News

Confront Terrorists, We’re Not Coward, Gov Akeredolu Charges Ondo People

Published

3 years ago

July 5, 2022

Editor

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has charged the people of the State to be alert, always look out for terrorists and confront them squarely.

The Governor said that people should stop running into their houses whenever they see the heavily armed terrorists but to face them squarely and chase them back into the forests.

He noted that there might be some casualties in trying to be so courageous, but insisted that Ondo people are not lazy and cannot be dominated by anyone.

The Governor stated this when he appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday evening, adding that the Zamfara State Governor may have been a bit extreme when he proposed arms for his people for self defence, but insisted that such is the response you get from someone who has been pushed so hard.

“I heard my brother in Zamfara who said [he will] licence people to carry arms, well it might be a bit extreme measure, but when you’re pushed to the wall, there’s nothing else you can say.

“So what we’ve learnt earlier is that our people cannot afford to stay back or lay back as if we’re lazy people. We’re not lazy.

“We’re indomitable people in spirit and everything, nobody can dominate us. So when we believe that and strongly act that, fight these people back! If they come, push them back into the forest and whosoever has the higher arm will survive.

“So for us, people have to be alert…and when incidents like this happen, don’t run to your house, go ahead and confront it. Yes, people may lose their lives which is unfortunate, but if you confront it, they will hardly go away.”

Speaking on the very group responsible for the massacre of Christian worshippers in Owo, Ondo State, the Governor said that the Federal Government was quick to jump into conclusions that ISWAP carried out the attack.

According to him, the security agencies have not been able to provide the evidence to back up their claims, adding that ISWAP usually took responsibility for their heinous crimes.

Akeredolu said it was impossible to separate the activities of Fulani terrorists, bandits and ISWAP, maintaining that they operate together.

“What evidence do they have? Because we ought to know. Because they were too quick to jump to the conclusion that it was done by ISWAP. But whatever it is, we stand on the position that it’s the trilogy that is operating in our forests and causing havoc,” he added.

“You just have Fulani herdsmen right in front, followed by these bandits and then ISWAP. The three of them work together. So we’re not people who’ll buy the idea of whether it is bandits or terrorists, Fulani herdsmen or ISWAP. In Ondo State we’ve been facing terrorism from the three.

“Whether they’re bandits, Fulani herdsmen or ISWAP they work together. So I don’t know how you want to separate them unless you come out with concrete evidence.

“And our contention is that ISWAP, most times they take responsibility for their actions. When they do things, they say ‘we’ve done it’.

“They take pride in all this heinous crime. So, I expect that if ISWAP had done it, they’d have come out and owned it up,” he said.

News

Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

Published

3 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

News

Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Published

13 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed.

“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.

News

Lawyers Fault EFCC Statement, Say It’s Misleading

Published

14 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

Some legal practitioners in Bauchi state have faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) official statement about their client on Wednesday, adding that it was erroneous, false and misleading.

It could be recalled that EFCC posted on its official Facebook handle that a Bauchi State High Court has cleared the commission to proceed with its investigation of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State, Hamza Koshe, and his company, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd.

According to the EFCC statement, the commission said Justice Aliyu Baba, in a judgment delivered on July 30, 2025, dismissed an application by Koshe seeking to restrain the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission from probing him.

However, in a statement jointly signed and made available to newsmen in Bauchi on Thursday by Jibrin S. Jibrin Esq, M.M. Usman Esq, H.B. Pali Esq, Abbas Ibrahim Esq, I.G. Agwam Esq and Salome Audu Esq all counsel to Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Anor as well as Koshe insisted that the statement was misleading.

According to them, the EFCC owed the public the duty of relating only the truth of what the courts decided as regards the contract financing agreement in the issues their clients were parties.

“Our attention as the legal representatives of Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Alhaji Hamza Koshe in respect of suit No. BA/271/2024 has been drawn to the statement posted on the official page of the EFCC on Wednesday, where the Commission supposedly rendered an analysis of the judgement delivered by the High Court of Justice No. 4 Bauchi Presided by Justice Aliyu Usman on the 30th July 2025.

“Now against the background of the erroneous, false and misleading publication by the EFCC on the matter, we deem it necessary to set the records straight by stating what actually is the truth of the matter in terms of the enrolled judgment Order of the Court to which this press release is attached.

“It is proper to state as a fact that in an earlier judgement relating to the subject of this release, the verdict of the High Court of Justice No. 10 Bauchi presided by Justice M. M. Abubakar delivered on the 19th December, 2024 is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject matter of the suit having been found to be valid and not contravening any law remains enforceable hence, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd is accorded the applicable injunctive reliefs as regards the activities of the Commission.

“We state as a fact that the main question of law determined in Justice Aliyu Baba Usman’s judgment is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject of the suit is valid.

“The EFCC failed to state in its statement in reference the fact that many parties and contractors concerned or involved in the Contract Financing Agreement in the issue have been invited by the Commission with virtually all of them responding, honoring its invitation on the matter and thereby discharging their legal obligation speak volumes of ‘the bidding of some’ which the publication seeks to achieve ab initio,” said the lawyers.

The counsel added that the mischief and deliberate misrepresentation in EFCC’s statement could be seen when not only did it make no mention of this fact but also created the impression that their clients went to Court to evade investigation on the matter.

They said that Koshe was a guest of the Commission having honored its invitation in September 2024 which he was released on administrative bail, the terms and conditions applicable to which he has been observing.

“It is also important to clarify as a fact that there is no truth at all in the Commission’s statement to the effect that our client sought a perpetual injunction of general nature against the Commission’s activities.

“The truth about the reliefs sought by our clients is as contained in the Court’s processes filed in the suit in reference.

“We challenge the Commission to provide evidence of where our client ever sought a perpetual injunction at large or of general nature against it or any other body duly established by law.

“We urge members of the public to disregard in its entirety EFCC’s statement on the subject and be guided in its stead by the facts as contained in the relevant court processes to which this release is attached,” he said.