The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Benin City

  • Man beaten up, locked in car booth for sleeping with policeman’s wife

    Man beaten up, locked in car booth for sleeping with policeman’s wife

    A police sergeant identified as Nagbama Osakpamwan Eboigbe popularly known as Smally has beaten up the lover of his estranged wife and locked him up in the booth of his car.

    The wife’s lover identified as Ese Idehen was caught by the suspected thugs hired by Smally at a drinking bar along Muritala Mohammed Way in Benin City.

    A video that has gone viral showed Ese being beaten up, his close torn and forced into the booth of a car.

    Another video showed him confessing to sleeping with Smally’s wife only once before he knew she was a married woman.

    Ese in the video which showed bruises on his face said the lady was introduced to him by one Sandra.

    However, estranged wife of Smally in an online video said their marriages was over for the past nine months.

    She was silent on the affairs with Ese and promised to make it known in another video.

    However, Counsel to Ese, Barrister Jefferson Uwughoren, has petitioned the State Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, that his client was abducted and forced to confess to things he didn’t do.

    Jefferson described the action of Smally as brazen impunity by lawless policeman.

    According to him, “The marriage fell apart in the last nine months. The guy procured services of thugs to adopt and take him to a place at night.

    READ ALSO: Soldiers allegedly beat 22-yr-old driver to coma over N50 bribe

    “We have written a petition to the police to investigate the criminal act. The woman had come out to deny that the boy did not sleep with her. They forced the boy to admit what he did not do.

    “His abductors stole his money and other personal items and later dumped him still blindfolded at about 11pm closed to Ebenezer Primary School, Ihama Road, GRA , Benin City.

    “This unacceptable and brazen abuse of power by Mr Eboigbe aka Smally is very unfortunate and we shall ensure ,within the limits of the Law , that he is brought to book and made to answer for his illegal actions. It’s a promise.”

  • Nigeria at 57: Obaseki approves release of 70 prisoners

    Nigeria at 57: Obaseki approves release of 70 prisoners

    …Urges Nigerians to aim for greatness

     

    As part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 57th independence anniversary, Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, approved the release of 70 inmates from various prisons across the state.

    The 70 inmates to be released have been in prison for a considerable time, some of them not less than two years without trial.

    Obaseki said this was a step towards improving the justice delivery system in the state as well as reducing the number of awaiting-trial inmates by 50 percent, which is part of Federal Government’s policy on decongesting prisons.

    He, however, stated that the inmates would be sternly cautioned to stay away from crime before they are let go.

    At a church service held earlier to mark the independence anniversary, Governor Obaseki, urged Nigerians to be grateful for the opportunity to coexist peacefully in a free nation for 57 years, stressing, “We are united as a nation and poised for greatness.”

    The service held at the Christ Embassy Zonal Headquarter, Erediauwa Street, off Ekehuan Road, Benin City, Edo State.

    Governor Obaseki said Nigerians have all accepted that we are one indivisible nation and added that the ongoing conversation on restructuring is not one that would divide the nation, but rather enhance its growth and prosperity.

    “As a country, we are endowed. The problem is not Nigeria. We only need to change our attitude as a people and the nation will certainly grow and develop and our people will prosper.”

    He said, as a people, Nigerians need to be much more productive, as the era of easy oil money is over and to get ahead in the new dispensation, the people must become more productive and enterprising.

    Obaseki called on leaders in all spheres of society to go back to their communities and organise their people towards spurring the country to greatness.

    The head Pastor of the church, Moses Olayemi, called on Nigerians to always have positive thoughts towards the country, and only make good statements about themselves, no matter how challenging their circumstances may appear to be.

    Other government functionaries at the church service include the first lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; the Chief of Staff, Taiwo Akerele; the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie; the Commissioner for Art, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Osazee Osemwegie-Ero; Commissioner for Environment, Reginald Okun; Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Emmanuel Usoh; Commissioner for youth and Special Duties, Mika Amanokha; Commissioner for Health, David Osifo and APC Women leader, Aisosa Amadasun.

  • Man kills 55-yr-old mother, rips her womb open

    Man kills 55-yr-old mother, rips her womb open

    A 55-year old woman and mother, identified as Josephine Igbineweka has been killed by her last child, Caleb Obasogie.

    Caleb, aged 22, allegedly killed his mother because she refused to give him money.

    The killing occurred around 8am at their residence at 31A, Iyamu Street, off Textile Mill Road, Benin City.

    Witnesses said Caleb locked his mother in a room and stabbed her repeatedly with broken bottle until her intestines ripped out.

    He reportedly dangled the intestines and his mother’s womb before neighbours before they could rush in to rescue her.

    Neighbours said the deceased passed the night at a neighbour’s house because her son locked her out for not giving him the money he demanded from her.

    Caleb is a final year student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) while his late mother was a beer parlour operator in Benin.

    Spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, DSP Moses Nkombe, confirmed the incident and disclosed that the suspect has been arrested by the police.

  • Commitment to wealth creation, justice sacrosanct – Obaseki

    Commitment to wealth creation, justice sacrosanct – Obaseki

    …Hosts US Envoy

     
    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the imperatives for wealth creation, law and order and justice administration, are the key drivers of his administration, noting that steps have been taken to ensure a well-motivated judiciary and an enabling business environment for investments.

    Governor Obaseki said this on Thursday night when he hosted the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr.  Stuart Symington, at the Government House, Benin City, Edo State. The Ambassador is in Benin City for an exhibition of photographs by Chief S. O. Alonge, a photographer of the Royal Court of Benin, organised by the United States Diplomatic Mission and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art at the National Museum, Benin City, Edo State.

    Stressing that law, order and justice are major pillars of his administration; he added that building an equitable society must be anchored on peace and justice. To ensure that the state’s judiciary works at optimal capacity, he said the state government invested in training about 150 court reporters and also upgraded court infrastructure.

    He added that Edo State is an integral part of Nigeria, and as such was in full support of Nigeria’s unity. “There are certain things that are not negotiable. Nigeria is not negotiable. But it is not just enough to say that Nigeria is not negotiable. Everything has to work for the common man. That is why we are prioritising wealth creation so that people are equipped to contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.

    Speaking on the issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), he said the state government has been in the eye of the storm, as it has in recent years played host to some of those affected by insurgency in the North East, adding, “We have 3000 internally displaced children at the IDP camp in Benin. I was with them last Christmas, as their Father Christmas. We hope that when these children go back to their homes and communities, they would go with ideal and values from the Edo people.”

    Mr. Symington said with Nigeria’s population projected to climb to 450 million by 2050 amid concerns of rising youth bulge and other social economic implications, the country would stand a better chance to exploit its potential if it prioritises justice administration, girl-child education and delivery of good governance.

    He said that despite the challenges that may come with a huge population, the onus lies on Nigerian leaders to carve a positive narrative for the country by being benevolent in handling issues of development and justice administration, adding that there was need to embrace everyone irrespective of where they come from, as members of a united Nigeria.

    According to him, “If Nigeria goes to 450 million people in 33 years’ time, the country would be the third largest nation, behind China and India. Depending on what you do with girl child education, governance and justice, and a whole lot of other things, if the projection continues that way, by the end of the century, Nigeria would be the second or even the most populous country on earth.”

    “When I said this up North, three of the wisest counsellors of great leaders there were surprised and two said Alhamdulillah. I think that describes Nigeria. You are somewhere between being surprised or screaming Alhamdulillah. And it is up to you. But you cannot just focus on one thing, the approach has to be broader. It has to be about caring about people in the North East as well as those in the South East. We have more than two million people displaced in this country, and they are not just from the North East. Now is the perfect time to treat them all as what they truly are – brothers and sons of a united Nigeria,” he added.

  • Ogba Zoo attack: We are on top of security situation, Obaseki assures

    Ogba Zoo attack: We are on top of security situation, Obaseki assures

    …Condemns killing of cops, commiserates with families

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured Edo people and Nigerians that his administration is on top of the security situation in the state.

    Obaseki gave the assurance after an emergency meeting with security agencies in the state at the Government House in Benin City.

    He condemned the gruesome killings of three police officers and the abduction of the Chief Executive of Ogba Zoological Garden and Nature Park, Mr. Andy Osa Enahire, on Sunday in Benin City.

    “Our hearts are with the families of the slain police officers and we promise to deploy all the resources at our disposal to ensure Mr Ehanire returns to his family in the shortest time possible, and unhurt,” the governor said.

    “When the Edo State Government received intelligence report on the kidnap of Mr. Osa Ehanire, we immediately contacted the relevant security agencies to do all within their powers to secure his release,” he added.

    Obaseki explained that Ehanire, who is a well known tourism practitioner in Nigeria, was scheduled to play a major role in the planned hosting of the 2017 edition of the World Tourism Day celebrations scheduled for Wednesday September 27, 2017 by the state government.

    He said the event was conceived to showcase the state’s huge ecotourism assets, woo domestic and foreign investors to the sector and put the state on the global tourism map.

  • True Federalism: Obaseki hosts panel as APC flags off public hearing

    True Federalism: Obaseki hosts panel as APC flags off public hearing

    ..delegates seek return to regional govt, part-time legislators

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Monday, hosted the All Progressives Congress (APC) panel on True Federalism in Benin City, the Edo State capital, as the party commenced public consultation on Nigeria’s restructuring.

    Welcoming the members of the party’s Team One, in charge of the South-South geopolitical zone, made up of the governors of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje; Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, Obaseki assured the delegates that their submissions would be given due consideration.

    Some of the delegates drawn from Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states made a case for a return to the regional structure, parliamentary system of government and part-time legislators as against the current cumbersome and expensive model.

     Dr. Frank Nwugo, a legal practitioner from Delta State, submitted that the National Assembly should deliberate on restructuring the country and adopt part-time legislator.

     Mr Daniel Usifoh, a representative of Ika Ethnic Nationality said the Ika social group wants the nation to go back to the regional system of government. He recommended the creation of eight new regions; four in the north and four in the southern part of the country.

    He also recommended the adoption of the parliamentary system of government, noting that the presidential system was too cumbersome and expensive to run, and called for the abolishment of the Federation Account.

     Earlier, the host governor, Obaseki, explained that the APC embarked on the public hearing to gather all shades of opinions from the public for the restructuring of the country.

     He urged the delegates to feel free to air their views on all issues, assuring that all submissions would be given due consideration.

     The Edo governor also said the submissions from the various local government Councils as well as from organised labour unions in the state would be collated and submitted to the committee within a seven-day period.

     The Governor of Ogun State, Senator Amosun, who represented the chairman of Team One of the committee and governor of Kano State, Mr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said the idea of the public hearing was to allow Nigerians contribute their quota and have a say on the issue of restructuring of the nation, stressing that the voices of the citizens would be made public and be adhered to.

     Amosun said: “one of our mandates as a party is restructuring and the president has kept to his words in his manifesto hence the need for this event. 

     Governor of Osun State, Aregbesola, said the only way to give bite to true federalism is to hear from critical groups like the youths, women and other important stakeholders, as their views are important in building a strong nation.

    “Youths and women should have their submissions on how the nation should be organised as everyone needs to ensure that Nigeria does not fail.

     Some of the issues deliberated upon included: Local government autonomy, revenue allocation, resources allocation, independent candidacy, fiscal federalism, type of legislation, powersharing, among others.

     The forum had in attendance representatives of civil society organisations, youth and women organisations, the academia and traditional institutions as well as religious groups drawn from Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states, which represent Team One of the APC restructuring team.

     

  • Foundation gives scholarship to essay winners

    TO promote academic excellence and scholarship, the Francis Ibhawoh Foundation has rewarded winners of its essay competition with prizes. The winners were offered scholarship at an event held at Protea Hotel in Benin City, Edo State.

    Dr. Victor Asibor, the foundation’s coordinator, said the yearly essay was organised in memory of the late Mr. Francis Ibhawoh, who invested personal resources to ensure people around him got education.

    The essay topic was Social welfare policy and the protection of the rights of the African child.

    Announcing the winners, Mr. Gerald Ibhawoh said entries with quality content were shortlisted for the prizes.

    He said: “The essays we got this year are with content that can influence far-reaching decisions if pushed to policymakers. We will get the articles published on our website, because we found them well-articulated and referenced.”

    Encouraging the winners to be good ambassadors of the foundation, Ibhawoh charged the students to study hard for their degrees. He said they must imbibe positive actions that would help shape their future and build knowledge in the society.

    The winners are Nathaniel Asibor, a 400-Level Medicine student, Yusuf Akpeji, an Electrical Engineering student, Richard Ebvuomwan, a Dentistry student, and Barnabas Akharame, a 200-Level Plant Biology student. They are all students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

    Yusuf said the scholarship was timely, noting that it came at a time he needed financial support.

    He said: “I want to express my gratitude to the Ibhawoh family and the members of the Francis Ibhawoh Foundation Governing Board. I thank the family for supporting the foundation with resources to help undergraduates realise their academic dreams.”

     

     

  • Six arrested for selling donkey meat

    Six arrested for selling donkey meat

    Six persons including four females and two males been arrested in Benin City for engaging in sales of donkey meat.

    Donkey meat is known as ‘Jaki’.

    The four women were nabbed at Oka market in Ikpoba-Okha local government area by the State Butchers Taskforce.

    They refused to give their names and said they have been in the business for a long time.

    The suspects alleged that they were unawares about the prohibition of the sale and consumption of donkey meat.

    On their part, the two male suspects said they import the meat from Niger Republic where the donkeys are butchered, roasted and package as beef.

    Bags of donkey meat were recovered from the suspects

    Chairman of the Butchers Taskforce, Akhere Odigie, urged people to buy meat from known meat sellers.

    Akhere said monitoring of sale of unwholesome meat would continue.

  • ECOBA rewards Edo College boys

    The Edo College Old Boys Association (ECOBA) has recognised pupils of Edo College, Benin City, for exceptional performances in various subjects.

    Award plaques and cash prizes were presented to the deserving pupils at the graduation/ prize giving ceremony organised by the management of the school.

    The recipients include Erokpadamwen Andrew, Ikeguonu Emmanuel, Ajah Success Ifeanyi, Ubanue Emmanuel, Eguavoen Constance, Igbinijesu Samuel, Akhigbe Ofure, Uwadue Erickson, Enofe Eseosa, Odloemenem Chinedu and Ehinhen Stevenson.

    Others include Igbinijesu Samuel who won the Overall Best Performing student award; Okeghemu Emmanuel, Best Performing Student JSS3; and Igiehon Ekpenede who bagged the most Hard working Student award.

    In the staff category, Jeffery Igbinedion won the Best Administrator award; IFueko Evbenage, Best English Teacher award, while Mrs. Ighile Esther was awarded Most Resourceful Staff award.

    Award sponsors included, Mr J.A Aghedo, Ambassador Vincent Okobi, Miss Hilda Gregory, Omaha Endorsement Fund, AVM Joe Ehigie, Osazenaye Osarenkhoe, Madam Ofure Akpata, Michael Omo Osagie, Mr Edward Iyamu Foundation, Mr. Godwin Ize-Iyamu, Senator David Dafinone, and the Emmanuel J.A Omoregbe Foundation among others.

    In his opening remark, Ambassador Okobi, who chaired the occasion, congratulated the graduating pupils for their success after many years of study in the school.

    Principal of the school, Mr. Raphael Omorogbe, congratulated all the graduating pupils, saying they had done well by upholding the true value of the college and obeyed its rules and regulations.

    Omorogbe appreciated all parents and staff for their support throughout the 2016/2017 academic session.

    While delivering his lecture, the Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Benin, Prof E.O. Iyamu praised the hard work of the students and admonished them to stay away from deviant behaviour that might put them and their parents to shame.

    “Always have regard for constituted authorities and obey rules and regulations wherever you find yourselves,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Head of Service, Edo State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Gladys Idahor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Civil Service Commission, Reverend S.O Uwuangue, advised the boys to be good ambassadors of the school.

    Highlights of the event was the presentation of  a welcome song by Heavenly Voices, cultural display by Edo College’s Cultural Club , special presentation by members of the press club of the graduating class.

    The event also featured presentation of awards and prizes for excellence by ECOBA to outstanding students and staff, while awards for best French class and best French students was presented by the chairman of the occasion Ambassador Vincent Okobi

  • Lawyer urges court to commit Edo Speaker to prison

    Lawyer urges court to commit Edo Speaker to prison

    A Benin based lawyer, Barr.  Ikhide Ehighelua, has asked a Federal High Court in Benin City to commit Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Justin Okonoboh to prison custody until they purge themselves of contempt by complying with the orders of the Court of Appeal.

    Barr. Ikhide in motion on notice filed before the court said Speaker Okonoboh violated the court order by not swearing-in his client, Hon Godwin Adenomo, as a member of the State House of Assembly after the Court of Appeal declared Adenomo winner of the party primaries.

    The Court of Appeal had in February sacked Hon Sunday Aghedo and ordered Adenomo to be sworn-in as a member of the Assembly representing Ovia South West constituency.

    Ikhide told newsmen that the judgement which sacked Hon. Sunday Aghedo from the Assembly has not been reserved or set aside.

    He said it was worrisome that months after his client got  judgement from the appeal court, the Speaker refused to comply even when there was no order staying the execution or enforcement of the judgment of the appellate court.

    Ikhide noted that the Speaker has been served with the judgement and a copy of Certificate of Return issued to his client.

    Hon.  Godwin Adenomo by INEC,  the leadership of the House remained adamant hence the  need to commence a  committal process against the speaker and the clerk of the house.which will see them go to prison if they are found wanting.

    According to the lawyer, “The enrolled orders of the court have been served on the Speaker and the clerk respectively of the Edo State House of Assembly and they have failed and deliberately refused to comply with the orders of the court.

    “It is fit and proper in the circumstances to commit them to prison custody until they purge themselves of contempt by complying with the orders of the court.

    “Therefore, the judgement which sacked Aghedo from the house is a valid and subsisting judgement.  Until the judgement is set aside, it must be obeyed. For Speaker and the clerk allowing Aghedo to continue to sit, the parties sought to be committed are eroding the authority of the court.

    “The issues here are founded on the rules of law, and the need for all levels of government to obey the rules of law.  This is Executive and legislative lawlessness. Ehighelua said.

    Speaker Okonoboh in his reaction said the Assembly was an institution of the rule of law and could run fowl of the law by swearing in Adenomo when the Supreme Court was yet to rule on the case.