Author: oduduwanews

Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday secured the conviction of one Oluwatoyin Henry before Justice Sherifat Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on one count of obtaining by false pretences.

According to the commission’s spokesperson, Wilson Square, on Monday, the suspect is a student of Ladothe ke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.

The charge reads: “That you Oluwatoyin Henry sometime in 2019, at Ogbomoso, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of one thousand two hundred United States of America dollars ($1,200) from one Betty Mosley, when you falsely presented to him that you are a citizen of United States of America by name Amanda, who is in love with him, which representations you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence.”

The convict pleaded guilty to the amended charge after a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution and was convicted and sentenced to six months in prison.

However, he was also ordered to restitute the sum of $1,200 to his victim, and forfeit his iPhone 11, one Infinix Hot 5 and a Nokia phone to the Nigerian government.

The Government and people of Ekiti State has today mourned the passage of its citizen, Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS specialist), who died in the Beechcraft Kingair B350i plane crash while returning to the Abuja Airport after a technical difficulty enroute Minna, Niger State on Sunday.

Late FS Olawunmi, an indigene of Ogotun Ekiti, was a competent, courageous, and worthy NAF personnel. He was a true Nigerian hero who won the respect and admiration of both his peers and his commanding officer throughout the war against insurgency.

The Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) says it will withdraw its services nationwide if the Federal Government fails to respond to its demands within seven days over the Shasa and #EndSARS crises.

AUFCDN, an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress, is demanding protection of its members, payment of N475bn compensation for lives of members and properties lost during the #EndSARS protest and the Shasa market chaos.

Its Secretary-General, Ahmed Alarama, at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, said the union had notified President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies over its planned actions.

Ikubabayeye, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III has advised political leaders to embark on restructuring to solve rising challenges of insecurity and menace of banditry in Nigeria.

The monarch, in a statement on Sunday, likened the current situation to the 1967 crisis during the early period of military interregnum.

He said the current situation requires that all Yoruba leaders should come together irrespective of political differences and speak with one voice as done in the days of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Oba Adeyemi said restructuring of Nigeria is a major solution, which Yoruba should push further this time.

The statement, which he personally signed, reads: “If there is anytime the Yoruba should come together and speak with one voice, this really is the time.

“Whether in terms of security or human welfare including safety of lives and property, I make bold to say that things have never been so bad in the country. This time is really an era of ethno-religious suspicion among our various communities.

“The present state of national uncertainty can best be compared with the situation in 1967 during the political crisis during the leadership of General Gowon.

“I recall with pleasant nostalgia that during the time, Yoruba leaders across different political parties sank their political differences and met in Ibadan under the governorship of General Adeyinka Adebayo.

“On that occasion, Yoruba unanimously chose the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo not only as leader but as the authentic spokesman of the Yoruba. It was the success of Awolowo leadership that kept the Yoruba away from any kind of civil war in spite of all temptations.

“Coming back to the present, suffice to say that the word restructuring, which we are all demanding now is not a new phenomenon in our national polity; only that it has changed its name.

“Thanks to the political foresight of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo who, at all constitutional conferences in the pre-independence years, insisted on true federalism as the bedrock of political survival and stability of the country.

A Lagos State Mobile Court over the weekend convicted and sentenced a fake soldier arrested by the operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) for assault and impersonation to six weeks jail term.

Speaking on the arrest and arraignment, the Chairman of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce), CSP Shola Jejeloye, disclosed that the convicted fake soldier was apprehended after he collaborated with some miscreants to assault members of the enforcement team of the Agency at Airport Bus-Stop, along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

He said that the operatives of the Agency were coming from monitoring and enforcement operation with over 150 impounded motorcycles loaded into three of the Agency’s trucks before the fake soldier, whose commercial motorcycle was also among those impounded while plying restricted routes, mobilised hoodlums to attack the team with dangerous weapons.

“The fake soldier was subsequently arrested after the attack was quelled. However, it was during preliminary investigations that it was discovered that he was not a member of the Nigerian Armed Forces but an impersonator”, Jejeloye said.

“The man later confessed to having only claimed to be a soldier in order to retrieve his impounded commercial motorcycle and that he painted his motorcycle with Nigerian Army camouflage colour in order to evade arrest from security agents while engaging in commercial activities on restricted routes”, he added.

CSP Jejeloye urged members of the public to stop impersonating security agents to commit crimes as anyone caught would be seriously dealt with in accordance with the Law.

The Chairman, however, confirmed that the arraignment of the fake soldier at the Lagos Mobile Court was in compliance with the directive of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu.

Magistrate Oyebimbola Israel Adelakun, who presided over the matter, sentenced the accused Kabiru Mohammed (25 years) to six weeks in jail with N40,000 as an option of fine after he had pleaded guilty to the three-count charge of Assault, Conduct Likely to Cause Breach of Peace and Impersonation levelled against him.

The Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, an elder statesman, Pa Adebanjo have berated Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, over his comments indicting South-West governors for the recent mayhem in Sasa community, we Ibadan, in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Lawan, in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Saturday, claimed that ‘unguarded statements’ by some governors in the South-West incited people in the area to take up arms against fellow citizens.

He also blamed what he called the failure of governments in the region for the crisis which led to property destruction in the area.

Lawan stated, “What happened in Oyo State and other things that kept happening in the South-western states are caused by leadership failures in the region. Some utterances by some governors also went a long way in inciting the citizens to take up arms against other ethnic groups settling in their states. The governors’ utterances emboldened the criminals to unleash violence against the northerners.”

Saying the incident happened while the National Assembly was on recess, he noted that it was one of the first issues deliberated upon when the assembly resumed legislative activities.

Lawan said, “Sasa killing was one of the things we deliberated upon at the plenary when we resumed. We condemned the violence and even moved against any kind of inciting comments or utterances by some government officials. We equally condemned the eviction order by one ethnic group on the other, or indigene-settle claims, just as we called for the compensation of all the victims of herder/farmer clashes in the country.’’

“Withdraw your provocative statement”

Reacting to Lawan’s comments in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Adebanjo asked the Senate President to withdraw his provocative statement against governors in the South-West.

Adebanjo said, “It is an insult brought to us by those who aligned with the All Progressives Congress to force the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on us as a nation. It is a tragedy that someone called the President of the Senate could make such a statement about South-West governors. In fact, it is Lawan that just made an unguarded statement.

“He has failed in his duty. He never had anything to say about the killings of farmers, raping of our women and massive destruction of our farmlands by killer Fulani herdsmen.

“His language is unguarded. I am sure that his language is that of President Muhammadu Buhari himself who has refused to caution the herdsmen.

When someone is part of a government that negotiates with bandits and criminals, what do you expect? It is people like Lawan who are behind the herdsmen and even own the cows. The statement by the President of the Senate is insulting, derogatory, shows lack of manners and a sign of improper training. It is condemnable and should be withdrawn.

“Are the governors in charge of security in their states or the one controlling the police? They have to resort to Abuja before the commissioner of police will even pick their calls. The Federal Government has refused to even allow Amotekun to bear arms but unconcerned when herdsmen carry sophisticated arms such as AK-47 and others.”

Also, speaking with one of our correspondents on Saturday, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, described Lawan’s statement as ‘highly condemnable,’ asking him to withdraw it forthwith.

He said, “His comments are untrue. The information available to us indicated that the incident was caused by provocation. A Hausa porter beat a Yoruba pregnant woman. Talking about leadership failure, is leadership failure responsible for banditry in the North-West, North-Central or in the North-East where there’s insurgency? Then, it’s leadership failure that is responsible for the insecurity in the country?”

Adams also expressed worry that such a statement was uttered by the president of the country’s upper legislative chamber.

The Aare Ona Kakanfo added, “As a Senate President, he ought to detach himself from nepotism and appear like a statesman and not a sectional leader. The statement from him is highly condemnable and I will advise him to retract it. He will be bias if he’s asked to say anything concerning the Yoruba.’’

Speaking in a similar vein, Afenifere said ‘unwarranted provocations’ against the South-West were becoming too many.

Speaking through its Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, the group said, “So it’s not the unguarded statements of Buhari’s henchmen? It’s the leadership failure in Nigeria that is keeping people like him in office.’’

Lawan in the interview with the BBC demanded the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the Sasa mayhem.

He added, “Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari also invited the state governors and told them that the Federal Government would not condone any governor calling for the eviction of any ethnic group from his state. He said that no governor should incite his citizens to unleash terror or violence on the non-indigene members of the communities.”

On February 12, 2021, a disagreement between a Hausa porter and Yoruba female trader in Sasa market, Ibadan, degenerated into bedlam and claimed lives including multimillion naira investments.

A Yoruba cobbler, Shakirudeen Adeola, reportedly challenged the porter for beating the woman and in a fit of rage, the porter was said to have brought out a charm and hit Adeola who was rushed to a hospital and died thereafter. The news of Adeola’s death sparked off violence which shattered the peace in the area.

As Osun Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings resumed sitting on Saturday, three of the petitioners have appealed to it to prevail on the Government and the Nigeria Police Force to award them N125million compensation for the gruesome killing of one Mr. Rafiu Ajani.

The petitioners have approached the panel to seek compensation on account of different forms of brutality meted out to them by the overzealous police officers on 17th February, 2001.

According to them, the incident occurred at Obeira police check point, Okene area of Kogi State, where three armed police officers gruesomely killed eight out of 10 occupants in the vehicle.

Narrating the ordeal while being led in evidence by his counsel on how he narrowly escaped death, one of the petitioners, Mr. Sulaimon Badmus, said he escaped when the officers ran after one of the victims that wanted to run away.

He said the three fully armed police officers killed eight out 10 passengers in the vehicle that conveyed him on the fateful day.

The petitioner said the erring police officers were met at the check point along Okene road, and were allowed to check the vehicle after which they started grumbling because of the cash they saw in the vehicle.

“On that fateful day, I chartered a bus from Osogbo to Benue, but the driver took another eight passengers along the way who were going to Katsina State to buy rams because it was during Salah festival.

“But when we got to Obeira, Okene axis of Kogi State, we met three fully-armed police officers on our way. The driver stopped and they accosted us, but when the officers saw huge amount of money in our possession to purchase rams, they started misbehaving and asked us to follow them.

“We were deceived by the erring officers because we were told that they were taking us to station, not knowing they were taking us to the forest. They tied our hands and one of the passengers that attempted to escape was gunned down immediately.

“They poured petrol on us with an intention to set us ablaze. But when they ran after one of us that attempted to run, it was in that instance that I struggled to escape with one other passenger. Unfortunately, the remaining passengers were burnt to death, including the driver.

“When the matter was reported in the news and the police started the investigation, then I showed up to follow up the matter and gave evidence. I assisted the police to arrest the three officers and they were charged to court.

“The three erring officers were Benjamin Oyekhire; Jimoh Michael and Gershon Soba.

“The case was taken to Lokoja High Court where the three erring officers were sentenced to death by hanging.

“Although I didn’t follow up the matter, I later learnt that the officers went to Court of Appeal and Supreme courts where the lower court judgment was upheld.

“I can’t say if the three condemned officers were eventually sentenced as ordered by the hierarchy of the Courts. However, I was not too satisfied with the judgement because killing them was not enough as justice. None of the victims was compensated since the incident occurred twenty years ago. That is why I approached the panel for due compensation”, he added.

Corroborating the testimony, one Mr. Mustapha Muideen, the owner of the burnt Toyota Liteace with registration No Osun XB 104 SGB and a younger brother of the deceased driver, Mr. Dauda Ajani, told the panel the number of times they travelled down to Kogi State because of the case to give credence to the evidence tendered before the panel.

The counsel for the petitioners, Barrister J.O. Babalola, prayed the court to award his clients a total sum of N125million as compensation to cushion the negative effect of all they had suffered to the incident.

According to him, N100million was requested as compensation for the family of the late Rafiu Ajani, the driver of the bus that was burnt, saying the deceased was the sole bread winner of his family and was survived by dependants which include aged mother, three wives and five children.

He further appealed to the panel to award the second petitioner, Mr. Sulaimon Badmus, who escaped from the police a total sum of N20million as compensation for losing all his capital aimed to purchase rams, just as he also urged the panel to award a sum of N5million to one Mr. Mustapha Muideen, the owner of the bus that was burnt.

Ruling in the case, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Akin Oladimeji (rtd), asked the petitioners’ counsel to prepare his final address for adoption and adjourned the case to March 5th, 2021.

… Charges Residents to Guide Public Infrastructure against Abuse

In fulfillment of the promise to complete all outstanding projects inherited by his government, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu on Friday commissioned a network of four roads in Agbado-Oke Odo LCDA in the second phase of the Lagos/Ogun State Boundary road projects.

Speaking during the commissioning, Sanwo-Olu expressed satisfaction at the quality of the job done on the road projects, noting that the construction of Lagos-Ogun State Boundary Roads in Alimosho Local Government Area was in recognition of the need to improve connectivity within Alimosho LGA and neighbouring State communities, thereby reducing travel time, loss of man-hours as well as boosting trade, commerce and investment opportunities in the area.

The Governor said, “Having realised the critical importance of road infrastructure to the opening up of the State, our administration, in accordance with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, especially the Traffic Management and Transportation Pillar, decided to demonstrate the attendant impact of road infrastructure on business and commercial activities, welfare and productivity of the people”.

“The delivery of this road will boost trade, promote commerce and investment opportunities for our people. Consequently, the construction of Phase II was necessitated by the need to complement the Network of 21 roads and two Bridges executed in Phase I and abate perennial flooding in this axis”, he added.

Sanwo-Olu stated that the commissioned network of roads, apart from being capable of boosting the economic activities of both communities in the two States, was in direct response to the urgent need to provide an alternative route to Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway to reduce constant traffic bottlenecks often experienced on the highway due to bad road and commercial bus activities.

“The newly reconstructed roads, which are parallel to Lagos Abeokuta Expressway, is a functional alternative as motorists can now connect Ota from Abule-Egba-Ekoro through this network of roads. Without doubt, these projects provide massive connectivity, shorten distance, improve travel time, reduce the man-hour loss in traffic and the stress of commuting along the Expressway” he enthused.

He explained that the brief for new road projects entailed creation of new road alignment and expansion of existing pathways, including massive earth movements and relocation of public utilities such as water pipes, electric poles and transformers within the Right of Way, to achieve the road linkage.

Commending traditional rulers and other community leaders for coming out en-mass to receive him, Sanwo-Olu urged them to take ownership of the roads by enduring adequate and regular maintenance and prevent them from any form of abuse or misuse, reminding that public infrastructure is provided with taxpayers’ money.

His words: “As beneficiaries, we must note that adequate and functional maintenance of the provided road is the responsibility of not only the Government but the Society at large. We will continue to collaborate with the community both at the Local Government and CDA levels to promote and develop local initiatives for the community to participate in the maintenance”.

“Let me use this opportunity to urge you to refrain from such acts that could undermine the durability of the road. We know we can stem down and reduce the rate of theft of electrical cables and careless damage of the road. The road was provided from yours and other taxpayers’ money which could be used to provide other projects for other communities”, Sanwo Olu stated.

Earlier in her welcome address, Special Adviser for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, noted that Agbado Oke-Odo is a settlement with a fast-growing population, thus requiring infrastructural upgrade and renewal.

Adeyoye disclosed that the Governor had during the commissioning of a network of 31 Strategic Roads in Ifako-Ijaye, a year ago, directed the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to speed up the completion of the Lagos-Ogun State Boundary Roads Phase II, adding that the commissioning of the Phase II of the projects were in line with the quality service delivery of the State Government.

According to her, the commissioning of Lagos/Ogun State boundary road projects are a demonstration of the commitment of the Governor Sanwo-Olu-led administration to improve the quality of life of the residents and economic growth of the State.

She promised that her Ministry would work harder to deliver quality road infrastructure in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda and the Greater Lagos Vision of the State Government.

Also present at the commissioning was the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, members of the State Executive Council, top officials, community leaders and other stakeholders.

South-West Governors, Traditional Rulers and Security Chiefs converge in Ibadan, Oyo State on peace building and security matters. Below are the pictures taken at the event.

There was encomium last week when the Methodist Grammar School, Deaf and Dumb Unit started the usage of projector donated to them a year ago by The Baby Blue Angels Foundation.

You will recall that the NGO had donated projector and other educational materials to Deaf and Dumb Department of Methodist Grammar School, Ibadan during official launching in 2019 as part of its community and social development service aimed at ensuring that the disabled are not hindered from having access to quality education due to their disability.

The projector was donated to aid learning process of deaf and dumb students at Methodist Grammar School, Ibadan.

Ambassador Ramata Agberemi, the founder of BBA while handing over the projector and other educational materials to the beneficiary said, it behooves on them as non-governmental organization to contribute their own quotas towards the development of education of both abled and disabled in Nigeria.

“As NGO, our priority should not be centered on abled persons alone but to the disabled who have ability to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria if given an avenue to develop their God-given potentials.

“We don’t have to be waiting for government at all times before we could be stretching helpful hands to one another. Nigeria can only attain its desired level of growth and development if only we can be helping ourselves”, said Ramata.

The head of the school while setting the projector for operation and the use of students last week said the disabled have contributed alot to the development of Nigeria and that all stakeholders must come together to ensure that they are not left behind in the development process of the country.

He therefore appreciated the benevolent act shown to them by the Baby Blue Angels Foundation as such gesture will go a long way in reshaping the lives of the students for better.

He prayed for the Founder of the NGO, Ramata Agberemi and the entire team members while charging them not to relent in their effort at ameliorating the suffering of the needy.