Metro

Edo APC Chides Obaseki Over Demolition Of Private Properties, Says Due Process Jettisoned

Published

3 years ago

June 22, 2021

Editor

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State on Tuesday condemned in strong term the recent demolition spree of private properties in the state capital, Benin, by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration on the excuse that the owners violated extant town planning legislations.

The APC, in a statement signed by its state chairman, Col. (Dr.) David Imuse (rtd), and made available to Info Daily condemned the demolition of one property at 13 Aideyan Street, on the Ihama axis, and another housing over 60 stores, which was undergoing construction at 90, Akenzua Road, both in Benin City.

He insisted that the government did not follow due process, and there is no evidence that the owners were served notice of infringement or intention to demolish.

Imuse, while stating that “it is distressing that the Obaseki government is celebrating these demolitions like a rampaging occupation force, further noted that “such actions by Government is an illegality, and amounts to wilful and wanton destruction amidst excruciating unemployment rate, decayed infrastructure, a worsening governance system, and unprecedented poverty in our State.”

The party Chairman said whereas these properties did not drop from the skies, and have been under construction with the knowledge of the Edo State Department of Physical and Urban Planning, stressing that explanation that their owners failed to get relevant approvals as the basis for their demolition does not hold water.

He said, “They did not start the buildings overnight. Relevant authorities cannot say they were not in the know of their construction. Moreover, the owners meant well for the State by investing their hard-earned resources running into millions of naira, into the properties designed to create jobs for the youths of the State.”

He argued that in civilized climes a responsible government would have given the owners the option of paying fines and directives to redesign the said properties according to approved plans or gone to court to obtain relevant orders.

The party said, “Whereas previous demolitions targeted members of the APC, recent demolitions are targeting the same investors the government claims it is searching for; an indication which has further shown that the PDP government in Edo state does not have the interest of the people at heart, but is only out to repress and plunge our state into untold hardship.”

But in its reaction, Edo State government claimed occupants of the demolished properties were served notice.

A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical and Urban Development, Chris Abode, said owner of the property at 13 Aideyan Street, on the Ihama axis of the GRA in Benin City had earlier been served notice on his property.

He added that the notice was served on June 6, 2021, with a reminder to the owner to remove or demolish the building after it allegedly failed to meet necessary approvals.

The demolition is said to be connected with the conversion of the property, from a residential apartment to a hotel, without approval from the appropriate authority.

Metro

Man Dies On Top Of Married Woman In Akure

Published

1 hour ago

May 5, 2024

Editor

A married man has reportedly died after sleeping with a married woman in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

X user, Bolanle Cole, who shared the story online, said the man left his wife at home to go to a hotel to meet with a married woman and sadly, passed away there.

“A man died of “Magun” Thunderbolt here in Akure. He left his wife at home to meet another man’s wife in a hotel and later pass on. I wish him well.”

Metro

Soldier Dismissed For Sleeping With Colleague’s Wife

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Editor

A soldier named Abdullahi Ismail has been dismissed from the Nigerian Army after he was found guilty of having sex with his colleague’s wife.

The Lance Corporal was dismissed during the week at 231 Battalion in Biu, Borno State.

His dismissal is expected to serve as a deterrent to other soldiers involved in the act said to be common in the barracks.

The dismissed soldier had a notorious history of sexual indiscipline before he was reported to the army authorities, a source told SaharaReporters.

His offence – indecent professional misconduct and having sex with a fellow soldier’s wife – contravenes Sections 79 and 93 of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The law prescribes jail term and dismissal from service with dishonour.

Metro

Edo: Suspected Killers Of 200-level Student Of Delta Varsity Arrested

Published

3 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Editor

Two suspects have been reportedly arrested by operatives of Edo State Police Command in connection with the disappearance of one Miss Faith Omodon, a 200-level undergraduate of University of Delta, Agbor.

On March 30, inhabitants of Iru Egbede community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo, reported the sudden disappearance of their daughter, Faith Omodon, who is studying Business Administration in the above mentioned university.

According to the father of the missing girl, Mr. Edward Omodon, was last seen on March 30, after leaving home for farm and never returned.

According to him, the incident occurred when the community was holding their national conference.

“We usually have Iru national conference at this time of the year. We were seated inside the community hall when we heard loud wailing outside that my daughter was missing.

“She had left for the farm earlier that morning with a motorbike taking her breakfast flask with her,” he said.

Corroborating Mr Omodon’s story, Mr Ikpoba Johnbull, Head of the village vigilance group said “soon after the news of her disappearance broke that evening, we followed the girl’s mother to the farm.

“We immediately mobilised and combed the area up to Izighiri and Uwumuwe, two neighbouring villages, but could not find any trace of her.

“We only found the leftover of her lunch flask. We informed our neighbouring vigilance groups as we spent that night inside the bushes but there was no result.”

Then, the matter was reported at the Abudu Police Division which was confirmed by Divisional Police Officer, Mr Iyayi Kenneth, who said “We have transferred the case to the state police command for further investigation.”

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, also confirmed the story, saying investigation was on to unravel the circumstances surrounding Miss Omodon’s disappearance.

However, barely a month, the vigilante group in the community said two suspects have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Omodon and are now in Police custody.

Speaking, the National Youth Chairman of Iru- Egbede, Mr. Donald Isioma, disclosed that the suspects were arrested Saturday afternoon.

He said the two were arrested when they tracked the phone of the missing girl that was in possession of the suspects.

According to Isioma, so far, the police have recovered the phone from the suspects and the motorbike Miss Omodon rode to the farm on the day she got missing.

Unfortunately, he disclosed that one of the suspects who is a member of the community has confessed that they have killed the girl while being interrogated at Okpaihe Police State before their onward transfered to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Benin City.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said information concerning the arrest was yet to reach him but promised to get back as soon as he contact men of the SCID.