Category: Featured

Amidst the current economic challenges facing the country, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nysome Wike has called on Nigerians to remain calm and patient with President Bola Tinubu.

Wike made the call on Wednesday in Ibadan, during a condolence visit to Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde over the death of his elder brother, Engr. Sunday Makinde.

The FCT minister emphasised that the policies being implemented by President Tinubu were fundamentally aimed at the betterment of the nation.

Wike who was accompanied by former governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Samuel Ortom of Abia and Benue states respectively said, “I have always told people to be patient with this government.

“This country has faced significant challenges in the past, and it’s essential to recognise the progress we’ve made. Nigerians often forget where we were and the efforts being put in place to improve our situation.”

He urged the public to understand that while the transition may be painful, it is necessary for long-term benefits.

According to him, “There is no such thing as a miracle solution. The policies Mr. President is enacting are designed to benefit all Nigerians.

“Although we may have to endure some hardships now, we should not panic. Mr. President genuinely cares for our country, and I assure you that better days are ahead.”

Commiserating with the Makinde family, Wike expressed deep condolences and emphasised the importance of unity in times of grief.

He shared heartfelt support to the family, assuring that they are not alone in their sorrow, stressing that as friends, they stand with the family during this difficult period.

“In this moment of profound loss, we are here to offer our love and solidarity,” Wike said.

The first indigenous broadcaster in Ekiti State, Christianah Ademulegun popularly known as Eye Opitan has passed on.

A statement by one of her children, Femi Ademulegun confirms that the veteran broadcaster died at the early hours of Thursday during a brief illness.

Eye Opitan retired from the service of the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti and consulted for few private stations.

She is well known for her sonorous voice and creative pattern of chanting Ekiti eulogy and praise poems.

Age 74, Ademulegun is survived by children and grandchildren.

The suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, has been remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre in Ogun State after failing to meet his bail conditions.

The spokesperson for the correctional facility, Yinka Odukoya, confirmed this to newsmen on Wednesday, stating that the monarch remained in custody as he had yet to perfect his bail.

Odukoya said, “Yes, he is in our custody, which means he has been unable to meet the bail conditions granted by the court yesterday. However, as soon as he does, he will be released.”

The Ogun State Police Command had on Tuesday arraigned the suspended monarch over a viral video in which he was seen assaulting a 73-year-old man, Abraham Areola.

According to the charge sheet (MH2b8c/2025), the suspended monarch was accused of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The charge read: “That Abdul-Semiu ‘m’ and others at large, on 21st January 2025, at about 1100 hrs at Sojuolu Street, Ifo Magisterial District, did conspire to commit a misdemeanour, to wit: assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others now at large, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully assault one Areola Abraham by slapping him on the face and ear, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 351 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.

The Lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency at the Oyo State House of Assembly has commended the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for ensuring reliable and stable power supply across the State Secretariat and its environs while urging the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to find a lasting solution to epileptic power supply that has become a nightmare for the people of the State affecting economic activities.

Adeola made this known at the Plenary held yesterday at the State House of Assembly.

This was part of the resolves following a motion sponsored by the lawmaker representing Iseyin Itesiwaju State Constituency, Hon. Bamidele Adeola .

The motion titled “Need for Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company ( IBEDC ) to build sustainable good customers service relationship for a seamless discharge of their duties towards steady supply of Electricity in the State” revealed that Sustainable electricity supply is a fundamental driver of economic progress, hence Government and policymakers must invest in power generation, grid expansion and renewable energy sources to ensure long – term economic development.

The Lawmaker described efforts of Gov. Makinde as renewed hope to a journey of stable power supply across the State in no distance time.

“This cornerstone of economic development through renewable energy sources is the guilding philosophy of Governor Seyi Makinde’s Government towards achieving steady power supply in Oyo State.”

“The steady supply we are enjoying presently in the State Secretariat and its environs is a clear testimony to a journey of stable power supply across the State in no distance time”

Hon. Adeola noted that it’s important that the effort of the Government be emulated and complemented by IBEDC in Oyo State by redirecting its attention towards renewable energy sources for the esteemed customers.

He observed that there is lack of adequate information on some of the major activities of IBEDC that have direct impact on the customers such as electricity billing, power rationing , and disconnection, metres availability and Distribution, provision of transformers and installations amongst other services being rendered by IBEDC in the State.

“The communication gap has led to many unresolved issues and avoidable fracas between IBEDC and its customers on estimated billing, non – availability of pre – paid metres for interested customers and installation of transformers single handedly purchased by an individual or communities which is supposed to be the responsibility of IBEDC.” The motion stated

The House has however directed its Standing Committee on Energy to invite all the stakeholders and engage them in meaningful dialogue that will pave ways for lasting solution on power epidemic in Oyo State and report back within two weeks of the plenary.

The Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, acquitted former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode of medical forgery charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Olubumni Abike-Fadipe, ruling on the no-case submission made by Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, stated that the prosecution had failed to present a prima facie case against him. Consequently, the court concluded that Fani-Kayode had no case to answer regarding the allegations.

The ruling, which was covered by Channels TV, effectively brought an end to the forgery case against the former minister.

Justice Abike-Fadipe also noted that the prosecution had not provided evidence linking Fani-Kayode to the offense, failing to present witnesses or the lawyer who claimed that Fani-Kayode instructed his law firm to submit medical reports to the Federal High Court.

The judge said: “The extrajudicial statements which remain, and which are intended as evidence, cannot be used for any purpose other than to contradict the person who made the statement when he is in the witness box.

“I have carefully studied the evidence of the prosecution witnesses and I cannot find where the defendant committed the offences being alleged.

“The prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case which would require the defendant to open his defence.”

The judge subsequently acquitted and discharged Fani-Kayode of the alleged offenses.

Speaking to journalists after the ruling, Fani-Kayode expressed his gratitude and relief, mentioning that after 18 years of facing legal battles, he was overjoyed to finally be free.

Fani-Kayode had been facing 12 charges brought by the EFCC, related to his alleged use of forged medical reports submitted before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he was also being prosecuted for an alleged N4.9 billion fraud.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Femi Fani-Kayode, on or about the 11th day of October 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, by fraudulently used a false document titled: Medical Report on Olufemi Fani-Kayode 60 Years/Male/Hosp. No. 00345 DATED 11/10/2021 before the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division in charge No. FHC/L/251C/2016 which document you purported to have been issued by Kubwa General Hospital.”

Another count reads: “That you, Femi Fani-Kayode, on or about the 23rd day of March, 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently used a false document titled: To Whom It May Concern Re: Femi Fani-Kayode Male/60 Years Hospital. No. 32145 Dated 23rd March 2021 before the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division in charge No. FHC/L/251C/2016 which document you purported to have been issued by Kubwa General Hospital.”

The EFCC pointed out that the procurement and execution of documents through false pretenses violates Section 369 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

During the trial, the management of Kubwa General Hospital in Abuja denied ever admitting Femi Fani-Kayode as a patient.

Bassey Amah, the head of medical records at the hospital, testified before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe, stating that the medical report presented by Fani-Kayode in court had not been issued by the hospital. Amah further confirmed that Fani-Kayode was not a patient there and did not have any medical report on file.

Additionally, a second prosecution witness, Abidat Bukola, testified that Fani-Kayode allegedly paid her N820,000 to obtain four forged medical reports. She detailed that at various times, Fani-Kayode paid N120,000, N150,000, N250,000, and N300,000 for these forged documents.

Omolola Odutola, confirmed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta, the state capital.

“The Ogun State Police Command has taken cognizance of a disturbing video circulating on social media, in which an elderly man, Mr. Areola Abraham was seen prostrating while being subjected to verbal abuse and assault by Oba Abdulsemiu Adewale Ogunjobi, the Olorile of Orile Ifo,” she said.

“Both parties reported at the State Criminal Investigation Department Eleweran, and their statements were obtained.”

The Command unequivocally condemned any form of assault, harassment and violence regardless of the individuals involved.

She assured that the command will ensure that justice is served and members of the public will be abreast of relevant updates in due course.

Former Minister of Interior and ex-Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, on Sunday met a man who allegedly attempted to assassinate him in 2006.

He said the meeting was held after the man identified as Sikiru Olaboye sought forgiveness from him.

Aregbesola disclosed this in a Facebook post on Sunday, stating that the man visited him after calling a local radio station in Osogbo, Osun State capital to ask for his pardon.

“Earlier today, I received Sikiru Olaboye, one of the men who attempted to assassinate me during the 2006 Oroki Day Celebration in Osogbo,” Aregbesola wrote.

The Oyo State Police Command has announced that it has initiated an immediate investigation into a fatal shooting incident that occurred in the Bodija area of Ibadan in the early hours of Sunday morning.

According to the police, preliminary findings reveal that an unidentified man was chased and shot dead a few blocks away from the popular Cocobean Lounge at Bodija, Ibadan. The police also stated that the murder appears to be cult-related.

CSP Osifeso Adewale, the spokesperson for the state police command, in a statement on Sunday, said the police quickly moved to the scene to maintain law and order and prevent further pandemonium.
Adewale addressed claims circulating on social media that the police accidentally shot and killed an onlooker (student) while attempting to disperse the crowd.

“Emphatically, there were no killings by the Police nor recorded death of any Student before, during and after the lawful dispersal of onlookers from the scene of crime,” Osifeso said.

“In furtherance of the above, the case has since been referred to the Homicidal section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Iyaganku with a Deputy Commissioner of Police leading the investigation as directed by the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, CP Sonubi Ayodele, psc.

“Meanwhile, normalcy has since returned to the area with adequate deployment of operational and intelligence Command assets to prevent a hijack of the scene by hoodlums.”

In a near death experience, a 59-year-old businessman Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe has undergone a surgery, exploratory laparotomy, to let out 57 out of 81 pellets of cocaine stuck in his stomach after seven days of ingesting the illicit substance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Igbokwe was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight on Sunday 26th January 2025. He was promptly taken for body scan, which revealed illicit drugs in his system.

He was soon after taken into NDLEA custody for excretion observation.

The spokesperson of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, says investigation revealed that Igbokwe who claims to be into cloth business at Arena, Oshodi area of Lagos, departed Lagos on 22nd January to Addis Ababa where he ingested the 81 wraps of cocaine the following day 23rd January and boarded a flight to Beirut, Lebanon to deliver the illicit consignment for a fee of $3,000.

“Upon his arrival in Beirut, he said he was refused entry because he had less than $2,000, the amount required to grant him entry. He was then deported to Addis Ababa where he attempted excreting the illicit drugs but could not. He thereafter proceeded to Lagos on Saturday 25th January with the consignment in his bowel. He was however arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport by NDLEA officers on 26th January.

After five days under excretion observation, he could only expel 24 pellets following initial medical intervention at the Agency’s medical facility and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja.

With the clock ticking for him and the complication of other underlining medical conditions, the suspect was eventually admitted at the tertiary facility where he had to undergo exploratory laparotomy to extract the remaining 57 wraps of cocaine stuck in his stomach after his wife and brother endorsed the necessary consent forms on Thursday 30th January. “