There is heavy shooting and fighting at the Edo State House of Assembly over move to remove the Speaker, Hon Kabiru Adjoto.
Several thugs have invaded the assembly and chased some lawmakers away.
Two lawmakers of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, M.D Igbas and Hon Iluobe were seen fleeing with their security personnel.
Three persons have been injured in the fracas.
Details Later…
Flooding killed six people and sacked no fewer than 35 communities in the Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo this year.
The Chairman of the council, Mr Victor Emuankhangbon, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Ubiaja, the headquarters of the council.
He said that the flooding also affected many farm lands.
Emuankhangbon said that the flooding was severe at Ilushi and Ifeku Islands, lamenting that the development might result to food shortages.
He, however, said that government was looking at ways to encourage dry season farming, to mitigate the effects of envisaged food shortages.
According to him, the Federal Emergency Relief Management Agency and the Edo State Emergency Relief Management Agency have since provided assistance to people affected by the flooding.
Emuankhagbon said that people affected by the flooding had started returning to their homes with the water level reducing in the flooded communities.
A Federal High Court, sitting in Benin, on Tuesday, sentenced a 49-year-old woman, Mrs Christy Ehirobo, to nine years imprisonment for human trafficking.
Justice Mohammed Liman, in his judgment, held that human trafficking had eaten deep into the fabric of society, adding that despite the plea of mercy by the convict, the law must take its cause.
“The accused is therefore sentenced to three years imprisonment on each of the three counts to run concurrently”, the judge said.
The convict, also known as Helen Ehirobo and Mama Jennifer, was tried and convicted on a three count charge of procurement of a person for prostitution and deceitful inducement.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the convict, who hails from Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo, had been standing trial since 2011.
She was convicted of organising foreign travels which promoted prostitution and contravened the provisions of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibitions) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003 (as amended).
She was also convicted for having recruited an SS II dropout of Baptist College, Benin, who later became a fashion designer for her sister, Esther Ehirobo, who lives in Greece.
Reacting, Mr Nduka Nwanwenne, Benin Zonal Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), described the judgment as another victory against human traffickers.
He reiterated the commitment of the Director General of National NAPTIP, Mrs Julie Okah-Donli, to the fight against human trafficking.
According to him, human traffickers must surely have their day in court where justice will be dispensed without fear or favour for the good of society.
The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has arrested 103 suspects for trafficking illicit drugs.
Mr Peter Ogar, Head of Operations and Intelligence in the command, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Benin on Monday.
Ogar said the suspects, comprised of 88 males and 15 females, were arrested between July and September in various parts of the state.
He explained that more than 4,000 kilograms of suspected Indian hemp was seized within the period while 14 farmlands of about 10 hectares cultivated with the plant, were destroyed.
Ogar however said that the command had rehabilitated 79 drug addicts who had reunited with their families, while two are still undergoing intensive rehabilitation.
“It is peak period for traffickers because it is the harvest season,” he noted, adding that this has led to upsurge in arrest of suspects and seizures by the agency.
The Assistant Commander disclosed that the NDLEA had filed 18 cases in courts within the period, while several others are pending.
Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress is in the race to beat the October 7 deadline of the Independent National Electoral Commission for the conduct of party primaries.
It has fixed Saturday for a repeat of the State and National Assembly primaries that was earlier held on Thursday.
The primaries was cancelled following complaints by some aspirants that the primaries were skewed in favour of some anointed candidates now known as ‘Establishment Candidates’.
Chairmman of the APC National Working Committee panel for the Edo primaries, Hajia Farida Suleiman, announced this on Friday night after a meeting with all aspirants.
Farida said the primaries would now hold on Saturday from 10am.
State Chairman of the Edo APC, Barr. Anslem Ojezua said a five-man committee has been set up in each local government for the conduct of the primaries.
Ojezua stated that the committee would in turn appoint Returning Officers in every Ward in line with the party’s guidelines.
He said the party would make use of option A4 to conduct the elections.
His words, “Fundamental issues were raised as to the legality of the process arising from the absence of the National Working Committee to supervise the process.
“That can raise a lot of legal issue. In Edo, we lost a seat in the assembly to such things. What we have done is to solve our political problem in a political manner rather than waiting for judicial interpretation.
“We will try to ensure that everything is done peacefully.”
The Benin Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) rescued no fewer than 52 victims of human trafficking in the third quarter of this year.
The Zonal Commander of the agency comprising Edo and Delta, Mr Nduka Nwanwenne, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin yesterday that the rescue was made from July to September.
He also disclosed that within the period under review, 15 suspected human traffickers were arrested.
He disclosed that 37 cases were reported within the same period, while the zone secured one conviction,with 34 cases still pending in courts.
The Zonal Commander said the Edo judiciary had designated two courts to handle cases of human trafficking.
He explained that with this development, there would be speedy trial of such cases, thereby enabling quick dispensation of Justice.
…Akpatason losses return ticket bid
Some aspirants of the All Progressives Congress have kicked against the conduct of the primaries held across the 192 wards in the state.
The aspirants urged National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to cancel the primaries and conduct a fresh one.
They alleged that no results sheets were available and that the candidates that emerged were known as ‘Establishment candidates’.
A former member of the House of Representatives and an aspirant for the Edo Central Senatorial seat, Hon Patrick Ikhariale, described the primaries as sham and a negation of the values of the APC.
Ikhariale said he would sought redress through the party’s machinery and warned that the APC risked losing at the general elections.
His words, “What happened today leaves a negative impression and it is unfortunate for the party. It was a total charade and a jamboree.
“The primaries do not represent the ethos and political value of the APC. it was done in a brutal manner because some people do not belong to the establishment group.”
A House of Assembly aspirant for Esan Central, Prince Kingsley Shaka Momodu, called for the sacking of the APC State executives for allowing an aspirant whose name was not in the register to participate in the election.
The lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo constituency in the House of Representatives said primaries only took place in Ward nine and Ward four.
Akpatason condemned the exercise saying it was marred by thuggery orchestrated by his opponent.
“In Ward three where I was leading, my opponent relocated to a bear palour where the results were written.”
A former Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Chris Ebare, alleged that party chieftains were given bribes to vote for selected aspirants.
Winners have emerged in the primaries of the All Progressives Congress held across Edo State.
Members of the APC came out en-masse as early as 8am to participate in the primaries.
At Ehor Ward in Uhunmwode local government area, party members made up of woman and youths were seen in the queue of the preferred aspirant.
Before the conduct of the primaries in Egor local government, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, Barr. Henry Idahagbon announced his withdrawal from the race.
Idahagbon cited unmitigated intimidation, harassment, humiliation and all manner of unbearable abuse melted out to his supporters as reasons for his withdrawal.
He said, “After due consultation with leaders, supporters and constituents all over Egor local government area, I have come to the inevitable conclusion that my interest in the primaries for the contest to obtain our party (APC) ticket for 2019 House of Assembly Election is hereby discontinued with immediate effect.
“In the course of my campaign leading to the primaries, my supporters have been subjected to unmitigated intimidation, harassment, humiliation and all manner of unbearable abuse. In spite of these, my supporters remained steadfast and determined to ensure victory under a conducive, free and fair electoral setting.”
However, results from the primaries showed that Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon defeated Erhabor Emokpae to pick the Senate ticket for Edo South.
Speaker Kabiru Adjoto from early results is leading incumbent Peter Akpatason representing Akoko-Edo in the House of Representatives.
The member representing Oredo East in the House of Assembly, Osaigbovo Iyoha, clinched the ticket for Oredo Federal Constituency Seat.
In Ovia, Mr. Dennis Idahosa won the ticket after defeating Engr. Isaac Osahon.
Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonnayima representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha was coasting home to victory as at press time.
Results from the area were being collated as at press time.
The Edo Government yesterday began campaign against human trafficking and illegal migration in secondary schools across the state.
Mr Solomon Okoduwa, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor Godwin Obaseki, initiated the campaign at Edo National College, Iguobazuwa.
The Governor’s aide, who expressed worry over the situation appealed to the students to adhere to what they are being told in the campaign against human trafficking and irregular migration.
Okoduwa said the government would not fold its arms to allow the illegal activities to thrive in the state.
He added that the government would focus especially on the rural areas where human traffickers harvest teenagers.
According to him, Governor Obaseki-led administration is interested in ‘your future and he wants you to fulfil your dreams. Therefore don’t listen to those telling you about travelling abroad.
“They could use your parents or even your pastors to convince you to embark on this perilous journey. The traffickers don’t care what you become in future but they want to use you to make money for themselves.
“Many of those trafficked died on their way or those who were able to get to Libya or anywhere in Europe are being enslaved, sexually exploited by their sponsors,” he advised.
He also urged the students to report anyone who encourage them to embark on such journey through the Mediterranean Sea and Sahara Desert to Libya. (NAN)