News

Journalists Detained For Allegedly Defaming Kwara Gov Get Bail

Published

3 years ago

October 19, 2022

An Ilorin Magistrate Court on Wednesday granted bail to two detained journalist siblings, Dare Akogun and Abdulrasheed Akogun, for allegedly defaming and inciting the public against the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

Magistrate Bio Saliu admitted the two journalists to a bail of N500,000 each and a surety each with landed property in Ilorin, among others requests.

The detained journalists were brought to court unchained around 10:15 am with sympathisers, colleagues and family members flooding the court premises.

There was a mild drama between the police prosecutor and the representative of the office of the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice over the way and manner the case was taken over by the office of the Attorney General.

Representative of the office of Attorney General, Abdulmumeen Busari, had asked the court to grant him at least 24 hours to study the case, having just taken over the matter, to enable him be in good standing on the bail application.

Busari also said that it would be unfair on his part, if was denied the request because he needed to give a fair hearing in the case.

But Counsel to the defendants, Barrister C.N. Olaitan, opposed the submission saying, “I vehemently oppose that application asking for 24 hours to respond.

“The operative word in the content of their taking over the matter is to take over and continue. So it’s either they swim or sink with whatever action that had been taken. The CP has been duly served since Monday and the 48 hours have started running since then.

“On the face of the motion papers, today has been fixed for application of the bail to be heard so the application of the Attorney General is ill-conceived and brought in bad faith.”

He added, “On the issue of fair hearing cited by the representative of the Attorney General, it means opportunity should be given to both parties, and once opportunity has been given and a party refuses to take advantage of the opportunity, he can’t cry foul of being denied fair hearing.

“The liberty of the defendants is at stake and their application is to continue to incarcerate the suspects in prison custody. It’s their constitutional rights to receive the bail, so I urged the court to refuse the application of the office of the AG.”

The defendants’ counsel also said that the prosecution was duly served in the bail application and that their refusal to file any counter was an admission of all the deposition in the bail application.

He, therefore, asked the court to admit the defendants to bail on liberal ground.

Magistrate Bio in his ruling granted bail to the defendants and adjourned the case till November 23,2022 for further hearing.

It would be recalled that the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, through a petition to the Commissioner of Police, accused the duo of defamation and inciting the public against the government.

Ajakaye alleged that AbdulRasheed posted a comment on the popular WhatsApp platform, Kwara Commission, accusing the government of being most corrupt and of facilitating N15 million to prosecute the last election of the Kwara state council election of the Nigerian Union of Journalist.

The PUNCH noted that during the intervention of Kwara State Police Commissioner, Paul Odama, he advised that the two defendants should write apology letter to the governor but the duo claimed that the apology could be used against them both now and in the future by the government.

The defendants further claimed during the intervention that they have evidences to proof their claims, and were ready to press the charges against the state government; a development that made the police commissioner to order the prosecution of the case.

News

JUST IN: Osimhen Shines In 4-0 Rout Of Benin To Raise W’Cup Hope

Published

16 minutes ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have defeated the Cheetahs of the Benin Republic 4-0 in the decisive 2026 World Cup qualification at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and second-half goal from substitute Frank Onyeka were enough to give Nigeria three points against Benin in its quest to qualify for the World Cup.

Although the goals were not enough to give Nigeria the qualification ticket, as leaders, South Africa secured three points by beating Rwanda 3-0, qualifying for the World Cup tournament in the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.

There were four changes from our win over Lesotho. Ndidi leads the team tonight. Simon makes his 85th appearance. Osimhen partners with Akor Adams up front.

Nigeria’s Line-up vs Benin Republic: 23. Stanley Nwabali (GK); 2. Benjamin Fredrick, 3. Zaidu Sanusi, 4. Wilfred Ndidi (C), 6. Semi Ajayi, 9. Victor Osimhen, 11. Samuel Chukwueze, 15. Moses Simon, 17. Alex Iwobi, 20. Akor Adams, 21. Calvin Bassey.

Substitutes are: Adebayo, Ekong, Arokodare, Onyeka, Onyemaechi, Abdullahi, Obasogie, Uche, Moffi, Olusegun.

As the match kicked off, Victor Osimhen scored in the third minute courtesy of an assist from Samuel Chukwueze.

The Cheetahs of the Benin Republic are also pushing for an equaliser in the 12th minute of the match, but the attack was stopped by Calvin Bassey.

As of 14 minutes into the game, ball possession is Nigeria 58% and Benin 42%. While both teams are on one short on target each.

In the 22 minutes, Osimhen almost converted the cross made to him in the box, but unfortunately was defended by a calm Beninoise defender.

In the 38th minute, Osimhen doubles the lead courtesy of another Samuel Chukwueze’s cross into the box. It is now 2-0 in favour of the Super Eagles.

The Egyptian referee who serves as the first official for the game has added five minutes of extra time.

Benin Republic began the kick off into the second half to put pressure on the Super Eagles.

Osimhen, again, again and again. The Super Eagles forward hit a hat-trick in the 51st minute.

The Super Eagles come knocking on the Cheetahs’ door again in the hunt for a fourth goal, but the effort was wasted by Wilfred Ndidi in the 68th minute.

However, the resilient Nigerian squad came knocking again after substitute Onyeka fired a shot past the Beninoise goalkeeper to make it four goals to nil in the 90th minute.

News

JUST IN: Okpebholo Assigns Portfolios To Commissioners, Makes Major Reshuffle

Published

2 hours ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Government has announced a sweeping restructuring of its ministries as part of a comprehensive reform aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and aligning with the Federal Government’s structure.

In an official statement released by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, it was disclosed that Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the reorganization to ensure that his administration’s SHINE Agenda aligns seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

As part of the restructuring, new ministries have been created while some previously defunct ones have been revived, bringing the total number of ministries in Edo State to twenty-eight (28).

According to the statement, the reform is designed to strengthen governance, improve coordination across key sectors, and boost the government’s capacity to deliver effectively on its mandate to the people of Edo State.

Below is the list of approved ministries and their respective commissioners:

Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy – Pending

Ministry of Works – Hon. (Dr.) Felix Ehiguese Akhabue

Ministry of Mining – Hon. Andrew Ijegbai

Ministry of Information and Strategy – Prince Kassim Afegbua

Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs – Hon. Paul Nosayaba Ohonbamu

Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment – Omoh Anabor

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security – Dr. Jerry Uwangue, FCISM

Ministry of Livestock Development – Prof. Omorodion Ignatius Ikponwosa

Ministry of Environment and Sustainability – Hon. (Barr.) Nosa T. Adams

Ministry of Health – Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole

Ministry of Education – Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu

Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development – Dr. Lucky Eseigbe

Ministry of Lands and Housing – Hon. Yakubu Oshiorenua Musa, JP

Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy – Ohimai Ehijimetor

Ministry of Science and Technology – Hon. Etin-Osa Ogbeiwi

Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation – Dr. Washington Osa Osifo

Ministry of Youth Affairs – Hon. Charity Amayaenvbo

Ministry of Women Affairs – Eugenia Abdallah

Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation – Barr. Marie Olabisi Idaomi

Ministry of Power – Barr. Usenbo Paul Ehigie

Ministry of Oil and Gas Resources – Barr. Vincent Osas Uwadiae

Ministry of Finance – Engr. Emmanuel Okoebor

Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning – Dr. Elizabeth Ebosele

Ministry of Transportation – Hon. Saturday Uwuilekhue Idehen (JP)

Ministry of Justice – Prof. Roland Itoya Otaru, SAN

Ministry of Labour and Productivity – Godwin Afekokhe Eshieshi

Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations – Hon. (Barr.) Kenneth Okoruwa Ihensekhien

Ministry of Public Security and Safety – Hon. Ebea Festus Odianosen

Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to good governance, economic transformation, institutional efficiency, and inclusive development, stressing that the reforms reflect his vision of building a more responsive and people-centered government.

News

Bauchi Board Laments Low Teacher Turnouts In Training Exercise

Published

2 hours ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (BASUBEB), has decried the low turnout at a capacity building exercise for teachers and stakeholders in the state.

The training exercise is being organised in collaboration between the board and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Inaugurating the exercise on Tuesday in Bauchi, SUBEB Chairman, Adamu Mohammed, said about 130 head-teachers; principals, planning and statistics officers were expected to attend the three-day training programme.

Mohammed frowned at the low number of the participants attending the exercise, and vowed to sanction defaulters.

“I’m not happy to see the number of you around now. Ordinarily, you are not more than 70 now. I don’t know exactly what happened. Is it that you are not interested or what?

“Unfortunately; you are not ready for this training. Out of the130 participants, see the number of you present here.

“This is very discouraging. I’m not happy with this number and I don’t think I’m going to pay allowances for 130 participants. I will not, call me whichever name but I’m embarrassed,” he said.

He, however, commended the participants present and instructors, calling for more support in future endeavours.

According to Mohammed, the training exercise aims to keep the teachers abreast and technically oriented to enable them to deliver towards repositioning the basic education level.

He said that such exercise was paramount at the basic level of education – a starting point where one could either have a good education system or a bad one.

Prof. Lawan Abdulhamid, a training facilitator, said the training aimed to build teachers’ confidence and competence in using technology.

He said that it also aimed to bridge the digital divide across schools, enhance learning experiences through interactive digital tools, and strengthen teachers as digital educators and innovators.

Abdulamid is an official of the WITS School of Education, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

He urged the Nigerian government to develop a control mechanisms on application of the Artificial Intelligence (AI), to check excesses and abuse, particularly in the education sector.

The don also warned teachers and other educators to be wary of the AI, and encouraged them to develop lesson notes/plans, to guard against generating wrong information capable of jeopardising the essence of sourcing materials for teaching.