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  • I’ll hands off by 12 midnight on May 28, says Amosun

    Outgoing Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Tuesday said he would hands off governance of Ogun state by 12 midnight on May 28, 2019 with the inauguration of projects executed by his administration.

    Amosun added that he would also continue to work assiduously to deliver on his campaign promises till the last minute in office, reiterating that all projects started by his administration would be completed.

    The governor made this known in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at a world press conference jointly addressed by him and his Deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga, ahead of the 2019 edition of the African Drum Festival.

    He said this Drum Festival with the theme “Drumming for the Future,” is expected to be bigger and better, in terms of participation, cultural education and expose.

    The governor disclosed that the Festival would take place at the newly completed 10,000-seater capacity Amphitheater at the Abeokuta Central Business District (ACBD), Abeokuta.

    Amosun said: “My administration will work to deliver projects to our people till the last moment I hand over to the next governor. I will work every hour, every minute and every second till 12 midnight of May 28.

    Read Also: ‘Amosun can’t stop Abiodun from succeeding him’

    “The last two weeks of our administration will be about delivery of dividends of democracy to the people. In fact, we will continue to lay asphalt on roads till the last minute of my government.

    “This is because I have vowed to uphold the oath I swore to, that I would work to deliver on my electioneering promises to the people of Ogun State.”

    According to Amosun, the festival, was conceptualised four years ago by the Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and has since become a state affair to celebrate African Heritage and culture.

    Earlier, Deputy Governor Yetunde Onanuga who doubles as the chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the festival said it is a legacy the state government has bequeathed to Ogun, Nigeria, Africa and the world.

    While noting that the festival has been expanded to accommodate more activities, she disclosed that at least 28 state troupes, 27 countries and 71 Independent troupes have signified their readiness to participate in the festival billed to hold between April 25 and 27.

    Mrs Onanuga  said the Ransom Kuti  Memorial Museum would be  inaugurated during the festival in honour of late Afrobeat King, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, during which his son; Seun Kuti, would perform at the occasion.

    She added that Adire Logo would also be unveiled at Itoku Adire Market while art and cultural train ride to be led by Prof. Wole Soyinka, from Iju train station in Lagos to Laderin in Abeokuta will be organised.

    According to her, African Drum Festival has become a rallying point for Africans within the continent and in the diaspora to showcase and celebrate their common heritage.

  • Court admits video of cleric confessing to beheading woman for N4000

    A Lagos High Court in Igbosere Tuesday admitted in evidence a video showing an Islamic cleric, Taofeek Adamu, confessing to beheading a member of his mosque for N4, 000.

    Adamu, 61, of Masinowe Compound, Ikoga in Badagry, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder, preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.

    Prosecuting Counsel Mrs O. F. Fagbai alleged that Adamu, alias Kiekie, severed the head of Oluwakemi Afolabi, 38, at about 4pm on March 19, 2017 at Waterside, Ikoga-Zebbe in Badagry.

    She said the deceased went to seek spiritual help from the cleric, but “the defendant beheaded the deceased before chopping off her other parts for ritual purposes.

    “He was apprehended when members of the community saw him carrying a sack soaked with blood.”

    The alleged offences contravened sections 222 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, the court heard.

    At the last adjourned date on April 9, the prosecution sought to tender the video through the police as electronically generated evidence, but this was opposed by the defence counsel Mrs A. O Ajayi.

    Read Also: Court remands man for defiling a minor

    According to the prosecution, the video, found on the internet, showed Adamu confessing to the crime, during a press interview conducted by former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni.

    The video was then copied by the police, transferred to a compact disc via a Hewlett Packard (HP) laptop on January 25, 2019.

    But the defence prayed the court to reject the video, arguing among others that the document does not indicate the name of the officer that produced it.

    Ajayi added: “The compact disc itself says interview conducted by the press. When it comes to computer generated documents, it tells you how it was produced. But in this case,… it also does not state the name of the officer, this is not permissible…”

    In her response Fagbai argued that the paramount thing to consider is whether the actual document is relevant.

    “The prosecution has complied, I urge you lordship, to discountenance the objection the defence raised, as this document we sought to tender is very important and the original is before the court, “Fagbai said.

    In her ruling yesterday, Justice Akinkugbe upheld the prosecution’s argument.

    She held that the electronically generated document complied with Section 84 of the Evidence Act and “is therefore admissible”.

    Section 84 provides that a computer generated document shall be admissible as evidence of any fact stated in it of which direct oral evidence would be admissible and the period, in which the document was generated, the computer was operating properly.

    The case continues on May 21.

  • Imo Assembly recalls suspended lawmakers

    Imo State House of Assembly on Tuesday recalled five suspended lawmakers barely six weeks to the end of the tenure of the eight session of the House.

    The lawmakers were recalled during  plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House , Rt. Hon Acho Ihim.

    The recalled lawmakers were Chiji Collins(Isiala Mbano),Uche Oguwuike(Ikeduru),Ifeanyi Nnataraonye(Mbaitoli), Donatus Onuigwe(Oru West) and Nkenna Nzeruo(Oru West).

    Read Also: Three killed, others wounded as cultists clash in Imo

    The lawmakers were suspended in October 2018  for “unparliamentary conducts”.

    But an Imo High Court on November 5, 2018, quashed the suspension of four of the five suspended members .

    The court in lifting  the suspension, described the action as unlawful and not known by the constitution.

    The presiding justice, Goddy Anunihu,j ointly awarded the applicants the sum of N8m in damages and N100,000 in legal fees.

    The jurist directed the Speaker  who was the first respondent to pay the applicants their salaries, allowances and emoluments for the period they were suspended.

  • OAU students protest alleged proscription of unionism

    Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife on Tuesday took to the street to protest against the alleged proscription of the students’ union by the management of the institution.

    The students under the aegis of Action Committee of the Great Ife Students’ Union said they are challenging the power of the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede to proscribe a “democratic union of the institution.”

    The protest affected free flow of traffic for about an hour at Olaiya Junction, where the aggrieved students gathered to sensitize members of the public about their plight.

    After the protest, the students led by Comrade Dunsin Olowolafe addressed a press conference at the Osun State chapter of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists.

    Olowolafe alleged that the university proscribed the students union of the body’s resistance of the “unfavorable accommodation policy which tried to increase the tuition fees at the Faculty of Health Sciences to N85, 000.”

    He accused the university management of selecting some new Hall executives to impose the “unfavorable accommodation policy” on the students.

    He said: “The accommodation policy was a wicked response to the crisis of congestion on the university campus. The residential hostels which accommodated about 70 percent of the students were decongested by driving majority of the students to town/off campus, a situation which degenerated into a transportation crisis on the campus.”

    Read Also: UNILAG students charged with attempted rape

    Olowolafe said the students who are now living in town are facing untold hardship of hike in house rent and exposed to series of crimes and attacks.

    Demanding a probe of the Vice Chancellor and recovery of funds meant for the construction of four new affordable halls of residences, he called for “inauguration of a democratically elected students’ union, an end to ban on the freedom of students to associate freely, end to brutality by porters, school security and the police.”

    Other demands by the students include “sufficient and quality lecture theaters and residential hostels, proper funding of education sector with at least 26 percent of the country’s budget, public probe of all released to the institution, payment of all owed wages and allowances of education workers and the implementation of new minimum wage.”

    In a reaction, the university said the decision to suspend the central students union was taken in the overall interest of the majority of students.

    In a telephone chat, the university spokesperson, Mr. Abiodun Olanrewaju, said the protesters were only exhibiting “undue youthful exuberance,” saying the unionism in the university was never proscribed but suspended “because of infighting among the students over union dues and this could result in loss of lives and property if not checked promptly.”

    He said the university management was more concerned about peaceful conduct and protection for serious students, who were determined to be focused on their academic pursuit.

    According to him: “They are exhibiting undue youthful exuberance. They are always fighting over union dues and if this was not attended promptly to could claim lives and loss of property. The university only suspended the central union not at the departmental, faculty and halls of residence.

    “On the accommodation, we have 6,750 freshers in need of where to stay and we have only space for 6,000 against the over 33,000 students’ population. This is the reason the management is calling on well-meaning Nigerians to come and build hostels in support of the school. Also, about their demands for adequate funding of education, they know appropriate quarter to direct their demand.”

  • Lawmaker suspended for interrupting Ekiti speaker

    The Ekiti Assembly House of Assembly on Tuesday suspended member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Segun Adewumi, representing Ekiti West constituency 1, for six weeks for alleged legislative misconduct.

    The suspension of the lawmaker was attributed to undue interruption of Speaker Adeniran Alagbada, while presiding over the House at the plenary on Tuesday.

    Following the verbal exchange, the Speaker was said to have exercised his powers and suspended him from plenary session in consonance with section 17 of the Assembly’s standing order.

    According to the speaker, the former Deputy Speaker during the period on suspension will be prevented from participating in any plenary session but could only involve in off- plenary activities of the house.

    “I am still the presiding officer of this house and it constitutes an infraction for any member to interrupt me when I preside, except you have an observation to make.

    “But with what transpired today, it seems Hon. Adewumi did not make any observation but only wanted to stall this proceeding and he is hereby banned for six weeks”.

    Other lawmakers in their submissions agreed with the action, saying the speaker didn’t circumvent the constitution and standing order in meting out the punitive measure on Adewumi.

    Read Also: Herdsmen kill two, injure three in Ekiti

    After the pronouncement, the lawmaker was said to have been ushered out of the hallowed chambers by the sergeant-at-arm.

    Discussing other issues of public importance after the initial face-off, a bill for a law to repeal Ekiti state official logo amendment law number 28 of 2014 and to re -enact Ekiti state government official logo law 2011 was passed by the Assembly.

    The bill, which passed through the first reading, was subjected to the second reading where it was debated by members and consequently passed through the third reading.

    Also, the Ekiti state development and investment promotion Agency Bill 2019 also passed through the first reading and committed to another legislative day for further legislative processes.

    However, the screening and confirmation of some Political appointees at the House fixed for today was shifted on the request of the Executive.

  • Shaibu lays foundation for 300-capacity CBT Centre

    Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has laid the foundation for a 300-capacity Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre, being constructed by the Ovia South West Local Government Area (LGA), in Iguobazuwa, headquarters of the council area.

    Addressing journalists after the ground-breaking ceremony, Shaibu said the centre will bring succor to students residing in the area, who are faced with the task of travelling long distances to sit for Computer-Based Tests, including the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

    Shaibu commended the council chairman for the effort, noting that the step will complement efforts by the state government to reposition local councils for sustainability.

    The acting governor, who was on a working visit to Ovia South West LGA, visited the Odionwere of Iguobazuwa, Pa Solomon Omokaro, where he assured of the state government’s drive to attract more infrastructural projects to the council.

    Read Also: Why Edo is renovating Ogbemudia Stadium, by Shaibu

    Shaibu noted that the construction of roads in the council, which is reputed for its agrarian prowess will allow for easy evacuation of farm produce to the city centres and open the council to more economic activities.

    While inspecting ongoing construction work at Arosa Road, Shaibu charged contractors handling the project on timely completion before the rains set in. He expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at Imasabenwen Road, assuring that asphalt work will soon be completed on the road.

    “The people are happy with the present state of the road. The rehabilitation of the road has brought progress to this area,” he added.

    Shaibu also inspected the Revenue House, Marriage Registry, Army accommodation, Council Hall and Legislative Building, all in the council area.

    Earlier, Chairman, Ovia South West LGA, Hon. Destiny Enabulele, said he has aligned his administration’s objectives with that of the state government, noting, “I have executed over 30 different projects in this council. Some have been completed while others are ongoing. Some of the projects include the construction of modern markets, renovation of schools and rehabilitation of borehole projects.”

    Enabulele added that the CBT centre would be completed in two months, assuring that it would reduce the risk associated with frequent, long-distance journeys embarked on by students residing in the area.

  • Three policemen, four others sentenced to death for kidnapping

    An Akwa Ibom State High Court Uyo, presided by Justice Joy Unwana (extended jurisdiction) has handed down death sentence to seven people, including three policemen for kidnapping.

    The other 4 convicts include a woman hired by the gang for N50, 000 to cook for the victim – Deaconess Ime Anietie Ekanem, while they negotiated for her ransom.

    The state instituted Suit No HU/13c/2012 against 8 members of the gang in 2012.

    They are: CPL Emmanuel Charlie, Ekaette Edet Moses, Fidelis Emmanson Jeremiah, Cpl Bassey Sunday (377812), PC Mfon Bassey (478463), Ndu Okon Johnny, Unyime Edem Etukakpan, and Itohowo Godwin Akpakwa.

    They were convicted on all 3 count charges of Conspiracy to commit felony, Kidnapping, and Counseling, aiding and Sponsoring kidnapping.

    According to the confessional statement of the 8th accused, Mrs Itohowo Akpakwa, which was admitted as exhibit, she confessed to visiting her friend in a Bar at Idakeyop Aka where she gave the 7th accused – Unyime Edem Etukakpan money to buy medicine for his ill health.

    Though Akpakwa denied knowledge of the plot to kidnap her friend and neighbor, no fewer than 3 other members of the gang told court that they did not know her name at the time she visited the final meeting at Aka.

    They insisted that she was the one who identified her friend and gave direction to her house in Obio Etoi village, Uyo.

    Read Also: Court remands man for defiling a minor

    It was learnt that the victim was dragged out of the Toyota Sienna Car driven by the husband, in front of the family house at about 6.30 p.m and whisked away in a Volvo Wagon Car to Afaha Udoeyop in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA where she was kept, under armed guards, in an isolated building pending agreement and payment of Ransom.

    The anti-kidnapping unit of the state CID swung into action as telephone negotiations between the kidnappers and the victim’s husband brought down the initial demand from more than twenty million naira (N20m) to about N1.8 million to be paid on 2 installments.

    Plain clothed operatives of the State CID were shocked to discover that the first 2persons who approached the Afaha Ibesikpo Market square venue for the ransom delivery were their colleagues at the state CID. Shortly after the encounter, the change in venue for delivery of the ransom was relayed to the husband of the victim by phone.

    Police investigation report, indicated that after changing venue thrice, the first instalment of N800, 000 was delivered at Itam, in another LGA.

    From the totality of evidence before the Court, it was observed that the gang might have gotten away with the crime had the proceed been equitably shared.

    It was also revealed that serious disagreement in the sharing formula led to friction.

    Consequently, a member of the gang, who at the time of sharing, was in the Uyo Prison on a different criminal matter, returned home to discover that he was short changed.

    He then  gave details of the plot and how it was carried out to the police, and later became the star witness for the State.

    The 8th and only accused who escaped the capital punishment, Mrs Itohowo Akpakwa- a staff of the University of Uyo, was earlier granted bail.

    Samuel Ikpo Esq of counsel to Mrs Akpakwa had insisted that there was no reason his client should languish in prison when there is no direct evidence linking her to the commission of the alleged crime.

    Her bail was secured when Ikpo successfully argued that in the absence of a prima facie evidence against his client, it became baseless and punitive to curtail her freedom.

    Inspite of persistent argument to the contrary by Eyo Asuquo Esq for state, insisting that Mrs Akpakwa is the ‘woman’ mentioned by other suspects, the court was not persuaded, and therefore had no grounds to deny her bail.

    Reviewing arguments on both side, the court noted that evidence of most suspects was that the woman who attended their meeting at Aka before the kidnap operation was the one who identified the victim, and also supplied information about her residence and movement.

    It noted that 2 state witnesses (policemen) also confirmed to court that they heard from suspects that the 8th accused supplied information and also identified the victim.

    Justice (Mrs.) Joy Unwana echoed the position of Samuel Ikpo who pointed out that hearsay evidence by state witnesses must not only be discountenance, but that of other suspects who did not mention the name of his client.

    Furthermore, the court was convinced by his position that in the failure of police to conduct Identification Parade to give other suspects the opportunity to identify the ‘woman’ they allegedly saw, his client cannot be declared as the  ‘woman’ in question.

    The court was of the view that there was no grounds to convict Mrs Akpakwa, and accordingly discharged and acquited her.

    On the other hand, convinced that the state has successfully proven beyond reasonable doubt, the 3 count charges, the other 7 were convicted.

     

  • FG distributes relief materials to orphanage homes, IDPs in Kwara

    Federal Government on Tuesday distributed relief materials and food items to inmates of orphanage homes and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kwara state.

    Nigeria Custom Service distributed the materials on behalf of the Federal government.

    The materials distributed were seized perishable items that were kept at the government warehouse in Ilorin, state capital.

    The chairman of the sub-committee for the distribution of the seized items, Comptroller Yakubu Salihu said the exercise was sequel to a directive from the presidency.

    Read Also: CSOs to govts: IDPs suffering

    He added: “Nigeria Custom service got presidential approval to distribute perishable items like rice, vegetable oil, used cloths, spaghetti etc to alleviate the suffering of the masses. And the service was asked to make sure it is distributed to recognised and registered orphanages and IDPs.

    “The exercise started from Lagos which comprises of south west states of Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ogun states. The committee was charged with the responsibility of decongesting all government warehouses all over the country.”

    Salihu told newsmen that he led the team of the committee to recognised orphanages across the state for verification and confirmation of those that are operational.

    He said that the committee has guidelines and procedure for identification and verification of recognized orphanage homes.

  • Sokoto varsity matriculates 2,074 students

    No fewer than 2,074 new intakes into the Sokoto state University on Tuesday matriculated for the 2018/ 2019 academic session.

    At the ceremony, Vice Chancellor, Professor Sani Muhammed Dangoggo called on the students to shun all unethical conducts and tendencies in violation of the university’s rules and regulations.

    Dangoggo while administering oath on the newly admitted students noted that examination malpractice, cultism, drug abuse, indecent dressings, reckless driving among others were unacceptable.

    The Vice Chancellor explained new students were inducted into the three faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Education and Science.

    According to the Vice Chancellor, the university had always remained resolute and committed to maintaining the tempo on academic excellence and standards in all spheres of pursuits.

    “Students have no excuse not to dedicate themselves to their studies and ensure good moral conducts and behaviors,” the VC said.

    He further said that the university sponsored over 200 academic staff for various postgraduate programmes in and outside the country.

    Read Also: Sokoto police arrest Nigerien gun fabricator, Alhassan

    He outlined that the institution was fast committed to providing the required teaching and community services for the development of humanity, while stating that “we have developed all necessary facilities for use to support both teaching and learning in the university community.”

    He commended the unprecedented intervention efforts from the Sokoto state Government, Petroleum Technology Fund (PTDF) and TETFund in further strengthening and building the university’s  academic staff capacity for excellence.

    Also speaking, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the university, Barr. Inuwa Abdulkadir who congratulated the matriculating students, emphasized the need for them to exhibit high sense of moral conduct and commitment  to their studies.

    Abdulkadir added; “You should know that the oath you took is significant and should be respected by been law abiding to the rules and regulations during the course of your studies.

    “Remember that you went through tough and rigorous process before securing admission,” he advised.

  • Navy declares four persons wanted for crude oil theft

    The Nigerian Navy Tuesday declared four persons wanted in connection with crude oil theft at the nation’s maritime domain.

    Its spokesman, Navy Commodore Suleman Dahun said in a statement that the four persons are crew of Merchant Vessel ‘Grace Waters’ which was arrested last year with 90 metric tonnes of illegally sourced petroleum products.

    Read Also: Navy takes war to kidnappers, others

    Dahun gave their names as; Mr. Enikanologbon Happy, Mr Arumona Daniel, Mr Egbujie Kingsley Chinonso and Mr Ogori Kenneth.

    He said; “Anyone who has information about the whereabouts of these persons should contact the Naval Provost Marshal, Naval Headquarters, Area 7, Garki Abuja on 08037442228, 08037175817, 08030522035 and 08138799220, the nearest Naval establishment, Army, Air Force or Police unit.”