The Nation Newspaper

Tag: OSUN

  • Osun, economic summit is serious business!

    In a few days’ time, Osun will be organising an Economic and Investment Summit to “redirect and recommend strategies which will drive meaningful youth employment, enhance food security, agricultural development, activate mining prospects and boost tourism potentials” of the state. While a summit of this nature and relevance is auspicious, especially, at a time revenue accruing to the state is said to be having excruciating strains on the finance profile and obligations of the state, the fact of the matter is that governance globally is a serious business and not a glamorous show of the circus! As should be expected, Economic Summits are for the egg-heads: focused, serious-minded, goal-getter people with proven track records in the society. They are not done for crass reasons or merely to facilitate ‘jeunjeun’ rendezvous for the boys! Besides, economic realities in the global market and how they have affected Nigeria have taken governance and economic issues beyond how to create wealth alone. They also include, if not more importantly, how to judiciously appropriate scarce resources!

    Osun, like most states in Nigeria, is cruising through trying times financially, and all eyes can see it! There is palpable inefficiency in every sector of the domestic economy and it cuts across board. With a population that is aggressively climbing towards 5m, to say that Osun is yet to attain the majesty of its economic potential, despite the abundance of resources available to it, is certainly a misnomer. The truth is: it has not even taken-off! So, what exactly is this seeming endless ritual about and what does it hope to achieve to ensure that Osun does not sink?

    For this writer, there are big issues on ground to be addressed for any summit of the shape and size being contemplated by the state to be meaningful. So, it will do the organisers a great deal of good if they focus their attention more on the ball, not to embellish it with a diet of tricks that will only end up portraying the participants as being busy for the sake of being busy, signifying, and achieving nothing! The summit should generate ideas and bring up recommendations which will help government reduce deficit and put smiles on the faces of the private sector operating in the state. Its beauty should be something that speaks eloquently to the economic self-sufficiency of the state, interrogate poverty reduction issues, catalyze sustainable development and proactively address topical issues like entrepreneurship, economic growth and foreign direct investment.

    To be honest, Osun has its peculiarities. It is agro-based. Though the state has, in recent history, moved from a public service economy back to its rightful place as an agricultural state that does not mean it should practically go to sleep. The gospel of development doesn’t work that way. Essentially, therefore, the proposed summit must come up with lasting strategies that can support partnerships in agriculture and guarantee investments in food security. In a state where 70 per cent of its population is farmers, it is desirable that Osun contributes meaningfully to Nigeria’s exit from the comity of ‘high rate of unemployment’ nations of the world.

    Mining is one of the world’s fastest growing sectors. Unfortunately, its development in Osun has become an object of platitudes and abandonment. Now that the government is talking about encouraging, attracting and establishing light manufacturing industries in the major sectors of the economy, mining is one sure way to go, particularly, taking into consideration its labour-engaging capacity. Mpumalanga (South Africa), Dingi-Dongi (Indonesia) and Toronto (Canada) have shown that the economic impact of mining transcends the realm of mineral extraction and processing. But then, mining has to be real, especially, now, that Nigeria’s unemployment rate stands at 26%.

    Next on the list is the Land Use Charge. Of course, the Surveyor-General has a lot of work to do in this area. The unseen hand driving Land Use Charge is principally tied to the dynamics of the domestic economy and the Demand and Supply profile of Land Use in the society. An unreasonable charge and tax assessment will only portray the government as unreasonable, and the concocted charge as ‘taxation without representation.’ Fundamentally, urban renewal programmes have to be hinged on a development plan that will partition or re-partition the land parcels available to the state. It doesn’t matter that this may cost the state a huge amount of money. The reality on ground is: if there is no money in Abeere, there certainly can’t be money in Osun!

    Good that Osun has vowed to improve on its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) “in ways that do not bring additional burden to the people.” But, the truth that no government wants to deal with is that people don’t naturally wish to pay taxes; and for good reasons too! For the orientation to change, this government must be seen to be frugal, accountable, and seldom use public money on reckless experimentation in the guise of ‘unproven’ innovations. Furthermore, government should not deceive itself into thinking that whatever accrues into its pocket in form of IGR can provide the needed succour to the already-overburdened populace. The more reason it must strive to retain the people’s confidence, principally, through commitment to policy statements and actions that will lawfully encourage a shore-up in the state’s IGR.

    Going by the abundance of resources available to the state, one can safely say that the future of Osun lies in the Tourism and Travel sector. If properly harnessed, this sector is noted for bringing about policies and programmes that can promote the government and portray Osun as a tourism hub. But this is a nothing-ventured-nothing-gained investment. In other words, a government that fails to invest in Tourism should not expect to get anything in return.

    Economic insecurity leads to animalistic instincts. This brings us to another area of interest: Estates and Home Making. While one hopes to return to this important sector at a future date, it is perplexing that some 200 housing units are currently wasting away in a Federal Housing Estate in Osogbo while those in government remain practically unsympathetic to the people’s plight.

    May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Osun!

     

    • Komolafe writes in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, ijebujesa@yahoo.co.uk).

  • Osun to register miners to prevent crime, says Oyetola

    •Governor talks tough on insecurity

    Osun State government will register miners operating in the state, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola said yesterday.

    Besides, serious steps are to be taken to prevent security lapses linked to some of the criminals, who are operating as illegal miners in the state.

    These are the highlights of an Ife-Ijesa zonal security sensitisation meeting held yesterday in Ilesa. The zone is where the vast gold deposit in the state is located.

    Apart from the governor, Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi, the governor’s wife Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola, other top government functionaries, traditional rulers led by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Owa Obokun of Ijesaland Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, heads of security agencies, the leadership of artisanal miners and community leaders attended the meeting. The meeting sought people’s cooperation in the fight against illegal mining, kidnapping, banditry and other vices now rearing their ugly heads in the state.

    They appealed to residents to report any strange development in their domains for appropriate actions.

    Oyetola said: “The activities of illegal mining vendors, if not checked, will shatter the safety, security and peace of our people as they are capable of engaging in untoward behaviours.

    “Already, there is an upsurge in criminal activities in this area.

    “We have of recent been battling with kidnaping, harassment of people, and indiscriminate shootings on the highway, all traceable to the nefarious activities of some of these illegal miners.

    “Should these high-level crimes continue, the government will be forced to take a drastic action, which will include but not limited to a total ban on mining activities in this state.

    “To prevent the hammer from falling, all hands must be on deck to avoid criminality.

    “So, all miners operating in this state must be registered to enable the government keep a record.

    “Community leaders (the Serikis) must play a key role in ensuring that this directive on registration is faithfully carried out.

    “Thereafter, Serikis will be held accountable for acts of crime committed by miners in their area of operation.

    “Ensuring that these crimes do not happen requires your collective support and cooperation and those of our people with the government.”

    Heads of security agencies – the police, the army, the DSS, Immigration, the prisons, Road Safety, Civil Defence and the NDLEA – reaffirmed their commitment to securing the state and preventing the influx of criminals posing as miners.

    Leaders of the gold mining union also sought for government’s support to enable them to prevent crimes.

    A community leader, Prof. Olu Odeyemi, warned of dire consequences unless drastic measures were taken to stop the rising level of insecurity.

    Oba Ogunwusi and Oba Aromolaran urged the government to empower traditional rulers, who know their domain and are in a better position to assist in securing their areas

    They called for synergy between the government, people and the security agents as part of efforts to strengthen security and stamp out all forms of criminality.

    Oyetola described the security stakeholders’ meeting as sacrosanct, in view of the huge mineral deposits in the zone.

  • We prepares accounts according to global standards, says Osun

    The Osun State government has said its accounts are prepared in line with accrual basis of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

    The Auditor-General, Mr. Folorunso Adesina,  made the disclosure in Osogbo, the state capital, at the presentation of  the audited accounts of the state government to the public for discussion and clarification.

    According to him, the Office of the Auditor-General in collaboration with the State and Local Governance Reforms projects (SLOGOR) organised the annual Audit Forum to create a platform for the state to demonstrate transparency and accountability in governance.

    Adesina said: “The objective of this forum is to demonstrate the state government’s commitment towards improving transparency, accountability and probity in the management of public funds in line with the requirements of global best practices.”

    He acknowledged support of the state government (through SLOGOR World Bank/EU assisted project), for his office to discharge its constitutional responsibility, especially in training and retraining of auditors in the state.

    REad also: Osun develops software to monitor finances

    He continued: “According to the presentation, the audited accounts showed that during the years under review, the combined revenue grew from N93,085,090,457.98 in 2017 to N99,307,720,655.30 in 2018, representing an increase of 6.26%, while the Federal Allocation (Statutory and VAT allocation) rose from N36,035,591,845.68 in 2017 to N50,122,335,788.23 in 2018.”

    He said  the state strengthened its capacity to raise revenue, jacking up  the Internally Generated Revenue by 24.54%, from N11,828,767,087.03 in 2017 to N15,676,049,397.68 in 2018.

    “It is a significant advancement towards the government’s ultimate target of being able to shift dependence from Federal Allocation to Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    “The total expenditures ( both recurrent and capital) was N89,249,123,365.13 in 2017 and N105,662,115,288.46 in 2018, thus leaving a net balance of N3,835,967,092.85 and (N6,354,394,633.16) for 2017 and 2018 respectively.

    “The opening cash balance,  including call account stands at  N13,725,529,812.61 and N17,561,496,905.46 for year 2017 and 2018 respectively , while closing balance amounted to N17,561,496,905.46 in 2017 and N11,207,102,272.30 in 2018 after  charging  the net balance for the respective years to the corresponding opening balances,” he submitted.

  • Osun develops software to monitor finances

    THE Osun State government has developed a single software to monitor all financial transactions.

    Presenting the devise known as the Osun Treasury Single Account Software in his office before some government stakeholders, the Supervisor for Finance, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, stated that the software would serve as a check for everybody involved in governance.

    The supervisor added that whatever comes in and out of the state treasury would be laid bare for all to see.

    He said the platform when fully operational would aid and naturally make stakeholders involved in governance to do what they are supposed to do seamlessly and efficiently without cutting corners.

    Oyebamiji, who said the Gboyega Oyetola administration is concerned about making budgetary provisions easier and creating room for transparency in governance.

    He added that the measure would assist agencies of government to know the remaining balances on their budget provision before they raise memos to the governor to demand for funds from the treasury.

    According to him, good governance all over the world is all about transparency and accountability.

    He explained that the system would help check sharp practices by government officials, saying no agency or individual would be able to raise a memo for money without the governor knowing if such agency has the capacity within its budget balance to obtain such funds or not.

  • Southwest APC, Osun Assembly congratulate Oyetola

    The Southwest Zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Osun State House of Assembly yesterday congratulated Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola on his victory at the Appeal Court.

    The Osun State Election Petitions Tribunal had in March declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ademola Adeleke, as the winner of the September 22 and 29 election. But a five-member appeal panel upturned the lower tribunal’s judgment on Thursday, affirming Oyetola’s victory.

    Oyetola’s victory was affirmed by the majority judgement.

    APC’s spokesman in the Southwest, Oladapo Karounwi, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti, said Oyetola deserved victory in an election considered free and fair by local and international observers, adding that they praised the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) for conducting one of the best elections in Osun State.

    The party also praised the Appeal Court judges for their meticulous consideration of Oyetola’s appeal, explaining that the verdict could not have gone any other way considering the lapses in both the hearing of the petition at the lower tribunal and obvious weakness in the judgment declaring Adeleke the winner.

    Karounwi said: “We knew that a superior court of jurisdiction will nullify the lower tribunal’s judgement declaring Adeleke the winner when a judge that did not sit during the entire hearing was brought to deliver its judgment to give PDP’s candidate victory.

    “Besides, we also knew that the Appeal Court will dismiss Adeleke’s victory when the lower tribunal took it upon itself to be deducting APC’s votes in disputed units, thus usurping the power of INEC in such exercise, which both the Appeal Court and Supreme Court had frowned at in various elections petitions.

    “This judgment is a victory for democracy and rule of law and not the rule of men through which PDP had in the past illegally usurped the people’s mandates at gunpoint in South West states, thus denying the people their right to elect their leaders.”

    In a statement issued by its Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Hon Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the the Osun State House of Assembly described the judgment of the Court of Appeal as a resounding one and a triumph for democracy.

    The State Assembly eulogised the Appeal Court judges for being thorough on their verdict, saying the court has again proven itself to be the hope of the masses.

    According to the parliament, the verdict was a victory for democracy and the people of Osun State who spoke through the ballot and chose Governor Oyetola as their preferred leader.

    The wild jubilation and joy expressed by the residents of the state sequel to the judgement, according to the Assembly, has also buttressed the acceptability of the governor.

    While expressing confidence in the Judiciary, the parliament said the judgement would enable the governor to focus on the business of governance.

    The Assembly also appreciated the leadership of the party at state and national levels for their support during the case.

    Assuring the governor of support by the legislative arm of government in the state, the assembly stressed: “We would support the governor on every programme outlined towards the progress of the state without prejudice or compromise.

    “This is paramount as the development of our dear state is our priority,” the statement said.

  • Training for 150 miners in Osun

    No fewer than 150 participants drawn from Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo states attended a five-day training programme tagged “Extension Services to Artisanal and Small-scale Miners” in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    The training programme was sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. The workshop provided technical knowledge and competence on mining for the participants to improve their skills and boost the economy of the state and the country.

    In his address, the team leader of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to the workshop, Engr. Olabisi Mojoyinola, said the Federal Government has recognised the importance of mining to national economy.

    Mojoyinola, who represented the ministry’s Director of Artisanal and Small-scale Mining, Mr. Patrick Ojeka, said the Federal Government has adopted a strategy termed formalisation through “Co-operation” to address the artisanal mining issues and to use it as an instrument to address poverty in the host mining communities in the rural areas.

    He further said in spite of inherent problems associated with informal mining, the artisanal and small-scale mining is a livelihood strategy adopted primarily to alleviate poverty in rural areas in most countries and “when properly organized, it can contribute to the socio-economic development at the grassroots.”

    Speaking further, he said: “Section 91 of the Mineral and Mining Act 2007 provides for extension services for registered and performing mining co-operatives, quarrying association and small-scale mining companies. Government, therefore, is expected to provide extension service programmes for the miners.

    “Prospecting and exploration services should be provided for to determine the geological setting, structure and nature of occurrences, quantity and quality of minerals being mined. Government should provide mineral testing standard and determination of mineral grades and provide proven mineral reserves evaluation, including feasibility reports. Government should also assist small-scale miners on mine design and planning suitable for the deposit.”

    In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Osun Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Chief Babatunde Falohun, urged the Federal Government to recognise the place of mining in boosting national economy.

    Falohun, a geologist, maintained that mining could provide an opportunity for the government to diversify the economy.

    Also, a mining consultant, Engr. Garuba Bida, advised the government to sanitise the mining sector in order to maximise its benefits for the individuals, communities, states and the country. The representative of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel in Osun State, Engr. Umar Kabir, who acknowledged the role of technology in mining exploration, said the workshop was designed to expose participants to trending methods and skills in the mining sector.

    Speaking at the opening session before declaring the workshop open, the Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, promised to make mining of mineral resources found in the state work for the development of the people and the host communities. The governor said rejuvenation of the mining sector of the state economy is a major cardinal programme of his administration.

    Represented by the Executive Secretary, Office of the Forestry and Natural Resources, Mr. Simeon Lanlehin, the governor said his interest in the mining sector is based on its potential for its prosperity multiplier effect and huge labour employer.

    Stressing that the training programme will ginger the participants to be more active on the field, Oyetola said mining could create employment opportunities for teeming young population in the state.

    The governor, who said the objective of the workshop is to provide technical competence for stakeholders in the mining sector of the state economy, lamented that illegal activities of some miners have become inimical to the environment and exposes the people in “our communities to serious health hazards.”

    Oyetola revealed that gold is the most mined natural resource by artisanal and small-scale miners in the state whose activities are majorly unprofessional, unregulated, unsafe and unprofitable to government.

    He, therefore, pledged support for the Federal Government to make mining take the country to the next level, saying Osun and many other states are blessed with abundant mineral resources, including gold.

  • Oyetola charges SSG, CoS on efficient service delivery

    Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has urged appointees of his government to be efficient in service delivery.

    He also urged them to “hit the ground running, show leadership by example and give direction,” because the people are in a hurry to experience development.

    He gave the advice on Tuesday while inaugurating Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Wole Oyebamiji; Chief of Staff Dr. Charles Diji Akinola and Deputy Chief of Staff Mr. Abdullah Adeyenju Binuyo‎.

    Oyetola said the appointees “must be creative, proactive and come up with contemporary ideas and innovations that will speedily lead to efficient governance in the 21st century knowledge- and technology-driven world.”

    At the inauguration held at the State Executive Council Lounge were Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi; President, Customary Court of Appeal, Mrs Gloria Oladoke; Representative of House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Folorunso Bamisayemi; Head of Service, Dr Festus Oyebade Olowogboyega, Commissioner of Police Mrs Abiodun Ige, members of the state’s steering committee, and political leaders.

    Read Also: Oyetola seeks establishment of Court of Appeal in Osun

    The governor explained that “Offices of the Secretary to the State Government; the Chief of State to the Governor and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Govern or are very important to the government and to the Governor’s office as they constitute the brain box and the engine room of my administration.

    “Your decision must be guided by the fear of God, fairness and justice. You must roll up your sleeves so that we can take our dear state to the next level.

    “You have been considered for your respective positions on merit, but you must note that the skills and competencies that qualify you for these jobs will need to be constantly improved upon to ensure adequate service delivery”.

    Oyetola enumerated some of the achievements of his administration in the last four and a half months saying his government had “demonstrated beyond a doubt that, in the face of limited resources, appreciable and equitable service delivery is possible.”‎

    He said the tremendous impact and impressions made by his government on the people of the state within the short time of the inception of office, has further fired the people’s expectations despite the dwindling financial resources.

    According to him, ‎Osun had taken off on a high tempo as the government is massively rehabilitating township and rural roads across the state to further improve on infrastructure.

    “We are working assiduously to ensure quality and affordable education for our children so that they can compete with their peers anywhere in the world.

    “We are also poised to turn the other sectors around to deliver prosperity to our people. We are adopting a holistic approach to boosting the economy of the state.

    “We are planning an Economic Summit very soon, to produce a workable template and compass for sustainable economic development. We are also putting measures in place to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base of the state.

    “We are working hard to establish light manufacturing industries as well as liberalizing the mining sector”, he added.

    Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Oyebamiji commended the governor for the confidence reposed in them to serve the state.

    ‎He promised total dedication, commitment and determination to the government to ensure growth, development and mass emancipation of the people of Osun to the next level.

    “We are determined to reacquaint ourselves to the fact this state belongs to all of us and its projects are bigger than our individual political calculations.

    “Despite daunting challenges and punches from the agents of retrogression, you marched through the rugged terrains and climbed the ladder with sweet victory.

    “We all know that public service is public trust and I assure you that we will discharge our duties base on the principles of accountability, probity, prudence and above all loyalty to your cause, the government and the people of Osun.”

  • Oyetola, stakeholders seek Court of Appeal Division in Osun

    OSUN State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has thrown his weight behind the call for the establishment of a Court of Appeal Division in the state capital, Osogbo.

    He spoke during the beginning of the special sitting of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division at the Osun State High Court.

    The two-week programme is meant to enable the appellate court to attend to the many pending cases before the justices emanating from Osun State.

    The governor said: “I cannot end this address without lending my voice to the request of the stakeholders that you should graciously consider the possibility of having a Court of Appeal (Division) sited in Osun state.

    “I want assure you my Lords that our government would do everything possible to support this move.”

    Before the governor spoke, leaders of the Bench and Bar in the state, in separate speeches, urged the visiting justices to assist in making a case for the establishment of a division.

    With not less than 250 cases, Osun State has the higher number of suits on appeal before the Justices of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, which has appellate jurisdiction over Osun and Ondo states.

    It was the first time the court, established 10 years ago, would move its sitting to Osun State to take justice closer to the people.

    The other stakeholders, who called for the establishment of the Court of Appeal, include Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Bola Adepele Ojo; Osun-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr. Yomi Aliu (SAN), members of the state chapters of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and representative of senior legal practitioners, Mr. Vincent Abiodun Akinleye, among others.

    Oyetola said the Court of Appeal remains a strong pillar of judicial and political expedition.

    “Your Lordships, your current assignment in Osun State is in furtherance of the judiciary’s role as the arbiter and protector of the rule of law.

    “The judiciary has played this role with vigour and unblemished integrity. It has demonstrated to the people that it remains the filtering agent when unscrupulous elements muddle up our judicial waters.

    “The Court of Appeal has established a reputation for itself as the home of landmark judgments in the nation.

    “In furtherance of your resolve to build sustainable democracy and a just and peaceful nation, I urge Your Lordships to continue to uphold the tenets that have endeared you to the people as an institution of nobility, integrity and trust,” Oyetola said.

    The state Chief Judge, Justice Adepele  Ojo, said the unprecedented special session was geared towards the facilitation of easy access to justice and bringing justice to the people.

    She said the establishment of a division of the Court of Appeal in Osun would bring relief to the burden of the many pending cases.

    Aliu (SAN), who spoke on behalf of the senior lawyers, appealed to the President of the Court of Appeal to see the establishment of the Court of Appeal Division in Osun State as an urgent matter.

    The Chairman of NBA, Osogbo Bamidele Ajibade and Chairman NBA Ilesa, Kanmi Ajibola, gave their support to the call.

    The Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Akure Judicial Division, Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, promised to take the request for the establishment of the Court of Appeal in Osun to the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa.

    “In a very due course, we will bring to the attention of the President of the Court of Appeal the agitation for the establishment of a Judicial Division of the Court of Appeal in Osun State”, she said.

    Justice Omoleye, who led the three other judges: Justice Muhammed Danjuma; Justice Ridwan Abdullahi and Justice Patricia Ajuna Mahmoud, hailed the governor for his support for the judiciary and the temporary relocation of the Court to Osogbo.

    She added: “Since the period that I have been the head of the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, I have noticed that Osun has a huge number of appeals in this division.

    “But commendably,  litigants and their counsels flock the Court in Akure on daily basis, sitting sometimes for hours to ensure the hearing and disposal of their matters.

    “It is in appreciation of this great effort and amelioration of the hardship involved that the division has shifted its siting to Osogbo for two sitting weeks.”

  • Oyetola seeks establishment of Court of Appeal in Osun

    Osun State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, on Monday threw his weight behind the call for the establishment of a Court of Appeal Division in the state.

    He spoke in Osogbo during the commencement of the special sitting of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, holden at the High Court of Justice in Osogbo.

    The two-week programme is meant to enable the appellate court to attend to the many pending cases before the Justices emanating from Osun State.

    The governor said: “I cannot end this address without lending my voice to the request of the stakeholders that you should graciously consider the possibility of having a Court of Appeal (division) sited in Osun state.

    “‎I want assure you my Lords that our government would do everything possible to support this move”

    Before the governor spoke, leaders of the Bench and Bar in the state in separate speeches urged the visiting Justices to assist in making a case for the establishment of a division of the court in Osun state.

    With not less than 250 cases, Osun Stin state has the higher number of cases on appeal before the Justices of the Court of Appeal Akure Division which has appellate jurisdiction over Osun and Ondo States.

    It was the first time the Court, established 10 years ago, will move its sitting to Osun state to take justice closer to the people.

    The Osun stakeholders, who called for the establishment of the Court of Appeal, include,

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  • Court remands herdsman for allegedly killing farmer

    An Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Osun on Tuesday remanded a 45-year-old herdsman, Abubakar Bello, in Ilesa Prison, over alleged murder of a farmer, Zachariah Oyebamiji.

    Magistrate Mary Awodele, ordered that the defendant be kept behind bars in Ilesa, pending legal advice from the Office of the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Awodele adjourned the case until May 20, for mention.

    Bello is facing a two-count charge of murder.

    READ ALSO: Ekiti residents protest killing of farmer by suspected herdsman

    The Prosecutor, Insp Elisha Olusegun, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 13, at 12.30 p.m., at Ila-Orangun, Osun.

    Olusegun  said that the accused conspired with others at large and killed Oyebamiji, on his farm.

    He said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 324 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol. 11, Laws of Osun, 2002.

    The plea of the defendant was not taken by the court.