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  • Anxiety in Ogun, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa as parties await tribunals’ verdicts

    Anxiety in Ogun, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa as parties await tribunals’ verdicts

    Another Enugu LP Rep sacked; more tribunals deliver NASS petition verdicts

    Tinubu legal team alleges mischief over watermark on PEPT judgment; Atiku camp kicks

    Osinbajo congratulates Tinubu, Shettima on court victory

    • Obi in letter to supporters says despair not an option

    With the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) through with its assignment last Wednesday, attention has now shifted to the Governorship Election Petition Tribunals in the states where incumbent governors are eagerly waiting to know their fate.

    Tension is already on the rise in the various states, according to reports from our correspondents yesterday.

    Most of the tribunals have reserved their judgments which may be delivered not later than next week, coming on the heels of the sack of some federal lawmakers in the last few days by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunals.

    Section 285 (6) of the 1999 Constitution stipulates that “an election tribunal shall deliver judgment in writing within 180 days from the date of filing of the petition.”

    Politics observers believe that the governorship election petition cases in Ogun, Kaduna, Kano, Enugu, Nasarawa and Ebonyi are of particular interest.

    Other states where judgments are being awaited on the governorship polls include Delta, Gombe, Sokoto and Akwa Ibom.

    The Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal last month reserved judgment on the petition challenging the election of Governor Peter Mbah.

    The Labour Party (LP) candidate in the election, Chijioke Edeoga, wants the election nullified while he should be declared winner.

    The Chairperson of the panel, Justice Kudirat Akano, said the date for the final judgment on the petition would be communicated to the parties.

    The major issue at stake is the allegation by Edeoga that Mbah did not complete his National Service and that the discharge certificate tendered by him did not emanate from the National Youth Service Corps.

    Abiodun, Adebutu upbeat about chances in Ogun

    The camps of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his challenger, Peoples Democratic Party’s Ladi Adebutu, are optimistic that they will carry the day when the tribunal delivers its judgment.

     The tribunal reserved ruling on the petition last Monday after a three-month long sitting.

     Adebutu had alleged that the election was riddled with violence, irregularities and rigging.

    He alleged non-compliance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and with the Electoral Act, and corrupt practices by the governor and the APC during the election.

    He claimed that the process was sabotaged by thugs who allegedly deployed violence in over 99 polling units to disenfranchise over 40,000 voters.

    Abiodun contested all the claims and asked the tribunal to dismiss the case as the petitioners failed to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

    Read Also: Oyo women hail Tinubu on PEPC victory, make case for female minister 

    Abiodun’s lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), in his final address, described Adebutu’s petition as a mere academic exercise.

    Olanipekun submitted that the soul of the petition was not duly signed or stamped and, therefore, lacked merit to be adopted.

     “The document is not signed, not dated, no heading, no title, no identity, no signature, no stamp. The CTC has no signature,” Olanipekun said.

    However, in his counter-argument, Counsel to Adebutu, Chris Uche, SAN, told the tribunal that all documents presented by the petitioners were obtained from INEC.

    He urged the tribunal to declare Adebutu the winner of the governorship election or, in the alternative, order a rerun of the election in 99 polling units where he alleged that there were disruptions.

    Kano tribunal: We’ll be fair to all

    Chairman of the Kano State tribunal, Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay, assured the parties in the petition before him that justice would be duly done.

    He spoke at the last hearing of the case after the counsel to Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), the petitioner APC’s Nasir Yusuf Gawuna and INEC presented their final written addresses.

    He said the registrar of the tribunal would communicate the date for the judgment to all the parties involved.

    The APC has asked the tribunal to declare that Yusuf was not a member of NNPP at the time the governorship election was held.

    Read Also: PEPC judgement: Peter Obi heads to Supreme Court

    The APC, through its legal counsel, Offiong Offiong, SAN, petitioned that the name of Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was declared governor by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was not in the membership register of NNPP submitted to INEC at the time of the election.

    The petitioner prayed the tribunal to declare that the NNPP had no candidate in the poll.

    The Police Command in the state has already banned political procession of any kind in the state ahead of the judgment.

    Expectations high in Abakaliki Govt House

    Supporters of Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru are full of hopes that he will emerge victorious in the litigations instituted by Chukwuma Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Bernard Odo of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which had to relocate from Abakaliki to Abuja for its sitting, said a date for judgment would be communicated to the parties in the cases.

     Mr. Nwifuru is of the APC.

    The petitioners premised their cases on alleged non-qualification of the governors for the election because, according to them, he was a member of the PDP at the time he contested the election.

    But Mr Nwifuru’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, prayed the court to dismiss the suits for being unmeritorious.

     Mr Ikpeazu argued that Mr Nwifuru, while serving as Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, resigned his membership of the PDP and joined the APC before vying for the governorship primary election of the latter.

    He also presented APC’s membership register containing Mr Nwifuru’s details for Enwanweigwe Ward, the governor’s country home.

    Uba Sani, Ashiru await verdict in Kaduna

    It was only last Monday that the Kaduna State Governorship  Election Petition Tribunal reserved judgment on the petition brought before it by the PDP and its governorships candidate, Isa Mohammed Ashiru, against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Uba Sani and APC.

     Ashiru and the PDP alleged irregularities and electoral fraud in the election.

    At the last sitting of the court, all the parties presented their final written addresses before the Tribunal, with APC’s Uba Sani saying that the petitioners unwittingly helped in proving he won the March 18 governorship election in the course of challenging his victory.

    Uba Sani’s legal team led by a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, argued that the petitioners had helped in proving he won the poll fair and square, pointing in particular to the admission of a star witness for the petitioner, Bonett Gwazah, a senior system analyst (SSA) in the VR/ICT Department of INEC in Kaduna State.

    In their own final address, the PDP argued that two conflicting election results emerged from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the governorship election in the state.

    Ashiru through his lead counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, accused INEC of manipulating the result of the election in favour of Sani.

    APC, PDP in anxious wait in Nasarawa

    In Nasarawa State, the victory of the APC candidate, Governor Abdullahi Sule, is being challenged by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), David Ombugadu at the Governorship Election Tribunal in Lafia, the state capital.

    The PDP insisted at the tribunal that it won the closely run election but that the APC connived with INEC to manipulate the election.

    Speaking shortly after his legal team submitted the petition in Lafia,Ombugadu expressed optimism that he would reclaim his mandate through the court.

    APC, on the other hand, dismissed the claim by the PDP, insisting that it won the election fair and square.

    Another Enugu LP Rep sacked; more tribunals deliver NASS petition verdicts

    The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Enugu yesterday sacked another Labour Party (LP) member of the House of Representatives.

    Chijioke Okereke lost his seat in Aninri/Awgu/Oji-River to PDP’s Anayo Onwuegbu.

    Onwuegbu had approached the tribunal challenging the declaration of Okereke on the grounds that he was a stranger to the election as his name was not on the result sheet as the candidate of the Labour Party.

    The panel held that Okereke was not a candidate for the election and accordingly directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to issue certificate of return to the PDP candidate.

    First to be sacked was Prof. Paul Nnamchi representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo.

    He was asked to make way for Prince Cornelius Nnaji of the PDP.

     However, the tribunal upheld the election of Dennis Agbo of Labour Party as the duly elected member representing Igbo-eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency of Enugu State.

    Ruling in a petition brought before it by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25 House of Reps contest, Obiageli Ajih, the panel dismissed the petition for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

    Appeal Court affirms APC’s Eshinlokun-Sanni’s election

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the election of Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni of the APC for the Lagos Central.

    A three-member panel, led by Obande Ogbuinya, in its ruling yesterday, upheld the argument by Eshilokun-Sanni’s lawyer, Wahab Shittu (SAN), and dismissed the appeal filed by Francis Adewale Gomez of the PDP.

    The Court of Appeal held that the pre-hearing notice issued by Gomez was not in compliance with the provision of Paragraph 18 of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act 2022.

    It also held that the trial tribunal acted lawfully when it dismissed Gomez’s petition on the grounds that it was abandoned because the pre-hearing notice was not properly issued.

    Jarigbe confirmed as senator for Cross River North

    In a similar ruling yesterday, the Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Calabar upheld the election of  the Senator representing Cross River North, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe.

    The three-man tribunal headed by Justice M. A. Sambo, in a unanimous decision, ruled that the petition filed by the immediate past governor of the state, Ben Ayade, against Jarigbe’s election lacked merit.

    Usman wins in Kaduna

    In Kaduna State,,the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal similarly upheld the victory of the Senator representing Kaduna Central, Lawal Adamu-Usman of the PDP, in a petition filed by Muhammad-Sani Abdullahi of the APC.

    The three-man panel led by Justice H.H Kereng stated that all the grounds presented by the petitioner had failed and the case was subsequently dismissed.

     Osinbajo congratulates Tinubu, Shettima on tribunal victory, makes request

    Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday congratulated President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima on their victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPC).

    Osinbajo, in a statement, described the judgment as victory for Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

    He said: “This ruling is a great victory for Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and its rule of law.

    “The practice of democracy in our nation has been further strengthened by the fact that all parties faithfully followed the electoral process according to the law and relied on our courts in the event of a dispute.”

    Stop the mischief about watermark on PEPT judgment —TPLT

    The Coordinator of the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team (TPLT), Mr. Babatunde Ogala (SAN), yesterday dismissed as mischievous insinuations a statement by the camp of the defeated PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign, on the watermark on the PEPC judgment circulated by the TPLT.

    Atiku’s spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, had in the statement asked the PEPC to “explain to Nigerians and the world ambiguities around why copies of the judgment bear the header of the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team.”

    “It is very clear that there are many questions begging for answers, including why the PEPC came to the decision to avail the Respondents, especially the Tinubu Legal Team to have a first receipt of the CTC of the judgment before the Plaintiffs,” Shaibu said.

    But in a reaction, Ogala said: “After the delivery of judgment in the 3 (three) election petitions by the Court of Appeal on September 6, 2023, the Court directed its registry to make physical copies of same available on September 7, 2023.

    “Accordingly, the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team applied for a certified true copy of the said judgment and paid the prescribed fee.

    “Lawyers for PDP were present at the registry at the same time to collect the same judgment.

    “In fact, the representative of the PDP collected the first copy that was made available by the registry.

    “On collecting our own copy, we immediately scanned and water-marked it with the inscription “Tinubu Presidential Legal Team (TPLT) before circulating the scanned soft copies to the lawyers in our team.

    “The certified true copies issued to us and other parties in the petitions by the registry do not contain the said inscription, and any insinuation to the contrary is untrue.

    “Counsel to the petitioners will also appreciate the fact that the insinuations being circulated in some quarters are untrue, unkind, unfair and unfortunate, as they have the same certified copies of the judgment as we have.”

    Obi to supporters: Despair not an option

    Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday asked his supporters not to give up hope following last Wednesday’s verdict of the PEPC that went against him.

    “I urge you to abide and never think of giving up,” Obi said in an open letter on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.

    He said: “Understandably, there has been a note of general disappointment within our fold and indeed the general population of Nigerians who hoped that the outcome of the February 25th Presidential election would usher in a new and different Nigeria of our dreams.

    “That dream has only been deferred for now but remains alive for all times. Since the Tribunal verdict, there has been a note of general despair among the Obidients and the generality of our supporters. I assure you all that on this journey, despair or surrender is not in our options.

    “Today, I want to personally reach out and encourage you all to keep hope alive. Considering the challenges that lie ahead of us as a movement, despair is not an option. Nothing good in life comes easy.

    “Throughout history, positive changes come only with sacrifices, perseverance, resilience and fluctuating fortunes. Right from the onset of our journey, I told you all that the journey upon which we were about to embark was not a short sprint, but a long and tough marathon. It was always going to be difficult, painful and excruciating.

    “We set out knowing fully well that the forces we are up against are entrenched and formidable but not insurmountable. They would resist the wind of change and try to push us into surrender or despair. We must not succumb to their design.”

  • Ogun woman seeks N20m support for kidney transplant

    Ogun woman seeks N20m support for kidney transplant

    A 60-year-old woman, Odubiro Adesisi from Ijebu-Ode in Ogun state, has appealed to kind-hearted Nigerians to assist her in raising N20 million for a kidney transplant.

    Odubiro’s medical report issued by the Babcock University Teaching Hospital and made available to journalists indicated that the patient was being managed for chronic kidney disease and would require a renal transplant.

    The patient’s medical report dated September 4, 2023, and signed by the Consultant Nephrologist of the Hospital, Dr. Oyebisi Oyekunle, stated that there was a history of nausea and vomiting, facial puffiness, hiccups, and anorexia and is also associated with weight loss, reduction in urinary output, and passage of frothy urine.

    The Consultant Nephrologist said that Odubiro would require more dialysis sessions and interventions, adding that the definite treatment would be a renal transplant which would require preliminary tests and post-operative investigations.

    He said that an overhead cost of about N20m would be required, as well as post-operative medication.

    Oyekunle stated: “Above named is a known hypertensive patient, who was referred to our facility on account of vomiting, generalized body weakness, abdominal pain, and difficulty in breathing. There was associated weight loss, reduction in urinary output, and passage of frothy urine. There was also a history of pedal swelling and lack of blood for which she received three pints of blood.

    Read Also: Justice Oguntade offers scholarship to pupils

    “The definite treatment will be a renal transplant which will require preliminary tests and post-operative investigations. An overhead cost of about 20 million naira would be required, as well as post-operative medication.”

    Meanwhile, in a letter Adebisi’s family wrote to solicit support on her behalf, it was stated that she had been advised by her doctor to go for a kidney transplant, adding that the recent tests carried out indicated that her two kidneys were no longer functioning as normal.

    The letter read: “Over the past few months, her health has been deteriorating, and after numerous medical consultations and tests, it has been confirmed that she needs urgent treatment for her kidney condition.

    “Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the procedure and the ongoing medical expenses, the financial burden has become overwhelming for us.

    “The recommended treatment plan includes a potential kidney transplant, which not only involves the cost of the surgery but also the expenses associated with pre-operative assessments, post-operative care, medications, and continuous medical follow-ups.

    “These mounting medical costs have strained our financial resources to the point where we are unable to meet them alone.”

    Odurbiro Omolara, who spoke on behalf of the family, called on kind-hearted Nigerians to extend helping hands in this desperate time of need.

    “We assure you that any contribution, no matter the amount, would be deeply appreciated as your support would be instrumental in ensuring that she can receive the vital medical care that she desperately needs.

    “Financial support towards Odubiro’s kidney transplant could be sent to her First Bank account number: 3050472812 with Odubiro Marian Adebisi as the account name and she can be also contacted at 07085178897 or 09024203369.

  • Eight die in Ondo, Ogun road crashes

    Eight die in Ondo, Ogun road crashes

    Eight persons have been killed and nine injured in accidents that occurred in Ogun and Ondo states, The Nation has learnt.

    Six of the victims died and one sustained injury along Akure-Owo Road, Ondo State. The other two were killed and eight injured injuries in an accident involving a Toyota Hiace bus and a truck around Christopher University on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

    Ondo Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Ezekiel SonAllah, who confirmed the Akure-Owo road accident, said it involved one red Truck and a Toyota Sienna marked FFN310PU.

    SonAllah said the accident happened at about 1:39pm about 3kms away from Akure Airport.

    He attributed the cause of the accident to speed violation, wrongful overtaking and loss of control.

    According to him, the deceased were deposited at the general hospital morgue, Akure, obstructions cleared and the vehicles, money and phones recovered, handed over to the police.

    FRSC spokesperson in Ogun, Mrs Florence Okpe, confirmed the incident, adding that it occurred around 11:30am and involved a Toyota Hiace, marked GAS937XA, and a moving truck.

    She noted that FRSC operatives at Mowe Unit Command in conjunction with Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) carried out rescue operation.

    She explained that 10 persons were involved in the accident comprising seven male and three female adults.

     “The fatal crash was caused by excessive speed and wrongful overtaking on the part of the Toyota driver who rammed into a moving truck,” she said.

    Okpe noted that the injured victims were taken to Famobis Hospital, Mowe while the corpses were deposited at Idera Mutuary, Sagamu.

  • Ogun East APC leaders disown Adedayo 

    Ogun East APC leaders disown Adedayo 

    The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijebu East Local Government of Ogun State has dissociated itself from the activities of the suspended chairman of the council, Mr. Wale Adedayo.

    In a communique issued after a meeting, the APC leaders dissociated themselves from Mr. Adedayo’s “unacceptable behaviour” and pledged their loyalty to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

    In the communique, signed by High Chief Segun Osibote, APC leader and Chief Bayo Balogun,

    the party chairman in Ijebu East Local Government and sent to Governor Abiodun, the party leaders expressed concern over what Mr. Adedayo intended to achieve in writing his letter alleging zero allocation to councils in the state.

    The chairmen of APC across the 20 local governments of the state yesterday said the plot by Adedayo was to derail the administration of Prince Abiodun.

    Read Also: 100 days: Tinubu will reset Nigeria, APC assures

    They said he did not mean well for the state, describing his claim of zero allocation to the third tier of government as unfounded.

    The chairmen, during a visit to the Secretary to the Government of Ogun State, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, in his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said they have taken steps to investigate the claims by Mr. Adedayo and found out that he was playing to the gallery and being mischievous.

    Speaking on behalf of the group, APC Chairman for Abeokuta South, who is also the Chairman of the body, Mr. Henry Fagbenro, said the facts and figures showing the disbursement of allocations to local governments in the state in the last four years negated the claims of the suspended chairman.

    Talabi hailed the party chairmen for taking the initiative to investigate on their own as major stakeholders in the state, describing the step as one in the right direction.

  • Police arrest security guards for rupturing man’s eye in Ogun

    Police arrest security guards for rupturing man’s eye in Ogun

    In a distressing incident in the Sango Ota area of Ogun state, a man named Ramon Rasaq tragically lost his right eye as a result of an altercation with two security guards, identified as Michael Adelayo and Ganiyu Saka, who inflicted serious injuries on him.

    It was reported that a dispute erupted between Ramon and the security guards after he independently opened the neighbourhood security gate while the two guards were absent from their duty post.

    He consequently proceeded into the street, which incited the ire of the guards.

    In the ensuing altercation, one of the two guards, Ganiyu Saka, resorted to violence and shot Ramon Rasaq in the face, resulting in a severe injury that led to the rupture of his right eye.

    The victim was rushed to a traditional healer who successfully removed seven pellets from his right eye.

    Read Also: Police arrest three suspected cultists in Ogun

    However, the victim’s brother, Abiodun Fatai reported the case as an attempted murder on September 2 at Sango Ota Divisional Police Headquarters where CSP Saleh Dahiru, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), provided the necessary medical forms and facilitated a process for Ramon to be transferred to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

    Police spokesperson in the state, SP Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident on Tuesday, September 5, said that doctors have stabilised Ramon’s condition but added that he has unfortunately lost his right eye.

    Meanwhile, the commissioner of police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, has directed that the suspects be transferred to State Criminal Investigation Departments for further investigation and possible prosecution.

  • Police arrest three suspected cultists in Ogun

    Police arrest three suspected cultists in Ogun

    The Police Command in Ogun on Tuesday said it had arrested three notorious suspected cultists belonging to ”Eiye Confraternity” at Joju area in Sango-Ota.

    The Police spokesperson in the State,SP Omolola Odutola,made this known in a statement issued to newsmen in Sango-Ota.Ogun.

    According to him,the police command was able to apprehend the suspects as a result of credible information provided by an anonymous citizen.

    Odutola said that the suspected cultists were arrested when the Divisional Police Officer(DPO) Sango Ota, CSP Saleh Dahiru, led his anti-robbery team to School 3 in Joju, Sango.

    Read Also: Police nab 32 suspected kidnappers, recover N1.6m in Adamawa

     She added that it was at this location where the suspects,  Micheal Jackson, Joel Obieva  and Oluwaseun Bamideke, were caught planning their illegal activities.

    Odutola said: “During investigation, the suspects confessed that they were part of a larger gang of “Eiye confraternity”, comprising five members, with their leader still at large.

    “Their intention was to meet at the school before carrying out their planned operation.

    “However, thanks to the swift action of the Sango Division police, they were apprehended before they could execute their nefarious plans.”

    She said that the police were currently making efforts to track down the remaining suspects who managed to escape arrest.

    Odutola further said that the suspects in their custody would be charged to Court once the investigation being conducted by the State Criminal Investigation Department was completed.

    (NAN)

  • Nine killed, 11 injured in Ogun, Osun accidents 

    Nine killed, 11 injured in Ogun, Osun accidents 

    • Six feared drowned

    Nine persons have been confirmed dead, 11 injured and six missing in weekend accidents in Ogun and Osun states.

    Six of the nine persons were killed in the accidents that involved two trailers at the hilly road of Imesi-Ile community, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State. The other three died after their vehicle,  Toyota Sienna, plunged into the 

    Omo River in Ogun State.

    It was gathered that the Osun accident was caused by a mechanical fault from one of the trailers which resulted in break failure.

    The Osun State spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mrs Agnes Ogungbemi, confirmed that the fatal accident involved 17 people.

    She said the crash occurred on Saturday, adding that the driver lost control of his vehicle as a result of the break failure 

    “Five dead victims were taken to Osun State University Teaching Hospital Osogbo by the police before the arrival of FRSC team. One dead male victim was trapped under the truck and our team used the extricating machine to remove the trapped body from under the vehicle,” she said.

    Read Also: NNPP crisis: Only Kwankwaso has the solution – stakeholders

    In Ogun, the FRSC said a search was on for six passengers who were onboard the vehicle when it plunged into the river on Saturday night.

    It said the search party comprised the FRSC, the state’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Motor Traffic Division of the Police, soldiers, Mobile Police Force, divers and villagers. 

    The Nation had reported earlier that a Toyota Sienna plunged into Omo River underneath the Omo Bridge at the J4, Ogbere Ijebu corridor of Sagamu-Ore expressway and for the better part of yesterday, the FRSC, TRACE and other responders to the emergency could not find it.

    It was learnt that the Toyota Sienna carrying 10 passengers was hit by a truck from the rear following the early morning downpour yesterday.

    The impact forced the Sienna to skid off into the river and was swept away by the tide.

    The Sector Commander, FRSC, Anthony Uga, through the Public Education Officer, Chief Route Commander Florence Okpe, confirmed that one person was rescued alive by a local diver and taken to a hospital, compelling the agency to mobilise two more divers at noon time to search and rescue others.

    But the TRACE Public Relations Officer, Babatunde Akinbiyi, who also confirmed the accident, said three persons have been retrieved dead from the water while six others are deemed missing but the search for them was still ongoing.

    “According to eyewitness account, the Toyota Sienna vehicle was coming from Ondo state inbound Ijebu-Ode, along the Ondo-Benin/Ore Expressway when another truck from the rear hit the Toyota Sienna vehicle, which resulted into the driver losing control of the vehicle and swerved into the river.

    “Out of the 10 passengers in the Toyota Sienna, one was injured, three confirmed dead while the remaining six are believed to be in the river but cannot be located/rescued at the time filling this report.

    “While TRACE, FRSC, Police and the Army commiserate with the families of the deceased, drivers are again admonished to avoid excessive speed and maintain lane discipline in view of its attendant consequences,” Akinbiyi stated.

  • SSS detains Ogun council boss over petition against Abiodun

    SSS detains Ogun council boss over petition against Abiodun

    • JAAC members deny missing LG allocation
    • Journalists barred from covering proceedings at Assembly

    SSS detains Ogun council chair who accused Governor Abiodun of impropriety Mr Adedayo was at the SSS headquarters in Abeokuta, on Friday, to honour the invitation of the service on the alleged ‘zero allocation’ to local governments in the state.

    The State Security Service (SSS) in Ogun State has detained the embattled chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area, Wale Adedayo.

    Read Also: Subsidy removal: FG, Kaduna govt partner on rail mass transit

    His detention may not be unconnected to his allegation of diversion of local government funds by Governor Dapo Abiodun in the last two years.

    Adedayo, a former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Governor Gbenga Daniel had accused Abiodun of withholding local government funds in the last two years.

    Adedayo was said to have visited the SSS headquarters in Abeokuta, on Friday on invitation over the alleged ‘zero allocation’ to local governments in the state.

    He was also said to have earlier visited the SSS office in Abeokuta on Thursday, over the same matter but was not detained.

    Adedayo, according to a source was still being held in the custody of the Secret Service as of 8:34 p.m. on Friday.

    Meanwhile, the Joint Account and Allocation Committee in Ogun State has denied the allegation of fund diversion against the state government.

    Speaking at the State House of Assembly on Friday in Abeokuta, members of the committee explained that every fund approved by the committee passed through the various Local Government Council Accounts.

    It will be recalled that the lawmakers on Thursday directed the Accountant General of the state, Mr. Babatunde Aregbesola and other JAAC committee members to appear before it on Friday.

    The assembly said this was for clarifications over allegations of LG fund diversion against Gov. Dapo Abiodun-led administration.

  • Legislator urges Ogun to involve Assembly in grain sharing

    Legislator urges Ogun to involve Assembly in grain sharing

    Deputy Minority Leader of Ogun State Assembly, Lukmon Atobatele, has advised the  state  to involve the Assembly in  distribution of grains and money donated by the Federal Government to mitigate effect of the subsidy removal.

    He spoke in Abeokuta, while reacting to confirmation by Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, that the state received the palliatives.

     Atobatele, who commended the government for acknowledging the consignments, said “Assembly members are closer to the people, thus they is need to carry them along”.

     He said ” though the SSG assured that the distribution would have nothing to do with political or religious affiliations, it becomes political, if only the ruling party is made to decide how to distribute the palliatives .”

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     The leader said “the Assembly should be involved in the distribution to ensure it gets to Ogun residents who the palliatives are meant for and not members of the party.

    Atobatele decried the hardship the people are facing, saying “our people find it hard to eat three square meals or meet basic needs”.

     ‘’This is a trying time and we must be committed and transparent to our people. This must not be turned a party affair. What happened during COVID-19 should not repeat itself. The names of committee members to decide the sharing  must be in the open to know who and who are responsible”.

  • FG to review contractual agreements on all federal roads in Ogun — Minister

    FG to review contractual agreements on all federal roads in Ogun — Minister

    The Minister of Works, Mr Dave Umahi, on Thursday said the Federal Government was taking steps towards reviewing the agreements signed with contractors on all federal roads in Ogun.

    Umahi, during his visit to the governor’s office in Abeokuta, said the review would afford the state government a participation in constructing some major federal roads domiciled in their states.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was Umahi’s first to Ogun since his assumption of office in Abuja.

    During the visit, he led the ministry’s senior officers on working visit to help them have first-hand information about federal roads from his host.

    While promising a new beginning in critical infrastucture development in the country, the minister promised that no road would be left unattended to.

    “We will review the contracts of all federal roads in Ogun to enable governments at both state and federal level take necessary steps to ensure no road is left unattended to,” the minister said.

    Umahi noted that as part of this on the side of the Federal Government, the focus would shift to concrete road construction.

    “Concrete construction is more durable and cost-effective, just as it will create job opportunities for cement manufacturers as well as reduce the quest for forex transactions on road projects,” he said.

    The minister who identified funding as an issue however expressed the ministry’s readiness to partner with stakeholders who can help get the job done.

    “The era of bureaucracy is gone. President Bola Tinubu’s government is ready to partner with stakeholders on critical infrastructural development,” he said.

    The minister who inspected the 42-kilometre Ajebo-Ogunmakin road  noted that the work done so far on the road was about 21 per cent and assured of its speedy completion.

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    Speaking earlier, Gov. Dapo Abiodun had expressed his displeasure with and frustration over the deplorable condition of federal roads in the state.

    He said the deplorable condition of federal roads in the state had continued to hamper  socio-economic development.

    The governor also expressed frustration in his attempt to take over some federal roads for rehabilitation.

    “All efforts made in the past were rebuffed, and there is now the need for urgent steps to ameliorate the sufferings of residents,” he said, while expressing his appreciation of the minister for his positive response to cries about the state’s plight.

    (NAN)