The crisis rocking Peoples Democratic Party PDP has taken new dimension as some Governors’, party loyalists failed to show up at the inauguration of Campaign Committee of the Party’s presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar.
Recall some governors and party faithfuls led by Gov of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike had requested that the party chairman resigns from his position before they could participate in the campaign of the presidential candidate of the party..
The List Of PDP Chieftains Who Didn’t Attend The Inauguration Of Atiku’s Campaign Council And Are Demanding Ayu’s Resignation.
1-Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike 2-Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde 3-Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom 4-Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu 5-Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi 6-Ex Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang 7-Ex Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo 8-Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose 9-Former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko 10-Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke 11-Bode George of Lagos 12-Jerry Gana 13- Dan Orbih from Edo and a host of others.
The Oyo State Amotekun Corps have arrested two notorious car thieves in Ibadan, who confessed to selling stolen Nissan Micra vehicles, for N70,000 each.
According to report, the suspects — Makinde Tunji and Ajibola Abayomi, were apprehended by the Amotekun Corps last Friday in the Olopometa neighborhood of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
While addressing newsmen, Mr. Kazeem Babalola Akinro, the Deputy Commandant of Amotekun Corps (Ibadan command), explained that the suspects were involved in stealing Micra cars from the city and driving them to their customers at Ijora in Lagos State.
The Deputy Commandant recounted how that the duo had successfully stolen five Nissan Micra automobiles and managed to sell three of them while abandoning the other two, which broke down, before they were finally caught.
“The suspects would be given to the state police command for additional investigation”, he added.
Abayomi, a 31-year-old driver, told newsmen that he was picked up by Amotekun Corps following the arrest of his partner, Tunji, for robbing a store and breaking into it.
He said: “The arrest of my friend (Tunji) led to mine. He was arrested for breaking into a shop. During his confession to Amotekun Corps, he told them of our stealing of Micra cars from where they are parked. That was how I was also arrested.”
Abayomi while describing their mode of operation disclosed that Tunji is always the mastermind behind each of their operation, in charge of logistics and has the contact of their customer who buys the stolen vehicles from them.
“Tunji is the one who has connection with our link in Lagos. He would search for a vehicle we would pick. After telling me, I would take him to the spot in my own Micra car. Sometimes, I would not go with him. He would go alone. All I would do is to give him money that he would need or battery for the car.
“He would take the Micra car to the buyer at Ijora in Lagos. He would then be given N10,000 as part payment, with a balance of N60,000 paid after.
“So, the amount we were selling the stolen car was N70,000. We used to share it equally”, he added.
He backed up Amotekun Corps’ Deputy Commandant’s account, claiming that he and his accomplice had begun the thefts in May and had taken five Nissan Micra vehicles, three of which had been delivered to Lagos State successfully, while the other two had been abandoned at a location along the road when they began to exhibit irreparable defects.
He pointed out that a used Micra would cost between N300,000 and N350,000 to sell for scrap, whilst a used Tokunbo would cost around N1.5 million.
According to Abayomi, Tunji had been with him since he was a child, and also taught him how to drive.
“At a time, he went to Lagos and was driving a bus. We saw again when he returned to Ibadan.
“Tunji started doing the ‘runs’ (stealing Micra cars) and I would be the one to take him there. I used to give him my car key because it can open others. He didn’t use master key.
“We stole all the vehicles from Olopometa, Moradeyo and Iwo Road areas, but the ones from Iwo Road were found by their owners where they were abandoned,” Abayomi confessed.
He further admitted that two of them used Indian hemp for smoking.
Abayomi lamented his fate, claiming that his wife is currently pregnant and that he was tempted to conduct crime out of avarice and covetousness.
Tunji, a resident of Ibadan’s Lalupon village, confirmed Ajibola’s account in his own confession, admitting that he was the one who directed Amotekun agents to his partner’s home for his arrest, after he made his own confession.
The Oyo State Government has said it will soon commence rehabilitation work of the roads leading to Iyamapo, a 2000 metres above sea level Hill in Igbeti.
The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal gave the assurance on the occasion of the World Tourism Day, celebrated on September 27, at Igbeti, headquarters of Olorunsogo Local Government Area. He also assured that the Oyo State Government will invest in the tourism sector to attract local and international investors, who will in turn drive the State’s economic expansion drive.
Lawal also declared that the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration plans to harness the developmental benefits of the State’s mineral resources in Igbeti, to expand the economy.
The Deputy Governor said the present administration is determined to reposition the state’s tourism sector with its huge potential, to drive the economy of the State.
Barr. Lawal who hinted that resources in Oke-Ogun zone of the State are enough to sustain Oyo state’s economy, therefore called on investors to help boost the economic activities of the state, through investment in the tourism sector.
“The state government is open to collaboration with investors and relevant stakeholders in fine-tuning plans to harness our potentials”, Lawal said.
He explained that “harnessing the multi-million naira potentials in the state, will be extended to the 168 tourism sites in the State. We will drive world-class tourist sites and urban regeneration work to attract tourists, which will provide gainful means of employment for youth and women”.
Lawal added that this will open more rural areas, like Igbeti, to tourists as the plan includes rehabilitating the road which will take tourists to Iyamapo to see the beauty and access all the other landmarks in the town.
“Oyo State Government will rehabilitate the roads leading to Iyamapo hill, which is one of the tourism potentials in Igbeti. This is part of our commitment to tourism in the State”, he said.
“This will also encourage tourists to visit Agbele hill, Bata erugba and other places and by so doing, they contribute to the growth of the economy,” he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun said that tourism in the State would be harnessed by the Seyi Makinde led administration.
He called on investors to consolidate the efforts being made by the state government and other stakeholders in calling for growth and development of the tourism sector.
On this year’s theme “Thinking Tourism”, Olatubosun said Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration plans “to promote our heritage as well as other sites”.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Abiodun Oni said Igbeti town, which is rich in both Natural and mineral resources, is begging Government and investors to bim their search light at the huge potentials therein.
He thanked the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration for setting the ball in motion, commending the Governor’s foresight.
The Special Adviser on Tourism, Hon. Akeem Ige said this year’s WTD was moved to Igbeti, so as to promote it and attract investors to the centre.
He said there are enormous potentials in Igbeti to invest in, adding that his office is likewise working on ways to invite investors to the State.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the ocassion, Prince Tunde Odunlade opined that tourism is a commercial organization of holidays, which is vital for the success of many economies in the world.
He corroborated the Deputy Governor’s opinion that Tourism could boost the State’s economy, calling on all stakeholders to play their roles.
Odunlade appealed to the Oyo State Government to provide desirable and enabling environment for tourism to grow in the State.
A Chieftain of Igbeti, Pa. Jacob Adetoro commended the present administration for uniting Igbeti indigenes, by bringing this year’s WTD to the ancient town. Pa Adetoro said all hands are on deck to promote the rich potentials in Igbeti, saying the indigenes will work with the State Government and all relevant stakeholders.
An highlight of the two-day event was celebration of Cultural night on September 26, 2022 at Igbeti town hall.
The event also witnessed hiking, games, music, and visit to other tourist sites in Igbeti.
The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, an Inspector, at the Oyo State’s Ibarapa North Local Government and detained suspect were reportedly in danger due to gunshot wounds received, according to a top senior police officer who made the revelation.
When asked about the incident, Adewale Osifeso, a Superintendent of Police and the State Police Public Relations officer, confirmed it and said.
It was later confirmed that the Police officer died having sustained gunshot injuries.
“The CP, or Commissioner of Police, enroute the location. We have arrived at Oke Ogun as of right now. I’ll get in touch with you when we get there.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, on Tuesday, destroyed 1.8 tons of cocaine worth N194.7 billion that was recently seized in a warehouse in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
The warehouse was raided earlier in September, while the barons were picked from their hideouts in different parts of Lagos.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta has nullified all primaries conducted by the various factions of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in Ogun state.
The presiding judge, Justice O.O Oguntoyinbo has however called for fresh primaries within fourteen days
The Court ruled that all the primaries conducted didn’t follow the principles of the electoral act.
A governorship aspirant, Jimi Lawal had approached the court to challenge the delegate list used during the primary by the Sikirulahi Ogundele faction of the party, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in the state capital.
Segun Showunmi had also approached a court to challenge the neutrality of the Sikirulahi Ogundele-led state executive on the matter.
The spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, Festus Keyamo, has mocked the standard bearer of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, after he was endorsed by Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere.
Keyamo, in a tweet on Tuesday, said the candidates the Yoruba socio-cultural group backed in the last two elections lost.
He also claimed Afenifere was supporting Obi out of spite for the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“Propelled by a long-held animosity against Tinubu, in 2015, the Pa Ayo Adebanjo Afenifere endorsed Jonathan for President. In 2019, they endorsed Atiku. In both cases, they failed.
“Congrats, Peter Obi on this endorsement,” Keyamo wrote.
Adebanjo, in his statement, had said: “the Igbo people of the south-east have never tasted presidency in Nigeria, and now that the power is due back in the south, equity demands that it be ceded to the Igbo.
“We cannot continue to demand that the Igbo people remain in Nigeria, while we at the same time continue to be brutally marginalize and exclude them from the power dynamics.”
The Lagos State Government has achieved another major milestone in its determination to deliver the operation of the Red Line Rail System by the first quarter of 2023.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said the TALGO SERIES 8 Trains acquired for the Red Line have finally arrived in Lagos, saying “The 2 Nos. Ten and Eleven Car trains which were bought from Milwaukee are here”.
He explained that it was necessary to decouple the train into 21 individual cars for effective transportation to Lagos, adding that the trains will be recoupled with the help of rolling stock Engineers from Talgo, the company that manufactured the trains in the United State of America.
Omotoso said: “The Engineers will also take the opportunity to train our local Engineers whilst they are here to equip our young people with the requisite skills. Once the recoupling is complete, the testing and commissioning will commence followed by full passenger operations in the first quarter of 2023.
“Each train can carry 1500 passengers and is expected to run on the Red Line Rail from Agbado to Oyingbo, with the journey taking less than 30 minutes”, the Commissioner stated.
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, on Tuesday said the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, represents what Nigerians desire at this present time.
Obi described Governor Akeredolu as a leader who speaks the truth at all times no matter the consequences.
The LP Presidential candidate spoke during a condolence visit to the Governor at the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Alagbaka, Akure.
Also on ground to receive him were the wife of the Governor, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu; the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; the Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale; Director General of the Project Performance and Implementation Monitoring Unit and grandson of the deceased, Mr Babajide Akeredolu among others.
Obi, who said things are going wrong in the country because people choose to keep quiet, commended the Governor for speaking up for the people.
He charged Governor Akeredolu to continue to take every necessary step to protect his people, adding that the Governor is doing the right thing.
Obi said: “I urge you to continue in that direction. You represent one of those things Nigerians desire, ability to speak the truth no matter the consequences.
“What is lacking in Nigeria is that we choose to keep quiet when things are going wrong. You have a man here who always speaks when things are going wrong, and I urge you to continue.”
He supported Governor Akeredolu on his move to arm the Amotekun Corps, saying the Governor must continue to do his best to defend his people.
“Arm those special security poeple. Take every step to protect your people. It is important and it is your duty. I’m happy that you are speaking out always when necessary. May God Almighty continue to be with you and bless all of you.” He added.
Obi condoled the Governor on the demise of his mother, Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu, JP, praying God to grant her eternal rest.
The LP presidential standard bearer equally used the occasion to commiserate with the Governor over the sad incident at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, where 41 people were killed and several other injured.
In his response, Governor Akeredolu appreciated Obi and his entourage for finding time to visit him.
Akeredolu, who said what happened on June 5 at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, was horrendous, also described the sad incident as unexpected and uncommon, especially in the Southern part of the country.
On the death of his mother, the Governor said she would surely be missed even though she left at the ripe age of 90 years.
He expressed joy that all of her late mother’s children survived her, saying she would be given a glorious and befitting burial.
Richard Olatunde Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State. September 27, 2022.
An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has convicted and sentenced sixty-six, 66, internet fraudsters to various jail terms, ranging from two weeks, four months, and six months of community service to ten months imprisonment.
The convicts were prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and arraigned before Justices Olusola Adetujoye, Bayo Taiwo and Ladiran Akintola on separate one- count charge, bordering on cyber crimes, between Monday, September 5, 2022 and Wednesday, September 21, 2022.
The convicts are: Lawal Ismaila Adebola, Dazumi Azeez Jayeola, Morakinyo Abiodun Michael, Kehinde Samuel Olatunbosun, Yusuf Olawale Raji, Abass Akintayo Waliu, Kolawole Blessing Oluwafemi, Ajibade Habib Olakunle, Adedun Olajide Temidire, Dapo Ajayi Temitope Faith, Lamidi Olumide Samuel, Patrick Simon Olaide, Opeyemi Nurudeen, Obaloluwa Enoch Bolaji, Oladimeji Olamide Abdulrahan, Damilola Mubarak Muritala, Adedayo Wahab Abdullahi, Olotu Oluwadamilola Ayomikun, Aderibigbe Ibrahim Olamilekan, Sekoni Oluwatimilehin James, Dazumi Abdulrazak, Salami Ayo Wisdom and Ifeoluwa Joseph Olabiyi.
Others are Mubarak Salaudeen Opeyemi, Toriola Samuel Oluwadamilola, Abisoye Israel Olamilekan, Adebayo Babatunde Teslim, Onipede Damilola, Oladotun Tijani Kunle, Adeshina Opeyemi Akanni, Eniola Johnson Olorunsola, Adebowale Samuel Amusan, Ayinde Babalola Quadri, Obioma Honour Nmaduabuchi, Afolabi Pelumi Tomiwa, Salau Opeyemi Saheed, Adekunle Hammed, Abioye Oluwatobiloba Alex, Ajadi Hezekiah Oluwatobi, Kayode Donald Adubu, Olamilekan Gabriel Ebedi, Adediran Qudus Wale, Adams Ojo Segun, Ogundayo Usman Oladayo, Olamide Yusuf Ishola, Kolawole Fuad Abiodun, Adekoya Tobiloba, Giwa Babatunde David, Abdulfatahi Dolapo Oderinde and Akinwale Israel Bunmi.
The rest of the convicts are: Alex Okhiria Chibueze, Gabriel Ikyeleve, Paul Uche Obinna, Udeh Emeka Moses, Alase Ayodele Philip, Afeez Sode Gbolahan, Abayomi Babatunde Adejuyigbe, Haruna Adedoyin Kayode, Adejuyigbe Oluwatobiloba Joshua, Gbadamosi Samson Iyanu, Olatunbosun Mojeeb Olanrewaju, Oduwaye Oluwale Kelvin, Adesokan Afeez Afolabi, Emmanuel Oluwatobi Ajala, Olamilekan Michael Ayegbusi and Adurota Emmanuel Oluwatosin.
They all pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read o them individually.
Consequently, prosecution counsels, Oyelakin Oyediran, Chidebere Okoli, Oluwatoyin Owodunni, Modupe Akunkoye, Mohammed Galadanchi, Mabas Mabur, Abdulrasheed Suleman and Samsudeen Bashir , prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
The courts convicted and sentenced the defendants to various jail terms, some two weeks, others four months, six months of community service, and some to ten months imprisonment. The courts also ordered that they restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
All the convicts began their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC, for diverse internet-related offences. They were subsequently prosecuted and convicted.
