News

Assult On Members: Edo NUJ, NBA Demand Apology From Police Command

Published

5 years ago

May 22, 2020

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, and the Nigerian Bar Association in the state have demanded unreserved apology from Edo State Police Command on the assult unleash on the members of the two unions and a council to the state by the officers of the command.

Mr. Lucky Isibor, a journalist and Matthew Edaghese Esq, were reportedly assulted on Monday, May 19 at Urokpota Mobile Court by one Sgt Agatha, and DSP Imoekeme Isa, when the duo made an attempt to rescue state’s counsel, Ama-Iyamu (female) from the two police officers whom they were assulting.

Report says trouble started when Counsel to the state (female lawyer) tried to check excesses of DSP Isa on his indiscriminate arrests and raids on food items against the Attorney General’s earlier warning against it.

Irked by the lawyer’s caution, DSP Isa reportedly attacked the female lawyer which prompted Mr. Isibor, journalist attached to Edo NBA mobile court monitoring team to intervene and was consequently rough handled and beaten along with Edaghase Esq at the mobile court.

According to report, it took the intervention of some good spirited individuals to rescue Isibor, Edaghase and the state Counsel from the rampaging policemen.

Addressing newsmen at a NUJ/NBA joint briefing, Chairman, Edo NUJ, Roland Osakwe, said the briefing became necessary as a result of rising human rights abuse by security agencies.

Describing the urgly incident as affront on the NUJ and the NBA, and an attack on the system set up by the government, the NUJ chairman demanded unreserved apology from the State Police Command on before Tuesday next week, as he threatened that legal action would be taken if such is not done.

“Since the incident happened on Monday, we have not heard anything from the Command. Even when they have been informed of the incident. We want to use this opportunity to call on the Command that we demand an unreserved apology from them within now and next week Tuesday. Failure to do so, we will not hesitate to take to the other option which we know we can also use in seeking our redress.

“These police officers: DSP Isa and Sgt Agatha should not be allowed to be in the police force because this is not an era of Banana republic where anybody choses what he or she wants to do. In fact, they are bringing shame to the police force”, Osakue said.

In his part, chairman, NBA, Benin Branch, Collins Ogiegbean Esq, described the two officers as “habitual persons who have continued to abuse the system.”

Ogiegbean noted that the members who were assulted by these two officers were not the first victim, adding that market women and the poor are their regular victims.

He said, “DSP Isa and Sgt Agatha seem to have a long history. In fact, you can call them habitual persons who have continued to abuse the system; they have abuse the system habitually. They are known for this act.

“The Journalist and NBA member that were assulted are not their first victim. In fact, the market women, and the very poor people are their regular victim. They go to the market place to carry what they call perishable, and they bring it to the mobile court and leave the perishable to perish.”

Describing free press and fearless Bar as sin qua non to certainty in any society, the NBA chairman called for sanction of these two officers from the state Police Command.

News

Group Throws Weight Behind Benin Monarch’s Decision On Iyaloja

Published

10 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

Group known as Edo Art and Cultural Heritage Institute (EACHI) has thrown its weight behind Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, on the royal father’s stance on the traditional leadership of markets in the Benin Kingdom.

A statement isdued by Okpioba Osaro Idemudia, on behalf of the group, said the “institute aligns with the Oba’s stance that the Iye-Eki is the only recognized traditional head of the markets, and we believe that this position should be respected and preserved in accordance with our cultural heritage.

“EACHI stands firm on the ground that the Iye-Eki holds a significant and revered position in the Benin Kingdom, serving as the main market traditional head. We believe that any attempts to impose external leadership structures that contradict our cultural norms and traditions would undermine the rich heritage of the Benin people.

“We are proud of our royal rather, for his unwavering commitment to upholding the cultural values and traditions of the Benin Kingdom.

“EACHI reassures the people of Edo State and the broader community that we will continue to support and promote the preservation of our rich cultural heritage.”

The group, while calling on Edo sons and daughters in home and in diaspora to “stand in unity to support our royal father Oba Ewuare II’s disapproval of IYALOJA,” commended
Edo market women for talking a bold stand against the imposition of IYALOJA

News

JUST IN: Tinubu’s Minister Resigns Amid Allegations

Published

11 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet amid controversies surrounding his academic records and allegations of certificate forgery.

Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, announced his resignation in a letter to the President on Tuesday, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve.

Confirming the development in a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him. President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.

“He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria. Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents. President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.”

Nnaji’s resignation comes amid a lingering controversy over alleged certificate forgery and questions surrounding his academic qualifications from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Nnaji and the Enugu State Government had traded words over allegations that he presented forged certificates.

The dispute intensified after the Federal High Court in Enugu rejected Nnaji’s bid to stop the University of Nigeria from releasing his academic records.

The court had ruled that the institution was within its rights to release the minister’s academic details in response to a freedom of information request, a decision that fuelled further public scrutiny.

Nnaji, however, maintained that he was being blackmailed by political opponents determined to tarnish his reputation.

News

UNIBEN Bans Students’ Sign-out Celebration

Published

11 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has prohibited all forms of sign-out celebrations by graduating students.

The ban is contained in a circular by the university’s Registrar, Mr Ademola Bobola, on Tuesday in Benin.

In the circular addressed to members of the university community, the management warned that violators risk severe disciplinary actions, including rustication, expulsion, or withdrawal of certificate.

Bobola said the decision was reached at a meeting on Monday, where it reaffirmed an earlier resolution of the university’s Senate banning such activities on campus.

“The management declared that no sign-out celebration of any kind, including signing on T-shirts and playing of music, will be tolerated,” he said.

He stated that the university would not condone any form of disorderly conduct or unauthorised gathering during or after examinations.

“Indiscriminate parading around the campuses in any brand of vehicle will not be permitted,” the circular warned.

According to him, unauthorised vehicles will not be allowed into the campuses all through the last week of the second semester examination.

“The management also prohibited large gatherings around faculties, schools, or institutes after examinations.

“Photographers will not be permitted to put up photo stands or galleries for the purpose of such celebration,” he said.

He said the management equally cautioned parents and guardians of final-year students against visiting campus premises during the final days of examinations.

“Parents and guardians of final-year students are advised to stay away from the Faculty, School, or Institute premises, especially on the last day of examination,” he said.

Bobola emphasised that the university’s stance was aimed at maintaining order, discipline, and academic decorum on campus.

“Members of the university community are kindly invited to note the above position for strict compliance.

“Any violation will attract severe disciplinary sanctions, including withdrawal of certificate, rustication, and expulsion of violators,” he warned.