Metro

Impeachment: Aiyedatiwa’s Kinsmen Protest, Say Deputy Governor Can’t Be Removed

Published

2 years ago

September 26, 2023

Hundreds of indigenes of Ilaje communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Tuesday, stormed Akure, the state capital to protest against the ongoing impeachment process on the deputy governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Aiyedatiwa, who is also an Ilaje man, has been served an impeachment notice by the state House of Assembly and was expected to respond to all the allegations in the notice.

The protesters, who gathered in front of the entrance of the Assembly gate with leaves in their hands, were chanting various solidarity songs to express their support for the embattled deputy governor.

Some of them carried placards with various inscriptions such as, ‘Justice for Lucky, Lucky is innocent’, ‘Stop alleging him wrongly, “Ilaje Nation stands with Aiyedatiwa,’ “Aketi, Lucky is not your enemy,’ ‘Let Lucky finish his term,’ among several others.

The protesters alleged that the impeachment proceeding was a plot to take Aiyedatiwa out of the race of the 2024 governorship election in the state.

Speaking on the development, one of the leaders of the protesters and founder of the Ilaje World Congress, Mr Ola Juda, declared that the indigenes of Ilaje would not accept the impeachment move against Aiyedatiwa.

He alleged that the protest was not only organised by the Ilaje people but also by other people across the state who were not pleased with the action of the state House against the deputy governor.

He said, “This gathering is the gathering of sons and daughters of Ilaje land; not only Ilaje, we have other sympathisers from Akure and Ese-Odo Idanre areas that have come together to protest against injustice and the battle that is going to erupt in Ondo State. The peace of Ondo State is being threatened by the actions of the Ondo State House of Assembly.

“Ilaje has been without light for the past few days. The House of Assembly cannot pass a bill to quicken the authorities to make sure there’s light on Ilaje land. The whole of Ilaje land is about to be taken away, by the ocean, every part of Ilaje is gone due to the oil exploitation in our area, and yet the Ondo Assembly cannot pass a bill that will enhance the development in the community.

“For the past decades, an Ilaje man had never been a deputy governor but for the first time, we have a deputy governor, and yet the power that be has vowed that he will not finish his tenure. Aketi/Lucky mandate was given to both of them and if Aketi is still the governor of Ondo State, our own mandate as the deputy governor still remains.

“Any of the members of the House of Assembly from Ilaje land that signs any motion of impeachment against Lucky Ayiedatiwa, against the Ilaje mandate, is on his own; the Ilaje people have not sent him to sign anything; they haven’t told us that Lucky has done anything bad.

“The cabals have come together to say that Lucky beats his wife, and now they say it is gross misconduct. They would later say he wants Aketi ( Akeredolu) to die. Did Agboola also want Aketi to die? Now, it is Lucky that wants Aketi to die. Anybody should not tamper with the mandate of Ilaje. If you think you can chase Lucky, don’t worry; we will pay you back next year in the same coin.”

However, no member of the House got out to address the protesters but the Akure Area Commander of the state police command, Mr. Nzota Chidi, advised the protesters to be peaceful in order not to be hijacked by miscreants.

PUNCH

Related Topics:#Ondo deputy governor Aiyedatiwa

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Metro

JUST IN: Psychiatric Hospital Staff Shot Dead In Benin

Published

6 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Editor

A yet-to-be identified man was, this evening (Friday, 11 July, 2025) shot dead at Uselu Share, Benin City, in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.

The man, who should be in his late 50’s was a staff of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Benin.

He was reportedly trailed by two vehicles – GLK Jeep and a red car – as he drove out from the hospital premises after the close of work.

According to our source, the two vehicles had packed in a nearby place waiting for the man’s vehicle, adding that immediately he drove out, he was trailed to a point where he was caught up and shot at a close range on the head.

Our source who does not want his name mentioned, said: “He works at Psychiatric Hospital. He closed for the day’s work and was about driving home, but unfortunately he drove in less than one minute when he was gunned down.

“It happened around 5pm this evening. We were at a nearby fast food restaurant when we heard the gunshot. It didn’t take the guys one minute to gun him down.

“After they killed the man, they were still shooting as they moved. The guys in the two vehicles were more than five.

“He’s an advance person, but we don’t know why he was killed,” he added.

According to source, security operatives comprising the Nigeria Police, officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Army arrived the scene promptly, adding that before they arrived the assailants had left.

Our source added that the security personnel immediately evacuated the body from the scene.

Our source, who lamented that “three days ago, they came to rob a beer parlour and Baba Ijebu Shop in this same area,” urged the authorities to draft security personnel to the area.

Contacted on the phone by INFO DAILY, Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, Moses Yamu, said he was yet to be informed of the incident, promising to make his founding.

Metro

Gunmen Invade Catholic Seminary School In Edo, Kill One, Abduct Three

Published

11 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Editor

Gunmen on Thursday night attacked the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School at Ivianokpodi, Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State and killed a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the school.

The gunmen also abducted three students of the school.

This is coming barely ten months after an attack was carried out in the area. Two people including a priest were kidnapped and one killed during the attack.

The Directorate, Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr Peter Egielewa confirmed the incident on Friday

He said that the gunmen attacked the school at about 9:00 pm at night.

Egielewa expressed displeasure over the persistence attack on the Catholic school, personnel and its facilities.

“This is the second time in 10 months that the school had been attacked

“10 Months ago, a priest was kidnapped.

“And now three seminarians were abducted and a civil defense corps is killed, while a local vigilante sustained gun injuries

“We call on the government to protect the lives of all those who work in Catholic institution and our diocese.

“We hope the security agencies at the local, state and federal level take up the responsibility on that, so our people can be in peace and safety,” Egielewa said

Metro

Pastor Arraigned Over Alleged Rape Of Married Woman In Edo

Published

11 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Editor

A 38-year-old pastor, Simeon Okehielem, of the Synagogue Prayers Ministry has been arraigned before an Edo State High Court for allegedly raping a married woman, Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo.

The pastor, who was accused of engaging in sexual relationships with married women within his congregation, was docked before the court in Benin City, on Thursday.

The charges against Pastor Okehielem followed a year 2022 incident in Uholor Community of Benin City where the cleric allegedly drugged and raped the woman leading to the birth of a child.

Recent DNA results reportedly confirmed the pastor as the biological father of the child, which prompted the Nigerian Police to re-arrest and formally arraign him.

The presiding judge, Justice Erhabor, granted an ex-parte order to remand the suspect at the Benin Correctional Custodial Centre for 14 days, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State.

The State Prosecutor, P.O. Odion, told the court that the alleged offence occurred in February 2022.

Okehielem was slammed with two-count charge on alleged rape and administering a stupefying substance with the intent to commit a felony.

The charge sheet, marked Suit No: BLOD/2323M/2025, reads: “That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, did rape one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4, punishable under Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.

“That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, with intent to commit a felony, administered a substance to stupefy one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.”

Speaking to journalists after the court session, the victim’s legal counsel, Clinton Ogbebor, applauded the Police for its diligence.

“We are in court today over the alleged rape of my client, Mrs Isoken Aigbedo, by one Pastor Simeon Okehielem,” he said.

Ogbebor confirmed that the case file would now be forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice, after which the trial will proceed accordingly.

The development has stirred debates across Benin City, with residents and religious leaders expressing shock and calling for justice.

The case has been adjourned pending further legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.