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Alleged Illegal Demolition: Victims Cry For Justice, Want FG, Edo Govt’s Intervention

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Property developers whose houses were pulled down with bulldozer allegedly on the orders of Mr. Frank Irabor, the secretary to Benin Traditional Council (BTC) have cried for justice, just as one of them, said four other house owners affected by the demolition are currently hospitalized arising from shock over the loss of their properties.

INFO DAILY reports that over 60 houses were reportedly demolished during the operation last week at Ulegun community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Srea of Edo State.

The developer who identified himself as Osaro Ihankpan said he had so far expended N38 million in the last 12 years on the buildings which he said were at the filling and roofing level respectively when it was demolished.

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“I am no longer myself. I am just standing here as a man. There’s one woman and three others who are battling with thier lifes after they destroyed their houses.

“I want the Edo State and federal governments to come to my aid. I bought the land and paid before I started building,” he stated.

Mr. Frank Irabor had told journalists that the land measuring 225.47 hactares where the houses were built belong to the Oba of Benin, adding, “those who built on the land should go and meet those who sold the land to them”.

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Meanwhile, the leaders of Ulegun community Friday insisted that they didn’t at anytime seed the said land to the Benin Monarch.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Tension As Court Remands Benin Palace Secretary, 6 Others Over Alleged Illegal Demolition

Mr. Raymond Enogieru who spoke on behalf of the leaders accused the leadership of a neighbouring community (Ukhiri) and the palace secretary of bringing the revered institution to disrepute.

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He insisted that a dispute over the said land with its neighbouring community (Ukhiri) had been resolved in various courts up to Supreme Court in favour of Ulegun community, in addition to the pronouncement by former Oba of Benin, HRM, Oba Erediawa.

Recall that on Thursday, Justice Mary Itsueli of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City ordered that Mr. Frank Irabor and six others m be ramanded in prison custody pending receipt of legal advice by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The police is prosecuting the accused following protests by the community for justice over the illegal destruction of their property as well as alleged intimidation, harassment and disregard for the rule of law.

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Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

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The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

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READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

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The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: NLC Begins Meeting With ASUU, Other Unions Over Strike

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The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

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However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

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Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

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Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

READ ALSO:Film Premiere: Edo In Talks With Embassies To Promote Safe Migration —Agazuma

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La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

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He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

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Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

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The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

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READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

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“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

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