Oduduwa News

Operatives of the Lagos Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have commenced investigations of a suspect, Okorie Sylvernus Sunday, arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, with $578,000( Five Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand United States of America Dollars)

The investigations commenced on Friday, March 21, 2025 when the Area Comptroller in charge of the NCS at the airport on Friday, March 21, 2025, handed over Sunday to the EFCC for false currency declaration.

The suspect was arrested by the Customs upon arrival in the country from Johannesburg , South Africa, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

On arrival, he had approached the Currency Declaration Desk and declared the sum of $279,000( Two Hundred and Seventy-nine Thousand United States Dollar).

However, an additional sum of $299,000( Two Hundred and Ninety-nine Thousand USD) was found to be neatly concealed in different packages, thereby totaling $578,000 (Five Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand USD).

During further examination, the suspect was found to have also concealed the sum of 100 Euros (One Hundred Euros) as well as a counterfeit $250 (Two Hundred and Fifty USD).”

Speaking during the handing over, Harrison said: “ This is in contravention of the provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, which stipulates that any currency or other forms of negotiable instruments , where the value exceeds $10,000 threshold or its equivalent must be properly declared for inbound and outbound passengers.”

Harrison, who spoke on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, added that “ The Command will be handing over a total sum of Five Hundred and Seventy-eightThousand, United States Dollar ($578,000) to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for false currency declaration.”

While receiving the suspect, the acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, Okotie Eboh, Ahmed Ghali, commended the NCS for its cooperation with the EFCC.

He stated that inter-agency collaboration was very crucial to achieving a common goal, adding that “We are here today to take over one passenger coming from South Africa for falsely declaring the cash he was carrying along . I want members of the public to be weary of this kind of act . It is incumbent on each and every person going out or coming into the country to declare any cash in excess of $10,000. It is mandatory by virtue of the provisions of our laws, especially the money laundering law”.

He also appealed to the members of the public to desist from the act of false declaration or non-declaration, adding that the long arm of the laws would always catch up with anyone involved in the criminal act.

“ We will not allow anyone to sabotage the economy or the nation’s financial system. This is because this kind of act exposes the country to a lot of risks, in terms of money laundering; it also makes the country to be seen as a haven of fraud. We will continue to synergise to make sure we have a better country , a stronger economy and a more functional financial system”, he said.

Police found dead bodies riddled with bullets in Gbalegi, a village on the border between Idanre and Akure

Another clash between two communities in Ondo State has resulted in the tragic loss of six lives, with four persons killed in a separate incident on Friday.

The violence occurred in the Gbalegi village on the border between Idanre and Akure, the state capital. Tensions had been simmering in the community for some time before the armed attack erupted on Friday morning at around 8:00 a.m. The victims were initially taken to the nearby police station before being transferred to the morgue in Akure.

The Ondo State Police Command confirmed that it received a distress call that a group of thugs mobilised themselves to the Gbalegi area (a disputed land between Akure and Idanre), attacking the people of the said area.

Following the incident, the police responded swiftly and apprehended seven individuals. These individuals were found to have charms and seven single-barrel guns, along with a supply of both live and spent ammunition.

In a recent interview with Biola Adebayo, Nigerian veteran actress Dupe Jaiyesimi opened up about her struggles with childlessness revealing she has no child to celebrate her 60th birthday with.

Dupe shared her heartbreaking story, including a past pregnancy that ended in disappointment.

She recounted being pregnant at 40, only to be told by her doctor that the child was not in the womb, leaving her questioning God.

According to her, the pregnancy was ectopic, meaning the baby was growing outside her womb.

After losing the pregnancy, her husband brought another woman into their home, who was already expecting his child. This betrayal led Dupe to leave the marriage.

Despite her desire for motherhood, Dupe admitted that she had struggled with infertility and had undergone two rounds of IVF in an attempt to conceive, but both failed. She also considered adopting a child but was discouraged by her late mother.

Dupe stated that she has been single since leaving her marriage.

The actress, who once graced Yoruba movie screens with her talent, admitted that she had been absent from the industry for over seven years. She has neither featured in films nor produced any projects of her own.

Despite the setbacks, Dupe remains hopeful. She firmly believes that as long as she is alive, there is still a chance for her to become a mother. Her unwavering faith in the future keeps her going.

Her story has sparked an outpouring of support and sympathy from fans and fellow celebrities on social media.

Source: Biola Adebayo’s interview with Dupe Jaiyesimi

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, are at loggerheads over alleged dethronement plots.

Oluwo, in a statement on Friday night, alleged that Oba Ogunwusi is seeking his downfall after he played a prominent role in his emergence as Ooni of Ife.

He claimed the link he used for Oba Ogunwusi would have been used for his elder brother, Tunji Adeyeye, who was his friend and peer at Akobo, Ibadan but he underrated his status.

Oluwo narrated how he arranged several meetings in Ibadan after one Akin Daodu, a close ally to Oba Ogunwusi, begged for his intervention.

He said “To my surprise, the same person I helped to the throne has been planning evil against me. He orchestrated my suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas meeting against the AIG who was a star witness to what transpired. He is using a few kings in Iwoland to destabilize my territory.

“He attacked me last month in the presence of the Governor that I’m discouraging deity worshipping. He was part of those who used my former wife against me. He wants me to be removed as Oluwo by all means. Such is a dream that can never come through. No one can remove me as Oluwo. No one can kill me and no one can bring me down.

“He should keep trying. He will be the one to live to regret, his cohorts that have tried it in the past failed.”

Governor Ademola Adeleke has assured the people of Ilobu and Ifon communities that speedy conflict resolution steps are being taken to restore peace even as he expressed directed the emergency services agency to activate its operations

Responding to a Save Our Soul message from the people of Ilobu and Ifon, Governor Adeleke said his administration has re-strategized on resolving the conflict with multiple peacebuilding options which are being unveiled and implemented.

“I assure the people of Ilobu and Ifon that I am committed to securing their lives and properties. I have updated the presidency of development in the state. We are on top of the situation”, the governor was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, we seek to bring to the attention of the public that old videos of communal conflicts in some parts of Osun state are being circulated by opposition elements to spread false pictures of insecurity in Osun state.

While the ongoing conflict is regrettable and while all hands are on deck to stop the violence, we inform the public to take note of the activities of fake news merchants who are digging up old videos to discredit the state government.

The videos being circulated of violence in other towns and villages in Osun are fake news and should be disregarded by the members of the public.

Governor Ademola Adeleke has stepped up conflict de-escalation moves on Ifon- Ilobu conflict, imposing a 24-hour curfew, mobilising joint security task force and hosting a peace deal between the two warring communities.

A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti has arraigned Dr. Oyeyemi Agbeleoba, a lecturer at Ekiti State University (EKSU), over allegations of impersonation and cyberbullying. Agbeleoba, who is also a journalist and Managing Director of Our People’s FM, was taken into custody by the Department of State Services (DSS) on February 11, 2025.

The case has drawn significant public attention due to Agbeleoba’s familial connection to Mrs. Folasade Adebayo, who had previously accused the vice chancellor of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), of sexual harassment. However, it’s essential to note that the charges against Agbeleoba are specifically linked to allegations of impersonation and cyberbullying, not related to the sexual harassment allegations.

Agbeleoba’s arraignment on Thursday was his second court appearance, with the case adjourned to April 29, 2025, for further hearing. The Ekiti State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for Agbeleoba’s immediate and unconditional release, alleging that FUOYE’s vice chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, played a role in orchestrating Agbeleoba’s arrest.

As the case unfolds, further details may emerge regarding the nature of Agbeleoba’s alleged offenses, including claims that he impersonated security officials and engaged in cyberbullying against FUOYE staff. If convicted, Agbeleoba could face a three-year jail term and a fine of up to N10,000,000.

Governor Dapo Abiodun has announced plans for Ogun State to take over the 9-megawatt hydro power plant at the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority. Speaking during an inspection of the facility, he stated that his administration is working with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to finalize the process. The integration of this hydro plant with the 30-megawatt gas-fired plant in Onijanganjangan will help create a balanced energy mix to improve electricity supply across the state.

The governor emphasized that the abandoned facility, commissioned in 1983, represents untapped renewable energy, which his administration is committed to revitalizing. A technical assessment will be conducted in the coming weeks to determine how to restore the plant as part of the Ogun State Light Up Project, which includes power plants in Abeokuta, Ijebu, Remo, and Yewa.

In addition to power generation, Governor Abiodun highlighted plans to transform the surrounding land into farm clusters, leveraging the available water resources for irrigation and year-round food production. This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Food Initiative, and the area will also be explored for cattle farming and other agribusiness opportunities.

He commended the vision behind the project but noted that, like many federal initiatives, it has not been fully optimized. His administration is determined to change this by ensuring the facility benefits the people of Ogun State. He also addressed concerns about flooding in Isheri, stating that the government will investigate the actual causes and implement appropriate solutions.

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has re-imposed a 12-hour curfew on Ifon and Ilobu communities following the resurgence of violent clashes between the two communities that has resulted into the death of several people while many injured.

A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Engagement, Kolapo Alimi, on Friday stated that the re-imposed curfew starts at 6 pm and ends by 6 am daily till further notice.

Alimi said Adeleke has also directed that an immediate meeting that would be attended by the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Akinyooye, and Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, the Olobu of Ilobu, alongside other stakeholders from both communities, be held on Saturday to discuss further resolutions of the conflict.

“To this end, the governor has directed that the initial 10 pm to 4 am curfew now be extended to 6 pm to 6 am, effective today, Friday, 21st March 2025, until further notice.

“Mr. Governor has equally directed that the joint security team comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps continue to maintain their usual 24-hour surveillance to ensure zero tolerance for any act of lawlessness.

“In addition, the governor has directed that an immediate stakeholders’ meeting, including the Olufon of Ifon, HRM Oba Peter Oluwole Akinyooye, HRM Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, the Olobu of Ilobu, and other stakeholders from both communities, be held tomorrow, Saturday, 22nd March 2025, to discuss further resolutions of the conflict,” Alimi said.

Adeleke subsequently urged indigenes of the two communities and their traditional rulers to follow the path of peace and harmonious co-existence, warning that anyone or group of persons found aiding and abetting the pogrom would be dealt with.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused Adeleke University in Osun State of disrupting Ramadan activities and forcing Muslim students to attend church programmes.

Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director of MURIC, stated that Muslim students are compelled to attend church services on certain days and that practices of any faith other than Christianity are banned on campus.

He described these actions as signs of religious intolerance and urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to investigate the university’s policies, which he claims infringe on the religious rights of Muslim students.

Akintola highlighted that previous complaints about religious persecution at Adeleke University have gone unaddressed, and he called for greater transparency from private universities regarding their religious orientations. He emphasized the need for oversight to protect the rights of Muslim students in educational institutions.

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has condemned the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended the governor, Similayi Fubara; his deputy Ngozi Odu, as well as the House of Assembly for six months. The President then appointed Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (Rtd.) as Sole Administrator for the state.

Governor Makinde, in his biweekly newsletter, The Business of Governance Issue 110, which was published on Thursday evening, noted that the suspension of democracy in Rivers State, through the declaration of State of Emergency, is an illegal act which must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians.

The Governor in a statement by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, wrote further, “I stand today to say that the declaration of the State of Emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose.

“Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with no matter our personal feelings and loyalties. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity and justice.”

The governor added: “As our democracy grows and unfolds, we must also be willing to speak up when we see anything that threatens our development as a nation. We must choose to stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone.”

PDP’s plan on the State of Emergency declaration.

He continued, “I am glad that our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is demonstrating the needed strength and leadership. Yesterday (Wednesday), the PDP Governors’ Forum rose from an emergency meeting where we unanimously decided to challenge the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a court of competent jurisdiction. We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we built for almost three decades be trampled upon.”