has left no doubt that its action in flagrant disobedience to law is a corroboration to the insinuations flying around that after Bawa’s suspension, corrupt politicians have been canonized while he is being incarcerated.

Bringing you back to memory lane, Nuhu Ribadu was the first Chairman of the body and recorded some successes in the fight against corruption but these successes did not go well with those who thought they would be shielded from their corrupt practices. This necessitated their gang-ups and towards the transition time, they succeeded in booting him out having succumbed to their whims and caprices.

This same fate happened to Farida Waziri, Ibrahim Lamorde and in recent times, the media space was awash how the previous chairman of the body, Ibrahim Magu was unceremoniously booted out of office on the investigation that no one could ascertain the veracity of the outcome till today.

In as much as I believe that he who comes with equity must come with clean hands, however, as a country who wants to get rid of corrupt practices, we must learn to always protect our institutions from usual attacks by those who think they own the country. It is saddened that corruption has become a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of our nation, if not, how on earth would suspects who supposed to be in sober mood and clear imagination of what would happen to them as the consequences of their misdeeds and corrupt practices would be celebrated while the institution probing them continues to be weakened, it has now become a case of corrupt people been emboldened to freely walk and launch attacks on the agency that is probing them.

Bawa should either be released or charged to Court as his continuous detention is a violation of his fundamental human rights. We are not in a banana republic where rules of law would be flagrantly disregarded, we have laws that guide us as a nation and such DSS is a creation of law and should be guided within the ambit of laws.

The civil society groups and human right activists must therefore rise up in defense of our laws and speak up against the abuse of fundamental human rights of the duo of Bawa and Emefiele.

Tinubu starting his administration with political vendetta will be antithetical to the principles of democracy. The war against corruption must continue and no matter how difficult it seems to be, Nigeria will be fully sanitized one day.

Comrade Ismael Taiwo, Former PRO, NANS, Oyo State.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has felicitated Muslim faithful in the state on account of the New Year Hijrah 1445 AH, which begins on Wednesday 19th July, 2023.

The felicitation by the 10th House of Assembly came on the heels of the acceptance of Wednesday, 19th July, 2023 as the first day of Muharram 1445 AH and declaration of the day as public holiday by the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

The House in a statement issued by the Chairman House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Waheed Akintayo congratulated the Muslim Ummah in the State for the opportunity to witness another new Islamic year, while urging them not to relent in their prayers for the state and Nigeria as a whole.

According to the statement “Hijrah (immigration to Madinah), no doubt, kindled the light of hope in the hearts of the early Muslims who set a shining example for all Muslims, in every generation, to emulate. Hijrah which symbolises a new beginning, began when the Holy Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Madinah.

The essence of Hijrah is that it is a process of transfer to a better situation, a search for an environment more favourable to the continuous and constructive effort.

Therefore, we urge the Muslim Ummah in the state to continue to show their dedication to the wellness of the state, contributing their quota in different ways to its development and we assure that the House under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin will continue to fulfil its promise to make laws that will uplift the state and better the lives of its people in all ramifications.” The statement read.

While commending the Muslim Ummah for the immense contributions they have been making to the progress of Oyo state, the House wishes them a successful and prosperous Hijrah 1445 AH.

The Ekiti State Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and sister security agencies have launched a manhunt for a yet-to-be identified driver who injured a VIO officer. 

The victim, Adewale Ojo, narrowly escaped death by the whiskers, when he was hit by the Ilorin-bound 18-seater commercial bus driver on Monday, July 17, 2023. 

The incident which occurred at Ayegbaju-Ekiti, Oye local government area of the state, resulted into tension and apprehension as the hit-and-run driver escaped from the scene.

An eyewitness told journalists that the VIO officer, with the rank of Assistant Inspection Officer (AIO), attached to the Ikole-Ekiti zonal office of the organization, had led other officers to a routine operation in the area, when the incident occurred.

The eyewitness said the victim was standing on the road and waved down the commercial bus which was on a high speed, coming from Ifaki-Ekiti and heading towards Ikole-Ekiti route.

The unidentified driver who is currently on the wanted list of the organization and the police, was said to have hit the officer, which made him sustain serious injuries.

He was immediately rushed to the health facility in the community, before he was transferred to Ekiti State Specialist Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment. 

Narrating his ordeal on the hospital bed, the victim said, “I was with my other colleagues in Ayegbaju-Ekiti, during a routine exercise which we normally carry out  every Monday of the week. We were at the damaged portion of the road, when the Kwara bus driver was coming from Ifaki-Ekiti axis.

“Immediately he saw us on the road, he increased his speed and my colleagues who had noticed him fled. But before I could notice  he had already hit me. Immediately, I became unconscious and was rushed from the scene to a nearby hospital,” the witness said.

“None of us could pick his number or face, neither could any of my colleagues identify him. I woke up in the hospital with bruises  all over my body, I am in pain and very weak. I had no intention to dare him. It happened so suddenly than I could imagine,” he said

Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has declared Wednesday, July 19, 2023, as a public holiday in the state in commemoration of this year’s Hijrah 1445.

Wednesday, the first day of Muharram 1445AH, is the beginning of Islamic New Year.

The announcement was made in a circular signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi.

While congratulating the Muslim faithful on the commencement of the New Year, the governor also enjoined them to use the occasion to pray for the peace, unity and sustainability of the state in particular and the country in general.

The troops of the 192 Battalion Army operating in the 81 Division Area of Responsibility on Saturday intercepted an ammunition smuggling syndicate while transporting a truckload of smuggled ammunition from Mali to Anambra State.

Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu revealed this in a statement shared on Nigerian Army’s Twitter page on Monday.

The truckload of the ammunition was discovered by the troops during a stop and search operation along Ajilete-Owode road in Yewa North LGA of Ogun State.

The statement partly read, “The troops, who acted on actionable intelligence conducted a meticulous and rigorous Stop and Search operation along Ajilete-Owode Road in Yewa North LGA of Ogun State and uncovered the illegal ammunition in a truck with Registration number ENU 697 XY, loaded with 720 packets of Red Star Cartridges of 12 Calibre, containing 25 cartridges per packet, totalling 18, 000 cartridges and an additional 250 packets of live (black) cartridges containing 10 packets each, totalling 2500 cartridges of the same calibre.

“Identified suspects, Mr Eric Seworvor, a Ghanaian national, and the driver, Mr Lukman Sani, have been taken into custody and are helping with ongoing investigations.

“Information gathered during preliminary investigation revealed that the ammunition, which was surreptitiously concealed in a supposed empty truck was imported from Mali, via Idiroko International Border, where the criminals had successfully beaten several other checkpoints en route their final destination in Onitsha, Anambra State, where they intended to deliver the illegal ammunition.

“Timely intervention by the vigilant troops however thwarted the chaos that such volume of ammunition would have unleashed on innocent members of the public, if the criminals had succeeded.”