Metro

Delta Bloodbath: Ex-LG Chairman Sues Army For ₦2bn Over Wanted Declaration

Published

2 days ago

July 1, 2024

A former Caretaker Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Lucky Okodeh, has sued the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff, at a Federal High Court, Abuja, for wrongly publishing his face among those wanted in connection to the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama in Delta State.

Recall that on March 14, 2024, 17 officers of the Nigerian Army were murdered by unknown persons in Okuama in Delta State, causing the Defence Headquarters Abuja, to declare 8 persons wanted.

Though Okodeh’s name was not published, his photo was posted with a name which is not his, which he also said no member of his family or extended family bears.

Okodeh noted that this has cost him his political career as he had already been fronted as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, for the April 11, 2024, council elections, but after his face was published on a name that is not his, his party ( PDP) was forced to drop his name and substitute it with that of another candidate who is now enjoying the position and benefits of Chairman of Southern Ijaw.

Okodeh, on this note, asked the court to set aside the wanted declaration and award the sum of two billion naira as compensation for damages suffered over the action of the Defence Headquarters Abuja, which has affected his political career and also made him to go into hiding.

The aggrieved claimant also wants the court to put the matter to rest and cause the defendants to tender an apology which is to be published on both print and electronic media, so that he can have the freedom to live his normal life.

Although the matter was fixed for mention today, Monday, July 1, 2024, the case was fixed for another date as the court did not sit.

Counsel to the claimant, Femi Falana, and the counsel to the Nigerian Army, Mike Ebah, all made appearances in the court – only to be told that the presiding judge, Justice B.M. Nyako, was attending a conference and was not on seat, and both counsels agreed that the matter be shifted to October 17, 2024, for mention.

Other prayers sought in the suit are that the Federal High Court should restrain the first and second defendants (the Chief of Defence Staff, Armed Forces of Nigeria, and the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army) perpetually from arresting him or sending anyone on their behalf to carry out or enforce the directive; as the plaintiff is a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria who has never had any criminal record right from childhood.

Metro

‘Many Structures Will Go Down’, Lagos Blows Hot Over Flood

Published

31 mins ago

July 3, 2024

Editor

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, on Wednesday, vowed that many structures obstructing the free flow of rain water will be removed.

He said those structures would be removed “irrespective of who or highly placed the owners are.”

Conquering the clouds on a journey to Ta Xua with the team – Road Trip Vietnam Team – Nếm TV

Wahab spoke in the wake of the ravaging flood which submerged many houses, communities and properties in Lagos.
Some of the affected areas include Epe, Eredo, Bogije, Labora, Abijon, Sangotedo, Awoyaya and Ibeju-Lekki.

A primary six pupil simply identified as Joshua was swept away by flood in Ikosi, Ketu area of Lagos State.

Daily Trust reports that some miscreants also took advantage of the crisis as they charged passers-by N100 to access a makeshift bridge at the Tradefair under-bridge in Lagos.

The commissioner, however, unleashed his anger on a post on X (formerly twitter) asking him to explain if “the Igbo-owned property and business demolition we witnessed in Lagos 2023, was all politically engineered?”

@PureStanley1 posted that “Can we all now agree that the Igbo owned property and business demolition we witnessed in Lagos 2023, was all politically engineered? and we were told that some of the buildings were built on canals, thereby blocking the flow of water and causing flooding in Lagos. @tokunbo_wahab can u explain to us why there was a flood in Lagos again yesterday and the early hours of today, after going on demolition spree on IGBOS owned properties?

“Take the Microphone sir, we await ur response!.”

But Wahab fired back and accused the X user of pushing ethnic narrative.

“Many more structures obstructing the free flow of rain water in Lagos will still be removed irrespective of who or highly placed the owners are. Prepare your mind to make your usual aimless and empty noise. If turning it to ethnic narrative makes you happy, go ahead! TW,” he posted.

Metro

Irate Youths Burn Down INEC Office In Benue

Published

37 mins ago

July 3, 2024

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Wednesday that it’s local government office in Ukum, Benue state was burnt by irate youths reportedly protesting against insecurity.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, who disclosed this is a statement, said no casualty was recorded during the incident.

He however said the commission lost a number of valuable property in the fire, adding that security agents have been notified if the development.

The statement reads: “The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State, Professor Sam Egwu, has reported that our Local Government Area office in Sankara, headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area, has been attacked and burnt down.

“The incident occurred at 2pm today, Wednesday 3rd July 2024, when the youths in the area said to be protesting against the activities of bandits attacked facilities of government agencies, including INEC.

“Although no casualties were reported, the building has been extensively damaged. Office furniture and other movable and immovable materials, including 10 electric generators, 300 ballot boxes and 270 voting cubicles, were destroyed in the attack.

“The attention of security agencies has drawn to the incident and they have already deployed their personnel to the area.”

Metro

Tension As Armed Men Kill Delta Community Leader, Set Corpse Ablaze

Published

3 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Editor

There was tension on Wednesday in Obodougwa-Ogume, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State as a community leader, Mr Anselm Oyibo, was found dead.

Oyibo, a former Community Development Committee Chairman of the community was macheted to death and set ablaze along with his motorcycle by unknown assailants, according to The PUNCH.

His remains were found alongside his motorcycle at Obodougwa Ogume Junction along Kwale-Obiaruku Road on Wednesday.

Residents of the community who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident said the deceased left his Kwale residence at about 11.30 pm on Sunday after he received a phone call and never returned home.

“The deceased suddenly woke up from his bed just before midnight and said he was going out. He started his motorcycle, brought out his phone and started answering a call. He was married to two wives, so it was felt that he was going to his second wife’s place. The next morning, he didn’t return, so his second wife was called and she said he didn’t spend the night at her place.

“His phone was called, it rang for some time and after a while, it was no longer connecting. Later, information came that someone was killed in our junction and was burnt with his motorcycle.

“It was later confirmed that he was the person. He was killed with machetes and set ablaze. His corpse has been taken to the mortuary.”

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe confirmed the killing.

He said, “Yes, efforts are ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his death”