About 80 Point of Sales (PoS) agents, suspected to be buying and selling money to members of the public with higher interest were arrested by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in Ondo over the weekend.
It was gathered that the anti-corrúption agents who moved around the state capital, Akure, discovered some agents charging higher rates and arrested some of the agents.
Some residents who spoke to our correspondent alleged that some PoS agents have been buying cash from banks, and they charge their customers exorbitantly while selling the money to them.
According to an eyewitness, who said the operatives stormed the popular Oja-Oba market along Oba Adesida road in Akure and arrested about 80 PoS agents.
“They have arrested about 80 PoS attendants in Oja Oba area, they visited these PoS centres to find out the amount they are charging customers and also ask customers at the centers. If it’s above the normal amount, they will be arrested.
“Some PoS attendants, who got wind of the development before the security agents get to the center, flee and close for the day.
A neighbour to one of the POS agents arrested, said: “She was here attending to customers when a woman came and asked how much he charges for every thousand naira.
The Accord Party gubernatorial candidate who contested in the last governorship election in Oyo State, Oloye Bayo Adelabu has made his next political move known to the public.
Adelabu in a statement made available via his Twitter handle said, he is weighing possible option of returning to his erstwhile political party, All Progressives Congress APC and the possibility of throwing his hat into the ring in 2027.
Adelabu was quoted as saying, “It’s now exactly one week after the 2023 Guber elections and i believe we must have all been well rested and digested the reality of the results of that election.
“My appreciation goes to all the hard working and committed members of our great party for a well fought battle in the last eight months. I cannot thank you enough for all your efforts, prayers and commitment of all your financial and other resources during our campaigns leading to last weekend guber elections. We ran the best and most organised issue-based campaign and achieved the widest reach in our consultations, house to house, rally and road shows during the campaign period. We have cause to be grateful to the Almighty Allah for his untainted protection over the team during our various tours across the state. No single accident was recorded in spite of the size of our regular convoy and no life was lost. I appreciate you all for your commitment and the belief, trust and confidence you have in me and our guber project. I implore you all not to be dejected or depressed in any form as we have moved further in this project and we are surely getting closer. Politics is a marathon and we must be resilient to ensure we get to the very end. 2027 will be the year we get to our destination, Insha Allah.
“We must continue to remain as one in Unity and Progress as this is the only way our team will remain formidable. We all know that the results of the election is not a true reflection of the strength of our team. A lot happened towards the tale end of the election period leading to cracks in our team and quite a number of our members waivered and it’s quite unfortunate. It’s a known fact that betrayal, backstabing and inconsistencies are part of politics and must continue to be assimilated and managed when they occured. God knows best and will surely do his will in our lives at his appointed time. When the time comes, everything will work for our good.
“Regarding the way forward, i want to assure you that discussions will soon start among our leaders immediately after Ramadan on the modalities of managing our party, Accord and possibility of a return to APC. It’s not something to rush as it must be a calculated move with a joint agreement on the purpose and modalities of our return. One thing that must be clear with everyone is that it is only in unity that we can remain formidable. I implore our members not to rush into taking a decision on whether to remain in Accord or return to APC. Let’s exercise a little patience and wait for the overall decision of our leaders which i can assure you will be in the interest of all.
“Our consolation lies in the fact that Oyo state people have seen the quality of the candidates we displayed at all levels of the election except that the political circumstances didn’t favour us as a third force party. It is however heartwarming that the electorates are already expressing preference for us come 2027 and will surely be ready to vote for us. I will also not hesitate to let you know that it is not automatic as we must be ready and prepared to work towards it by remaining relevant in the political space till the next election.
“I want to round up by thanking the good people of Oyo state for their support and acceptance at all levels. I pray for God’s protection over our lives by granting us good health and long life to witness our eventual victory and success at the next polls. In 2027, Awa lokan!!!. Amen”.
It was gathered that the 33-year-old passed away on Friday, March 24, 2023.
According to one of her colleagues “She she was diagnosed with the ailment sometime in 2021. She went to Dubai for the chemotherapy for about six months and came back cancer free. But for the pass one month she has been complaining of headaches and loss of memory, so we took her to the hospital.
Yesterday she was very fine but around 7 PM she complained of headache again and was rushed to the hospital where she passed away.”
President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has raised the alarm over plots by some aggrieved partisans to truncate the transition process, particularly his expected swearing-in on May 29.
Tinubu in a statement by his Director, Public Affairs and Minister of State Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo SAN also warned the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and that of the Labour Party LP, Mr Peter Obi against taking to the streets while also pursuing their cases in court.
In the statement issued Saturday in Abuja, the President-elect noted that those who have taken to the streets protesting against his mandate are fixated on having an Interim National Government ING.
Part of the statement reads; “We have watched with great concern the condemnable activities of some persons and groups who are desirous of truncating our democracy.
“For reasons best known to them, these persons have remained embittered that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared winner of the 2023 General Elections.
Repeatedly, but unfortunately, these misguided individuals have called for either the cancellation of the results or that the President-elect should not be inaugurated on the 29th of May, 2023.
“We wish to reiterate and emphasise that these positions are not in tandem with our constitutional provisions or our electoral laws. We would have taken these as mere wishful thinking, however, because of their implications for national security and public order, we have therefore considered it necessary, if not expedient, to call them to order.
“We are aware of the intentions of those engaged in these treasonable and subversive acts. We also know those involved in the many plots being contrived to undermine the transition in particular and democracy in general. They are fixated on an Interim Government. They have done it in this country before and it threw the country into avoidable crises for many years and they want to do it again. They are bent on delegitimizing the new government. Some have made treasonable insinuations and openly called for military take-over. It is for these reasons that they are desperate to incite the people against the incoming Government.
“It is perplexing to see that those contesting the results want to be in the courts and on the streets at the same time. However, if their intention is to truncate the inauguration of the President-elect and Vice-President-elect, they should immediately bury the thought. It is gratifying to note that the President has set in motion steps for the actualisation of the swearing-in ceremonies. In this regard, the Presidential Transition Council has remained focused and committed to its Terms of Reference in respect of organizing a hitch-free handover”.
The statement noted that on many occasions after the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the election, his public speeches and utterances have centred on reconciliation, forgiveness and a greater vision for Nigeria.
It added that the President-elect knows those who are sponsoring violent protests against his mandate as well as their sponsors from within and outside Nigeria and shall be working closely with the security agencies to apprehend them and bring them to book
“He has pledged fairness as the basis for his present and future engagements. He has unequivocally stated that he would not accord favour to those that supported him, and neither would he mistreat those who did not vote for him. This is statesmanly and patriotic. We all watched the President-elect as Governor of Lagos for eight years. He never undermined any person or tribe. He championed people-oriented policies. It is common knowledge that he is a welfarist and a pacifist. This is even more so that millions of citizens have spoken through the ballot box in his favour.
“By being declared winners, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima are legally entitled to be inaugurated into office as provided for by law and as we have practised since 1999, whilst those who feel otherwise have the right to seek legal redress in court. Why should their situation be different from what we have practised since 1999?
“Those who are dissatisfied with the declaration must conduct themselves within the ambits of the law. Nigeria is not a lawless country and should not be portrayed as such no matter the frustrations as presently being exhibited by some bad losers.
“Those who are stoking the embers of hate, division and falsehoods as well as peddling misleading narratives through some compromised media outlets should detract from such. It amounts to campaigning after elections. Hate speeches, fake news and propaganda at a time like this are needless because Nigerians have already made their choice. Those who are bent on scuttling the process will ignite the fire of destruction and run away. But they should not even start.
“We simply wish that peace reigns in the country. It does not make sense that some persons who should know better are encouraging violence and are so determined to achieve that.
“We know these persons and their sponsors from within and outside Nigeria and we shall be working closely with the security agencies to apprehend them and bring them to book. Our concern is that everyday Nigerians who are unaware of the evil intentions of these persons should not be used as cannon fodders. Enough is enough. Their continuous determination to dare us should cease forthwith. We are not lacking in capabilities and capacities. Our silence should not be taken for cowardice. We should come together for the peace of our beloved country. It is better”, Keyamo added.
Operatives of Ogun state Police Command on March 13 arrested four members of a Lagos-based robbery gang, who have been terrorizing Ode-Remo area of Ogun state in recent times.
The suspects identified as Habeeb Salaudeen 24, Ezekiel Jayesimi 30, Olamilekan Teniola 22 and Olaitan Sonibare 25, were arrested following a distress call received by policemen attached to Ode-Remo divisional headquarters at about 2:30 am that armed robbers numbering about seven have invaded a dwelling house at COTCO road, Ode-Remo, and dispossesing the residents of their belongings.
‘’Upon the distress call, the DPO Ode-Remo division, CSP Fasogbon Olayemi quickly led his men to the scene, on getting there, they engaged the hoodlums in gun battle, but the robbers managed to escape in a white Rav 4 car which they came with. Luck however ran against them when they were accosted by policemen at Warewa who stopped them having seen the bullet hole on their vehicle. The robbers subsequently abandoned the car and ran away. They were technically trailed to Mushin area of Lagos where four amongst them were apprehended. ‘’
Oyeyemi said the suspects have all confessed to the commission of the crime.
He mentioned that items recovered from them include 4 I phones and thirteen android phones.
Oyeyemi added that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Frank Mba, has directed that the suspects be transferred to State Criminal Investigation Departments for discreet investigation.
The Federal Government is to arraign Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, former Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, on seven counts bordering on money laundering at a Federal High Court, Abuja.
Ojerinde is being arraigned alongside his four children; Mary Funmilola, Olumide Abiodun, Adedayo and Oluwaseun Adeniyi, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission before Justice Inyang Ekwo.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ojerinde and his companies are currently facing a money laundering charge to the tune of N5 billion before Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
He was accused to have diverted public funds while he served as National Examinations Council and JAMB registrar.
However, in this fresh charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/119/23, the ex-JAMB boss and his four children were included.
Also joined in the charge are all his companies which include: Doyin Ogbohi Petroleum Ltd, Cheng Marbles Ltd, Sapati International Schools Ltd, Trillium Learnings Centre Ltd and Standout Institutes Ltd.
Ojerinde and the ten defendants were yet to take a plea as at the time of filing the reports.
The Osun tribunal held that Adeleke did not score the majority of lawful votes during the July 16 governorship election, but that verdict has now been set aside by the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal Abuja has set aside the decision of the Osun State Governorship tribunal, and has upheld the Governorship of senator Ademola Adeleke.
Following the governorship polls in the state, an Election Petition Tribunal had sacked Adeleke from office, saying that the Senator did not score the majority of lawful votes during the July 16 governorship polls.
However, in a unanimous agreement by a three man panel led by justice Mohammed Shuaibu, the Court of Appeal quashed the tribunal’s judgement and gave its verdict to uphold Adeleke as rightful governor of Osun State.
The Nigeria’s president-elect, Senator Bola Tinubu has dispelled rumour flying around the social media that he was in the UK to hold a secret meeting with the Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola.
In a statement made available via his campaign spokesman, Bayo Onanuga as read in part:
“Our attention has been drawn to the grossly fake, misleading and malicious story about the Chief Justice of Nigeria Olukayode Ariwoola disguising to meet President-elect Bola Tinubu in London.
“The story was a pure concoction from the hallucinating minds of hatchet men bent on creating doubts and public distrust about the legitimacy of our recent election, which was won by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We refute emphatically that there has been no clandestine meeting between the President-elect and the respected Chief Justice of our country, any where. It’s pure fabricated news, groundless in fact and authenticity.
“To show that the story was a mere salacious fiction, meant to draw traffic to the discredited purveyor, it claimed the Chief Justice left Nigeria for London on 11 March, on a wheel chair to board a plane.
The President elect left Nigeria on 21 March, 10 clear days thereafter. What kind of appointment or secret meeting will the two men have arranged in London, with so wide disparate arrival dates, except in the imagination of the false news merchants?
We can confirm that the President-elect, who left Nigeria Tuesday has not been in London. He is right now in France to have a deserved rest, after a hectic campaign that began in January 2022.
He will go to London thereafter before proceeding to Mecca for the lesser Hajj.
As we move towards inauguration on 29 May, 2023, Nigerians should expect more false and salacious news from a section of the Nigerian media, on the payroll of the opposition.
We urge the media once again to cross check their information from the President-elect media office before rushing to press.
A foremost lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Barrister Ahmed Raji has reacted to a news reported by an online media that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kayode Ariwoola was sighted at the United Kingdom in a wheelchair, purportedly in a meeting with the President-elect of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the report is false and aimed at tarnishing the image of the apex court.
Raji, who issued a statement on Thursday evening at Ibadan said Justice Ariwoola went to London on Saturday for his routine medical check-up and returned to Nigeria on Thursday morning.
Media reports on Wednesday indicated that Tinubu left Nigeria for medical reasons after a rigorous political activities that culminated in his victory over the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s Atiku Abubakar and Labor Party’s Peter Obi, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Also, a Press Statement issued by the Director, Media and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Bayo Onanuga on Thursday refuted the report of the clandestine meeting with a claim that the President-elect left Nigeria on Tuesday and has not been to London till Thursday when the CJN arrived back in Nigeria.
In his statement, Barrister Raji said the report was another malicious attempt by some individuals to tarnish the image of the Supreme Court and the CJN after they have made attempts at attaching his name to some political parties in order to preempt outcomes of the legal tussles before the apex court.
“It is in the news since Tuesday evening that Tinubu was traveling to Europe for medical reasons as well as for lesser hajj, further reports indicated that he is in France to meet with his medical doctor, why would somebody now link that to the CJN that has left Nigeria for UK since Saturday to observe his own medical session and just came back today (Thursday) as meeting?
“Our politicians need to allow due process take control, election matters are in the law courts, that does not mean that the law Lords will not live their normal lives as human beings, Tinubu is in France and the CJN was at London, where is the contact?, he asked”
Barrister Raji urged Nigerians not to be hoodwinked by politicians to paint the judiciary in bad color, so as to achieve their personal interests, as far as the 2023 election is concerned.
