Connect with us

Metro

290 Witnesses Expected At Edo Election Tribuna, As Sitting adjourned

Published

on

No fewer than 290 witnesses are expected to testify for and against the outcome of the September 21 Edo governorship election which produced Senator Monday Okpebholo.

This revelation of the number of expected witnesses was made known at the sitting of 2024 Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Saturday.

Reading the adopted pre-hearing report, chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, said the parties agreed to call a total of 290 witnesses.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Alleged Attack At Edo Tribunal: APC Fingers Opposition, Opts For Self Defence In Next Sitting

He said the report outlined the timeframe for the examination of witnesses, with 40 minutes allocated for examination-in-chief for each star witness, 30 minutes for cross-examination by the petitioners, and 20 minutes for cross-examination by each respondent.

Other agreements reached by the parties, according to him, include the allocation of 10 minutes for re-examination of each star witness and 25 minutes for examination-in-chief for other witnesses.

Advertisement

The petitioners are expected to call their witnesses within 21 days or less, while respondents will have 10 days each to call their witnesses.

According to the report, the tribunal will sit daily from 10 a.m., except on Sundays and other public holidays gazetted by law.

READ ALSO: Edo Election Tribunal Chairman Sues For Cooperation As Sitting Commences

Advertisement

Justice Kpochi said there shall be no consolidation of the petition with any other as there was no application in respect thereof.

He added that no amendment of such shall be entertained and that the parties agreed to call only witnesses whose statements on oath had been frontloaded and may call subpoenaed witnesses where necessary.

He adjourned the hearing to January 13, 2025, following the adoption of the pre-hearing report.

Advertisement

Asue Ighodalo, the PDP and other parties are challenging the declaration of Okpebholo as the winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Metro

Police Stop Egungun Festival In Lagos Community

Published

on

The Lagos State Police Command has ordered the suspension of an Egungun festival in Oregun area of the state, earlier fixed for Friday and Saturday.

The command has also arrested suspects linked to the circulation of posters and social media posts warning residents against free movement in the area during the festival.

According to a statement signed on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the suspects, allegedly acting under the name “Oje Parapo of Oregun,” were apprehended after distributing handbills that restricted people’s freedom of movement, expression, and dignity.

Advertisement

The police described these actions as capable of inciting fear and disturbing public order.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Tinubu Orders Withdrawal Of Police Guards From VIPs

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has therefore ordered an immediate suspension of the festival scheduled for November 27 and 28, 2025.

Advertisement

“He warned that the command would not tolerate any activity capable of breaching public peace, threatening safety, or disrupting law and order in the state,” the statement read.

The police vowed that no cultural event or gathering that could heighten tensions or endanger lives would be permitted in the state.

“In a similar incident on November 23, 2025, at Mafoluku in Oshodi under Makinde Division, the police swiftly arrested 12 individuals behind another attempt to incite disorder through circulation of provocative publications.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:State Police Can No Longer Be Delayed – South-West Governors

All suspects remain under investigation and will be charged upon conclusion of inquiries,” the statement added.

Reiterating the suspension, CP Jimoh directed the Oje Parapo group to desist from any attempt to proceed with the festival, stating that security for such an event could not be guaranteed.

Advertisement

He condemned the fear already created among residents as unacceptable and warned that anyone attempting to undermine public peace would face the full weight of the law.

The command urged Lagos residents to continue their lawful activities without fear, assuring them of sustained protection of life and property.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Metro

Ogun To Prosecute DJ Over Multiple Road Crashes

Published

on

Following series of traffic accidents that have raised concerns about public safety, the Ogun State Ministry of Justice has announced plans to prosecute TikTok content creator, Ademola Abiodun, popularly known as DJ Chicken.

The action comes after Abiodun allegedly crashed into two motorcycles in Sagamu, Ogun State, on November 1, 2025, critically injuring a rider and a female passenger.

The government in a statement, Monday, on its official X handle, said witnesses reported that Abiodun tried to flee the scene before being stopped by onlookers.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Ogun Motorcyclist Arrested For Killing Wife, Conveying Corps In Sack

According to the ministry, DJ Chicken was involved in another crash on Sunday in Lekki, Lagos State, narrowly escaping pedestrians, making it the third in three months.

Part of the statement reads, “Mr Abiodun’s heedless return to the wheel with no greater care just three weeks after makes it imperative that the state must intervene to protect the public – especially as there is an organic outcry against his continued driving.

Advertisement

“While it may be reasonable to allow crash victims to get compensation from persons who have driven recklessly and to resolve road traffic collisions as a civil wrong, some road users are special dangers to society and should be held to account under criminal law,” it said.

READ ALSO:Four Dead, Three Injured As Bus Collides With Truck In Ogun

The statement added that in an effort to guarantee accountability, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, has instructed pertinent officers to move quickly on the pending crash case from Sagamu for a prompt arraignment.

Advertisement

Nonetheless, the ministry reiterated its dedication to working with law enforcement agencies to protect the public from reckless drivers.

Continue Reading

Metro

JUST IN: Again, Terrorists Storm Kwara Community, Kidnap Pregnant Woman, 10 Children, Others

Published

on

Unidentified gunmen have attacked the Isapa community in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, kidnapping a pregnant woman, 10 children, two nursing mothers, and several others.

It was gathered that an estimated 20 to 30 armed bandits invaded the community, advancing with a large herd of cattle and firing sporadically.

A stray bullet reportedly struck an elderly woman during the assault.

Advertisement

A community leader who confirmed the incident told National Pilot that 11 people were abducted, including seven members of the same family.

READ ALSO:38 Abducted Kwara Church Worshippers Regain Freedom

The abducted individuals have been identified as: Talatu Kabiru, Magaji, Kande, Hadiza, Mariam, Saima, Habibat (a housewife), Fatima Yusufu (a housewife), Sarah Sunday (pregnant woman), Lami Fidelis (a nursing mother), and Haja Na Allah.

Advertisement

The attackers reportedly escaped through bush paths connecting Eruku to neighbouring communities, leaving residents in panic and confusion.

The attack comes barely two weeks after bandits struck the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), kidnapping 38 members, while others reportedly died during the assault.

If Nnamdi Kanu shows remorse, i will call for his pardoning — Sheikh Gumi
However, all 38 abducted victims from the church incident have reportedly been rescued.

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

Trending