The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ogun

  • Man held for ‘biting woman’s breast’

    A 22-year-old man, Precious Michael, who allegedly bit a woman on her breast, on Wednesday appeared at a Magistrates’ Court in Asaba, Delta State.

    The police charged Michael with assault and causing grievous hurt.

    Prosecution counsel Mrs Blessing Okafor  told the court that Michael assaulted Miss Ella Ibeawzie, near the Royal Park Hotel, Asaba.

    Okafor alleged that the defendant bit Ibeawzie on her breast and also knocked out her tooth during an altercation.

    Read Also: Man held with 17 bags of suspected Marijuana

    She alleged that the defendant also tore Ibeawzie’s dress, valued at N4,000.

    The offence, she said, is punishable under sections 355 and 451 of the Criminal Code Cap C21 Vol 1 laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Edith Anumodu admitted the defendant to N50,000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    Anumodu ordered that the surety must provide an affidavit of means.

    She adjourned the case till August 20.

  • Ogun students get new executives

    Ogun State students, under the aegis of National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS), have  elected new executive members to manage their affairs for the one year.

    The peaceful election, which took place at the Training College of the Civil Defence Corps in Abeokuta, had in attendance delegates from various tertiary institutions.

    Under the watch of reporters, security agents and stakeholders, they voted their preferred candidates.

    According to the electoral committee chairman,  Comrade Kehinde Olaonipekun, Zaka Abidemi Azeez emerged president with 17 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ogunrombi Gbemileke, who had seven votes, while two votes were voided.

    Other executive members are: Akinremi Samson Eniola (Vice I); Okeleye Odunayo (Vice II); Adegelu Collins (Vice III); Sowole Basit (General Secretary); Abdulazeez Bashir Adegboyega (Public Relations Officer I); Jolaosho Azeez (PRO II); Nurudeen Popoola (PRO III); Abolade Ibrahim (Financial Secretary); Adeyeri Sodiq (Treasurer); Adekunle Tobi (Welfare Director), Abidogun Abisoye (Social Director), Olaniyi Timothy (Assistant General Secretary I), Bamgbela Surprise (AGS II).

    Similarly, elected legislators are: Sodiq Shakiru (Senate President); Ajayi Oluwafemi (Deputy Senate President), Oshikomaya Gbolahan (Clerk) and Sodunke Ganiu (Chief Whip)

    Olaonipekun described the election as satisfactory and in line with the constitution of the association.

    The electoral chairman also used the medium to state why the previous election was cancelled.

    “You will recall that the first election was held at Iwe Iroyin last month, but was hijacked by some miscreants. In the wake of that incident several petitions were received from the delegates, chapter heads, stakeholders and security agencies. As a result of this, we declared that election null and void.

    “I am happy that today’s election is peaceful and followed due process. We had 26 chapters accredited out of 48 as a result of threat by some hoodlums, who do not want this rerun to take place,” he concluded.

    In his reaction, Zaka, a 400-Level Mechanical Engineering undergraduate of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), expressed appreciations to all who stood by him. He promised to sustain the peaceful atmosphere in Ogun State and work with  Governor Dapo Abiodun in the interests of all indigenous students

  • Indian hemp suspect held

    The police in Ogun State have arrested an illegal substance dealer caught with 17 bags of weed suspected to be marijuana.

    Daniel Elimuya, a resident of 9, General Hospital Street, Iyana-Ira in Agbara, was arrested around 6:30pm on July 28 at Ibafo.

    It was learnt that the suspect hid the weed inside a vehicle he travelled in from Delta State to Lagos.

    The Nation gathered that the police received a tip-off about the vehicle with number plate GGE782EX and intercepted it.

    Read Also: NSCDC intercepts suspected Indian hemp valued at N72m in Lagos

    Confirming the arrest, police spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said the bags were hidden inside the vehicle and were discovered after a search.

    He said the suspect was arrested and he confessed to have been a marijuana distributor and was going to Lagos Island to deliver the weed to one Kofo.

    “Police Commissioner Bashir Makama has ordered the transfer of the suspect and exhibits to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for further investigation.

     

  • Ogun reiterates commitment to forest resources protection

    Ogun State Ministry of Forestry has re-affirmed its commitment to preserve its forest resources.

    Its Permanent Secretary, Mr. Dolapo Adewunmi, gave the assurance after a stakeholders’ meeting with officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, led by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye and the Cocoa Association of Nigeria, Area J4 Forest Reserve.

    Adewunmi said in line with the 2004 agreement between government and cocoa farmers in its forest reserves, the ministry is empowered to protect its reserves and resources against deforestation. These include: extension of farm-land beyond allocated areas  and destruction of government trees for cocoa planting, among others.

    He explained that the position of the government on cocoa farmers and the people residing within the forest reserves had not changed, adding that the two ministries had agreed to set up a committee to monitor compliance.

    ‘’The ministry has the responsibility to protect and develop its forest reserves; cocoa farmers operating within the reserves must respect the agreement and comply with all rules and regulations.There will be no further planting of new cocoa, expansion of farm lands beyond allocated areas or destruction of government trees,’’ he said.

    Mrs. Ogunleye advised stakeholders to stop planting new cocoa and keep to the agreement.

  • Amosun has done well for himself, Ogun -Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday inaugurated several projects in Ogun State, saying Governor Ibikunle Amosun had done well for himself and the state. Buhari added that given the level projects executed in the state by the governor, it showed that he planned his exit from government. The President inaugurated the Ogun State Television (OGTV) ultramodern studio, the 250-bed multi-specialty tertiary Hospital at Oke-Mosan ; Adire Mall; Judicial Complex and  the 10,000-seater capacity Amphitheatre of the Abeokuta City Centre  – all in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

    Buhari who arrived Abeokuta in a presidential chopper marked NAF 540, touched down at Archade Ground, State Secretariat, Oke – Mosan at 10:18am and was received by the quartet of Amosun, Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos); Kayode Fayemi( Ekiti) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo). He described the projects otherwise called legacy projects as “first class,” and hailed Amosun for his performance in office.

    “I think he has prepared for this Governorship seat, he prepared himself for it, he has put infrastructure that will last. I congratulate you for having the foresight and saving enough resources to make sure that your footprint remains permanent, very clever person. Thank you very much. The infrastructure you took me through, the flyovers, the hospital and this complex [Judicial Complex], they are first class. I think you have done well for yourself and Ogun State,” Buhari remarked.

    He also congratulated Amosun on his election into the Senate, describing the Senate as an impartial arm of the government and expressed the confidence that he would get a full support from Amosun in the Senate. Dignitaries at the inauguration of some of the projects included the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; former legal Adviser of All Progressives Congress, Muiz Banire and some traditional rulers in the state.

    In his remarks, out-going Governor said the new 15-courtroom Judicial Complex would serve as the base or headquarters for the state High Court, replacing the existing High Court Complex in Isabo which is over forty years old. The Governor said the complex was designed to cater for both official functions and other contemporary needs of everyone working in the complex.

    He said: “There are adequate spaces for a clinic, restaurants, creche, drivers’ pool, warehouses and workshops. For us and for the good people of Ogun State, a great journey of eight years will come to an end at midnight of Tuesday 28th May, 2019. Even as we prepare to bow out of office, our desire to continue to contribute our quota to the socio-economic development of our dear State remains undiluted.”

     

  • No plan to disrupt Abiodun’s inauguration, says Ogun

    The government of Ogun State was battling yesterday to fend off allegations that it was planning to obstruct the May 29 inauguration of the Dapo Abiodun administration.

    There were photographs on the social media showing that the entrance to the June 12 Cultural Centre was being blocked to prevent people from attending the pre – inaugural activities of the Governor – elect.

    The government said in the last few days, contractors had been working to tidy up the Kuto Round about – June 12 Cultural Centre – MKO Abiola stadium corridor of the township road,  to make room for a  more comfortable motoring experience for members of the public ahead of  the expected President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the state on Saturday.

    The government, in a statement by Rotimi Durojaiye, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, said the  road work was to make attendance at the inauguration programme of Abiodun more convenient.

    It issued the release on the heels of an avalanche of allegations and innuendoes on the social media space and other platforms by people it described as mischief makers and political jobbers who alleged that Governor Ibikunle Amosun led government had deliberately blocked access roads to the venue of pre – inauguration activities.

    The Nation visited the site and observed that the entrances to the pre – inauguration activities were free and motorists used the said entrances to navigate their way in and out of the area.

    The government warned the public to be wary of such “mischief makers”, saying the allegations  alluded to are figments of their imagination as the on-going construction works between NNPC and Kuto Roundabout started over a year ago.

    “The attention of the Ogun State Government has been drawn to several unfounded allegations and innuendos trending in the public space with regard to the upcoming inauguration of the new Administration.

    “Two of such unsavoury allegations are worthy of mention here. The first was that Government deliberately blocked the road and approach leading to the June 12 Cultural Centre venue of pre-Inauguration activities.

    “The second, rather more reckless, was the story credited to the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, that the Police had uncovered a phantom ploy to disrupt the upcoming inauguration activities. We will hope that the PPRO was misquoted.

    “Suffice to say that our Administration has earned a reputation for not engaging in needless media war, particularly puerile allegations and innuendoes from political jobbers and mischief makers with purpose to serve.

    “Our disposition therefore remains to maintain stoic and dignified silence, even in the face of criminal untruths and unfair provocation as we are confident that posterity and chroniclers of history will properly situate our respective roles.

    “Having said that, we say emphatically that the allegations alluded to above are figments of the imagination of the mischief makers. The on-going construction works between NNPC and Kuto Roundabout started over a year ago.

    “Ironically, what the contractors are doing in the past few days is to tidy up that axis to ensure more comfortable motoring experience for members of the public who will receive President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday and, by implication, to make attendance at the inauguration programme more convenient.

    “That lofty objective was achieved and today the pre-inauguration programme of the incoming Administration is the earliest beneficiary of that thoughtful intervention.

    “As for the phantom disruption tale, we have engaged the Police authorities to stress the real danger in dishing out manifestly untrue, unproven and de-marketing statements to the public.

    “We have received assurances that no one will become a tool in the hands of the Fifth Columnists who do not wish Ogun State well.

    “We assure all stakeholders that we shall do all within our power and resources to keep the hard earned peace in this blessed State. As the sitting Administration, we intend to sustain the appropriate environment for the new Administration to take off orderly.”

     

  • Ogun to distribute Cs of O on Friday

    Ogun State government will be distributing Certificates of Occupancy and other land title documents to another batch of beneficiaries of the Homeowners’ Charter Programme.

    The Special Adviser and Director-General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Olajumoke Akinwunmi,  said the beneficiaries would collect their documents as from 9am on Friday at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

    She urged all contacted beneficiaries to come with valid means of identification and photocopies of same. They are expected to be at the venue by 8am for accreditation.

     

  • Breaking: Police uncover plans to disrupt Abiodun’s May 29 inauguration

    The Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday said it has uncovered plans by unscrupulous individuals to instigate crisis across the state, ostensibly to disrupt the inauguration of the Governor-elect, Prince Dapo Abiodun and his Deputy; Engr. Noimot Salako – Oyedele on May 29, 2019.

    The Command added that the unscrupulous elements intended to carry out the disruptive scheming on the planned inauguration through orchestrated rallies, processions and assemblies in public places across Ogun State.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who made this known in a release, stated that the Police got wind of the plot via “security intelligence.”

    Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP), explained that the enemies of peace and criminally minded fellows schemed to embark on such disruptive path with a seeming appearance of using it to settle land related disputes in the state whereas their target is Abiodun’s inauguration.

    The Police Spokesman, therefore, advised such people to approach the court for justice and not attempt to heat up the polity in Ogun state.

    He stated: “The Security Intelligence at the disposal of Ogun State Police reveals that some unscrupulous elements are scheming to foment trouble across the State with a view to disrupting the inauguration of the new administration scheduled for 29th May, 2019.

    “Rallies, processions and assemblies in public places are being orchestrated by these enemies of peace seemingly to resolve chieftaincy and land-related matters rather than approaching the Court to seek justice. All of these are aimed at heating up the State before the inauguration.

    “In view of this, the Command has put in place a robust security arrangement aimed at checkmating such trouble makers and other criminally-minded persons, including miscreants and disgruntled elements.

    “The special units of the Command namely SARS, PMF, STS, Anti kidnapping as well as DPOS and Area Commanders have been placed on red alert with specific instruction to closely monitor these misguided elements and respond swiftly to any distress calls and disturbance of public peace.

    Read Also: Ogun West will benefit immensely from my administration- Abiodun

    “The Commissioner of Police, CP Bashir Makama, has also ordered twenty-four hourly surveillance patrols across the length and breadth of the State.

    “Consequently, members of public are hereby advised, for the purpose of peace, law and order, to put on hold, for now, any form of public procession, rally or carnival related to chieftaincy and land matters and rather seek alternative dispute resolution methods, or approach the law court for redress.

    “In furtherance to this, persons or group intending to hold public assemblies and rallies other than as stated above are advised to contact the office of the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, for necessary approval and security.

    “The Command will not hesitate to deal decisively with anybody or group who attempts to disrupt the peace of the State no matter how highly placed such person(s) may be, as the law is no respecter of anybody. The Police in Ogun State is committed to the defense of the rule of law, safety and security for all law abiding citizens in Ogun State.”

  • Paris Club Refund: We’re not owing consultancy firm, says Ogun

    THE Ogun State Government yesterday refuted the claims by Bond Investments and Holdings Limited, owned by Chief Bode Mustapha, that the state government owes it $11,740,362.00, as consultancy fees on “external debt and multilateral loans”.

    The state government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Finance Mr. Wale Oshinowo, added that it has no legal contract with the firm.

    It accused the company of plotting to rip off the state, upon the inauguration of Mustapha’s political ally, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on May 29.

    But, the firm dismissed the government’s claims, threatening to invoke the aspect of the agreement on arbitration and adjudication to recover its rightful consultancy fees.

    Oshinowo’s statement reads: “The Senator Ibikunle Amosun government warned Ogun indigenes to be on their guard, as regards the finances of the state, as some unconscionable politicians will do everything possible to recoup their investment in the last governorship election from the public till.

    “From the facts available, Bond Investments and Holdings Limited, in 2009, entered into an 80-day agreement with the state government, as consultants on Paris Club Refund, which ended in 2010, by effluxion of time and operation of law. Worse, the firm did nothing within the duration of the contract.

    Read also: Hoodlums raid Ogun APC Secretariat

    “For emphasis, Clause 2.1 of the agreement between Ogun State Government and Bond Investments and Holdings Limited, dated December 23, 2009, stipulated clearly 80 working days and could be terminated at the instance of either of the parties. We note that a letter from the state government titled, Re: Notice of Termination of Contract, Ref. No. DMU/012/122 and dated November 15, 2011, indeed terminated the said contract.

    “It is shocking, to say the least, that the company, which accepted the termination of the contract, without a whimper, kept silent until 2017, when the Federal Government began the release of the Paris Club Refund, thus laying bare the opportunistic intention of the promoters of the firm to reap where they did not sow.”

    It added: “Paris Club Refund was released to states, under stringent conditions and its use closely monitored by the Federal Government, such that states that deviated, were investigated by EFCC and sanctioned. The Bond Investments and Holdings Limited did not facilitate the refund of any external debt, in respect of Paris Club Debt and any multilateral loan(s) to Ogun State.

    “The sudden resurrection of 2009 purported contract was a premeditated action designed to scam the state government, under the guise of an anticipated arbitration judgment. The Amosun government, noted for its probity and accountability in public finance management, will not be a party to this orchestrated scheme to swindle the state.”

    He urged the public to discard the claims by the firm and called for public vigilance, as “Ogun does not owe any firm a service debt; it is not in breach of any agreement; and will not need to pay a dime as consultancy fees to any company on Paris Debt Refund.”

    But, in a statement yesterday, the firm said the state government appointed it to reconcile and recover all debts, deductions/charges on foreign loan facilities related to the state and the parties executed a consultancy agreement dated December 23, 2009 with respect to Ogun State’s external debt reconciliation.

    It insisted that it subsequently performed all of its obligations and communicated with the Debt Management Office (DMO) to recover monies due to the state.

    The firm said: “Consequently, and due to the performance of all its obligations, Bond Investments and Holdings Limited ensured that the Ogun State Government recovered all of the deductions and charges due from the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “As a direct result of Bond’s efforts, Ogun State Government received payment of a refund in respect of excess deductions on the state’s London Club debt.

    “Bond is now due to be paid its commission as stated in clause 3(2) of the Consultancy Agreement as there is ample and sufficient evidence that the OGSG has been paid refunds on the multilateral loans and Paris Club excess deductions. “

    The firm, while dismissing the claim that it did nothing within the duration of the contract, attached a letter dated November 1, 2016 signed by the Commissioner of Finance Ogun State to Director General of DMO.

    The letter reads in part: “Also, a letter from Bond Investments and Holdings Limited to the Director-General, DMO on March 16, 2010 showed that a sum of USD44,151,842.13 was presented as the cumulative sum over-deducted from Ogun State revenue. This claim is yet to be refunded to the state.”

    “In the light of this, we seek your consideration and refund of these outstanding claims accruing to Ogun State, totalling USD87, 937, 386.91, which the committee did not consider to Ogun State Government.

    “We look forward to your assistance in this regards.”

    The firm threatened to invoke the aspect of the agreement on arbitration and adjudication to recover the $ 11,740,362 debt.

     

  • Ogun to distribute Cs of O on Wednesday

    Ogun State Government is set to distribute Certificates of Occupancy and other land title documents to another batch of beneficiaries under the Homeowners’ Charter Programme.

    The Special Adviser and Director-General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Architect Olajumoke Akinwunmi,  said that the beneficiaries would collect their documents as from Wednesday by 9am  at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

    She urged all contacted beneficiaries to come with valid means of identification and photocopies of same. They are expected to be at the venue by 8am for accreditation.