The International Criminal Court, on Tuesday, acknowledged a 27-page petition filed by Yoruba Nation agitators.
The petition was signed by the Leader of Ilana Omo Oodua, Emeritus Professor Banji Akintoye; Yoruba Activist, Sunday Igboho; and other 49 persons fighting for the actualization of Oduduwa Republic, an agitated sovereign state for the Yoruba Yoruba nation.
The petition was filed against against President Muhammadu Buhari; the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN; former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai; and former Inspectors General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and Muhammed Adamu.
In the petition, the Yoruba Nation agitators accused the Nigerian leaders and security chiefs of genocide and crimes against humanity against the Yoruba people of Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Okun Land in Kogi, and Kwara states respectively.
According to a letter to the petitioners’ lawyer by the ICC’s Head of Information and Evidence Unit of the Office of the Prosecutor, Mr. Mark P. Dilon, read, “This communication has been duly entered in the Communications Register of the Office.
“We will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
“As soon as a decision is reached to formally commence investigation into this petition, we will inform you, in writing, and provide you, with reasons for this decision.”
ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that no fewer than three men lost to the fight that ensued between a businessman, identified as Felix, aka Tiger, two other yet-to-be-identified and military officers at the Aguiyi Ironsi International Trade Centre, in the Paramo area of Ladipo Market, Lagos State.
wWtnesses confirmed to newsmen that a military officer and his orderly visited the market on Tuesday to change the spare part he bought from a trader.
On their way out, some union members, who were at the entrance of the market, reportedly demanded payment of N200 from them for gate pass.
It was learnt that the request infuriated the military men and in the process, an argument ensued between them and the union members.
A source in the market told our correspondent that the union members allegedly beat the military man and his orderly, adding that the soldiers mobilised three other personnel, who allegedly shot the victims to death.
The trader said, “What happened was that a military man came with his orderly in the morning to change a spare part that he bought from a trader in the market since last week. He came to change it because it did not work, but the military man did not wear his uniform when he came into the market.
“When he was leaving, the union boys at the entrance of the gate told him to pay N200 for gate pass. But because he refused to pay, it turned into a fight and the boys beat the military man and his orderly. So, he went back to his base, returned with three other boys and everywhere scattered as they started shooting.
“About three people have been killed; in fact, a trader, Felix, aka Tiger, whose shop is located on my line, was part of the people that were killed by stray bullets. Felix was carrying his goods into his shop during the fracas when a stray bullet hit him.
“We quickly rushed him to the hospital, but he died on the way. The incident happened around 1pm, but the military man came to the market around 9am.”
However, the Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Airforce, Edward Gabkwat, who gave another version of the story, said a soldier and his civilian friend were in the market for debt collection from a trader when a fight broke out between the soldier and the debtor.
He said, “It was a matter of self-defence; it was purely a domestic matter that went south. A soldier and a civilian friend went to the market for debt collection, whether the debt was for the soldier or civilian, we don’t know. But in the process, a fight ensued between the soldier and the alleged debtor, and the debtor and other civilians pounced on the soldier.
“So, the friend of the soldier ran out to seek help and sighted a vehicle of the Operation MESA, and called their attention to the attack on the soldier. They ran to the scene of the incident, and when they got there, they were confronted by angry traders and civilians in the market, who started throwing stones at them.
“I understood that they collected the rifle of the air force personnel under Operation MESA, and the same soldier, who was under siege by the traders, snatched the rifle back, and was running toward the air force people, but opened fire because he was under threat.
“It was an unfortunate situation. It wasn’t as if it was the air force men that opened fire, but the rifle, which belongs to the air force personnel, has been retrieved. I understand one or two people died, but it is unconfirmed. Our base commander has been told to get to the root of the matter.”
The war against criminality in Lagos State has gone a notch higher as the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu , personally arrested a gang of suspected criminals, which specialises in harassing motorists and road users in traffic.
The gang of suspected criminals met their waterloo Monday morning while attempting to unleash terror on a motorist around Ojota in-bound Alausa. Help however came for the motorist as Governor Sanwo-Olu’s convoy approached the scene to rescue him from the three machete-wielding criminals who were at the time, trying to forcefully drag him out of his vehicle.
The security personnel attached to the Governor swooped on the suspects, retrieved the dangerous weapons from them and arrested the three of them.
It would be recalled that Governor Sanwo-Olu while handing over security equipment purchased by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, for the use of Lagos Police Command, on Thursday June 10, said there would be no hiding place for criminals in the State.
“We are determined to stabilize the security situation in Lagos State, as our own contribution towards lasting national security. Let me also use this opportunity to sound a note of warning to all criminals who are operating in Lagos State or planning to operate here; all armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists, bandits, and other criminals, we will leave no stone unturned in making this State inhospitable to you. We will find you, wherever you may be lurking and we will bring the full weight of the law on you,” Governor Sanwo-Olu declared.
The brand new crime-fighting equipment donated to the Lagos State Police Command were; 150 Double Cabin Vehicles, 30 Saloon Patrol Vehicles, 1,000 Ballistic Vests; 1,000 Ballistic Helmets, 1,000 Handheld Police Radios/Walkie-Talkies, 100 Security Patrol Bikes; two Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), four High Capacity Troop Carriers and two Anti-Riot Water Cannon Vehicles.
Governor Sanwo-Olu stated after his security personnel arrested the three machete-wielding criminals that the exercise was a warning signal to other criminal elements and prospective traffic robbers in Lagos that there is no hiding place for criminality in Lagos State.
Also on Monday, the Strike Squad of the Lagos State Taskforce carried out a massive raid on motorcycle (okada) riders at Second rainbow and Toyota Bus Stop along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.
During the raid, which lasted for some hours, a total of 105 motorcycles were impounded. Prior to Monday’s raid, a total of 201 motorcycles were impounded last week.
The management of Lagos State polytechnic ikorodu has banned all mode of indecent dressing.
According to the information gathered, students that defaulted the school directive on the appropriate dressing code were not allowed to enter the campus this morning.
some of the students were frustrated with the new dressing code as they were not allowed in to the campus. However, the school management insists the polytechnic will not tolerate any mode of indecent dressing.
Coloured hair, crazy jean, face cap, earing, beard, mini skirt, spaghetti Top, sagging among others has been banned in the polytechnic.
The Aare-Ona-Kankanfo Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has begged every Yoruba King to forgive the popular Yoruba Activist and Human right fighter that his house was attacked by the DSS on July 1, the day he was also declared wanted.
Recall, ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier reported how DSS paraded many items like charms, phones, passports and dangerous weapons claimed to have allegedly recovered from Sunday Igboho’s house in which he has denied many of the items.
When Gani Adams was begging the Yoruba kings to forgive Igboho, according to Yoruba BBC monitored by ODUDUWA NEWS, he claimed he had already warned Sunday Igboho about the way he was agitating for the Oodua nation.
He said, many of the statements that used to come out of his mouth are not right for anybody that calls himself a powerful man.
Instead of him being patient and negotiate with the kings. He said he wanted to go to the Seme border and open it. I knew what he was doing would not end well and I warned him not to cause war in Yorubaland.
Gani Adams claimed that Sunday Igboho must stop his followers from abusing the Yoruba King and leaders that don’t support the agitation for the Oodua Republic because everybody is entitled to his opinion.
Gani Adams Narrated that he has warned Sunday Igboho to be careful with his followers because most of them are informants of politicians from Lagos. But almighty God has used him to fight for the Yorubas and we can never deny him.
He further begs that, Alake of Egba, Oni of Ife and other Kings to forgive Sunday Igboho. He claimed that Sunday has abused many people, including himself, but as the Aree-Ona-Kakanfo, I don’t have any other choice than to forgive him.
“The news of the passing away of talented musical artiste, Olanrewaju Fasasi is a painful one.
“As an established pop star, he was a bundle of talent, and used his God-given gifts in music, acting and sports to advance the course of humanity.
“Sound Sultan will be sorely missed by his family, friends, fans and the Nigerian entertainment industry as one of the pacesetters of modern hip hop music in Nigeria.
“Beyond just singing, the late star was notable for using his music to speak against poverty, corruption, bad governance and societal ills in Nigeria.
“I commiserate with his wife, children and all loved ones on behalf of the government and people of Lagos State and I pray that God grants him eternal rest.”
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has flagged of the campaign tour to local government to assess level of completion of projects in a bid to prepare for the forthcoming local council elections in the State.
This was made known to newsmen by the governor to yesterday in a statement released as read in part:
“Today, we flagged off our Local Government Election Campaign Tour in Imeko-Afon. The event afforded us the opportunity of assessing the level of work done in the ongoing Oke-Ola Road construction project in Imeko as part of fifty-two (52) other life -impacting projects including rehabilitation of public schools, rural electrification, primary health centres, to mention a few.
“I also promised that before my next visit to the local government, the deplorable condition of Rounda-Imeko Road will be a thing of the past, as we are set to give that major road the attention it deserves.
“I enjoined everyone to support and vote for our party in the forthcoming Local Government Elections”.
The Lagos House of Assembly on Monday called on the Governor of the state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to increase the number of officers in the Neighbourhood Safety Corps.
The lawmakers also urged Mr. Sanwo-Olu to equip the state’s security agency so that it can adequately protect the lives and property of residents.
The House further resolved that the Governor should call on the commissioner of police in the state to intensify efforts to secure the state.
The resolutions of the lawmakers resulted from the attempt on the life of Hon. Olawale Rauf Age-Sulaiman, the state’s legislator representing Amuwo Odofin 2 on July 8, during a political rally ahead of the forthcoming local government election.
While the lawmaker escaped death, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose name was given as Kayode Samuel and who stood beside him, was hit and later confirmed dead.
Raising the issue as a ‘matter of urgent public importance’, Hon. Age-Sulaiman narrated how he escaped death from gunshot adding that the incident occurred in Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
“I heard some people making noise while the campaign was on and I called for calm but I didn’t know that there were some elements who came with another intention.
“We were about going out when somebody told me not to go out and two persons stood beside me and right there I heard a gunshot sound and the next person beside me shouted my leg with blood-stains,” he said adding that he escaped by the whiskers.
Commenting on the incident, Hon. Rotimi Olowo, condemned the use of thugs to settle political matters. He also urged that security in the county be given more seriousness through the establishment of state police.
“The commissioner of police should investigate the issue,” he said adding that politicians and other Nigerians are not safe at this period.
While Hon. Yinka Ogundimu suggested that the Governor should be called upon to protect lives and property by asking the commissioner of police to intensify efforts, his colleague, Hon Tobun Abiodun, urged people to desist from crime.
“Killing one individual can cause a family enternal sorrow,” he said as he used the opportunity to call for the establishment of state police.
“I know our government is very responsible, but we want to use this opportunity to call on the Governor again,” he said.
Hon. Adedamola Kasunmu, noted that with the increasing crime rate in the society, the call for the establishment of state police for the protection of lives cannot be over-flogged.
He urged the other Houses of Assembly in the federation to start calling for state police so that the National Assembly would take it serious.
In his contribution, Hon. Setonji David said those against state police are enemies of the country.
Other lawmakers who spoke included Desmond Elliot, Kehinde Joseph, and Rotimi Abiru.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, who presided over the sitting on behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, said the incident was shocking. He also commiserated with the family of the deceased.
The Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Monday swore in newly-appointed Local Government Caretaker Committees in all the Local Government Areas, Local Council Development Areas, Area Councils and Administrative Offices, in the State.
He charged them to champion the progressive ideals by being magnanimous in victory and to run the affairs of their respective Councils with the fear of God, transparency, accountability, fairness and equity.
Oyetola directed the new Council heads to hit the ground running and ensure that they deliver urgently, the dividends of democracy to the teeming citizens as part of efforts to permanently register the name of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the hearts of the citizens and leave an indelible footprint in the sand of time.
This is even as the Governor charged them to stretch the hands of partnership to fellow contestants who were not so privileged by embarking on a reconciliatory move to other party members.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony held at Multi-purpose Hall, Local Government Service Commission, Abere, Osogbo, Oyetola noted that his Administration had shun profligacy, corruption and other inimical behaviours that could jeopardise the quest for excellent and inspirational leadership. He enjoined the Council bosses to do same.
He also urged them to look inward and make their services count in the lives of the people in the best progressive ideals that the party is known for.
While congratulating them on their new attainments, Oyetola disclosed that their appointment was based on merit in view of their track record of capacity, performance and abiding loyalty to the progressive ideals of the ruling party.
He also appealed to party members who did not make the final list, to put the past behind them and look forward to a brighter future in their quest to serve the people and the party, adding “we have taken note of your hard work, and I assure you, your own opportunities will come.
“I heartily congratulate you all for making it thus far as this is a clear testament to your inherent leadership potential, track record of capacity, performance and abiding loyalty to the progressive ideals of our Party.
“Considering that your emergence followed a thoroughly-intense process, you should regard this invaluable opportunity as sufficiently humbling and a lifetime opportunity to not only serve our people but to also leave an indelible footprint in the sand of time.
“With such defining values as humility, integrity, purposefulness, honesty, transparency, accountability and incorruptibility, you should hit the ground running and ensure that you deliver urgently, the dividends of democracy to our teeming citizens.
“As you all know, the local government institution is the closest to our people. Therefore, your leadership will only be as meaningful and successful to the extent to which you run an administration that is not only truly inclusive, but also one fully committed to meeting the basic needs of our people.
“To do this, it requires that you lead a united front, working closely with the bureaucracy to run an administration that listens to the deepest yearnings of the people and actively seeking constructive feedbacks that will aid the governance process.
“You will recall that since our assumption of office, we have run an Administration that is transparent, inclusive, purposeful and absolutely pro-people. This is because ours is an Administration driven by the philosophy that governance is only meaningful to the extent that it serves the needs of our people,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, lauded Governor Oyetola for appointing men and women of impeccable character to take up the mantle of leadership in all the Local Government Areas of the State.
He tasked them on dedication, loyalty and service, saying it is a thing of joy that 69 capable persons had been appointed as chairmen to head the helms of affairs at various Councils across the State.
Adeleke added: “Today is special because Mr. Governor was able to bring out 69 out of millions of people of the State to serve. The assignment is that you need to do proper reconciliation in your respective Local Government Areas. You will be assessed based on your ability to resolve contending matters, you must not raise imbroglio.
“You must mobilise Osun citizens for the ongoing registration exercise for Permanent Voters’ Card. Don’t disappoint Mr Governor. Welfare and security of your people must be your priority. Don’t use it to enrich yourselves.”
In the same vein, the Acting Chairman, Osun Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Gboyega Famodun, urged the newly-sworn-in chairmen to take charge of their councils by being dedicated and committed to good governance.
He urged them to champion loyalty, dedication, commitment and selfless service to humanity, saying anything short of that will amount to collosal loss.
In his vote of thanks, one of the newly-sworn-in chairmen, Hon. Samuel Abiodun Idowu, hailed the Governor for counting them worthy to serve their people just as he promised their commitment to deliver.
He said “I want to appreciate Mr. Governor for counting us worthy for this appointment and I promise that we will work as a team and deliver to your satisfaction.”
