The Oyo State Executive Council had approved the remodelling of Agbowo Shopping Complex following the resolution of the cabinet members who met yesterday.
The council in a statement made available to newsmen had resolution and approved the following:
1) The remodelling of Agbowo Shopping Complex to a shopping complex, a 4-star hotel, the anchor store, cinema building, event centre/casino and a restaurant through a direct contract model awarded to Messrs Planet Projects. The contract duration is 18 months at the sum of N10.1 billion to be funded by a project specific 7-year medium term bond of N8.5 billion. The bond is to be raised by Messrs SCM Capital Ltd who will provide bridge finance of N4.25 billion to the contractor to be refunded from the proceeds of the N8.5 billion bond.
2) Four Executive Bills to be presented to the House of Assembly. They include: Oyo State Harmonised Environmental Bill 2023; Real Property Protection Bill 2023; Oyo State Safe Schools Bill 2023; and Oyo State Rural Access Road Agency Bill 2023.
3) An Amendment Bill to the Chiefs Law of Oyo State to be presented to the House of Assembly.
4) The Governor’s Lodge in Abuja to be commissioned by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo on May 23, 2023.
5) Also during the meeting, Governor Seyi Makinde announced the new Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Olufunke Oni who will replace Alhaja Ololade Agboola when she retires on Monday, May 8, 2023.
6) Finally, Governor Seyi Makinde announced the 15-person Inauguration/Transition Committee: Hon Segun Ogunwuyi – Chairman Ms Ololade Ajibola – Secretary Hon Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola Mrs Toyin Balogun Barr Adeniyi Farinto Dr Wasiu Olatubosun Hon Nureni Alabi Chief Ademola Ojo Hon Dayo Ogungbenro Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke Compol (retd) Fatai Owoseni Alhaji Siju Lawal Mr Akinola Ojo Hon Simeon Oyeleke Prof Abdulwaheed Soliu
Senator Abdulaziz Yari has reportedly refused the persuasion of President-elect, Bola Tinubu to step down for Godswill Akpabio for the Senate Presidency and will go ahead to contest according.
Yari had earlier on Friday said the contest for the Senate Presidency will be based on constitutional provisions and not instructions by anyone.
He said, “What is going to happen that day, it is going to happen based on the instructions of the constitution and not for anyone.”
The former Zamfara State governor described the contest as senators’ business, backed by the constitution to choose their leaders within themselves and not based on instructions from anyone.
Justice Muhammad Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, May 4, 2023, adjourned till June 1, 2023 further hearing in the alleged N388.8m fraud trial of a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji.
Ikuforiji, alongside his former aide, Oyebode Alade, is facing trial on a 54-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N338.8 million.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Rt. Honourable Adeyemi Sabit Ikuforiji, and Oyebode Alade Atoyebi, sometime between April 2010 and July 2011 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, conspired among yourselves to do an illegal act to wit: accepting various cash payments amounting in the aggregate to the sum of N338, 801, 442 (Three Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Eight Hundred and One Thousand, Four Hundred and Forty Naira only) from the Lagos State House of Assembly without going through a financial institution and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b) of same Act.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them by the EFCC.
At the resumed sitting today, Ikuforiji, through his counsel, Dele Adesina, SAN, described the charge against him as “politically motivated.”
kuforiji said the initial allegations made against him by the prosecution was “fraud and misappropriation of funds.”
He said the prosecution, however, “later turned it to money laundering”, adding that “It is a pity that I am standing trial today based on a faceless petition that has no name or address of the writer, who alleged that I committed a fraud or misappropriated the sum of over N7 billion.”
“As a three-term Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, if I had, indeed, committed such an infraction, my case would not first get to the EFCC for trial, as members of the House would have dealt with me, by first impeaching me and handing me over to the law enforcement agency.
“I don’t handle cash, or disbursement of funds; it is the duty of the Office of the Clerk and the Finance Department to do that.”
When asked if the second defendant, Atoyebi, collected any cash on his behalf, Ikuforiji said: “Atoyebi collected money for the Office of the Speaker, where there were over 100 staff, and definitely not for me.”
In his testimony, the first defence witness, a retiree and former Deputy Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ibisola Olawoyin Ogayemi, admitted knowing the defendants and that the Chief Accounting Officer of the House is the Clerk of the House.
Asked to talk about the modalities for financial transactions in the House, Ogayemi said that, after the Office of the Clerk and that of the Finance Department had done the paper works, “they would send it to the Speaker for approval; and after his consent, the documents would be returned to them.”
According to him, “The Office of the Clerk and the Finance Department would then raise invoices and cheques.
“Subsequently, the bank would bring the cash to the Finance Department for disbursement in the presence of the bank’s officials and staff of the Department to the beneficiaries.”
Also, the second defence witness, Kayode Motunrayo, a former Manager, First Bank, Agodi Branch, Ibadan, Oyo State, corroborated Ogayemi’s evidence, saying, “ When the bank received a cheque for payment from any government institution or agency, including the Oyo State House of Assembly, the bank would take the money down to the Finance Department of that Agency and carry out the disbursement in conjunction with the officials of the Finance department.”
The case was adjourned till June 1 and 2, 2023 for continuation of trial.
A former House of Representatives Member and candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the last National Assembly election in Ekiti state, Hon. Bimbo Daramola has said that the impressive performance and leadership qualities of the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji could be a veritable platform that would induce his return to APC.
Daramola, who scored the incumbent Governor Oyebanji high on his people-oriented policies and programmes, infrastructure development and ability to bond with the people, said Ekiti people across political party lines are already applauding his leadership and governance styles.
Hon Daramola stated this on Friday when he paid Governor Oyebanji a courtesy visit at the Governor’s office, Ado- Ekiti. He said the Governor has made the rank and file of the state proud through his exemplary leadership, adding that he may consider a comeback to the All Progressives Congress ( APC) based on the Governor’s track record and leadership style.
He also disclosed that all the things he would have done if he were elected Governor were already being carried out effectively by Governor Oyebanji, adding there was no reason he should not support the Governor to succeed in his drive to reposition the state towards shared prosperity to the people.
“Oyebanji is one Governor who has made us proud and everybody across the length and breadth of this country knows that if I say anything I believe in it. He has shown clearly that there is a track, there is a direction that we are going in this state. The strength of his leadership is the ownership by the people and everywhere he goes, you hear vibes that this Governor is doing well. And if a Governor is doing well in my state, I need to come and say, Governor, well-done. Keep on track.
“No doubt about it, he has given an inspiring leadership and if he has inspired t
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has restated his administration’s commitment to the fight against cultism and related criminal activities, warning that Ogun under his watch will not be a safe haven for cultists and their sponsors.
He equally threatened that his administration would not hesitate to bring down the full weight of the law on anyone caught engaging in cultism as well as individual backers, no matter highly placed
Abiodun, who expressed worry over the spike in cultism activities in some parts of the state, gave the warning in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, on Thursday.
“I want to once again sound this note of warning to those engaging in criminal activities such as cultism, kidnapping, ritual killings, armed robbery, among other nefarious activities, that this administration will be decisive in bringing down the full weight of the law on those who perpetuate these crimes.
“Ogun State is known for peace as we have been adjudged the most peaceful in the country. We are not only the industrial capital of this country, we are also the religious and educational capital, and so anyone who disrupts the peace the state is noted for would be regarded as a saboteur and will be treated as one.
“I want to again reiterate that any house that accommodates hoodlums and criminals will not only be confiscated, but will be pulled down. We will find them, smoke them out and hand them over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution according to the laws of the land.
“To this end, I appeal to landlords to scrutinize those they intend to lease or rent their property to ensure they are of good character, while parents and guardians on their part should warn their children and wards to desist from criminal activities”, the governor stated.
Abiodun who underscored the importance of peace in any society, said his administration in the last four years, has embarked on industrial drive both in and outside the country, to bring in more investors to invest in the state, adding that his government would not close its eyes and watch these efforts turn to waste as a result of criminal activities.
The governor emphasized that his administration would continue to empower the security agencies in the state to carry out their constitutional duties of protecting lives and properties, calling on the people to report crimes and criminal activities in their areas to the police or any law enforcement agency for necessary action.
The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Friday warmly felicitated with the Ataoja of Osogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, Laroye II, on the occasion of his birthday, joining family, friends and well-wishers across the globe to celebrate an exceptional traditional leader, who exemplifies service to humanity.
Governor Adeleke in a congratulatory message signed by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, commended Oba Olanipekun for his endearing contributions to the peace and progress of Osun State and Nigeria as a whole.
The Governor acknowledged the frontline monarch’s transformational leadership, which evidently manifests in the infrastructural and economic upscale that Osogbo enjoys since he assumed the stool of the ancient town, praising Oba Olanipekun’s devotion to the promotion of culture and traditions.
“I heartily felicitate with the Ataoja of Osogbo, HRM Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, Laroye II, on this grace of a new age. On this occasion, I join people across race and tongue to note Oba Olanipekun’s incredible attitude towards nation building, particularly the passion he puts to pursuing the progress of Osun State,” the statement noted.
While saluting the Ataoja for his sustained efforts in entrenching peace and developments in his domain, Governor Adeleke added that “he remains inspired by Oba Olanipekun’s sense of purpose to his people and will always treasure his valuable contributions to the promotion of the traditional institution.”
Governor Adeleke prays for God’s sustained guidance and strength for Oba Olanipekun in furtherance of rendering qualitative service towards the peace and growth of not just Osogbo, but Osun State as a whole. Signed: Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Spokesperson to the Executive Governor
The people of Oke-Ogun, under the aegis of National President of Oke-Ogun Development Consultative Forum (ODCF), have congratulated the first Oba of Ogombo in Lagos State, Oba Abiodun Muslim Ogunbo, who was installed by the Lagos State government recently.
The Ogombo kingdom in Eti Osa local government has boundaries with popular Lagos areas like Ajah, Sangotedo, Okun Ajah among others and the founders of the kingdom sojourned from Saki in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State to Ogombo in Lagos in the 17th century.
The National President (ODCF), Barrister Ahmed Raji in a media statement obtained by newsmen at Iseyin on Friday, said the people of Oke-Ogun were happy that the region has positively impacted the whole world with sons and daughters who have lived their lives to better humanity, saying that with the emergence of Oba Abiodun Ogunbo as the King of Ogombo Kingdom, developmental strides would follow.
“We, the people of Oke-Ogun are happy that our people all over the world are sources of good and admirable news, speaking specifically of the newly-installed, first Oba of Ogombo Kingdom, Oba Abiodun Muslim Ogunbo, whose fore-bearers migrated to Lagos from Saki in our Oke-Ogun area.
“We believe the emergence of Oba Abiodun will bring positive global attention to Ogombo Kingdom as Oke-Ogun region and its people progress, we also pray that the King will live long on the throne.”
The legal luminary appreciated the government of Lagos State for making the installation of Oba Abiodun Muslim Ogunbo seamless, saying the support given to the ruling house will bring about further progress to the State.
They were arrested on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, following intelligence on their alleged cyber fraudulent activities.
Items recovered from the suspects include seven exotic cars, several mobile phones, laptops, playing station video games, apple wrist watches and charms.
They have given useful information and will be charged to court as soon as the investigations are concluded.
The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has alerted consumers within its franchise area of an imminent blackout from next month over backlogs of unpaid bills.
The IBEDC, a power distribution company, said it was planning to disconnect its feeders from the national grid due to poor remittances.
Consumers to be affected by the development are those in Kwara, Ogun, Osun, Ibadan, Oyo and parts of Kogi, Ekiti and Niger states.
A statement signed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Engr. Kingsley Achife and made available to newsmen in Ilorin said the move might result in power outages to customers within the IBEDC franchise areas.
As a revenue collection arm of the electricity value chain, IBEDC sells and distributes electricity generated by the generation companies.
Nigerian couple have welcomed a set of twins after 32 years of marriage.
The CEO of Zibah Photographer, announced the news on social media, saying what God can not do does not exist.
Sharing photos of the couples, and their babies, a boy and a girl, the Lagos based photographer wrote;
“What God cannot Do Does Not Exist. God Bless This Beautiful Family with A Bouncing beautiful Twin boy and Girl. After 32 years of waiting. God is Great,” the post read.
