Oduduwa News

Prominent Nigerian opposition politicians are currently meeting at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja for a media conference convened by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Among the high-profile attendees are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-senator Dino Melaye.

Others present include Solomon Dalung, former Minister of Youth and Sports; media personality Dele Momodu; former senator Gabriel Suswam; and Ireti Kingibe, a serving Labour Party senator. Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha were also spotted at the event.

The gathering brings together political figures from various parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). David Mark, former Senate President, led a delegation of coalition members into the venue as the event got underway.

Also in attendance are former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who currently serves as interim national chairman of the ADC, and former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

The event was initially scheduled to hold at the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Asokoro, Abuja. However, organisers received a last-minute cancellation from the hotel management, citing an “internal compliance matter,” according to a screenshot shared on Instagram by Dele Momodu.

Following the setback, the ADC coalition quickly relocated the event to the Yar’Adua Centre.

Fear gripped residents of Ojo area in Lagos as rival hoodlums engaged in a violent street fight late at night, leaving many running for safety.

The clash saw the miscreants wielding cutlasses, broken bottles, and, in a bizarre twist, one individual used a crate of drinks as a weapon.

Eyewitnesses told Oduduwa News they heard loud shouts, clashing weapons, and chaos as the fight escalated under the cover of darkness. “It was terrifying. Nobody could sleep. People were hiding indoors,” a resident said.

Though the cause of the violence remains unclear, the incident has heightened concerns about worsening insecurity in the area.

Residents are calling on the police and Lagos State authorities to increase surveillance and night patrols to prevent future outbreaks of violence.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in its ex-depot price for petrol to ₦840 per litre, marking a ₦40 decrease from the previous rate of ₦880.

The move signals a positive shift for downstream operators and may offer some relief to consumers grappling with rising fuel costs.

This price cut comes just five days after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited raised the official pump price of petrol in Lagos to ₦925 per litre. The timing suggests a potential reaction to competitive market dynamics or efforts to stabilize local pricing.

Only a week ago, Dangote refinery had increased its ex-depot petrol price to ₦880, making the latest move a swift reversal. The fluctuation in pricing underscores the volatility in the domestic fuel supply chain, influenced by both internal strategies and global market forces.

According to a Monday update by Anthony Chiejina, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Dangote Group, the price reduction reflects current trends in international oil markets. Brent crude oil, for instance, fell by 1.54 percent—from $68.67 on June 23 to $67.61—by the close of business.

Looking ahead, the refinery reiterated its commitment to improving domestic fuel supply. It confirmed plans to commence nationwide distribution of diesel and petrol by August 15, a key milestone in its commercial operations.

To support this expansion, Dangote has acquired 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered tankers. The new fleet is expected to enhance fuel delivery efficiency while supporting cleaner energy initiatives across Nigeria’s transportation network.

An Ikeja Special Offences Court has sentenced a 45-year-old pastor, Ndukwe Ogbu, to 25 years in prison for defiling his 14-year-old daughter (name withheld).

In her judgement on Monday, Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe held that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt the three-count charge of defilement, sexual assault, and sexual assault by penetration against the convict.

The judge also noted that Mr Ogbu showed no remorse for the crime when he pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, citing that he had other children to care for.

She consequently found him guilty of the three-count charge brought against him by the Lagos State government. According to the judge, the testimonies of the medical doctor and social worker corroborated that of the survivor.

The convict was arraigned sometime in February 2021 and the trial commenced on Oct. 18, 2021. During trial, the prosecution called three witnesses and tendered exhibits, while the convict testified as the sole defence witness.

The first prosecution witness, Femi Oyeleke, a social worker, told the court that he reported the case to the police. The survivor and a medical doctor also testified against the convict.

In her testimony, the survivor identified the convict as her father and told the court that she was 14 years old when the abuse began. She told the court that her father had sexual intercourse with her on several occasions and threatened her not to tell anybody. The survivor said she later confided in her teacher in school who reported the case to the social worker.

The defendant, however, denied all the claims and maintained that he was not at home as claimed by his daughter. He confirmed to the court that he lived in the same apartment as the survivor, but she had her own separate room.

He also stated that he lost his wife when the children were young and the other children lived in the village with their maternal grandmother.

A Magistrate Court in Ganmo has ordered the remand of Alhaja Kafilat Kaola, a prominent Islamic figure and Ibadan-based On Air presenter, at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre.

The ruling follows allegations of defamation against Alhaji Taofeek Akewugbagold, the Wazeer Muslimeen of Oyo State and a respected Islamic cleric. Details of the alleged defamatory statements remain undisclosed, but the case has reignited public interest in the longstanding tensions between the two figures.

Background of the Case

Kaola’s remand comes amid claims that she made statements damaging to Akewugbagold’s reputation. While specific details are limited, the legal action underscores a growing judicial focus on defamation cases in Kwara State. In 2023, social media influencer Abdulazeez Adegbola, known as Tani Olohun, faced similar charges for allegedly defaming the Emir of Ilorin and other Islamic scholars, highlighting the court’s stance on public defamation.

Akewugbagold’s Prominence and Past Controversies

Alhaji Taofeek Akewugbagold, former Chairman of the Oyo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, is a revered figure in Nigeria’s Islamic community. In 2021, he was named Wazeer Muslimeen of Oyo State, a prestigious title likened to a “Prime Minister” in Islamic hierarchy. At the conferment, Kaola publicly praised Akewugbagold’s generosity and contributions to the Muslim community. However, their relationship has since soured, with the current defamation case pointing to unresolved tensions.

Akewugbagold has faced significant challenges in the past. In 2020, his twin children were kidnapped in Ibadan, leading to the arrest of six suspects charged with conspiracy, kidnapping, and illegal possession of firearms. The high-profile case, heard in an Oyo State High Court, drew widespread attention and raised questions about Akewugbagold’s vulnerability due to his public stature.

Ongoing Tensions and Legal Implications

The defamation case suggests deeper, possibly private, conflicts between Kaola and Akewugbagold, potentially amplified by public or social media interactions. As the investigation continues, the case highlights the increasing use of legal avenues to address reputational disputes in Nigeria’s religious and social spheres.

The court’s decision has sparked varied reactions, with some expressing hope for a fair resolution. The legal proceedings are expected to shed light on the nature of the allegations and the future of relations between these prominent figures.

According to a police report issued by the Divisional Police Officer of Yemetu Division, CSP Fayiwole Julius Oluwadare, the arrests followed an early morning patrol on June 27, 2025, at about 6:00 a.m., led by ASP Atilola Wasiu.

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested six suspected armed robbers and recovered firearms and dangerous weapons during a stop-and-search operation in Ibadan.

According to a police report issued by the Divisional Police Officer of Yemetu Division, CSP Fayiwole Julius Oluwadare, the arrests followed an early morning patrol on June 27, 2025, at about 6:00 a.m., led by ASP Atilola Wasiu.

Scores of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Omoluabi Progressive Group, loyal to former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State.

The mass defection took place over the weekend during a ceremony organised by the APC in Ejigbo Local Government Area and held at the Ilupeju Multipurpose Hall.

Receiving the defectors, Senator Mudashiru Husain, the Ejigbo APC apex leader and governorship hopeful, described the development as a major boost for the party ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

Husain noted that despite APC’s current position as the opposition party in Osun, its ranks continue to swell due to what he called “purposeful and inclusive leadership.”

He said the influx of new members from PDP and Omoluabi Group was evidence of growing support for APC’s ideals of social welfarism, economic growth, and human capital development, championed by President Bola Tinubu.

“The team spirit among our leaders in Ejigbo is working. Our efforts have yielded results, and this is just the beginning,” Husain stated.

He urged the new defectors to remain steadfast in their commitment to progressive politics, assuring them of fairness and equal opportunities within the party.

Speaking on his governorship ambition, Husain said it was not a do-or-die affair but a responsibility grounded in loyalty, experience, and grassroots acceptance.

Leaders of the defectors, Hon. Wole Olajire of the Omoluabi Group and Hon. Kareem Mubarak from PDP, cited disillusionment with their former platforms and confidence in APC’s leadership as reasons for their move.

Ejigbo LG Chairman, Hon. Ayegbayo Gbolahan, West LCDA Chairman, Hon. Olayanju Kolapo, and APC LG Chairman, Hon. Lateef Adegoke, also pledged full support to the new members and committed to working for APC’s victory in 2026.

There is growing fear in parts of Kwara State as bandits launched multiple attacks on communities in Edu Local Government Area, kidnapping several residents and injuring others within 24 hours.

In the early hours of Sunday, gunmen invaded Lafiagi town and abducted a well-known agro-chemical dealer popularly known as Alhaji Chemical. The attack occurred around 1 a.m. along Taiwo Road, causing panic among residents.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers were heavily armed and engaged local hunters in a brief gun duel before overpowering them and escaping with the victim. “They came around 1 a.m., started shooting, and went straight to his house. The hunters fought back, but the bandits had more weapons,” a resident said.

Barely hours after the Lafiagi incident, another attack was reported in Kokodo village, a border community between Edu and Patigi Local Government Areas, where two Hausa men were kidnapped around midnight on Monday.

According to villagers, the Kokodo attack happened just two hours after the kidnapping of a POS operator in Lafiagi town. The bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the community and took the victims from their homes.

During the Kokodo invasion, a teenage girl reportedly escaped from the kidnappers, while a resident who attempted to raise the alarm was shot by the attackers.

“The bandits came with heavy weapons. They kidnapped two men and shot a man who tried to shout for help,” a source told The Informant247.

These incidents follow closely on the heels of a deadly attack on Lile village in Patigi LGA, where several residents were killed, and bandits demanded a N200 million levy from the community.

Banditry has become increasingly rampant in Kwara North, especially in Edu and Patigi LGAs, where communities are being frequently targeted for ransom-related abductions.