The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ondo state

  • Abducted Ondo monarch to pay N5m ransom to kidnappers

    Abducted Ondo monarch to pay N5m ransom to kidnappers

    Suspected gunmen behind the abduction of Oniyani of Iyani-Akoko in Ondo state, Oba Joel Daodu have reportedly reduced the ransom to guarantee the release of the monarch from N15m earlier demanded to N5m, family sources have revealed.

    The monarch was seized by his abductors on Saturday evening near Oba-Akoko along Owo-Ikare road while in transit.

    Already, residents of Iyani-Akoko are in prayer sessions to God to intercede in prompt release of the monarch from captivity.

    It was also alleged that Oba Daodu was kidnapped alongside one of his prominent chiefs, identified as John Afelumo.As at press time,their whereabouts were yet unknown.

    Reactions have trailed the abduction of the royal father and his Chief.

    According to a frontline traditional ruler in the state, the Akala of Ikaram -Akoko, Oba Andrew Momodu,it was an abomination to abduct a traditional ruler.

    He pointed out that Monarchs are the custodians of tradition and representatives of the creator of the universe, which should not be treated in such ridiculous manner.

    Akala urged government to recruit more police to protect lives and properties.

    He also called for immediate release of Oba Daodu and his chief without any condition attached.

    The Olisupare of Supare-Akoko, Oba Adejoro Omosogbon called for military deployment to Owo-Ikare road,which according to him is now an haven of kidnappers and men of the underworld.

  • Monarch raises alarm over alleged threat in Ondo Community

    The Ogeloyinbo and Spiritual head of Holy Apostolic Church Ayetoro Community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Micah Olaseni Ajijo, has raised the alarm over the growing cases of religious extremism in the community.

    Ayetoro in Ilaje Local Government is the only community in Ondo state with a theocratic form of government.

    The community with a single church “Holy Apostolic” is also under the sole authority of the monarch, Ogeloyinbo who was installed on the 17th of August 2015.

    Oba Ajijo, spoke with reporters, following an unending religious crisis that has rocked the 70- year old costal community since he came into the throne.

    He alleged that one prophet Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi has been fanning ember of discord through different strange doctrines brought to the community.

    The monarch accused Ojagbohunmi of leading some youngsters on a pretence of “prayer warriors” to destroy private and public properties in the community.

    Oba Ajijo expressed surprise on why Ojagbohunmi would also declared himself as ‘Baba Alakoso and General Overseer’ of the Holy Apostles Church.

    He disclosed that the position was alien to the customa, traditions and religion of the community since its inception in April 14, 1943.

    The Monarch, however, said since Prophet Ojagbohunmi is also one of his subjects; he is ready to accommodate him with his followers despite their atrocities.

    He urged the government to be decisive in curtailing the violent disposition of Ojagbohunmi and his prayer warrior group who operate under the guise of preaching religion.

    A group “Peace of Jerusalem’ berated Ojagbohunmi for running a parallel government and introducing ‘strange doctrines and traditions under the guise of religion.

    Speaking through the former Chairman of Ilaje Council Area,Tola Alabere said there was no longer peace among the people since the prophet stepped into the community.

    Alabere said efforts by the community leaders, local government and the immediate past state government to ensure peace reign was dashed by fanatic attitude of the prophet.

    He said efforts by the Olugbo in Council under the leadership of Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan(Obat) and the Police  to ensure peace had been futile leading to the closure of the Holy Apostolic Church.

    The ex-council boss showed support for the church’s closure, despite been the only place of worship in the local to forestall break down of law and order.

    He reiterated that the installation of Ambassador Olaseni Ajijo as the 6th Ogeloyinbo followed established processes including consultations and ratification by the Ogeloyinbo-in-Council including spiritual revelations.

    He, however, promised to peacefully resist any attempt by Ojagbohunmi to usurp Ogeloyinbo’s throne through religious fanaticism.

    Ojagbohunmi did not pick his calls or return the text message sent to his two mobile numbers.

    The Spokesman for the Ondo State Police Command,Femi Joseph said the police has waded into the matter to ensure peaceful resolution soon.

  • We won’t increase fares during Easter celebration – NURTW

    We won’t increase fares during Easter celebration – NURTW

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Okitipupa Chapter in Ondo State, says its members will not increase transport fares during the Easter celebrations.

    Mr Sola Ikuidowo, the NURTW Chairman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Okitipupa that they would not compound the current economic challenges the people were facing with high transport fares.

    “Transport fares in the motor parks will remain the same this Easter because we don’t want to add to the economic challenges of travelers.

    “Our drivers have been sensitised to obey all traffic rules, travelers will enjoy their journey with our buses,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that buses going from Okitipupa to Ore, Akure, Ibadan and Ijebu-Ode charge N300, N1, 200, N1, 500 and N1, 800 respectively.

    Trips from Okitipupa to Sagamu, Lagos, Onitsha, Calabar, Warri and Abuja cost N1, 600, N1, 800, N1, 800, N2, 200, N2, 500 and N5, 500 respectively.

    Ikuidowo said that the chapter had reminded its members to avoid exceeding speed limits, over loading,and dangerous driving.

    He said that vehicles from their motor parks are safe, advising commuters not to board vehicles by the expressway.

    The NURTW chairman urged drivers to treat passengers with respect, ensure they drive with valid driver’s’ licence and to use the association’s identity cards as stipulated by union.

  • Court sentences Falae’s abductors to life imprisonment

    Court sentences Falae’s abductors to life imprisonment

    The Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital has sentenced the abductors of the Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Chief Olu Falae to life imprisonment for kidnapping and armed robbery.

    Falae was abducted by some Fulani herdsmen during his 77th Birthday on September 21, 2015 at his Ilado farm in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

    He was released after paying N5million ransom four days after his abduction.

    The convicts were: Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibrahim, Masahudu Muhammed, Idris Lawal and two others.

    Charges against them read: “That you, Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed, Idris Lawal and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did give information for the purpose of kidnapping and abducting Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae.

    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did aid the kidnapping and abduction of Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae.

    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did Kidnapped Chief Oluyemi Falae, the Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and did not release him until N5,000,000 ransom was paid.

    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did conspire to commit a felony to wit armed robbery.

    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did rob Chief Olu Falae of N15, 000 and his handset while armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons”.

    The offence, according to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mrs. Adeyemi Kuti from Ondo State Ministry of Justice is contrary to Section 2 of Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 5(1)(a) of the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Laws, Section3(11)(b) of the Anti-Kidnapping and Abduction Law, Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms(Special Provision) Act,Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act,Cap R11, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    However, when the charge sheet was read to the convicts in court on the first date of their arraignment, they all pleaded not guilty to the five counts charge leveled against them.

    However, when the case came up yesterday for judgement after several adjournments, the Presiding Judge, Justice Williams Olamide said he was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the convicts committed the crime with the evidence tendered before him.

    Justice Olamide also said that during the hearing of the matter, the victim, Chief Olu Falae was able to identify three of the convicts as those who kidnapped him and threatened to kill him if he failed to pay the ransom when he was in their captivity.

    He thereafter sentenced seven of them to life imprisonment.

    The Prosecution Counsel, Mrs Adeyemi Kuti hailed the judgment, saying justice has been given to the victim.

    But, counsel to the seven convicts, Abdulrahman Yusuf from the Legal Aid Council (LAC)said he would obtain the judgment, study it,to determine whether to Appeal the judgement or not.

     

  • Two policemen escape death after suspects raise false alarm 

    Two policemen escape death after suspects raise false alarm 

    Two policemen serving in Ondo State escaped death by the whiskers in the hands of mob in Edo State after some suspects they were pursuing raised an alarm that they were fake policemen.

    The suspects, having fled to Ibillo in Akoko-Edo local government area, told residents in the area that the men in police uniform were kidnappers poising to abduct a former council chairman, Folorusho Akerejola.

    Without waiting to verify identity of the men even though they wore uniform, a mob descend on them and beat them mercilessly.

    It took the intervention of elders in the community for the policemen to be handed over to the police who later identified them.

    One of the suspects who the mobbed policemen were pursuing was later arrested.

    Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Nkombe, who reacted to alleged arrest of suspected kidnappers in police uniforms, said both men have been confirmed to be policemen on patrol.

    Nkombe said the policemen were attacked after a suspect, who was on the run from a neighbouring state, raised a false alarm that he was being chased by kidnappers.

    His words, “They were not kidnappers. They were policemen who pursued a felon into Edo State. It was the person they were pursuing that raised that alarm; the person failed to stop, so he was pursued across the border into Edo State.

    “Because he felt that he was in his area in Edo State, he raised an‎ alarm. He was just being mischievous.”

    The PPRO said the policemen suffered minor injuries due to the beating and have been released.

    “Our men sent for them. They were brought in after they were attacked and it was discovered that they were policemen. It was confirmed from their command and they were released.”

    “The felon was invited by the police and he is helping the police in the investigation. It was not a case of kidnapping at all,” Nkombe added.

     

  • Robbery: Man remanded in police custody

    A 22-year-old man, Bayo Kagoto, who allegedly robbed a man of his mobile phone and N79,000 with others still at large, is to remain behind the bars until April 14, an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State ruled on Friday.

    The Magistrate, Mr Banji Ayeomoni, who gave the ruling, said the accused should be remanded in police custody until the next date of adjournment.

    He directed the police to apprehend the receiver of the stolen phone and the money.

    The accused, whose address is unknown, is being tried for conspiracy and stealing.

    Police Prosecutor Zedekiah Orogbemi told the court that the accused with five others still at large committed the offences on March 31 at about 5.00 p.m. at Ikoya near Okitipupa.

    He said the accused and others robbed the complainant, Folayemi Ayeni of his Tecno V6 phone valued at N8,500 and N79, 000.

    The offences, according to Orogbemi, contravened Sections 390(9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ondo State 2006.

     

  • Akeredolu plans to link ondo coastal community with lagos laudable – APC

    Akeredolu plans to link ondo coastal community with lagos laudable – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has lauded the initiative of Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State to construct a 50-kilometre road to link coastal communities in the state with Lagos State.

    According to a statement signed by Prince Abayomi Adesanya, the state APC Publicity Secretary, on Thursday in Lagos, the party described the project as “laudable and remarkable’’.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akeredolu had on April 5 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to construct the road.

    NAN reports that the road is expected to connect Araromi Seaside in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State with Akodo in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    The road is expected to be completed within two and half years.

    Adesanya said, “This is laudable and remarkable, because in less than 100 days of the APC-led administration in the state, the governor has attracted such a monumental project to the state.

    “The first and only MoU ever signed by NDDC with any state government within its mandate area (the Niger-Delta region).

    “The people of Ilaje and the Niger-Delta areas of the state have rolled out drums to thank Akeredolu and NDDC for this laudable stride.’’

    He said that when completed the road would help to decongest the Benin-Ore-Lagos Expressway.

    “Once this project is completed, the people can now travel to Lagos by road in less than an hour, as against the usual four to five hours being spent through other roads to Lagos,’’ he said.

    Adesanya assured the people of the state that more of such laudable projects would be executed by the Akeredolu-led government in the state

  • Akeredolu, NDDC sign MoU on 50km road project

    Akeredolu, NDDC sign MoU on 50km road project

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Niger Delta Development Commission ((NDDC) for the construction of the 50km Akodo-Araromi Road.

    Akeredolu said in Akure that the road would link Akodo in Lagos State to Araromi in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State and `unearth the hidden treasures’ in Ondo South Senatorial District.

    “Today marks the beginning of unearthing the treasures which will benefit this state.

    “Not even five billion naira is enough for this project; it is a mega project which both parties are interested in and committed to; before our tenure runs out, we should complete it.

    “When the Akodo-Ibeju-Lekki-Araromi-Ilaje Road is completed, it will help decongest the Ore-Benin-Lagos Expressway,” he said.

    The governor said that the unavailability of electricity supply in some parts of the senatorial district in the past four years would soon be resolved.

    Akeredolu also decried lack of potable water in the riverine area, and stressed the need for a water scheme in the area.

    Earlier, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, Chairman, NDDC, said that this was the first MoU the commission would sign with a member-state.

    He said that the commission had 785 projects in the state.

    “A total of 381 are ongoing while 26 are active; 266 have been completed, 96 either stalled or abandoned, while 42 are awarded but contractors are yet to be mobilised.

    “I believe that, with the directive of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that contractors should return to sites, we are likely to see many more abandoned projects become active.

    “It will be better to have fewer projects people see than so many they won’t see, and I think NDDC should concern itself with projects that truly integrate the region and not ad-hoc projects scattered all over,” he said.

    Speaking with newsmen, Mr Agboola Ajayi, Ondo State Deputy Governor, said that the project would bring economic development to the people of the area and the state in general.

    Ajayi pledged the cooperation of people of the state.

     

  • Mechanic arraigned for assaulting food vendor

    A 28-year-old mechanic, Abiodun Ikumapayi, was on Wednesday docked before an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for allegedly assaulting a food vendor, Rukayat Bolajoko.

    Ikumapayi, of no fixed address, was arraigned on a charge of assault.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the accused on March 23 at about 1:00p.m. beside the New Garage in Okitipupa, Ondo State, assaulted Rukayat Bolajoko, a food vendor.

    Orogbemi said that Ikumapayi’s food poured away while he was playing with the food vendor, which led to an argument.

    He said during the argument the accused slapped and beat up Bolajoko.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 355 (9), Vol.1, Law of Ondo State, 2006.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Magistrate, Mr Banji Ayeomoni, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 and a surety in like sum.

    The case was adjourned until April 12 for further hearing.

     

  • Farmers urge FG to initiate plans for cocoa production

    The Ondo State chapter of Farmers’ Development Union (FADU) has called on Federal Government to initiate pragmatic plans to boost cocoa production in the country.

    Mr Victor Olowe, the state Coordinator of FADU, made the appeal in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ondo town on Tuesday after the celebration on the 2017 Farmers’ Day Celebration.

    NAN reports that the event, jointly organised by Tulip Cocoa Processing Company (TCP) and FADU, drew participants, mainly cocoa farmers, from the South-West geopolitical zone of the country.

    Olowe identified scarcity of farm inputs, dearth of herbicides and funding as well as bad infrastructure, particularly poor roads, as the major challenges facing cocoa production in the country.

    According to him, Nigeria is lagging behind in global cocoa production partly because the government does not have proper records on cocoa productivity in the nation.

    “Nigeria now ranks a distant Number 7 among the cocoa producing nations of the world; we are in this state because both the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade do not have proper records of what is going on in the cocoa sector.

    “Our products find their way to neighbouring countries such as Republic of Benin, Togo and Cameroon where they are recorded in favour of those countries, to the detriment of Nigeria.

    “These are some of the problems and the government needs to rise to the occasion by effectively monitoring the production and sales of Nigeria’s cocoa to avoid wanton leakages.

    “Government also needs to come to the aid of our farmers by providing infrastructural facilities in the rural areas. If the farmers have good roads, hospitals and schools for their children, they would be encouraged to stay on the farm,’’ he said.

    Also speaking, Chief Simon Conway-Jarret, Managing Director, TCP, said that the annual event was geared towards celebrating and honouring cocoa farmers in the company’s supply chain for their commitments and outstanding performance in the 2016/2017 cocoa season.

    He said that the event was also used as a forum to discuss the company’s future plans and get feedback from cocoa farmers.

    “The joint TCP-FADU sustainability programme is targeted at helping smallholder cocoa farmers to achieve increased productivity, income and improved livelihood via their integration into Tulip’s sustainable supply chain.

    “Our target is to get 100-per-cent certified cocoa for our cocoa processing plant in a sustainable way,’’ he added.

    Mr Taiwo Osun, Sustainability Manager, TCP, said that the company had trained over 17,000 cocoa farmers in good agricultural and business practices in the South-West region.

    Osun said that cocoa yield of the farmers was about 400 kg. per hectare on the average before the commencement of the programme five years ago, “but today, it has improved to about 650kg. per hectare on the average.

    “All our farmers now have access to improved varieties of cocoa. They have been trained, over years, on good agricultural practices and we are happy to note that they now produce high-quality cocoa in a sustainable way,” he said.