Category: News

The mother of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu is dead.

She died peacefully in her sleep early this morning. Mama was 90 years.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other family members.

Further announcements will be made by the family in due course.

The Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has fixed Monday next week for ruling on the post-conviction bail application filed by convicted actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.

The trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, fixed the date after listening to the arguments of both prosecuting and defence counsels on whether the convict has met special circumstances for the court to grant him bail, pending appeal.

Two months ago, Baba Ijesha was convicted for indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault of a minor between 2013 and 2014 among other offences by the court.

He was, thereafter, sentenced to serve a five-year jail term. Through his counsel, Baba Ijesha later approached the court for post-conviction bail, pending the determination of his appeal at the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal.

At the proceedings on Wednesday, his lawyer, Chukwudi Adiukwu, told the court that the defence team had brought notice for bail pending appeal pursuant to Section 6 (6) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Adiukwu argued that Section 51 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), 2015 empowers the court to admit his client to bail, either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions.

He also told the court that granting the application would serve the interest of justice as getting a date at the Court of Appeal might be difficult, considering the number of cases in the court’s docket.

The counsel informed the court that by the prison month calendar, the convict would have served his five years concurrent jail term within three years and six months before the hearing might take place at the appeal court.

He added that Baba Ijesha was of good conduct before the court during his trial and was never absent even until judgement.

The applicant’s counsel, therefore, urged the court to consider the special circumstances involved and grant bail to the convict.

But the state counsel, Mrs Omowunmi Bajulaye-Bishi, faulted these arguments, saying the applicant’s counsel, in his address, failed to establish the special circumstances as laid down in the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.

She specifically asked the court to refuse the application and allow the convict to continue his sentence as prescribed by the court.

After listening to their submissions, Justice Taiwo adjourned the ruling until September 19.

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, said that the protesting members of the National Association of Nigerian students, NANS, that blocked a traffic-laden section of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway are “violating” the country’s law.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, stated this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the Minister, the Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) recognises and protects citizens’ right to public protests but does not empower any Nigerian to “inflict pain and inconvenience on other people.”

The Ministet’s explanation came on the heels of the report that the protest embarked upon by NANS on Tuesday caused a gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, leaving motorists and passengers stranded.

The protest took place just after the Sagamu Interchange section of the expressway, towards Lagos.

The protesting students carried placards with different inscriptions and chanting solidarity songs as they lamented the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, that has prolonged for seven months.

They vowed to lay siege of the major highway and others to drive home their demand to end the strike.

But fielding question from journalists on the recurrent gridlock on the uncompleted sections of the highway, Fashola appealed for more patience from Nigerians saying that there is no alternative route in the already built-up areas.

He said “Once again, I apologise and empathise with commuters who need that place to get on with their lives. It’s the place we left to the last really because it’s the most built-up area, the last six kilometers into Lagos; very densely populated and occupied. There’s very little room for alternative routes for people. So, you just have to bear with us.

“I also heard that some aggrieved students under the aegis of NANS are going to the road to protest. My respectful view is that is not helpful at all to the citizens.

“The right to protest is a very well-protected right in our Constitution, but it does not include the right to inflict pain and inconvenience on other people. And so, whilst the protests can go on, they should refrain from blocking the road in order to do their protests. That in itself is a violation of law.”

  Students Galaxy

Following its protest on Tuesday that grounded the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the National Association of Nigerian Students appears to be relentless in seeking the urgent resolution of the ongoing strike action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The student body today also embarked on protest in Ibadan blocking major roads

In a statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of NANS, Giwa Temitope, obtained by ODUDUWA NEWS, NANS said

NANS said the Federal Government had shown “crass irresponsibility” regarding the strike.

“In sustaining the #EndASUUStrikeNow struggle, which commenced today, we call on all Nigerian students, parents and workers to join us in Ibadan tomorrow as we continue the agitation.

“ASUU strike has been on for exactly seven months with the Federal Government showing crass irresponsibility.

“For the past seven months, a total of 15 negotiations have been done with no tangible result. The Federal Government has displayed their unreadiness towards committing to the wellbeing of lecturers and the funding of the educational sector.

“Nigerian students have had enough of staying at home. We will not allow our rulers to use their irresponsibility to kill the future of Nigerian students,”

The People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) South West branch has praised Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate, for traveling to Ibadan on Wednesday for an important meeting with the Zonal Executive Council of the party.

The action has been characterized as a tactical choice to posture the party before the general elections in 2023.

The PDP is one cohesive and indivisible family that is determined to winning the zone for the party’s candidate in the February presidential election, according to the opposition party, which said that the candidate’s decision to make Ibadan his first stop was a clear indication of this.

This is contained in a press statement signed by the Zonal Publicity Secretary of the PDP Chief Sanya Atofarati on Tuesday made available to newsmen in Ibadan.

His words: “On behalf of members of Zonal executive council of our great party I welcome our candidate, His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to Ibadan where he would hold a crucial meeting with all stakeholders of the party

“The visit could not have come at a better time than now in view of the ongoing reconciliation and fence mending moves by top hierachies of the party at different levels to address various interests and agitations within the party which were blown out of proportion by the ruling APC.

“As a truly democratic institution, the PDP welcomes all shades of opinions and interests which sometimes might be misconstrued by the general public as crisis, but the inherent internal mechanism for conflict resolution of our party has set the PDP apart from our main challenger and the outcome of the recent reconciliatory moves has begun to bear fruit.

“I must also commend Governor Seyi Makinde for his exemplary leadership in the zone as he is billed to recieve the visiting former President on Wednesday and put in place logistics for the success of the event.

“Governor Makinde has once again demonstrated capacity to distinguish between self interest and party supremacy because the PDP umbrella is our defining symbol which must be guided jealously going forward.

“I have always held the opinion that the PDP cannot afford to fail Nigerians because the sufferings in the land is positive campaign to our party in 2023 thanks to APC for mismanaging the country. So the rescue mission of our country begins with the PDP and all hands must be on deck to put our house in order across all geo political zones and reclaim our stolen mandate of 2019. I equally enjoined Nigerians who are going through excruciating pains and agony foisted on them by APC led wicked administration to keep their hope alive in the PDP because the storm will soon be over.

An unemployed graduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oludare Alaba who demanded a refund of tuition fees and other expenses during his course of study in the Institution has revealed plans for the donation given to him.

According to Tribune Online, Alaba said, 10 per cent of the amount would be paid as a tithe to his parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG), 10 per cent to 10 less privileged people, including some of his friends who are in a similar position but had been of great assistance to him in the past.

“I have made a vow that any amount that comes into my hand in form of financial support, 10% will be deducted as tithes while another 10% will be deducted in support of at least 10 less privileged people in the society. including some of my friends who had been of assistance to me in the past but are facing financial turbulence now.

“I just had one person on the radio now who is in dire need of financial support, no matter how small, I will get his contact and reach out to the person,” he said.

The Popular Ibadan man known for witty Yoruba proverbs, Kolapo Oriogbade’s daughter has today been enrolled by the management of one private school in Ibadan.

The Management also upgraded his shop to container shop with the promise that the shop will be filled with supplies.

Recall ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier reported how Mr. Oriogbade has been trending on social media for his witty Yoruba proverbs.

In a statement made available today by the Management of the school and shared on social media as read in part:

“Today, we enrolled Mr Kolapo (Oriogbade) daughter at Faith Kiddies Nursery and Primary School, Ibadan.

“The management offered the child a Tution free education from Primary to Secondary level.

“While efforts are being made to fill his shop with supplies this week, we have upgraded his shop from this to that for better security”.

Five yet-to-be-identified ladies who were trapped when a storey building in the Maryland area of Lagos State, sunk due to rainfall, have been rescued on Monday.

The Lagos Territorial Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the development in a statement.

The sinking building is located at 47 Akinwunmi street, Akinwunmi North Estate, Mende, Maryland, Ikeja.

Without feigning ignorance, pretence or exhibiting ego, it is practically impossible for an average Nigerian to live without borrowing. Aside joblessness, the salary of most of the working class is equally insignificant in the face of high cost of items in the market. Arguably, most of the working class spent their salary before pay day. Many even went ahead to borrow money to balance the backlog of debt .That is the orchestrated precarious and messy economy we have found ourselves. The salary has no more value and consequently, majority depend on loans to make the ends meet. It is pathetic, worrisome and disgusting. The take home cannot take workers home.

Stemming from the above, it has become an order for people to borrow money to meet their needs. From my little knowledge of survival, people borrow money from cooperative societies or banks.There are also some individuals who have turned lenders. They lend money and in return, receive both the principal and the interest which most often than not, are outrageous. In the absence of alternative, the “helpless needies” reluctantly accepted the humongous interest. Beggars may have no choice. And for how long are those in need would wait for the biblical manna !

A friend of mine once enlightened me about the HARAM nature of collecting loans that attract interest. I earnestly enjoyed his sermon but the feasibility of loan without interest is better left for a future discussion. Some loans are so urgent that waiting for procedure may spell doom. The issue of overdraft from banks is another nauseating factor. How many people have access to overdraft ?!

Based on these bereaucracy and in a bid to prevent insults from friends and relations, people now prefer the digital lenders. And, truly, it is working. Jocularly and logically, nobody wants to eat any meal prepared by his enemies for fear of poison but what do we do when the friends we trust had nothing to prepare and offer us! Except one wants to embark on hunger strike but that is perilous. Starvation distorts rational thinking. In a situation of economic malady, abnormality could be circumstantially normalized. One can eat pork in the absence of any other alternative. Ask the adherents of the religious sects that see pork as abomination and forbidden food.

Technology has made borrowing easier and digital lending has become an alternative option to bank loans. All you have got to do is to acquire a phone and you will be amazed about the number of loan adverts. Loaning has been categorized by the online lenders, depending on your financial status which would be verified through your bank details. Your worth and credibility is determined within a twinkle of an eye. Alert enters within minute and instantly, one is relieved; having secured the weapon to settle immediate needs.There is nothing like principle when your family is hungry. The situation is terribly bad to the extent that people have become chronic debtors in order to be responsible and responsive to their families. So, survival depends on loans. The good thing about loan is if it is invested in lucrative businesses but here we are, what business can one invest in while the stomach infrastructure is nil !

It is a metaphor that people collect loans with so much zeal but refund with reluctance while some default. Really, every business is a risk and this brings to fore, the issue of trust and fraud.

From the knowledge of logic, a prospective borrower who willingly avails the lenders with his correct data may not have any sinister motive to defraud. Requisite to loaning, the bio-data so presented are verified to ascertain its’veracity. It could be concluded therefore that the mindset to default is not predetermined. However, lending companies need to get back their money. Thus, the need to employ minimal force and certain tactics. Before I dwell into that, permit to dwell swiftly on internal sabotage.

From the explanation of a friend, the staff of most of these lenders are fraudsters. They carry out their nefarious acts because they have access to your account details. Once you applied for loans, your account details – name, bank, number, BVN , expiry date of your ATM and the three figure security number at the back of your ATM are no more safe. In this case, they can message one to pay your loan into certain unverified personal accounts; having privy to your loan amount and the time frame and data. The case becomes more worrisome with different staff attending to you at different times. That makes it impossible to identify any particular staff whom one must have paid into his account. This repayment into the personal accounts of the staff is at the detriment of the companies. The staff bombard one with different messages at midnight between 11pm and 3am; apparently, nocturnal. One common features of online lenders is the influx of scammers. In all honesty, it is difficult for someone who is not privy to your data to scam. But the case is different as soon as one opted for online loans. Therefore, the staff of these online companies who have an unhindered access to your details do scam and usually use young girls who have sweet and seductive voices.

However, in an attempt to enforce loan repayment, most of the lenders try to auto-debit the ATM linked to the profile while some resort to blackmailing, derogatory messages to the public and threat. This attitude calls to question, the privacy of the borrowers and the audacity of the lenders to bring the personality of the borrower into disrepute and public ridicule. The emanating questions at this juncture is the legality of reporting the defaulters to the world.

Does this amount to breach of customers’ privacy ? What is the position of regulatory agency? Does the term of agreement entered into during the process of online application of loan binding in a court of law ? Can the customers institute any legal action against the lending firms for broadcasting them to the World ? Does the social media have the right to provide a platform where customers details are beamed to the world by the lenders? Does the interest attached to the loan not too much? Is it right for the loan agency to deduct interest upfront ? Will a defaulter whose image has been battered, referred to thief and fraudster pay the loan again? Was he informed that the data he provided would be used to malign his integrity despite the confidentiality promised?

Through interaction with the public, I was able to deduce the fact that borrowers default owing to humongous interest. How do you expect a person who collected three thousand naira loan to pay five thousand naira back within seven days! The interest is almost the double of the principal. No commercial bank in Nigeria gets that. Meanwhile, people are compelled by circumstance to agree with the terms of agreement on abstract but with a reality of zero. I understand the Central Bank Of Nigeria, CBN has a regulation for the operation of these lenders but what mechanism did CBN put in place to stop the extortion in term of this humongous interest?

From my researches, any company that wishes to carry on the business of digital lending must obtain a Money Lending License in any of the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. A license obtained under the Money Lending Law of a state permits money lending activities only within that state. That shows that there are regulations. The Financial Services Regulation and Coordinating Committee (FSRCC) is a non-statutory body that was set up to provide top level forum through which the five statutory regulators meet quarterly with a view to preventing regulatory arbitrage. These regulatory institutions are – Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)Nigerian Insurance Commission (NAICOM)National Pension Commission (PenCom)Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). The Investment and Securities Tribunal, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Debt Management Office, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Association of Issuing Houses and Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers also provide additional regulatory support and assist in enforcing market discipline.

Dwelling on market discipline, it is absolutely wrong for the lenders to subject the defaulter to pubic ridicule. I agree that recovery of loan is not easy especially where collateral and minimum documentation are absent. However, that is not a license to send messages that usually describe defaulters in a very strong negative terms and curses. That is a violation of right of privacy as enshrined under section 37 of 1999 constitution as well as Nigeria Data Protection Agency, NDPR(2019). Such policy of recovery and harassment is an abberation, defamation invasion and barbaric.

In my opinion, Government, through the various agencies need to act on this menace to stop the fragrant abuse. Similarly, the social media like face book, messenger and watzap need to be cautioned about providing platform for hate speech and derogatory messages.

Comrade Lekan Badmus is a columnist with Oduduwa News and Socio-Political Commentator.

Earlier this month a man named Oludare Alaba was captured in a Video that went viral for making an attempt to return his certificate because he couldn’t get a job with his credential.

ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier reported that The Graduate of LAUTECH, Oludare Alaba went to school to return his certificates, asking for his Tution fees in return.

The graduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Oludare Alaba was yesterday, 11th day of September 2022, given a cheque of #500k to support his dream and aspirations and reduce unemployment

The Global president of Lautech Alumni Association, Hon. Onilede Solomon made the presentation on Sunday to allow Oludare Alaba start something that could allow him employ and feed people as he said in one of his videos that went viral.