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Edo Speaker Fingered In Alleged Murder

Published

3 years ago

March 16, 2021

The people of Obagie-Uwafiokun community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State have accused the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Marcus Onobun of sponsoring the killing of their son, Mr. Osaheni Osadolor, the Okaghele of the community (youth leader) over a percel of land.

The bereaved people who carried placards bearing inscriptions as ‘Marcus Onobun, the Speaker, stop sponsoring thugs to kill us’; ‘Marcus Onobun, stop killing the people of Obagie-Uwafiokun’; ‘Marcus Onobun, carry your bulldozer away from Obagie-Uwafiokun community amongst others protested to the Edo State Government House, GRA, Benin city on Tuesday in a call for justice.

The protesters were however intercepted by the state Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, DCP Miller Dantawaye at the entrance to the Government House.

Addressing the DCP and the press on behalf of the community, Prince John Eweka accused the Speaker of sending assassins to kill Mr. Osadolor on the 13th of this month while he was at his mechanic workshop doing his legitimate job.

According to Prince Eweka, Mr. Osadolor, 44 years old had an encounter with Mr. Onobun over land in the community of which the Speaker threatened to kill him if he (Osadolor) stands on his way in developing a land he had acquired in the community, adding that the speaker had abducted Osadolor in two different occasions, tortured him before eventually killing him in different occasion.

He said, “On the 13th of this month, as this young man went back to his mechanic workshop, some group of persons came with a Camry car, went there and killed him at the mechanic workshop.

“He was in charge of looking after boundaries between Obagie and her neighbouring communities.

“Osadolor and some men were in patrol in a certain day when they saw some certain people with Hilux and other cars drove into a place, they were watching. So, when they then saw that they were inspecting some areas there, they became inquisitive to know why they were there to do whatsoever they were doing. So, they walked across to the person and try to enquire who they were and what they were up to.

“The person then told them he has a percel of land, 36 percel of land, that is, 100 by 100 into 36 places. And that somebody sold the area to him. They then said this area you are talking about belongs to Obagie-Uwafiokun community, the man you claimed sold this place to you, sold it illegally, and so you cannot own this place.

“And the man insisted that he bought the land years back and that no one can tell him what to do. And that anyone that dare him to do what he intends to do will pay for it. And that he has immunity, and that no one can do anything to him. He then introduced himself as Marcus Onobun, the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly.

“The third day after the encounter, the same Marcus Onobun drove to the area, kidnapped this young man with the aid of some thugs, Policemen, DSS and took him to his (Marcus) house and tortured him to an extent that blood was coming out from his ear and nose.

Bereaved people protesting on Thursday at Government House.

“Marcus then threatened the young man that either he leaves the place for him to develop or he (Osadolor) will be dead.

“The second time they equally abducted him again. This time, the community sent delegates to meet the Speaker. I was amongst those that went as delegate. When we got there, he refused to grant us audience. We went again to meet him, and he still threatened that no body can stopped him from the place , that he owns the place.”

Prince Eweka said in credence to the fact that the Speaker killed Osadolor, as soon as the young man was killed, Hon. Onobun sent bulldozer and started bulldozing the area.

He added that it was then that the immediate elder brother of the slained young man confronted the Speaker who according to him was mercilessly beaten by thugs of Mr Speaker and then taken to police station for detention.

“To make matter worst, on Sunday, the Speaker mobilised thugs with bulldozers and some Policemen and went to the same area and started bulldozing. Meanwhile the young man was killed on Saturday.
That was when the immediate elder brother of the slained man went there to confront him. They got the brother mercilessly beaten and took him to Ogida Police Station. But the Ogida Police DPO refused to detain the young man though he ordered for his detention,” he added.

Reacting, the DCP, operations, Dantawaye commeneded them for presenting their grievances in a peaceful manner without taking the laws into their hands, promising that the matter would probably investigated.

Reacting to the allegations, the Speak said he does not know anything about the allegations and that he does not even know the community.

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Man, 38 Escapes Assassination Attempt In Benin

Published

9 months ago

July 22, 2023

Editor

Innocent Omoruyi

By Omokha Andrew

A 38-year-old activist, Innocent Omoruyi, narrowly escaped assassination in the early hours of Wednesday, July 19, 2023 as his residence at Obe Community,Sapele Road in Benin city was attacked by yet to be identified gun men.

The attack which eye witnesses say was viciously executed on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 bore the markings of a dreaded cult group terrorizing Benin City, the state capital.

The Obe, Sapale Road incident, it was learnt, happened soon after Omoruyi left the house to attend to matters of interest some few metres away from his home.

The assailants were said to have shot sporadically in their frustration as residents scampered for safety.

However, Omoruyi escaped unharmed.

One of the eye witnesses who craved anonymity said: “The felons apparently went for the kill, weilding guns and other dangerous weapons. “We are shocked that they didn’t see Innocent Omoruyi who was just some few metres away from home when they arrived”.

“How that happened, only God knows and it was obvious that it wasn’t his time to die yet and just before that not long ago his business place on Lagos Street, Benin City was burnt down in the middle of the night by unknown arsonists.

“This sequence of events is not ordinary. We know it’s politically motivated due to the role he played in the last general elections. He has been advised to go into hiding at the moment for his personal safety”, he concluded.

When contacted, the police Public Relations Officer Chidi Nwabuzor said he was yet to get any information as regards the latest incident. He promised to feed our correspondent with relevant details as soon as they become handy.

Our information source however revealed that the matter has already been incidented at the Love World Police station on Sapele Road, Benin city.

Business

Nigeria To Earn Over $4bn Revenue As FEC Okays Concession Of Abuja, Kano Airports

Published

11 months ago

May 18, 2023

Editor

Nigeria will earn over $4 billion in nominal revenue as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Wednesday okayed the concession of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, to the Corporacion American Airport Consortium, a Luxembourg-based company.

James Odaudu, the Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the Minister of Aviation, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

According to him, the Council also approved that the Federal Ministry of Aviation would be renamed the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace.

The statement noted that the company would make combined upfront payments of $8.5 million for the concession of NAIA and MAKIA.

He added that the development would spur evidential growth within the Nigerian aviation industry.

“In alignment with the Aviation Roadmap, approved by Mr President on 18th October 2016, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace is delighted to inform all stakeholders, both local and international, and the media, that the concession of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano has been approved by the Federal Executive Council,” the statement said.

In December 2022 and January 2023, Corporacion American Airport Consortium was announced as the preferred bidder for the airport’s concession after scaling through a series of evaluations of technical and financial bids.

Nominal revenues mean income not adjusted for inflation and decreasing purchasing power.

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Russia Expelled From Council Of Europe Amid War With Ukraine

Published

2 years ago

March 16, 2022

Editor

The Council of Europe says it has expelled Russia with immediate effect after 26 years of membership because of the Ukraine war.

The Committee of Ministers took the decision in a special session, the rights body announced in the French city of Strasbourg on Wednesday.

Earlier, Russia had already declared its withdrawal from the Council of Europe after it had taken steps to exclude it.

On Tuesday evening, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe voted unanimously in favour of Russia’s exclusion.

Russia joined the Council of Europe on Feb. 28, 1996.

Together with the formal notification of the withdrawal, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe also received information from the Russian Federation on Tuesday about its intention to denounce the European Convention on Human Rights.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the leaders of the Council of Europe once again condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

They expressed their solidarity with the Russian people, who continue to belong to the European family and share its values.

The body said it would continue to stand by Ukraine in the fight against the aggressor.

The Council of Europe monitors the observance of human rights in its 46 member states and is not part of the European Union.

The body reacted to the Russian invasion of Ukraine two weeks ago by suspending Russia’s membership, this decision was considered historic.