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Tag: Damisi Ojo

  • Kidnappers’ leader, others arrested in Ondo

    Kidnappers’ leader, others arrested in Ondo

    Suspected Coordinator of activities of the Kidnappers in Ondo state, Sunday Omojuba and some members of his gang are now in Police Command.

    Parading the suspects at the Police Command Headquarters in Akure, the state capital, Commissioner of Police ( CP) Gbenga Adeyanju said, Omojuba had been on the wanted list of criminals since 2016.

    According to him, the ‘Chief Kidnapper’ had been linked with several cases of armed robbery and kidnapping in the state for the past four years.

    The CP, however, said some of the kidnapping cases involving Omojuba to include that of one Olanike Agbaye who was kidnapped at gunpoint but was released after the payment of N500,000 ransom by her family members.

    Another victim, he said was one Oluwatimilehin Olatunji, who was kidnapped on April 17, 2016, forcing her family to regain her freedom after paying N100,000.

    He was also behind the abduction of Fanegun Seun, who was kidnapped at Okitipupa, adding that the victim was released after receiving N200,000 from the family.

    Adeyanju said: “detectives of the Special Squad swung into action which also led to the arrest of Godwin Ufoma, Philip Ezekiel, Ayodeji Muyijimi and Adebimpe Nuyujimi.”

    During interrogation, they confessed to having committed the crime, describing Omojuba as their leader.

    Items recovered from Adebimpe Muyijimi according to the CP were three locally made pistols, live cartridges,
     two mock guns, one Nigerian Army cardigan and five live cartridges.

    He said they had been arraigned at the Special magistrate court on June 20, 2016, stressing that Omojuba was later arrested at his residence in Ilutitun on January 4.

    Another armed robbery gang was also intercepted and arrested while blocking the Jowo/ Emure_Ile road to perpetrate criminal act.

    The CP said it was the prompt intervention of the Divisional Police Officer(DPO), Sanni Lasisi (SP)and other four officers that led to the arrest of one Jacob Amos, while three other suspects are now at large.

  • Religious leaders raise alarm over incessant killings

    Religious leaders raise alarm over incessant killings

    Scores of religious leaders in Ondo state on Friday condemned the incessant killings in Nigeria particularly the recent ones during of the new year in Rivers, Kwara, Benue and Kaduna States where worshippers, a monarch and farmers were killed respectively.

    The Chief Imam of Ikareland and Patron, League of Imams and Alfas in the State, Sheik Abbas Abubakar described the killing of an innocent person as grievous sin before Allah.

    He urged people to shun such ungodly acts.

    The cleric wondered why people coming from places of worship must be their targets.

    Also, an Anglican Priest, Canon Isaac Awowole from Ikaram Akoko called for more security in places of worship while perpetrators caught must be properly prosecuted.

    A Muslim leader and the National Organising Secretary, Ansar Ud Deen Society of Nigeria, Ibrahim Kilani (AUD) described such killings as barbaric which could discourage foreign investors.

    Kilani noted that investment in oil, gas, solid mineral and telecommunications are very attractive to be tapped by foreigners.

    The religious leaders urged Buhari to back up his words with actions so as to give the country good image in the comity of nations.

  • Policeman, four others killed in Akoko Community Bank robbery

    Policeman, four others killed in Akoko Community Bank robbery

    Ogbagi in Akoko Northwest local government area of Ondo state was in mourning yesterday as five persons including a policeman died in a daylight bank robbery of a new generation bank in the town

    An eyewitness said granite explosives were used to destroy the security entrance.

    Sources said an undisclosed amount of money was carted away following sporadic gunshots which rented the air as people ran helter-skelter for their safety.

    The branch of the bank was relocated from Ogbagi to Ikare some years ago before it was returned to Ogbagi about a year ago.

    An Ogbagi Akoko community leader chief Eli Olorunsola called on the government to be more proactive on the security of lives and property as incessant bank robberies added more to an ailing economy in Akoko communities.

    Efforts to speak with Ogbagi Divisional Police Officer (DPO) failed.

    However the state police spokesman, Femi Joseph who confirmed the incident said the robbers numbering 13 went to the Bank on motorcycles and forced their ways inside the bank.

    According to him, one police officer, a private security guard and a blind man were among the victims of the robbery.

    Joseph added that the robbers destroyed the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of the bank with dynamite and went with a huge sum of money.

    He said the police command had launched the investigation into the robbery incident, assuring that the culprits would not go scot free.

    Last year nearly all banks in Ikare Akoko were robbed in a daylight where more than 10 persons and six policemen were killed leading to bank closure for months in the four local government areas of Akokoland.

    An indigene, Pastor T.B Joshua consequently bought about 10 pickups van for police and army.

    He also repaired the vandalised police station.

  • Why Nigeria is undeveloped – Senator

    Why Nigeria is undeveloped – Senator

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) Chief Tayo Alasoadura has attributed ethnicity, political corruption and religious bigotry as the bane of development in the country.

    Making particular reference to the book written by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Senator representing Ondo Central said since the early 1960s, political and financial corruption continued to remain an obstacle to Nigeria development.

    Alasoadura spoke on Wednesday as a Guest lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife during the 2017 Distinguished Guest Lecture/Award Ceremony organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences in the University.

    The lecture entitled Leadership: The bane of development in Nigeria was delivered on his behalf by his Senior Legislative Aide (SLA)Wale Alake.

    The lawmaker noted that the Transparency International (IT) had ranked Nigeria as 132nd most corrupt country out of 182 countries worldwide.

    According to him, “as we speak, whistle blowers are responding to the new government policy on the revelation of financial crimes, stressing that mind-boggling sums were being discovered in the possession of totally ‘unconscionable’ Nigerians.

    He noted that Nigerians are now discovering why the country is undeveloped and wallowing in the midst of plenty.

    However, Alasoadura enthused that Nigerians have taken their destiny into their hands by electing President Muhammadu Buhari to rescue the country from treacherous and dishonest leaders.

    The former Commissioner for Finance in the state recalled that in 2015, President Buhari told Nigerians that corrupt officials had stolen more than $150b from government coffers within the last 10 years.

    He pointed out that recent unfolding revelations have shown that the President was right.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain noted that several infrastructures and industries could have been built with the ‘stolen funds now in private pockets.

    Alasoadura urged the youths particularly students in higher institutions across the country, who he described as leaders of tomorrow to think, find and develop better leaders for Nigeria to facilitate progress.

  • Mimiko dissolves council of Obas

    Mimiko dissolves council of Obas

    • Appoints new chair

    Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko on Tuesday dissolved the state’s Council of Obas led by the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo.

    He consequently appointed the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh as the new chairman.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade said: “Governor Mimiko CON, has formally dissolved the State Council of Obas and appointed Olukare of Ikare-Akoko Oba Akadiri Momoh as the new Chairman.

    The appointment takes effect from Monday, February 20.

  • Elizade University: Ex-VC granted bail after 11 days in prison

    Elizade University: Ex-VC granted bail after 11 days in prison

    The former Vice Chancellor of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government area of Ondo State, Prof. Adekunle Oloyede was yesterday re-arraigned on fresh seven-count charge of stealing, obtaining money under false pretence and felony.

    Oloyede, has been in detention for the past 11 days over the allegation leveled against him by the proprietor of the Elizade University, Chief Michael Ade Ojo.

    The former VC however pleaded not guilty to the new seven-count charge preferred against him by the office of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

    During the previous sitting, he was given stringent bail conditions including the deposit of $250.000.00, but on Thursday, the court granted him bail with moderate terms.

    The charges according to Mrs Kolade Oba who represented the Attorney General read “That you Prof Adekunle Oloyede, m,  on or about the 20th day of January 2015 at about 10:30am in Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin in the Akure Magisterial District did conspire with three others at large to commit a felony to wit, stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

    “That you Prof Adekunle Oloyede, m, on or about 10:30am in Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin in the Akure Magisterial District fraudulently induced and obtained the sum of $720, 000 from Mikeade Investment Limited for Duro Global Property Limited and two others at large under the pretext of constructing a 500 bed space hostel at Elizade University using panel building technology from Australia to and punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State 2006.

    “That you Prof Adekunle Oloyede, m, on or about 6th July 2015 at about 10:30am in Elizade University Ilara-Mokin in the Akure Magisterial District fraudulently induced and obtained the sum of $650, 000 from Mikeade Investment Limited under the pretext of constructing the same 500 bed space hostel at Elizade University using panel building technology from Australia contrary to and punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State 2006.”

    However, the lawyer to the accused, Olusola Oke who asked for bail on liberal terms said the charges are “distorted and not likely to be true.”

    Oke with four other lawyers told Magistrate Ayodeji Akinsanya that the allegations were unsubstantiated.

    He said“ What we are trying to show is that there is no way the charges can be substantiated. No matter the flamboyance displayed in the charge, the professor is entitled to bail.”

    According to him, since the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, he would be willing and ready to answer the charges preferred against him.

    In his ruling, the court granted the VC bail at the sum of N2million and two sureties in like sum. He should also deposit his two international passports to the court registrar.

    The case was adjourned to February 7 and 8 for trial.

  • Man killed after collecting cash from ATM in Akoko

    Man killed after collecting cash from ATM in Akoko

    Unknown gunmen have killed a 50-year old indigine of Oke-agbe Akoko in Ondo state who came home from Lagos to spend his annual leave with his people in the community.

    The man, identified as Niyi Aremo, who was a landlord in lagos, on the fateful told his people that he wanted to go to Ikare- Akoko Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) centre to withdraw some money but met many customers at the centre which forced him to move to Akungba for the transaction.

    He was equally decided to see his childhood friend in the town.

    Sources said it was after he withdrew the money, his friend volunteered to take him back to Ikare on his bike.

    However, It was learnt that he did not return to Okeagbe and his family members were worried about his whereabouts, as his phone was dead.

    According to a source, it was somebody who knew him that came to identify him, screaming in his pool of blood near a popular hotel ln Ikare Akoko.

    Police were said to have been quickily alerted and taken to a private hospital where he died.

    His friend at Akungba was said to have been quizzed by the Police in Ikare-Akoko.

    The Divisional Police Officer(DPO)in Akoko North East was not around for comments, but one of the senior officers said his men would fish out the culprits.

    The Okeagbe-Akoko home of the deceased was in mourning mood.

    Sources said the deceased was the only son of his mother while his late father, Aremo was a notable herbalist who assisted many people in the community.

    One of Niyi’s relatives, Mrs Felicia Agbaje urged the police to do thruogh investigation in order to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.

  • Oke hails Ondo people, says he won’t disappoint them

    Oke hails Ondo people, says he won’t disappoint them

    The Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation has on behalf of the Candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) Chief Olusola Oke and his deputy, Alhaji Ganny Dauda thanked the people of Ondo State for their show of solidarity for trooping out en-mass to witness the presentation of the AD flags and official presentation to the people during the flag off rally in Akure on Monday.

    The Director General of the Campaign Organisation, Mr Bola Ilori, while expressing Oke’s profound gratitude to the people for the unprecedented crowd that thronged the Democracy Park, Akure venue of the epoch making event assured the people that Chief Oke would not disappoint when he assumes office as Governor.

    His words:” We want to sincerely thank you all good people of Ondo State for your love, affection and show of solidarity before during and after the flag off. We are simply overwhelmed that you all in your scores braved the hot sun to show solidarity for your son, Chief Olusola Oke.

    “As he (Oke) has assured you, he will not fail you, he will deliver on his promises; under his watch, Ondo State will fare better. Rest assured that he will make life abundant for all and sundry.”

    While reacting to the destruction of the billboards, banners and posters of Chief Oke by miscreants loyal to the Olusegun Mimiko faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) moments after the Flag off ended, Ilori described the act as an admission of failure by the ruling Party.

    He warned those behind the dastard act not to take the people of Ondo State for granted saying if they do not desist, they would meet their waterloo.

    Also, reacting to the insinuations by the All Peoples Congress (APC) that the AD rented crowd to grace its flag off rally, the DG urged them to wait till November 26, 2016 when reality will dawn on them after losing the election.

    “We will not dignify them with any response other than to say that the people of have chosen Olusola Oke and this they have demonstrated by turning out in an unprecedented crowd hitherto unknown in the annals of this state.

    “This is why they are afraid and has made the Olusola Oke their sole manifesto instead of canvassing for votes from the people as the AD is vigorously doing in Ondo State,” he posited.

  • ‘Hold Mimiko responsible for fresh breach of peace’

    ‘Hold Mimiko responsible for fresh breach of peace’

    The Ondo State Chapter of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) has called on security agencies in the State to hold the State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko responsible for any fresh breach of peace in the State.

    AD in a release in Akure signed by its Secretary, Dr Sola Agboola on Monday alleged that Governor has surreptitiously begun another round of the planned breach of public peace and security in his bid to cause confusion and create a semblance of insecurity.

    He said: “This is to facilitate his plans for the postponement of the Governorship Election coming up on November 26.”It will be recalled that Governor Mimiko who had been away from the State to Abuja for upward of two weeks in his prosecution of his Court case against the removal of the name of his Candidate for the election, Mr Eyitayo Jegede from the ballot paper, came back at the weekend.

    “On Sunday, he  addressed his supporters at the International Event Centre (The Dome) where he amongst others urged them to brace up for another rounds of protests in the State to force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the election thus buying them time with to prosecute their Court case.

    “While we are not opposed to his getting justice at the Court, which we believe is his fundamental right, it is however an irony that a man saddled with the onerous responsibilities as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the State is now the very one behind sponsored mayhem in the very state he governs all because of politics.

    “This is to threaten the peace and security he professes to uphold at all times when he took his Oath of Office.”

    The AD therefore, called on the security agencies in the State to be abreast of this “grand plot” by the governor and be abreast of this latest attempt by Governor Mimiko to sacrifice the lives, properties and peace of Ondo State on the altar of politics.

  • ‘Jegede, not PDP card-carrying member’

    ‘Jegede, not PDP card-carrying member’

    The factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Prince Biyi Poroye has insisted that the party’s candidate, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) “is not a card-carrying member of the party.”

    He maintained that he was not qualified to occupy any elective position on the platform of the PDP.

    Poroye said he continued to wonder about a statement credited to Jegede that his rival, Jimoh Ibrahim is not a member of the party, stressing that “it is like  a thief accusing the rightful owner of a property.”

    The chairman in a statement signed by the PDP’s Director of Media/Publicity in the State, Yemi Akintomide said Jegede was not qualified to contest the governorship poll having run foul of the constitution of PDP which made it mandatory for a member to attain  two years membership status before vying for any election.

    It said: “The truth of the matter is that Jegede joined our party in November 2014 alongside his boss, governor Mimiko when he abandoned his Labour Party (LP) platform which he used to win the 2007 election and second term in 2012.

    “Even at that, Jegede only came into the new party as a technocrat working with the governor as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General and not as a card carry member of any political party, not even LP.

    “And if by now, he likes to join PDP as a member and wants to contest any election, he will apply for a waiver to the state chapter through his ward chairman, then, I as the state chairman reserve the right to grant the waiver or reject it.

    “You now wonder how can that person now turn around to say an outstanding leader and promoter of the party in the state, Ibrahim is not a member; somebody who single-handedly brought 22  Toyota buses for the party and gave each of the 18 local government areas N10 million to run the party offices in the council areas.

    “Even the governor himself is yet to beat this record in the history of running the affair of a political party in this state,”.

    Poroye, however, berated some leaders of the party in the state who he said betrayed their Senatorial Districts by abandoning the struggle, they vowed to protect the right of their people on the governorship seat;  but ‘shamefully’ aligned with governor Mimiko to retain the slot for the Central Senatorial District after spending eight years of two terms.

    He said God granted Ibrahim the grace to secure the PDP ticket from the Southern Senatorial District when it became imperative that the people of Ondo State are ready to rotate the slot to either the North or South through their votes if refused to shift ground for other Districts.

    Poroye said: “That is the reason why people are happy now that Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim is the candidate of PDP and they’re ready to vote for him on November 26 as the next governor of the state in place of a stooge push forward to kill the rotational arrangement on ground as if other District are slaves to the Central”