Oduduwa News

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has voiced support for the implementation of Sharia law in the Southwest.

Oloyede, who is also the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said Sharia panels would serve the interests of Muslims in the region.

He called on leaders in the South-West geopolitical zone to support the establishment of Sharia panels in the six states of the zone.

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has announced an 18 percent increase in bus fares across all Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) schemes in Lagos, effective Monday, February 17, 2025.

In a statement released on Thursday, LAMATA attributed the fare hike to rising operational costs and the need to sustain bus services for efficient transportation across the state.

“Please be informed that there will be an 18 percent increase in the bus fare on all Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) schemes. The fare increase is because of the increase in the cost of operations and the need to ensure that buses keep running and guarantee your movement around Lagos,” the statement read.

LAMATA, which oversees transport planning, implementation, regulation, and franchising in the state, emphasized that the increase is necessary to maintain the efficiency of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and other components of the Bus Reform Initiative.

Following the announcement, many Lagos residents expressed frustration over the fare hike, citing the ongoing economic hardship in the country. Commuters lamented that the increment would further strain their finances, making daily transportation even more difficult.

A resident, Akindele Ojo, said, “Life is already hard enough with the rising cost of food and other essentials. Increasing bus fares now will only make things worse for the average Lagosian.”

Others called on the government to intervene and provide relief measures to cushion the impact of the increment on low-income earners.

As the new fare structure takes effect, Lagosians brace for the impact, hoping for possible interventions to ease the financial burden.

Oduduwa News will continue to monitor and provide updates on this developing story.

Tensions escalated in Osun State when members of the Southwest Security Outfit, Amotekun, attacked and injured police officers stationed to protect illegal miners.

Sources informed that the police officers, led by ASP Ako Abiodun, formed a task force at the illegal mining site along Ibadan Road, Osogbo, after reportedly accepting bribes.

The deployment order was allegedly issued by ACP Ige Adekunle, Commander of MOPOL 39 Osogbo.

Details later.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is currently hosting South West Governors at the State House, Ikeja.

The South West governors already at the venue of the meeting are: Dapo Abiodun, Seyi Makinde, Ademola Adeleke, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Biodun Oyebanji, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States respectively.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen.

According to Omotoso, “The South West Governors’ Forum will discuss issues of common interest, such as agriculture and food security, to advance economic growth, foster collaboration and enhance development initiatives in the Zone.

“Security of lives and property will also be part of the agenda.”

Recall that a similar meeting was held in Lagos on June 10, 2024 when Sanwo-Olu was unanimously appointed as Chairman of the forum.

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, says the relationship between President Bola Tinubu and the north has deteriorated less than two years into his administration, warning that he may be given the Goodluck Jonathan treatment ahead of the 2027 elections.

El-Rufai made the statement in a post on his verified X handle yesterday, titled, “2027: South West, Tinubu’s supporters playing with fire – Part 1.”

El-Rufai had been attacking the ruling APC and the policies of the Tinubu government, even as political gladiators across party lines continued to mull the idea of floating a coalition capable of defeating APC.

In the post on X, El-Rufai stated, “It is actually premature to be talking about 2027 elections less than two years into our first tenure, but what is happening in the political arena is forcing me to speak to it, for as they say, ‘a stitch in time saves nine’.

“As an APC member, I naturally would want my party to win re-election in 2027. However, as a realist, I have my concerns.”

El-Rufai recalled that during the 2019 party primaries, he saw the way APC handled the primaries, and wrote that if the party was not careful, it could go the way of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which lost power after 16 years.

He said he predicted then that if APC did not return to its promised progressive path and ideology, but stayed obsessed with just winning elections at all cost, just like PDP, the ruling party could lose power at the federal level by 2031.

El-Rufai said, “When I wrote that, we were not faced with the current situation we are faced with. Indeed, I never imagined that we would be in the current situation any time soon, surely not under President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Note, I am not talking about the present economic situation and the likes. I am talking about the current and increasing ‘ghaghagha’ in our party and among APC members and support

The national grid has suffered yet another system collapse, throwing many Nigerians into darkness.

Reports indicate that the grid lost power generation some minutes after 11 on Wednesday morning.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the development via its X handle on Wednesday.

“Dear Valued Customer, We regret to inform you that a system disturbance occurred on the national grid at 11:34 am today causing a power outage across our franchise areas.

“While gradual restoration of power supply has commenced, please be assured that we are working closely with relevant stakeholders to fully restore electricity as soon as the grid is stabilised. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to serve you better,” the post reads.

Moreover, sources in some power generation companies confirmed that there was a general grid disturbance on Wednesday morning.

Sources revealed that there was a trip-off and the power went off before noon. Most power plants on the grid lost generation when the incident occurred.

At 11 am, hourly power generation was 4064 megawatts but this dropped to 1,203MW at 12 pm and 0.00MW at 1 pm.

This is about the first time the grid will collapse in 2025 after it experienced a line tripping in January.

Recall that in 2024, the grid collapsed 12 and over 100 times in 10 years.

Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has been called upon by controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, for legal representation in his ongoing dispute with the Ogun State government.

Oduduwa News understands that the dispute began when officials from the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA) attempted to seal Portable’s bar due to a lack of approved permits and inadequate air space. The situation reportedly escalated when Portable allegedly assaulted the officials, leading to a physical altercation.

Following the incident, nine of Portable’s associates were arrested and arraigned on a five-count charge, including armed violence, felony, obstruction, assault, and intent to kill. They were later granted bail of ₦5 million each, with sureties who are licensed bond agents registered with the state government. The case has been adjourned until March 17 for further hearing.

Portable’s Public Plea for Legal Support

On Wednesday, the singer, who has remained in hiding since the incident, took to Instagram to make a public appeal for legal representation. Expressing his admiration for Falana’s fearless approach to justice, Portable wrote, “God all I want is a fearless lawyer. People like daddy Falana, man of the people Ifalana.”

Prior to this plea, Portable had also publicly reached out to President Bola Tinubu, asking for intervention in his case. Additionally, he appealed to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, seeking forgiveness.

As the legal proceedings continue, all eyes are on whether Femi Falana will heed Portable’s call and take up his defense in what has become a widely publicized case.

On Monday, February 3, 2025, the Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta, presided over by Justice Basirat Adebowale, sentenced Adekanbi Lekan, Odetola Ahmed, and Adeniyi Waheed to death by hanging for the brutal murder of Kehinde and Bukola Fatinoye and their only surviving son, Oreoluwa.

Delivering a three-hour-long judgment, Justice Adebowale found the three defendants guilty on nine counts, sentencing them to death by hanging or lethal injection, life imprisonment with hard labor, and additional prison terms ranging up to 14 years.

“The sentence of this court on Adekambi Lekan in respect of count II is that he be hanged by the neck until death or by lethal injection. May God have mercy on your soul,” the judge ruled.

How It All Began

The Fatinoye family, residents of Oba Karunwi Road, Abeokuta, had just returned from a 2022/2023 crossover church service when they were attacked by their driver, Lekan, and his gang at 1:30 am. The assailants robbed them, murdered the couple, and set their house on fire.

Their 26-year-old son, Oreoluwa, and their adopted son, Felix, were tied up and thrown into a river along Adigbe-Obada Road, where Oreoluwa drowned.

Justice Served After Two Years

Two years after the gruesome incident, the perpetrators have been brought to justice.

The convicted trio, along with Fadairo Temitope (Lekan’s wife), Adekanbi Adenike (Lekan’s mother), Owolaja Aanuoluwapo, Usman Azeez, Abass Odetola, and Adewusi Lukman, were arraigned on 24 charges, including armed robbery, conspiracy to murder, murder, arson, escape from lawful custody, and perverting the course of justice.

Additionally, Lekan’s wife was sentenced to four years in prison, while his mother was sentenced to one year imprisonment from the date of remand.

About 10 Students of the Polytechnic Ibadan are now receiving treatment in government hospitals after they inhaled poisonous gas and collapsed on Tuesday.

The Oyo State government swiftly responded to the emergency situation at the tertiary institution after receiving a distress call.

Upon receiving reports of the incident, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi led an immediate emergency response.

Affected students were promptly evacuated and transferred to Ring Road State Hospital and the University College Hospital (UCH).

Eyewitness accounts revealed that the affected students, who were from the Science Laboratory and Technology Department, were seated in their lecture hall after a course test had been conducted.

A fight reportedly broke out between two students, and while others attempted to intervene, an unknown choking substance was released into the air, allegedly sprayed by one of the students. This led to several students collapsing, and some went unconscious. Ten students were affected.

Following the intervention, the Commissioner personally visited the hospitals to assess the condition of the students, confirming that they had been stabilized and were receiving appropriate medical care.

Dr. Ajetunmobi urged the management of The Polytechnic Ibadan to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.

She also emphasized the need for the institution to organize sensitization programs for students, discouraging acts of violence and harmful behaviour that could jeopardize public safety.

She reaffirmed that the Ministry of Health remains committed to ensuring the well-being of all residents of Oyo State and will continue to respond promptly to health-related emergencies.

The Rector of Ibadan Polytechnic, Dr. Taiwo appreciated the prompt response of the State Government to the emergency situation and pledged to fish out the perpetrators of the act.

In her company were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, the Director of Secondary Health Care and Training, Dr. Adekunle Aremu, the Director of Nursing Services, Dr. (Mrs.) Kehinde Oyebode, the Director of Food, Water and Laboratory Services, Mrs. Afusat Akande and the members of the Rapid Response Team.