Filmmaker Olajide Kareem popularly known as Seun Egbegbe has said that he was sent to jail six years ago for a crime he ‘did not commit.’
The movie producer was jailed on February 10, 2017, after fraudulently obtaining N39 million, $90,000, and £12,550 from over forty Bureau De Change Operators in Lagos between 2015 to March 2017. Egbegbe, who was the boss of Ebony Production, swindled the BDC operators out of money by claiming that he had naira to change into foreign currencies and vice versa. A Federal High Court, Ikoyi, found him guilty of just one of the 44 Counts charges against him.
After 42 months in jail, Egbegbe was set free on October 11, 2022.
In an interview with BBC, Egbegbe described his incarceration as a blessing in disguise as his prison experience helped him identify his enemies disguised as friends around him.
“Those I thought were my friends before I had that issue, I found out were my enemies after I returned from prison. None of my explanations will be acceptable to some people, and they will keep saying it’s a lie because there are too many enemies around me, but I thank God for life.
I believe God made me go to where I went for a purpose because my eyes were open to a few things while I was there. The crime I was incarcerated for six years over, I didn’t commit, but I am happy I went there to know what living on earth means. 95% of the people surrounding me were enemies, not my friends. If this had not happened, I would have lived a worthless life because I believe those around me are my friends.” he said.
Moved by the poor condition of federal roads in Ekiti State, the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has called on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to, as a matter of urgency, classify the roads as emergency situation and make concerted efforts to fix them without further delay.
Oyebanji made the plea when he paid a working visit to the Managing Director/ CEO of FERMA, Engr Nurudeen Rafindadi, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said Ekiti people are eager to see the federal roads become motorable just as the Yuletide season approaches.
The Governor stated that Ekiti roads were among the best in the country until early this year when an unprecedented huge number of heavy trucks started plying the roads as alternative routes to Abuja, South East and parts of the North.
He said the huge number of articulated vehicles caused untold damage to Ekiti roads, making it difficult to access the state.
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two teenagers for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl and recording the act on their phones.
The two friends, after raping the victim, were said to have sent the video of the sexual act to another friend, who demanded sex from the girl so as not to upload the film on social media.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Adewale Osifeso, said in a statement on Tuesday night that the three friends were among 30 suspected criminals arrested by the command.
The statement read, “On the October 24, 2022 at about 12pm, the victim, (name withheld) ‘f’ 17yrs visited her friend Joshua Adegoke ‘m’ age 18 years at his residence where she met one Peter Akintunde ‘m’, age 18 years.
“At Joshua’s place, she was given a bottle of soft drink after which she was invited to his room for sex an offer which she declined. In a bid to salvage what she sensed was becoming a trouble, she innocently asked Peter, Joshua’s friend to prevail on his friend but instead Peter advised her to offer Joshua what he demanded.
“At this point, both friends took turns to forcefully and unlawfully have carnal knowledge of their victim while simultaneously recording the act. After this, Joshua deliberately transferred the video footage to another friend, one Oluwanjoba Adetona, who also reached out to the victim demanding for sex in exchange for not uploading the footage on social media.
“The suspects have voluntarily confessed to the crime and are helping with the investigation.”
Apart from the three suspects, the PPRO also said 27 other suspects were arrested for various criminal activities including kidnapping, robbery and others.
A locally made pistol was said to have been recovered while ammunitions were also recovered by the police.
The statement further read, “In the same vein, the command’s focus shall be beamed on correctional facilities, banks, media houses, schools, public infrastructures, major landmarks, business districts, places of worship and recreational facilities.
“Parents, guardians and leaders wielding degrees of influence are advised to prevail on their children, wards and protégés against being used as canon-fodders for the process as decisive actions would be taken on anyone caught disrupting the enviable level of relative tranquility enjoyed in the state.”
Major petrol filling stations in Ibadan had since yesterday been witnessing long queue from the motorists who have been struggling hard to get fuel into their various cars.
ODUDUWA NEWS correspondent who visited some petrol stations in Ibadan discovered many that motorists were on a long queue at some filling stations at Akobo side, Mokola area, Agodi-Gate and others.
While some filling station visited locked their gates and refused to sell fuel, some were seeing rationing the sales of petrol to the motorists.
The fuel scarcity was learnt to have resurfaced also at some filling stations in Ogun and Lagos States.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has cautioned motorists queuing up for fuel at different filling stations thereby causing serious traffic gridlock to other road users.
The General Manager of LASTMA Mr. Bolaji Oreagba said this today while deploying more Officers of the Authority on monitoring of traffic around filling stations across the State.
Mr. Oreagba disclosed that the deployment became imperative following reports of long queues around filling stations caused by motorists parking indiscriminately and blocking roads while queuing up and waiting to buy fuel.
Oreagba expressed displeasure at the disorderly behaviour of some drivers, who queue up haphazardly and distrupt traffic flow around various petrol stations.
He urged petrol marketers to ensure that products are sold in an orderly manner that would not infringe on the right of other road users to free movement.
“The scarcity of fuel being experienced is not an excuse to block and impede traffic flows across Lagos”
According to Oreagba “We want our roads to be free ; we do not want fuel queues to constitute a burden for other road users in Lagos”
The General Manager reiterated that efficient traffic management has remained crucial in the attainment of seamless multi-modal transportation system in Lagos.
He however sought maximum cooperation from the monitoring public to ensure that the ‘T.H.E.M.E.S’ agenda of the present administration yields positive results in term of socio-economic development, as well security of lives and property.
Justice Adepele Ojo of the Osun State High Court, Osogbo has directed that Rahman Adedoyin be produced in court on November 7, 2022.
Adedoyin, who is the owner of Hilton Hotels, Ile-Ife was alleged to be complicit in the murder of Timothy Adegoke, a postgraduate student of Obafemi Awolowo University in November 2021.
While delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Justice Ojo who noted that there was a time constraint in the case being heard, directed that Adedoyin be brought to court to resume trial.
Ojo also decried the time wasted in concluding the case due to the absence of Adedoyin in court on health grounds on two occasions and threatened to transfer the case file if the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) refuses to produce him.
She warned that she will be forced to grant some defendants bail and allow Adedoyin face the murder case.
While maintaining that the presence of Adedoyin was necessary to the case, the Judge asked the NCS to ensure his presence in court on the adjourned date of November 7.
She also demanded that a medical report on Adedoyin’s ill health be brought to court on the next date of adjournment.
Holding political office is more of an opportunity to serve and positively impact the lives of millions of people, rather than the prestige that comes with the position, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the launch of the book titled “Deputising and Governance in Nigeria” by the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
It was an occassion where the roles of a deputy to an elected public official, especially Vice Presidents and Deputy Governors, came under public searchlight with remiscences from former President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof. Osinbajo, the author himself and his deputy, Alhaji Nasir Gawuna.
“A thought that runs through the book is that despite the put-downs of the office, being political number 2 is important because the political office is about the lives of millions of people not just about the prestige of office,” the Vice President stated.
But he added that “in our Constitutional Democracy, the effectiveness of the number 2, the Vice President, depends a great deal on the trust reposed in him by the President. That is a function of loyalty and it goes both ways as Umar Ganduje points out in his book.”
The Vice President further highlighted that the importance of dedication, loyalty and service in political office on governance.
Describing the relationship between him and his boss – President Muhammadu Buhari, as ideal and exemplary, the VP noted that he has been “more fortunate than others in my relationship with my principal, Mr. President.”
According to the VP, the President “genuinely believes in the role of the Vice President.
“When he was leaving on medical leave, the second time, there were a few things that were outstanding to send to him, and he said, “I don’t want you to send me anything, it is your job now, just make sure you do a good job.”
“As former President Jonathan said, of his relationship with late Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the President does not expect me to call him when he is away, he expects that I know what to do and should do it.
“Indeed, once when I called him, he said, “Professor, I am on leave, you are supposed to do your job. Do whatever you want to do, when I come back, we will discuss it.” And that is the way we have always related. I think that is ideal, and I recommend it to principals everywhere.”
While the VP noted the analogy of the spare trye widely used to describe the role of the deputy to the President, he explained that a better description would be that of the relationship between a captain of a flight and his deputy.
His words: “imagine a commercial flight with people, including yourself on a plane, there is the captain, and then there is his deputy. The captain flies the plane, but no human being can be completely focused for several hours. So, sometimes he gets up and goes to the bathroom, while the flight is on, his deputy had better be a good pilot otherwise lives are at risk.
“Can you imagine a situation where the captain leaves the cockpit briefly and you hear an announcement from the cockpit, “ladies and gentlemen, I am the deputy to the captain, the captain is in the restroom, and I am only a spare tyre and I am not sure what to do now?” If you are on that plane you will ask God for forgiveness, for expecting that a deputy or vice plays no role.”
Referencing Governor Ganduje to further emphasize the important role of deputies, the VP noted that, “the deputy or vice must be up to the task every day. He must be the most hardworking in the government, bringing his own skills and talents in representing the principal as efficiently and effectively as possible every single day.”
Noting that unlike deputy governors, he added that Vice Presidents have a few more well-defined constitutional roles.
“The Vice President is the chair of NEC, the monthly meeting of 36 governors, the Chair of the National Planning Commission, the Chair of the National Council on Privatization, the Chair of several boards and also deputy of several other official bodies.
Prof. Osinbajo observed that the book was “full of wisdom and wit from a practical politician and erudite social scientist, Governor Umar Ganduje.”
In the VP’s words, Governor Ganduje was “worth studying not because he has always succeeded politically, but because he failed many times, yet he always knew how to lose and not get lost.”
As Prof. Osinbajo observed, Governor Ganduje had first-hand knowledge and experience to write on such an important subject of ‘Deputising and Governance in Nigeria’, having served as deputy before becoming governor himself.
“More importantly, on the subject of deputizing, no one has his experience. He has been deputy governor twice. Except perhaps, His Excellency, former President Goodluck Jonathan. Governor Ganduje is one of the few who from being deputy governor, became governor and he is perhaps the only governor who has now put forward his deputy to succeed him,” he said.
He further noted that it was rare for a politician to write a book that is not about himself or herself and their great achievements.
“This book is not about Ganduje and his achievements, it is more a textbook on governance and politics. And we have heard this most eloquently from Prof. Jega, the book reviewer today, it contains important nuggets on those two subjects.
The VP also disclosed that “in my very early interactions with him, and there have been many, I found that Umar Ganduje is probably one of the wittiest, most cerebral and most humorous politicians that you could ever found. I always find his views incredibly witty and perceptive. I thought it would be interesting to have his thoughts in writing somewhere. If you are looking for a deep, witty, unforgettable analysis of a subject, you have your man.”
Prof. Osinbajo then recommended the book “to everyone, not just politicians but anyone who has any kind of interest in good governance.”
Aside from the Vice President, other dignitaries at the event included former President Goodluck Jonathan; the APC vice-presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, who represented the party’s Presidential Flagbearer; Governors Babagana Zulum of Borno State; Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and Abdulrahman Abdulrazak of Kwara State, among others.
The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday, announced the suspension of its governorship aspirant, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, the acting Chairman, Hon. Taiwo Akinlabi, State Secretary, Hon. Sunday Solarin, state publicity secretary, Mr. Akinloye Bankole, and Ogun East senatorial chairman, Arc. Kayode Adebayo, on the ground that they acted in flagrant disobedience of the subsisting court judgement which produced the current executives of the party, thereby, betraying the terms of settlement entered by the two warring factions in the state.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta on Tuesday and co-signed by the Financial Secretary and Assistant State Treasurer of the party, Hon. Bola Odumosu, and Mrs. Akibu Oriyomi (a.k.a Irorun) respectively, the party said the suspended members were found guilty of contravening the terms of settlement entered in the consent judgement that birthed the current executives of the party in the state.
Aside that, they were also alleged to have connived with some persons within the party to manipulate the delegates’ list used in conducting the primary election of the party in Ogun State which consequently led to the multiple court judgements nullifying the party’s primary elections in the state; a situation that reportedly led to the party not having candidates for the 2023 general election unless the courts come to the rescue of the party.
The statement partly read, “It is a known fact that the current executives of our party in Ogun State are a product of the consent judgement which was obtained after both parties (Adebutu & Kashamu faction) agreed to the terms of settlement.
Clearly, a part of the judgement indicating security of tenure reads that, ‘The parties agree that persons nominated into positions in the Ogun state executive committee in pursuant to these terms of settlement SHALL NOT be REMOVED or SUSPENDED until the expiration of the term of the current Executive Committee of the PDP in Ogun State in April, 2024.
“To our greatest surprise, some lawless individuals gathered themselves to announce the suspension of members in doing the bid of their paymaster. This is totally against the position of the terms of settlement.
“Also, these bad eggs connived with an aspirant of the party to manipulate the delegates’ list used during the primary elections which led to the nullification of all the elections, leaving our party with no candidates as of now, despite the short period to election.
“This is absurd, senseless and unacceptable. We have never had it this bad in the Ogun PDP. They will soon be cited for contempt of court having acted in flagrant disobedience of existing court judgments and orders.
“In the light of the foregoing and having been found culpable of acts capable of threatening the peace and unity of the party, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, Hon. Taiwo Akinlabi, Hon. Sunday Solarin, Mr. Akinloye Bankole & Arc. Kayode Adebayo are hereby suspended for a period of 30 days. They are to appear before the State Disciplinary Committee of the party to explain why their suspension should not translate to expulsion on or before the expiration of the one-month suspension.”
Member representing Lagelu State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Akintunde Olajide aka AKT has applauded the passage of the Oyo State Market Leaders Council Bill, 2020 into Law.
Hon Akintunde Olajide gave the commendation on Tuesday shortly after the passage of the bill by the Oyo State House of Assembly.
The Lawmaker who sponsored the Bill said it was not only meant to regulate and reposition the activities of the market leaders in Oyo State but also to give them due recognition in the scheme of things.
Hon Akintunde described the Bill as the first of its kind in Oyo State.
” I am happy that the Bill has eventually been passed. It is a dream come true. It will bring a total reform to the market leaders Council in Oyo State. Our relentless effort in this regard has yielded result at least with the passage of the Bill into Law. ” Hon Akintunde said
He said once the law is assented to by the Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, the offices of Babaloja and Iyaloja General at the State level will become rotational among all the administrative zones.
” We have included so many clauses that will promote and foster peace and harmony among various societies within our markets. The Babaloja and Iyaloja in the new law will also perform other functions that will enhance their effectiveness and also synergy in their activities. ” Hon Akintunde added.
The lawmaker representing Ibadan Southwest Constituency II at the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Oluwafemi Fowokanmi has called for urgent rehabilitation of damaged Oluyole Estate Bridge.
According to the motion sponsored by the lawmaker as highlighted below:
AN APPEAL TO THE EXECUTIVE ARM OF GOVERNMENT FOR URGENT REHABILITATION OF THE DAMAGED OLUYOLE ESTATE BRIDGE EXPANSION
“Notes that Oluyole Estate serves both industrial and residential purpose within Ibadan city, it is a renewed middle-income neighborhood located in Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Oyo State. The area is bordered by Apata in the North, Elebu in the South West, Challenge in the South East, and lyaganku in the East. These listed areas harbor different notable citizens of our dear State and many from other States in Nigeria. This city is also a mixed use city which is mainly consisting large industrial area. The industrial market in Oluyole is approximately 351,000sqm (the largest in Ibadan city).
“Further Notes on that this is the only bridge which serves the residents and motorists plying Mobil Ring-Road to Oluyole estate extension road is presently in need of the urgent attention of the Government to fix all the damaged bridge expansion joints which has totally removed from the bridge, leading to serious traffic gridlock in the area, especially in the peak hours in the morning when residents are going to work and in the evening when they are returning home. Residents/motorists could spend nothing less than two hours in the axis due to the traffic gridlock being caused by the slowing down of the movement of vehicles as a result of the bad bridge expansion joints and the case has seriously escalated after the resumption of the academic activities, because there are numerous public and private schools domiciled in the axis.
“Aware that this bridge was constructed by the immediate past administration in the year 2016.However, the residents and motorists of Oluyole estate extension came to my Office in great numbers being their representative in this Government, appealing to me to use my able office call on Oyo State Government for the repair/fixing of the damaged bridge extension joints as a matter of urgency.
“Further Aware that the alternative road, Mobil 7up Sumal road which the residents/motorists in this area ought to plight to escape the said gridlock is also in a more terrible condition that is not advisable for any motorists to ply at the moment, which also diverted most of the trucks carrying the raw materials to various industries in the axis to also join light vehicles to plight the single Oluyole extension Aare road which worsen the traffic gridlocks in the area.
“Concerned that there has been a Motion raised by myself in this Honourable House that appealed for urgent Government intervention to fix the deplorable Mobil 7up/Sumal Road in Oluyole Estate Ibadan” but nothing has been done on the road till date despite that the road serves the largest industrial hubs in Ibadan city. However it is noted that too numerous are the road fixing demands on the table of the government with very limited resources to meet up those demands, our people in Oluyole Estate are appealing to the the Executive Arm of Government under the able leadership of our visionary and masses minded Governor Seyi Makinde to see the need to fix the deplorable Mobil 7up/Sumal Road in Oluyole Estate Ibadan as one of the priorities of the Government due to its links to the biggest industrial hub in Ibadan city.
Resolve to:
(i) urge the Executive Arm of Government through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to urgently rehabilitate Oluyole Estate bridge expansion to safe the bridge from total collapse. (ii) urge Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA) to carry out urgent palliative work on the alternative road to Oluyole Estate extension which is Mobil 7up/Sumal Road to reduce the vehicular movement concentration on the Oluyole extension/Aare Road;
(iii) urge the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to give situation report on the Mobil 7up/Sumal road;
(iv) urge this Honourable House to direct Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA) to station some of their men at the Obasanjo farm junction close to the damaged bridge to control the motorist, to ease the traffic gridlocks in the axis at the peak hours of the day”.
