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Tag: Ado-Ekiti

  • Afe Babalola makes case for reputable Law Colleges to prepare Law graduates for bar examinations

    Frontline Legal icon and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has advocated that reputable Colleges/Faculty of Law in Nigerian Universities should henceforth be saddled with the responsibility of training Law graduates preparatory for their final Call to Bar Examinations at the Law School.

    With this proposed arrangement, Law graduates from Nigerian universities will proceed to these reputable Colleges/Faculties of Law, Like ABUAD College of Law, with up-to-date facilities and Faculty members of international repute for their post-LL.B training and only go to the Law School to write their Call to Bar Examinations without being residential student in the Law School as is currently the case.

    This way, Babalola, who spoke over the weekend at a reception in honour of the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Ciroma, SAN, said Nigeria would have borrowed a leaf from the practice in England, thereby frontally addressing the  problem of funding and myriad other problems which the Law School had had to contend with over the years.

    According to him, the problem of paucity of facilities and accommodation space have been some of the major problems the Law School had had to content with and its attendant bottleneck of having backlog of students because it does not have the capacity and the resources to cope with the number of Law graduates being churned out by the various Law Colleges/Faculties annually.

    Babalola who lamented that the Nigerian Bar is different from what he met when he was called to the Bar in 1963 or what it was before he made up his mind to study Law in the first instance, said a lot need to be done to turn things around for better in the profession for it to recapture the reverence the legal profession used to attract and enjoy many decades ago.

    Now fishing in most familiar waters, Babalola recalled how many lawyers have been asking for the abrogation of the SAN title in last few years. Their grievance being that they apply year-after-year with as many as 70 qualifying for the award every year. But at the end of the day, the Legal Privileges Committee of the Bar which admits Legal Practitioners into SAN-ship,  would lean so heavily on the law that says they cannot appoint more than 15 in any particular year, thereby leaving (having) a backlog of those who are qualified, but not awarded, almost on a yearly basis.

    The question then arises: if a person is qualified at a particular point in time, at what point does he become unqualified again? Perhaps one may ask those who are charged with the duty of appointing 15 out of 60 or 70 qualified practitioners what criteria they use to jettison those who are qualified. The problem here is that without knowing it, this practice of appointing 15 out of the several that are qualified has led to corruption, sectionalism and favouritism and corner-cutting by some junior lawyers, thereby lowering the standard of practice in the country.

    That practice has unwittingly led to the “man-know-man” syndrome and other extraneous influences where those who appoint Legal Practitioners to SAN-ship tend to favour those they know ahead of those they don’t know very well.

    Nigeria should copy England where the idea of the silk (SAN title), the equivalent of QC in England was borrowed from root, stem and branch. From time immemorial in England, no matter the number that qualify in a particular year, be it 60 or 70, all of them would be appointed, leaving no room for any backlog. Nigeria must do the needful in this regard if it must not be left behind.

    His words: “The practice in those days was that successful Legal Practitioners are invited to for appointments on the Bench. Now, the standard I met then is not the standard any more. Only 10 years after my arrival, I was invited to the Bench by Hon. Justice Oyemade, the Chief Judge of Western Region. I told him I still needed some money of my own. You know the impression then was that when you go to the Bench you will be corrupt”.

    We added:”We were hearing of cases of some Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal being removed on grounds of, according to them, corruption…. I did not know of a successful legal practitioner who wanted to go to the Bench then. The practice which I know is that when you are a successful practitioner, you want to retire to the Bench and adorn it with your years of knowledge of legal practice.

    “So all over the world, the best judges are the best legal practitioners, that is why in England up till today, judges are recruited from Queen’s Counsel (the equivalent of our Senior Advocates of Nigeria), who have distinguished themselves. Now, the standard I met then is not the standard any more”.

    But today in Nigeria, many extraneous qualifications have crept into the appointment of judges so much so that people working in public limited liability companies have been appointed judges to satisfy geographical spread.

    His words:”Our Bench must be populated with qualified people who have practiced Law and not just who rose from the Magistrate Courts to the High Courts. When you read some judgments by some High Court Judges, you wonder and marvel because they are not more than the pronouncements of Magistrates”.

    He added: “In England, it is only those with QC, the equivalent of our Senior Advocates that are invited to occupy the Bench and this has helped the quality of judgments in England over the years. Why can’t we do same here? It will help our practice of Law and the quality of judgments from the Bench”.

    Babalola therefore suggested that if people who qualify to be made Senior Advocates of Nigeria are not restricted in number, there would be a ready pool of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, who have made good money in their practice years, and ready to accept elevation to the Bench like the late Hon. Justice Taslim Olawale Elias, and the late Hon. Justice Augustine Nnamani thereby increasing/improving quality of judges and reducing corruption.

    He thanked Ciroma for visiting ABUAD, adding that it washis love for quality and functional education that propelled him to visit ABUAD for the first time. Babalola commended the DG-Law School for being on top in several ways: A Professor of Law, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and above the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School.

    Ciroma commended Babalola and the ABUAD community for changing the face of Education in Nigeria within the short history of the university, stressing that if more people invest in Education, Nigeria will be the better for it.

     

    • Olofintila writes in from Ado-Ekiti

  • Heavy rainstorm blows off Ekiti monarch’s palace

    The palace of Alare of Are-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of the State has been blown off following a heavy rainstorm that left property worth millions destroyed.

    The rainstorm, which began around 5:30pm and lasted for about two hours during the weekend, was preceded by whirlwind.

    Pieces of roofing sheets, smashed ceiling, electric poles, kiosk and debris of destroyed houses were seen in the areas affected which included Odo ode area, Idemorun, Oke-Afin, Ayegunle and Ilawemon.

    No fewer than 30 houses were blown off but there was no report of casualty in the affected areas.

    Among the properties destroyed was the palace of the traditional ruler.

    The rain has left many residents homeless, with many of them struggling to find friends and families to accommodate them.

    Speaking with journalists in his palace on Wednesday, Alare of Are-Ekiti Oba Boluade Adebiyi lamented his palace and more than 30 other buildings were affected by the heavy rainstorm that has rendered many homeless.

    Oba Adebiyi cried out to state and the federal governments to come to the aid of his community, saying the degree of damage done was beyond their individual capabilities.

    “As you can see, part of the palace roof has been blown off but that is not my immediate problem now.

    READ ALSO: Rainstorm kills 6, destroys Air Force Base, 583 houses in Katsina

    “My concern now is how to take of my people that have become homeless by this natural disaster.”

    One of the victims, Mr Ayodele Anisulowo of number 18, Odo ode Street, whose house was affected while speaking with The Nation described the incident as terrific.

    He disclosed that all what he had painstakingly worked for, for many years have gone down the drain.

    “My properties have been blown off with water entering into my room. Everything is soaked and many have been destroyed.

    “This is a serious thing I don’t know what to do because I am now hopeless and homeless,” he said.

    An octogenarian widow, Madam Jibiye Adeleye, lamented she has been forced to relocate to her father’s house pending the time her children can repair their father’s house.

    “I thank God that I am a native of Are Ekiti, I have a place to keep my head for now. But it is not convenient at all .

    “l have been married for almost sixty years and since I left for my husband’s house, I have not slept a night here in my father’s house,” she stated.

    Oba Adebiyi, who said he has contacted relevant state and federal authorities to come to the aid of the community, also appealed to the indigenes of Are Ekiti  in  diaspora to come home and help their people at home.

    The General Manager of Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Buruji Olajide, however, told journalists that Are Ekiti was not the only community affected by the rainstorm.

    According to him, Ado Ekiti, the state capital and some other communities in like, Afao and Igbemo were equally affected.

    Other towns, he mentioned, included Isan Ekiti and Iludun in Oye Local Government were also hit by the heavy rainstorm.

    He said: “We and NEMA have jointly visited some of the affected areas for on the spot assessment of the damages.  More than 30 houses were destroyed in each of Isan and Iludun.

    “About 40 roof houses were blown off in Afao, more than 45 five houses were affected in Are Ekiti.

    “Among the properties destroyed in Afao, was the newly completed Gifted Academic in Afao Ekiti.

    “We have visited some of the affected communities to assess the level damages.

    “We have been able to establish that more than 70 houses were affected, we thank God that no casualty was  recorded but we are still compiling our report  ,when it is ready, we shall state the total number of the victims,” he said.

  • Court sentences two to death by hanging

    An Ado Ekiti High Court has sentenced two persons, Adedayo Oluwayemi, 27, and Daramola Seyi, 23, to death for robbing a night club in Ado-Ekiti.

    Justice John Adeyeye, who delivered the judgment, held that the duo were guilty of the two-count charge of armed robbery and conspiracy preferred against them.

    The judge found them guilty of violating Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State 2012 and Section 1(2) (b) of Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Laws of the Federation 2014.

    Justice Adeyeye, however, discharged and acquitted the third accused person, Ogunleye Ige, on the grounds that evidence before the court showed that there was no nexus between him and the incident.

    The court heard that the accused persons reportedly invaded Club 15 Dynamic Lounge, Irewumi, opposite Bawa Estate, Ado Ekiti on August 4, 2018 with guns and robbed victims of their belongings at gunpoint.

    Some of the stolen items include laptops, phones and cash.

    The accused were arrested at the point of selling the items, particularly the laptops and phones, as they could not provide the passwords.

    The accused persons were first arraigned on October 16, 2017 when the charges were read to them, to which they pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecution counsel Felix Awoniyi called six witnesses and tendered exhibits, including the two laptops.

    Defence counsel Toyin Oluwole did not call any witness.

     

  • I will provide conducive environment, Rector assures

    Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Dayo Hephzibah Oladebeye has assured of his administration’s commitment towards providing an enabling environment for staff to flourish at their optimum potential for the achievement of the goals of the Institution.

    Dr. Oladebeye who gave the assurance at the Inauguration of the Reconstituted Advisory Management Committees of the Polytechnic stressed that staff would be supported to give their best towards making the Polytechnic a world-class Institution.

    The Rector, who recalled with gratitude to Almighty God for handing over the mantle of leadership of the Institution to him about a year ago, expressed his appreciation to the 10th Governing Council, Principal Officers, other members of Management, Staff and Students of the Institution for their unflinching and highly commendable cooperation to his administration since its inception.

    While thanking the three Trade Union Executives i.e. ASUP, SSANIP and NASU as well as the Alumni and the Students’ Union for their support, the Rector also commended the uncommon display of understanding and maturity on the part of the leadership of the Unions in their fair dealings with the Polytechnic Management.

    He appreciated them for their constructive criticism and their readiness to always tow the line of dialogue as against confrontation opting to “jaw jaw” instead of “war war”.

    The 42 Standing Advisory Management Committees with about 500 members of staff drawn from across Unions, Cadres and other strata of the Polytechnic serving as Chairmen, Members or Secretaries were inaugurated in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, 12th March, 2019 in commemoration of the Rector’s first year in office.

    The Reconstitution of the various Committees marked a resolve to make the Oladebeye administration an all-inclusive one and a bold attempt by the Rector to democratize the one year old administration of the Polytechnic.

    The 42 reconstituted Advisory Committees and their Chairmen includes the Management Committee, headed by the Rector himself as well as the Board of Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for Engineering Innovation.

    Committees headed by the Deputy Rector (Academics) Dr. (Mrs.) J.O. Omoniyi are Academic Staff Publications Review Panel, Accreditation Committee as well as the Staff Training and Development Committee, while the Deputy Rector (Administration) Bldr. G.S. Olorunoje will also preside as Chairman over the Board of Survey; Ceremonies Committee; the Polytechnic Land Use Committee; Office Space Allocation Committee as well as Hostels Monitoring and Rehabilitation Committees.

    Other Committees include the Senior Non-Teaching Staff Review Committee, with the Registrar, Mrs. K.O. Ekanem as the Chairman, while the Junior Staff Review Committee and Housing Committee are both headed by the Polytechnic Librarian, Mr. E.O. Ayeni as the Chairman.

    The Admissions Committee has Mr. A.A. Aliu a Chief Lecturer in Mathematics as Chairman, while Polytechnic Loans, Security and Sports Committees are headed respectively by Mr. O.D. Dada, Dr. M.O. Akinola and Dr. O.I. Ayeni.The list of Committees also includes Students Disciplinary; Staff School Management Board; Time Table; Publications; Transport; Energy Utilization; Internally Generated Revenue; Environmental; Endowment Fund and Polytechnic Exhibition Committee among others.

    READ ALSO: Buhari appoints new Rector for Ado-Ekiti Fed Poly

    Dr Oladebeye, who noted that the inauguration of various Advisory Management Committee was the first of its kind by his administration, stressed that the inauguration became necessary in order to get staff familiar with and identify and recognize the chairmen and members of the Committee for easy accessibility and administration.

    He further stated that the inauguration of the Committees was in fulfillment of his avowed resolve to involve staff at all levels in the decision-making process of management which is in line with his belief in the democratic approach to decision making.

    The Rector further stated that the Committees of Management are primarily set up to serve as veritable tools in ensuring a virile and invigorated administration and Management of the Institution towards unhindered development of the institution.

    He charged the Committee members to generate sufficient intellectual discourse for the incubation of ideas that will lead to the hatching of sound recommendations for the realization of goals and objectives of the system.

    He also mandated the various Committees to carry out their assignment with utmost dispatch and ensure optimum achievement in their mandate as specified in their terms of reference.

  • Man gets three months for possessing cocaine

    A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has sentenced Dipo Taiwo, 36, to three months imprisonment for alleged possession of illicit drugs.

    The judge, Justice Uche Agomoh, said this would deter others.

    The defence counsel had pleaded guilty and begged for leniency, saying the defendant didn’t waste the time of the court by pleading guilty.

    The prosecutor, Mr. Charles Nwagua, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on January 10, at Atikankan, Ado-Ekiti.

    He alleged that the defendant, without lawful authority, possessed 500 grammes of Cannabis Sativa, a narcotic drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD.

    He said the offence contravened Section 19 of the NDLEA, Act.Cap N30, Laws of Federation of Nigeria. 2004.

    Delivering judgement, Justice Agomoh said: “The defendant appeared very remorseful on every of his appearance in court during his trial.

    “The court, therefore, found you guilty and convict you accordingly.

    “You are hereby sentenced to three months imprisonment with hard labour,” she said.

  • Ekiti govt, police battle robbers, kidnappers

    The spate of insecurity in Ekiti State has unsettled many of its inhabitants. RASAQ IBRAHIM examines the carnage and the measures put in place to decimate it by the state government and the security agencies.

    Ado-Ekiti, Aramoko, Erio, Ikere and other towns sharing boundary with Ekiti State have seen hell—no thanks to the activities of armed robbers and kidnappers. Now, Fayemi and security agencies are battling to take the people away from hell.

    Ekiti was known for its peaceful atmosphere during the first term of Dr. Kayode Fayemi where maximum protection of lives and property were adequately guaranteed.

    Immediately he left office, the relative peace enjoyed in the state went on exile. On the January 2, an Accounting Officer in Emure Local Government Area, Mr Abayomi Ajayi, was killed by unknown gunmen on Ikere-Ise Road while returning from work. He was in the company of two colleagues. These colleagues, Dr Fashina and Pastor Onaade, were kidnapped.

    Barely a week this incident occurred, a former Commissioner for Lands during Fayemi’s first term, Mr. Remi Olorunleke, and the Director of Administration, Gbonyin Council Area, Mr. David Jejelowo, were also abducted on Ado-Ijan Road by unknown bandits. They later regained freedom after the police and other security operatives combed their suspected hideout.

    Deji Akeredolu, 37, a councillor representing Ado Ward 9 at the Ado Local Government Council, at the Onala area of Ado-Ekiti , the State capital, was a victim of the gunmen running wild. He is dead.

    The deceased and his wife were said to have alighted from a motorbike at the junction to their house around 10 pm when the gunmen fired shots at him from the back.

    The criminal activities continued with an ugly incident at the popular Tosin Aluko Motor Park at Ajilosun, Ado Ekiti metropolis when a man was shot dead.

    According to a source, the victim attempted to challenge the driver of the car conveying the gunmen for reckless driving, following which the gunmen opened fire and shot him in the stomach and head.

    “The deceased was in the car and the vehicle conveying the gunmen hit his car at the back at that spot.

    “He, then, alighted from the car to complain over the reckless driving not knowing they were armed robbers and the bandits opened fire on him and he died immediately,” he said.

    On February 7, a policeman, Sgt  Kamoru Momoh, was shot dead  on new Iyin-Ilawe Road by armed robbers who earlier robbed a filling station at Basiri, Ado Ekiti.

    The robbers were said to have besieged the petrol station and carted away cash worth  over a million naira.

    It was gathered that the robbers on sighting the police van driven by the late police officer, which seemed to be on their trail, blocked the road  at the NTA junction with their vehicle and rained bullets on the policeman and got his head shattered.

    An eyewitness, Olumide Bamigbetan, said: “When the Hilux chased them up to that point, the armed robbers used their vehicle to block the way and rained bullets on the car.

    “The bullets hit the driver of the vehicle and died on the spot after which the robbers entered their car and sped off.

    “Some of the motorists had to take a detour and escaped the scene, because the sound of the guns caused panic in the area”, he stated.

    The body was deposited in the morgue of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.

    Fayemi paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Kamoru Momoh, a CID operative.

    It was an emotion-laden visit at the home of the late CID operative. Fayemi was almost moved to tears sighting the wife and young children of the deceased.

    He assured the bereaved family that the government would sponsor the education and other needs of the children, describing the incident as unfortunate and devastating.

    Last week, a farmer, Elijah Ogor, 30, who hailed from Benue State, was killed on his farmland situated between Ayegbaju and Ido-Ekiti after his farm was invaded and destroyed by the herdsman with cattle.

    The death was reported through the Seriki Fulani in Ekiti, Alhaji Abashe Adamu, to the task force of Gan-Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria(GAFDAN), Ekiti chapter who later apprehended Umar Abubakar Sanda, in connection with the death.

    The GAFDAN’S Secretary, Hon. Toyin Ibrahim, said: “We got the iformation from Seriki Fulani that a farmer was killed in Ayegbaju . Our task force, comprising virtually all the ethnic groups in Nigeria moved into that bush and arrested Umar Sanda.

    “At the point we saw him, he was holding a rifle and with live cartridge inside. We queried the rationale behind the carrying of firearm which contravened Ekiti State Anti-Grazing Law, but he gave no reason. He was just raising issues that would make him look innocent.

    “The reason why we suspected him was that, two other people were with the deceased when he was shot, they escaped from the scene and the description they gave showed that the suspect was involved.

    “As law abiding group, we immediately took  Sanda to the police station at Ido Ekiti where he was detained .Part  of  our mandate in GAFDAN is to arrest cattle rustlers and errant herdsmen, who destroyed farmlands or commit other offences.”

    As part of the government’s efforts to restore the core values of the State and uproot the proceeds inherited from Fayose’s administration, Dr. Fayemi who dubbed as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the State , summoned emergency security meeting where issues bothered on insecurity were carefully discussed.He had ordered the Police Commissioner, Mr Asuquo Amba, the Directorate of  State Services(DSS) and other security networks to strengthen their security architecture in a bid to wipe out all manifestation of criminal activities.

    In addition, the State Government had also enlisted the support of the Pan-Yoruba group, O’dua People’s Congress (OPC) and vigilante to collaborate with the security agencies to restore peace to the State.

    The governor had also reinstated the sacked operatives of the scrapped Ekiti State Peace Corps and reiterated its commitment to recruit additional 800 operatives to work with the police across every community.

    He had urged the residents to bow to superior directive from the police and must not take laws into our hands, saying the residents need to be partner in progress with the police and other sister agencies to make  Ekiti safe.

    The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi in the same vein had also called on the military to return soldiers to the checkpoints in the country to curtail the over bearing influence of the criminals in ensuring the protection of lives and property.

    He advised the military to restrategise and devise plans in tackling menace dedeviling the State, saying “the military need to look for more alternative means of preventing men of the underworld from perpetrating their nefarious criminal activities.

    “Government needs the backing of every member of the society to tackle the menace, for they will be at the receiving end if proper actions are not taken, promising that the present administration won’t tolerate criminals to disrupt the peace enjoying in the state,” he said.

    Fayemi, who spoke through the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communication, Segun Dipe,  lamented the scourge of criminal activities ravaging the State before now, saying the government’s commitment to protection of lives and property resulted in the existing peace and orderliness in the state.

    “We have achieved a lot in conquering the direct proceeds of last administration when hooliganism and thuggery were institutionalized as state policies.”

    “Fayose’s body language had encouraged criminals and they saw the State as a haven where they can perpetrate their heinous activities.”

    Fayemi added that all efforts had been geared towards putting those with criminal tendencies at bay, saying it is evident that the past inglorious days of crime is over.

    In an attempt to make Ekiti safe, the State Police Command, CP Asuquo Amba decisevely drew a working template having done some threat analysis of what the major security problem that was confronting the State.

    Amba had drawn this template and identified specifically things that need to be tackled, some crime waves. And the measures needed to take in combating them.

    In collaboration with other sister security agencies, he initiated an operational force under the aegis of ‘Operation Make Ekiti Safe’ to rid the State of crimes.

    Among security operatives collaborating with the Police include Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Immigration Service, Department of State Services (DSS) , Nigerian Police, Nigeria Custom Service among others.

    The operations of the joint task force have been visible along Ado-Ilawe road, Ado-Iyin road, Ado-Ijan –Ikare road, Ado-Ikere-Akure road, Ado-Iwiroko-Ifaki road and the inner city like Ijigbo, Okesa and Okeyinmi areas with motorists moving into Ado Ekiti metropolis were being stopped and thoroughly searched.

    The government provided logistical and moral support for that operation outfit institutionalised.

    The operational task operated on 24hrs, moving across the 16 Local Government Area of the State patrolling not just for visibility policing but to raid black spots.

    The CP had also increased the visibility policing of the plain-cloth intelligent gathering of the joint task force. Not just that alone, more awareness for community policing had increased in the state.

    Amba, speaking through the PPRO, DSP Caleb  Ikechukwu, said: “We had involved the people, urging them to be helpful in providing the Command with vital and sensitive information on area where criminals are perpetrating their heinous crimes.

    And in doing that, the CP ensured open door policy where people can come to us and divulge good information to them. And this had helped out.

    With the measures put in place, the Police recorded great success with over 180 persons  have been arrested across board acting on reliable tip off by members of the community.

    As a result of this raiding in those criminal hideouts like Atikankan and others where drug related activities were going on, great numbers of criminals had been brought before the State Criminal Department where they were screened and charged to court.

    Among those arrested by the joint task force included Dele Obamoyegun, Idowu Sunday, Adeniyi Eunice, leye Ojo, Akindahunsi Damilola and Olaosebikan Babatunde.

    However, the operational task led by Police Chief burst a forest and discovers a ritualist shrine in Odo, a suburb in Ado Ekiti, the state capital where two suspects were arrested.

    According to a source who craved anonymity, the shrine was being used by ‘awo’ (fraudster) as a haven to perpetrate their criminal activities.

    The Commissioner of Police, Asuquo Amba speaking through his spokesman, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu in an interview with The Nation disclosed that the giant feat recorded was made possible with the Governor Kayode Fayemi commitment and support morally and logistically.

    Amba said Operation Make Ekiti Safe has delivered on its entrusted assignment with huge success recorded.

    He added that there wasn’t any element of criminal activities in the State again, with residents  now living without fear and tension.

    He said: “Stop and search was part of the operations of the special task force. I think they have the constitutional power to carry out routine checks on people moving in and out to test their compliance to simple rules.

    “Two months ago a special force started its operations in Ekiti and since that time they have been carrying out their jobs in a civilised way, no harassment, no intimidation of any member of the public.”

    Victims, relations recount ordeal of criminal activities

    A close friend to the kidnapped council workers, who confided in our reporter disclosed that the two captives were released from the kidnappers den having paid an undisclosed amount of money.

    “Although the security operatives did what they could do to ensure their release from Kidnappers’ den but he was set free having met the conditions given by the abductors.

    Similarly, speaking with The Nation, Oladimeji Joseph identified as the chairman of  Emure community where the late Sgt. Kamoroudeen resided, described him as a gentle careless about frivolities of life.

    Joseph added that the deceased contributed immensely to the development of his community, most especially in the area of security.

    “It is saddening and surprising to see the corpse of Sgt. Kamoroudeen. I never taught in the next 40yrs, he would leave so soon.

    “He left us only in this world without noticing us knowing that we have no one except him. It will be difficult to fill the vacuum created with his demise.

    “He volunteered to render selfless service in the area of security. And he did it with great alacrity.

    “Few days to his death, we were together discussing on how some residents in Zone B Area of the community went ahead to obtain electricity without paying the necessary dues to the community.

    Through his efforts, the People have promised to pay this Saturday (today).

    “The whole community had been missing him of his good work. It will be difficult to find a perfect person to fill the vacuum created,” he said.

    A close associate of the farmer, Elijah Ogor killed by suspected herdsman who craved anonymity disclosed that the deceased and he had planned to travel to their home town next month before this ugly incident occurred.

    He added that as part of their plan, they have decided to stay till after Easter before they would return but unfortunately he died.

    It is painful to hear that Ogor died. He left home for the farm to do some rough work on the farmland and fetch some tubers of yam to eat.

    “Surprisingly, we just heard the information that he has been killed by herdsman.

    “The culprit must face the wrath of law with any prejudice or favour. How any marauder could invade someone’s farm with his cattle and destroyed it.

    And still went ahead to kill him? This is unjust in a society where there are laws and constituted authority.

    “This issue must be thoroughly investigated and whoever found culpable should be prosecuted according to the laws of the land,” he said.

    In an interview with a businessman, Tijani Abiodun Adedayo who spoke with our reporter attributed the wave of violent crimes to the inordinate desire and desperation of younger ones to get rich in quick time.

    “In any society like Ekiti State where youths are reluctant to engage in meaningful work, there is high propensity of such community to be ravaged with criminal activities such as yahoo-yahoo, fraud, kidnapping, armed robbery among others.

    “They ventured into all these to satisfy their insatiable desires and cater for their needs.

    “And all these constituted to the prevailing security challenges ravaging the State,” he said.

    Also a community leader who craved anonymity lauded the tactical approach of the State Government and the security operatives in curbing the hydra headed challenges posed by the criminal activities.

    “It is imperative to assert that the government of the day under the leadership of Dr. Kayode Fayemi has restored relative peace and normalcy the State is known for.

    “The state is known to be turbulent and violent four years ago but with Fayemi’s commitment to guarantee protection of lives and property, the lost peace virtues has returned fully,” he said.

  • 80 garlands for the preacher’s son

    Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, last week played host to eminent personalities who came to celebrate the 80th birthday of renowned educationist and administrator, Chief Olusola Bayode.

    Bayode, the founding principal of Aisegba Community Grammar School (1972-1984) and principal of his alma mater, Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti (1984 -1994),  is respected far and wide.

    The Class of 87 of Christ’s School Alumni Association participated in the events to honour their former principal. Members of the set at the event, whose president, Morakinyo, is Chief Bayode’s son, include Deji Bamgboye, Ayo Owolabi, Joe Adeleye (all of whom flew in from the United Kingdom), Wale Aribisala (PDP National Treasurer), Ope Obafemi, Tope Adeboboye, Olukorede Oni, Taiwo Adedoja, Akin Elegbe, Samson Olujobi, Dr Bola Balogun, Odunayo Adebiyi, Dapo Akinwunmi, Subulade Adeboye, Toyin Omotosho, Sola Adigun, Ola Zacchaeus, Poju Asaolu, Chief Olatunji Obayemi, Niyi Falodun, Owoola Daramola, Gbenga Ojo, Taiwo Omifenwa, Sola Oyewande, Akin Akinyemi and Gbenga Fadipe.

    The birthday ceremonies commenced on Wednesday February 20 with a communion service at the Christ’s Church, Ureje, Ado-Ekiti. Shortly after, guests converged on the Christ’s School Alumni Centre near Fajuyi Park for the presentation of ‘The Preacher’s Son,’ Chief Bayode’s autobiography.

    In copious quantities, dignitaries at the event poured encomiums on the celebrant. They included a retired justice and Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, former national President of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Lawrence Kayode Obembe, and several serving and retired principals of secondary schools in Ekiti State, among others.

    Family members of the educationist, including his children and grandchildren were all present.

    Bola,  one of Chief Bayode’s children, said: “He is so compassionate. He couldn’t eject a tenant who owed money because my father thought that ejecting a son of a priest would be injustice. He is highly principled. He is charming, swerve, very committed to our school fees. He never played with our education. And I recall how his own father sacrificed to get him educated.

    “He has his camera, and because of the pictures he took when we were young we have many things to tell our children. He is highly domesticated. He and I do fight a lot, but now that he is older, he has become soft with me. ”His entire life has been about the school, church and his home, Ikere.”

    Morakinyo Bayode, a London-based architect, is Chief Bayode’s first son. “We thank God for the success of the event,” he said. “I know it has always been his passion and dream to write about his life, his career and experience as a road map for younger school administrators coming behind him and to leave footprints for younger generations. So, he has been saying he would do it and finally he has done it. We thank God this is happening in his lifetime.”

    He went on: “I thought I knew a lot about him until I read his book which showed me a lot things l was never familiar with. My father is a very strong and principled man, a man of very high and exacting standards. Some people see him as stubborn and unyielding. He will never compromise. He is a man who sets high expectations for himself and the people around him. He has impacted and built a lot of lives. We his biological children are not his only children. He is not a perfect man, but a man who has done his best and has given more than he has taken from the society.  He is a great educationist, great administrator and great manager of men. It’s an honour to be his son.”

    Kayode Obembe, an old boy of Christ’s School, hailed Bayode.

    He said: “l had left Christ’s School before he became principal, so we did not interact at that level. But when I became president of Christ’s School Alumni Association, I interacted with him, and it was through his advice that we put in place what we call the Elders Advisory Council. That was why we were able to complete this building, the Alumni Civic Centre in my regime 40 years after the foundation was laid.”

    Pa Deji Fasuan, also spoke glowingly about Chief Bayode, praised him for developing agriculture and planting trees when he was principal.

    “Even before I met him, his fame had spread as the only principal then in the old Ondo State who was planting trees and encouraging agriculture on a massive scale. When we eventually met, I liked him the more. Even though he used to be very stubborn, we made the best of our relationship,” he said.

    Members of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) in Ekiti State decorated Chief Bayode as a Fellow of the body in recognition of his sterling contribution to the association and service to humanity.

    In his review of the book, ‘The Preacher’s Son’ Prof. Kunle Adegun, said: “Chief Bayode in his book gives meticulous details and guidelines that could help guide the younger ones and younger school administrators on how best to run the affairs of the school.”

    At a thanksgiving service held at the Christ Church, Ureje, Ado-Ekiti priests eulogised Bayode and  his wife, Morohunmubo. The presiding Bishop tasked the youths of today to emulate Chief Bayode’s sterling attributes, which he noted would help build a better future.

  • Chemist charged with performing abortion leading to death

    An Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court on Monday remanded  a 40-year-old chemist, Folake Oluwafemi, who allegedly performed an abortion that  led to death.

    The defendant, whose address was not provided, was charged with manslaughter before Magistrate Omolola Akosile.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Monica Ikebuilo, told the court that Oluwafemi carried out an abortion on one Miss Oluwabukola Adeosun and it caused her death.

    Ikebuilo said that the defendant committed the offence on Feb. 20, at Ijero-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

    According to the prosecutor, the abortion resulted in complications, and Adeosun  was taken to a hospital, where she died.

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    The prosecutor noted that manslaughter contravened Section 325 of the Criminal  Code, Laws of Ekiti, 2012.

    The court did not take the plea of the defendant, as the magistrate ordered that the case file should be duplicated and sent to the state director of public prosecutions for advice.

    Akosile ordered that the accused should be kept in prison, and adjourned the case until April 4 for mention.

    NAN

     

  • Court dissolves 25-year-old marriage in Ekiti

     

    An Ado-Ekiti Customary Court has dissolved a 25-year-old marriage between Bello Catherine and her husband, Sule.

    The marriage was dissolved on grounds of frequent fighting, regular cursing, threats to life with charms and dangerous objects.

    Catherine, 68, resident of No 5, Orere-Owu, Ajibade street, in Ado-Ekiti, said she had known her husband for 25 years and their union produced three children, who are all married.

    She said the union produced three children, Taye Bello 25, female, Kehinde, 25 and Taye Bello,19, female.

    She said her husband threatened to kill her and he was fond of saying that he would make her father’s house desolate by destroying it.

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    Catherine said, he always threatened that he will use charm and waste her life.

    “My husband told me that he knows where I live and that he will come there to behead me with cutlass” she said.

    The petitioner therefore urged the court to separate them, as she does not want to have anything to do with him anymore.

    The President of the Court, Mrs Olayinka Akomolede, ordered that since the respondent had repeatedly shunned the court and vowed never to appear, consequently, dissolved the union.

    Akomolede, ruled that since the respondent has behaved in such a manner that the petitioner could not reasonably be expected to continue living with him and the petitioner has shown a formal act of tiredness, hence separated both parties.

  • Fayemi assures workers of prompt salaries

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Tuesday assured workers of his administration’s commitment to regular payment workers’ salary for effective and efficient service delivery.

    Fayemi said his government would be committed to rescuing the Civil Service from the level of decadence experienced under the immediate past administration.

    He disclosed the template to restoring the core values of civil service has been entrenched in the four pillar of his administration.

    He explained public servants during the last administration were demoralized and deprived of service tools, which hindered effective performance.

    The governor added that the core values of civil service went to extinction in recent past years with deprivation of a conducive and work friendly environment by the government.

    The governor spoke on Tuesday while unveiling the special edition of Fountain Bureaucrat magazine at the Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, in Ado Ekiti.

    He said civil servants were not only deprived of deserved welfare packages but were made to suffer indignity and ridicule of high magnitude.

    The Governor, represented, by his Deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, was of the opinion the public service, being an engine room of governance, deserved to be treated with much dignity and respect.

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    Fayemi said: “We are all living witness to the level of decadence that the Service sunk during the recent inglorious past.

    “An average civil servant was demoralized and disoriented with the inclement and unfair environment of operation.

    “Civil servants were not only denied of deserved welfare packages, they were arrogantly deprived of tools of service.

    “In many instances, they were made to suffer indignity and ridicule of high magnitude.

    “For whatever it takes, the public servants do not deserve these inhuman treatments and never again will such indignity be allowed to befall its public service.”

    Fayemi assured the state government would continue to support the publication and ensure that it was well positioned to be a journal of note across states in the federation.

    Mr. Segun Omolayo while reviewing the magazine revealed that the latest edition was not only special because it was anchored on the four pillars of Fayemi or his achievements in the first hundred days in office but for its wealth of quality content.

    Acting Head of Service, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, who is also the publisher of the Journal, explained that Fountain Bureaucrat would continue to serve as a veritable platform and tool for sharing knowledge and experience among public servants.