Ogun 2023: Court Sacks, Paseda Declares ADC's Otegbeye, Awonuga, Others Winner

By Yusuf Olatunji

After the African Democratic Congress, ADC's governorship candidate Barrister Biyi Otegbeye and his running partner, Babatunde Awonuga lost in the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, Otunba Rotimi Paseda has declared that they would win the upcoming general election in 2023.

When responding to the Federal High Court's decision in Abeokuta yesterday, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the names of the ADC candidates from the ballot for the 2023 elections, Paseda called the decision a mere distraction from the agents of a government hostile to the interest of the people.

Paseda noted that the good people of Ogun State are all aware of the antics of the government of the day against the candidacy of ADC's Otegbeye, who has already won the Court of public opinion.

Paseda said, " We know what is happening and we are well aware of the distraction and a feeble attempt by the government of the day to prevent the people from their democratic rights to elect who they want. The people have resolved to elect Otegbeye, and no arm twisting can stop it".

"Otegbeye has won the Court of public opinion and this pronouncement by the Federal High Court will only strengthen people's resolve.  The people deserve a right to alternatives, to choose who they want and they cannot be constrained from doing this because this is not a military era".

"We know those who are hiding behind a finger to prevent democratic exercise. Those who have lost hope in winning in a free and fair contest will always do anything to create a shortcut to victory". 

Paseda also expressed confidence that the appellate Court will treat the case on its merit, adding that all facts are available. He added that the people have been calling to show solidarity after the ruling.

"The calls have been from people across the 20 Local Government areas of the State, even calls from the other sides have shown that people are truly fed up of this State government and their antics. People have seen through them and have resolved to elect Otegbeye. People are not deterred", Paseda concluded.

Otunba Rotimi Paseda was a two-time governorship candidate in Ogun state, who has contested under the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN in 2015 and the Social Democratic Party, SDP in 2019 respectfully.

THE OGUN STATE POLICE COMMAND HAD ARRESTED A GAY IN OGIJO FOR ALLEGEDLY RAPE A FIVE YEAR- OLD BOY DEATH

by Yusuf  Hassan

Men of Ogun state Police Command on Friday 25th of November 2022, arrested a 36 years old Gay, Sikiru Ajibola for raping a 5 years old boy to death in Ogijo area of Ogun state. 

The suspect was arrested following a report lodged at Ogijo divisional headquarters by the CDA Chairman of Olorunwa Arogbeja Ogijo, who reported that one of the community members informed him that, the suspect had unlawful carnal knowledge of a 5 years old boy, consequence upon which the innocent boy died in the process. 

Upon the report, the DPO Ogijo division, CSP Enatufe Omoh, quickly detailed his detectives to the scene where the suspect was promptly arrested. 

On interrogation, the arrested suspect confessed been an homosex and that while he was having sex with the deceased boy, the boy gave up the ghost. 

He confessed further that he quickly dug a shallow grave in a nearby bush, where he hurriedly buried the boy.

He has also taken policemen to where the deceased was buried. 

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to Homicide section of the state Criminal Investigation Departments for further investigation and diligent prosecution.

INSECURITY: MANAGE INFORMATION WELL, HON. ADESINA TELLS SECURITY AGENCIES

Hon Sikiru Adesina

 

Cross section

HRM  Oba Abdul Fatai Akamo Olu of Itori

By Sakiru Olopade

Management of information has been identified as a veritable tool in ensuring a secured environment.

This assertion came to the front burner during the stakeholders security meeting held at Ewekoro Local Government Secretariat,  Itori.

The Executive Chairman, Hon. Adesina Sikiru Adisa frowned at the way the security agencies manage information relayed to them as tip off.

Hon. Adesina, explained that most of the officers, often disclose the source of information which would endanger the life of the person that gives them the tip off.

He charged the security agencies to kindly gear more efforts to curb the criminality of kidnapping which happens to be the order of day in the society.

While stressing further, Hon. Adesina said that the spate of insecurity in the local government had taken a new dimension despite government efforts to curtail the monster that is making life unbearable for the people, noting that it was the problem of cultism, robbery, rituals, before now.

His words, "Now, that we are in electioneering period  our security personnel must do all possible efforts to protect lifes and properties and ensure peaceful conduct of the poll, this call does not left out we the politicians, who are the key actors in the season" 

Similarly, Royal fathers, religious and community leaders were urged to wake up to this call, while also, appealing to parents to caution their wards not to partake in any form of rascality and criminality.

Speaking further, the council helsman enjoined people who sells mass acres of land to strangers to desist from doing so as it would not augur well for both citizen and the government.

He advised them, that land should be sold to those who wanted to develop the land immediately and not for those who intend to buy it for future investment.

However, Hon. Adesina did not fail to appreciate the chief security officer of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodum mfr, who have  been doing everything humanly possible to make Ogun State safe haven for all dwellers in the state.

In his own contribution, the Olu of Itori, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdul Fatai Akorede Akamo, gave kudos to the Executive Chairman, Hon. Adesina Sikiru Adisa for his unrelent efforts in curtailing the activities of criminal minded  people in the local government.

The monarch, also enjoined the people to always inform the relevant agencies when they notice suspicious person or movement in their vicinity to avoid uneccesary ugly  incidence.

 

The Security agencies present at the event, rendered their security reports, stressing the fact that security matter was a task for all and sundry, not excluding anyone.

The all inclusive stakeholders security meeting had in attendance: security agencies, traditional rulers, Baale's, CDA's religious leaders, community leaders political functionaries, career officers and captains of Industries.

INSECURITY : EWEKORO LOCAL GOVT BOSS, HON ADESINA TO PURCHASE DRONE CAMERA ........ for surveillance to fight against kidnapping and other crime related activities. The Executive Chairman, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Hon Adesina Sikiru Adisa has disclosed that his administration will soon purchase drone camera for surveillance to fight a

INSECURITY :  EWEKORO LOCAL GOVT BOSS, HON ADESINA TO PURCHASE DRONE CAMERA 

  ........ for surveillance to fight against kidnapping and other crime related activities.

The Executive Chairman, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Hon Adesina Sikiru Adisa has disclosed that his administration will soon purchase drone camera for surveillance to fight a

gainst kidnapping and other crime related activities in the council area.

   The chairmarn made the disclosure during the peace and security meeting held at the council' secretariat, Itori.

   Hon Adesina emphasized the need to purchase the drone camera to complement the efforts of the security agencies to wage total war against the kidnappers and other criminal minded people.

  The council helmsman, then called on stakeholders on security matter to ensure unfettered synergy in order to checkmate the menace of insecurity and other social vices in the council area.

   Hon Adesina commended the efforts of Olu of Itori, Oba Abdul Fatai Akorede Akamo in ensuring that activities of the cultists that had almost enveloped the council area was reduced to the minimal level, if not completely eradicated.

   The Local Government boss ,while appreciating the security agencies, also enjoined them to make use of effective communication in the course of discharging their duties for optimal result.

  Hon Adesina , however registered his displeasure at the use of one-way by the motorists and motorcyclists, urging security operatives , most especially Federal Road Safety Corps, and Ogun State Traffic Compliance Enforcement Corps (TRACE) to apprehend anyone caught in the act.

  He also disclosed that motorcyclists would soon begin to register for easy identification and to curb the activities of the criminals harbouring on the disguise of being commercial motorcyclists to perpetrate evil act.

      The local government boss, however, as requested by the stakeholders at the meeting, gave accent to the inclusion of Vigilante Group Nigeria (V.G.N), So Safe Corps, Hunters' Association in subsequent meetings of the peace and security , though as observant .

    Speaking at the meeting, His Royal Majesty , the Olu of Itori, Oba Abdul Fatai Akorede Akamo eulogized the Executive Chairman, Hon Adesina Sikiru Adisa for the good work so far in Ewekoro Local Government.

    The monarch said there was a remarkable improvement in reducing the activities of the cultists in the council area, compared to about four years back .

   Oba Abdul Fatai Akorede Akamo , therefore, promised his continual efforts in seeing to the peace within the council area and ready to render assistance to the security operatives in combating kidnapping and social vices in Ewekoro local Government.

   The royal father used the occasion to appreciate the Ogun State Governor, His Excellency ,Prince Dapo Abiodun,MFR,for his prompt attention to the federal roads in the council area.

   Various security agencies present at the meeting rendered their reports and resolved to work harder in combating crimes and ensure security of lives and properties.

Security Neutralize Nutorious Bandit Commander

After an era of terrorizing citizens and evading security forces, the Kaduna State Government can authoritatively report that the notorious bandit commander known as ‘Dogo Maikasuwa’ has met his end. 

The development was made known in an operational feedback from security agencies. A blurred photograph of the neutralized bandit leader is attached with this statement. 

Painstaking investigations revealed atrocities he carried out with impunity in hard-to-reach locations. 

Dogo Maikasuwa, also known as ‘Dogo Maimillion' led series of attacks and kidnappings of citizens plying the Kaduna-Kachia Road, and in communities within Chikun and Kajuru LGAs. He was one of the deadliest bandits leading other elements in terrorizing citizens of these general areas. 

According to human intelligence sources, he was always dressed in green camouflage military fatigues and wielding an AK47 rifle. Such was his appearance during the duel with security forces which ultimately consumed him.  

It was also gleaned that he led his bandits to engage in operations with cruelty, often killing kidnapped victims when ransoms were delayed or considered meager.  

In his final stand, the notorious bandit in the company of his foot soldiers ran into an ambush laid by operatives in a forest in the Gengere-Kaso general area, around the Chikun and Kajuru boundaries.

The security forces after the fierce battle successfully neutralized the bandit leader and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, five rounds of ammunition, two motorcycles and one set of camouflage military fatigues.

The other bandits escaped with gun wounds. It was further gathered that one of them died from injuries sustained in the fierce battle, with his remains carried away by other fleeing elements. 

The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, received the feedback with gratitude and commended the personnel for their bravery in the fierce battle against the bandits. 

EFCC Chairman Speaks On Court Judgment Sending Him To Prison

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrashid Bawa, has reacted to the judgement which sent him to prison.

An Abuja high court sitting in Maitama convicted Bawa for contempt of court.

The court had ordered the EFCC to return to a defendant, a former Director of Operations at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo, his Range Rover, and N40 million.

The EFCC had arraigned Ojuawo on a two-count charge before Justice Muawiyah Baba Idris of the High Court of the FCT in Nyanya in 2016.

He was accused of receiving N40 million and a Range Rover Sport (Supercharged) from one Hima Aboubakar of Societe D’Equipment Internationaux Nigeria Limited.

Ojuawo, in a suit filed by his lawyer, R.N. Ojabo, complained that the EFCC declined to comply with the order for the release of his seized property made by the court in a judgment delivered on November 21, 2018.

In the October 28, 2022 ruling, Justice Chizoba Oji held that, “The Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is in contempt of the orders of this honourable court made on November 21st 2018 directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abuja to return to the applicant his Range Rover (Supercharged) and the sum of N40, 000,000.00 (Forty Million Naira).”

However, the commission failed to comply with the order of the court.

Consequently, the Judge ordered that Bawa should be committed to prison at the Kuje Correctional Centre for his wilful disobedience to the order of the court.

Reacting to the judgement in a chat with Daily Trust correspondent and some other journalists, Bawa said an appeal had been filed.

The anti-graft czar, who appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption to defend his agency’s budget, on Tuesday, said the law would take its natural course.

“Well, we have appealed against it, so we will allow the natural course of law to take its effect.”

He also said the EFCC requested more funding for its Academy and the agency’s operations which he said requires money.

He said, “We are building a brand new EFCC Academy and we need funding for that. Last year N3 billion was allocated and this year nothing was allocated for it, and that is why we are pleading to members that we need to have this new EFCC Academy because of course we have to learn, as fighters of crime we have to be ahead of these criminals and the only way you can do that is by training and re-training and re-training and re-training again. It can never end.

He expressed confidence that, the 9th National Assembly which he described as purposeful would heed the request.

While answering question on the agency’s operations and recoveries made so far, he said that, they have recorded a lot of recoveries and were working in line with the laws guiding forfeiture, disposal and remittances of proceeds of crimes.