Category: News

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun said the owner states of the Oodua Investment Company Ltd have decided against interfering in the running of the conglomerate.

Abiodun, speaking while receiving in audience the board and management of the conglomerate, led by its Group Chairman, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru,
expressed delight at the successes recorded by the company in recent years.

Commending the sense of creativity, direction and purpose of the new management team, Prince Abiodun noted that he and the other South-West governors adopted a non-interference approach in order to reposition the conglomerate to reflect the true worth of the people of the zone.

He said: “I want to recall that in 2019 when I assumed office, my colleagues and I sat and we decided that it was high time we began the process of repositioning Odu’a and that the present Odu’a at that time did not reflect the quality of us as a people of the South-West.

“We decided that no longer would we want an Odu’a where the members that represent the various states are just politicians; that we would ensure that we have members that are fit for purpose, and also that we should ensure that even the management itself and the directors are professionally recruited so that they can complement the board.

“Today’s Odu’a is a complete departure, night and day from what Odu’a used to be.

“I want to commend your sense of creativity, direction, purpose, sincerity, and commitment to all that you signed up to do, and we are very happy with the results we have seen.

“Because of that, all the governors have adopted a non-interference approach; we have decided not to interfere with you. We are happy with what we are seeing.”

Governor Abiodun also noted that his administration has come up with an inter-ministerial business environment council saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that investors don’t find it difficult to set up businesses in the state, adding that the state is number three in internally generated revenue in the country.

Abiodun noted that reforms and the level of efficiency and effectiveness in governance as well as the ability to block leakages and loopholes without putting so much burden through increased taxes on the citizens are some of the reasons why the state would continue to soar in its determination to improve it’s internally generated revenue.

He added that his administration had created business clusters across the state, such as Remo, Ijebu, Egba, Magboro, and Yewa.

He disclosed that his administration has acquired an Electronic Certificate of Occupancy equipment that could sign 2,000 Certificates of Occupancy per day.

He said that his administration had to sanitize the entire land bureau of the state with the appointment of a tested hand to ensure the smooth running of the office, adding that his administration is fast tracking the processes so as to also ensure that the reforms reflect who the state is.

“People are buying land; they are speculating. We have issues of land speculators. We had to practically shut down our lands department for a while and appointed somebody new to oversee the land administration in the state.

“We have a backlog of Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) and today, I think, we are the first state to implement our ‘Electronic Certificate of Occupancy’ equipment that has a machine that can sign 2,000 certificates of occupancy in a day because it is important for you to have your CofO.

“These are the kind of things that have been a clog in the wheel in the past and we are ensuring that we fast-track these processes so as to also ensure that the reforms reflect who we are,” he said.

The governor also said that his administration recently launched the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) enabled Mass Transit, adding that Ogun is working collaboratively with other states to do the same.

Abiodun, who disclosed that the buses would now be able to charge pre-subsidy removal prices across the state, added that the state has led the park in terms of green revolution and climate change sensitivity.

“We are also converting buses for some of our neighbouring states and even one or two states in the North as well because we are prepared for this. We knew this was coming; that sooner than later, a government would wake up and realize that paying subsidy was no longer sustainable,” he added.

Speaking on infrastructure in the South Western zone, Governor Abiodun said that he and his governor colleagues from Lagos and Oyo states are looking to light up the entire Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, ensure their is internet facility on the road, just as he also noted that they are looking to deploy drones to complement the ones already bought by his administration to ensure security of the people.

Earlier in his remarks, Otunba Ashiru commended the governors of member states for appointing capable hands into various boards of the company, noting that the issue of diversification is very key to the company.

Ashiru also disclosed that the company has been given a license for the marginal field, noting that Odu’a Investment Company is on the verge of becoming an oil-producing organization in the country.

“Hopefully, we should be able to move into field by the first or second quarter of next year.

“So, Odu’a will be one of the oil producing organizations in Nigeria,” he said.

On the hospitality business of the company, Ashiru also noted that the company currently has a joint venture with international hoteliers, saying that an agreement has been signed for the increase of rooms in Premier Hotel from 87 to 150.

The group chairman, who noted that the company is looking at having an industrial park along the interchange, added that a Chinese company is on the verge of investing in the power sector of the South West with an interest in 1000 megawatts per state of the zone.

The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, November 6, 2023 arraigned eleven students of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, before Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State for their alleged involvement in internet fraud.

The defendants were arraigned on different count charges, ranging from one to six charges as preferred against them by the EFCC.

They are: Perekebena Olombeni Micah, Nnekwelugo Nnaemeka, Moyosore Favour Oluwasakin, Aghwaritoma Wisdom Obaro, Daniel Olashile Maiye, Gbolahan Khalid Adesina, Yinka Temitope Jayeola, Olumuyiwa Emmanuel Adeleye, Abiola Emmanuel Oluwadare, Busari Abdulazeez Ayodeji and Okesipe Tobiloba Paul. Nine of the defendants were arraigned on one -count charge each, while the remaining two: Micah and Obaro had six count- charges filed against each of them.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Perekebena Olombeni Micah sometimes in 2023 in Osogbo, Osun State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonated the name – Pies through your Whatsapp account phone number +1(414)367-9473 by claiming that you are an American Female in love with your victims in the United States of America with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015.”

Another count reads, “That you, Aghwaritoma Wisdom Obaro on or about 1st November, 2023 at Ile-Ife, Osun State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated by representing yourself to be a white man by name Alex Stephens from United States of America to one Megan Johnson, through your Google Chat and your email address (alexsteps678@gmail.com) with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015.”

Upon their arraignments, they all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.

Consequently, prosecution counsel, Oluwatoyin Owodunni prayed the court for trial dates and the remand of the defendants at a Correctional Centre.

In response, defence counsels to Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Micah, Adeleye and Okesipe informed the court of “motions for bail applications” filed on behalf of their clients which have been served on the prosecution, therefore urging the court to admit the six defendants to bail in the most liberal terms.

Justice Ayo-Emmanuel, having listened to the prayers of both parties, admitted Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Micah, Adeleye and Okesipe to bail.

Ayodeji, Adesina, Oluwasakin, Adeleye and Okesipe were admitted to bail in the sum of N2,000,000 (Two Million Naira only) each while Micah was granted bail in the sum of N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira only).

Other bail conditions are: two sureties in like sum, first surety must be the defendant’s father or mother, second surety must be a relative, sibling, clergy or civil servant with the Osun State Government; the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means and both residential and office addresses of the sureties, as well as their statuses must be provided and verified by the court registrar.

The judge adjourned the matters to November 29 and December 12, 2023 respectively for commencement of trial and remanded the defendants at the Ilesha Correctional Centre, Osun State pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

The defendants were among the sixty-nine (69) suspected internet fraudsters arrested on Wednesday, November 01, 2023 at Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife in Osun State following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities.

MRS Omowunmi Aloba, wife of deceased singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba (a.k.a Mohbad), on Tuesday told a coroner’s court that she used to relate well with her father-in-law, Mr Joseph Aloba, and that both of them were very close.

Omowunmi,however,said her relationship with him went awry shortly after she gave birth to her son,Liam.

She testified during the coroner’s inquest into the death of his husband .

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)reports that the singer died on Sept.12 ,aged 27 years ,and was buried the following day.

His death has generated controversies ,prompting the Lagos State Government to order a coroner’s inquest into his death.

The inquest which began on Oct.13 is taking place at Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court.

She told the Coroner,Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi,that Mohbad’s father became angry with her because the late singer decided not to hold Liam’s naming ceremony in Ikorodu.

Omowunmi said Mohbad’s father accused her of being behind the late singer’s decision to go against his wish to hold the ceremony in the town,

She added Mohbad’s father brought different women to her matrimonial home on several occasions and that her own mother caught him on one of the occasions.

Omowunmi said Mohbad,who was always away from home , got to know about it and told his father not to bring women to his place again.

She said Mohbad’s father resented her and became hostle towards her because he thought she was driving a wedge between him and his son.

“I used to have a very good relationship with my father in-law before the birth of my son Liam.In fact , I used to invite him to our house on many occasions.

“But because Mohbad was angry with him over some of the things he was doing and his(Mohbad) refusal to hold our son’s naming ceremony in Ikorodu, he became angry with me,thinking I was the one behind all.

“So he became my enemy and was not talking to me like before”,she said.

Omowunmi also said her husband was humiliated, harassed, and bullied many times by his friends and members of Malian Recordds,his record label, before his death.

NAN reports that at the beginning of proceedings, the coroner, commiserated with Omowunmi over her husband’ s death , promising that justice would be served in the case.

The Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Yaba, on Monday, sent back to custody a 37-year-old auxiliary nurse, Fisayo Ogedengbe, arrested by the police in connection with the controversial death of hip hop artiste, Ilerioluwa Aloba, alias Mohbad.

The nurse, it was alleged, gave the late singer some injections that resulted in his death.

In the same vein, the magistrate, Adeola Olatunbosun, ordered that Mohbad’s friend, Ayobani Sadiq, also being held as a suspect in the case, should be returned to police custody.

The magistrate, however, granted bail in the sum of N20m to each of Mohbad’s ex-boss, Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, and a Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, aka Sam Larry, who were also implicated in Mohbad’s death and taken into custody by the police on October 6.

The magistrate said, “The defendants (Naira Marley and Sam Larry) are hereby granted bail in the sum of N20m with three responsible sureties in like sum pending the legal advice from the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution.

“Also, one of the sureties must own a landed property. As part of the bail conditions, the defendants are to surrender their passports and make weekly appearances at the State Criminal Investigation Department.”

Olatunbosun also warned that no one should contact her directly on the case

“Any attempts to contact me directly would be recorded and potentially disclosed in open court proceedings,” she added.

According to the police, the investigation on the case is still ongoing, hence Olatunbosun adjourned the case till November 29 for DPP advice.

A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos State, has granted singer, Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, and Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, known as Sam Larry, bail in the sum of N20 million.

They were also to present three responsible sureties. It would be recalled that Naira Marley, Sam Larry and two others were, on October 6, arraigned and remanded over circumstances surrounding the d£ath of singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

The magistrate, Adeola Olatunbosun told the defendants to submit their passports and ordered them to report weekly to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti.

In her ruling, Olatunbosun said: “As part of the bail conditions, the defendants are to surrender their passports and make weekly appearances at the State Criminal Investigation Department.” She also warned that no one should contact her directly on the case. She cautioned: “Any attempts to contact me directly would be recorded and potentially disclosed in open court proceedings.”

Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has agreed to pay workers in the State the sum of twenty-five thousand naira (N25,000) as wage award.

Equally, the Governor agreed to pay pensioners the sum of fifteen-thousand naira (N15,000).

Makinde made the promise to the workers during a solidarity rally held at the State Secretariat, Governor’s Office, Ibadan on Monday.

Recall that the Governor had about four weeks ago inaugurated an 11-member ad-hoc inter-ministerial committee on the harmonisation of the demands of labour unions in the state.

The governor, who performed the inauguration at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, charged the members of the committee to be open-minded and to come up with homegrown solutions on issues bordering on workers’ welfare in the state.

Makinde also tasked the committee, headed by the secretary to the state government (SSG), Prof Olanike Adeyemo, to come up with a report on the modalities for the implementation of workers’ demands.

While addressing the workers and retirees, Makinde noted that the payment would start from October and will be sustained for the next six months.

Some students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have dragged Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, alongside three others to court for relocating the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences to the newly established Faculty of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin Campus in the Iseyin Local Government Area of the state.

Our correspondent reports that second-year students of the institution were directed to move to Iseyin for the second semester of the ongoing academic session. The suit marked HOG/34/2023 filed at an Oyo State High Court in Ogbomoso has Akintayo Abdulqoyuum Ajibola, Onwi Edet, Ezekiel Ogunmola and Aderemi Olude as plaintiffs.

They filed the suit for themselves, and on behalf of other students and parents of the 200 Level students of the faculty. Though no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit, the court paper dated Monday, October 30, which was obtained by our correspondent, on Sunday, listed the state Commissioner for Education; the acting Vice-Chancellor of LAUTECH and the Provost of Iseyin campus as other defendants in the suit. The claimants are seeking an order from the court to restrain the governor and his agents from going ahead with the planned relocation.

A former Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai (rtd), has accused politicians and the political class of being responsible for the insecurity facing the country since 2009. Buratai stated this on Friday while speaking in the second stanza 2023 National Public Service Lecture and the 65th anniversary of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association.

He also slammed those who called for his sack over insecurity in the country while he was in office, saying such a call stemmed from personal biases rather than an objective evaluation of his performance.

Burarai added that the call for the sack of the Service Chiefs by the Ninth National Assembly was to derail the democracy through the military.

He said, “These individuals might have held negative opinions of General Buratai based on subjective factors, such as personal preferences or biases unrelated to his actual capabilities. It is crucial to approach discussions regarding national security matters with a fair and impartial mindset, focusing on relevant aspects rather than personal biases and idiosyncrasies.

“The National Assembly had twice or more passed resolutions calling for the sack of the service chiefs. The President, Muhammadu Buhari, had told the Ninth National Assembly to mind their business. If properly interpreted, the call by the Ninth National Assembly was to derail the democracy by the military.

“This should be a lesson for political actors. It was a direct confrontation blaming the Service Chiefs as if they were the ones who started the insecurity. the insecurity being faced in the country since 2009 was the creation of the political class. With a strong political will, it can be surmounted.”

Buratai advised politicians, public servants as well and civil servants to live above board by eschewing corruption which has plagued the country’s political sphere for decades.

He said misappropriation of public funds, bribery, and embezzlement have become too common, diverting resources away from essential services and leaving citizens disillusioned.

The former Army Chief also advised politicians to be accountable and transparent, stating the lack of accountability has eroded public trust and hindered development.

“Politicians often make lofty promises during election campaigns but fail to deliver once in power. The lack of accountability erodes public confidence and perpetuates the perception that politicians are more interested in the people,” he added.

A petrol attendant was abducted yesterday by unknown gunmen who stormed the city of Ipapo Area of Oke-Ogun, Oyo State. The assailants who were armed to the teeth stormed a popular Petrol Station in the town and started shooting sporadically before they carried out their operation.

It was gathered that the kidnappers targeted the CEO of Al Mudathir Rosco Nigeria Limited, located along Okaka Road, but met his absence, the CEO was not present at the time they came to abduct him. Instead, the kidnappers abducted a petrol attendant, Aishat Abdul Rahman, leaving the community in shock and fear.

The incident unfolded during a time of peculiar circumstances. The Glo network, a telecommunications giant, was facing a sudden outage, leaving those within the vicinity in a state of disconnection from the outside world. This loss of communication made it even more challenging for authorities to respond to the situation promptly.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, the petrol station’s CCTV system was compromised and disconnected, leaving no visual evidence to assist in identifying the perpetrators. These circumstances raised concerns about the extent of the planning and coordination of the kidnappers involved in this audacious crime.

In the aftermath of the kidnapping, the CEO of Al Mudathir Rosco Nigeria Limited received a ransom demand of a staggering 60 million naira. The demand sent shockwaves through the company and the local community, highlighting the seriousness and audacity of the criminals involved.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the security challenges faced by businesses and individuals in the town and the need for enhanced security measures. It also raises questions about the security of critical infrastructure, such as petrol stations, and the importance of having robust security systems in place to deter and respond to criminal activities.

The safety and security of employees and residents in the area should be a top priority for all stakeholders, from business owners to law enforcement agencies. The incident at Al Mudathir Rosco Nigeria Limited underscores the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.

As the investigation into this shocking kidnapping unfolds, the community and the nation as a whole are left anxiously awaiting the safe return of Aishat Abdul Rahman and the swift capture of those responsible for this heinous act. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and her family during this challenging time.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, let this incident serve as a reminder of the need for heightened security awareness and preparedness in an ever-evolving community.