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JUST IN: Kogi Gov Visits Yahaya Bello Amidst EFCC Siege

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The incumbent Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, has visited the embattled former governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, amidst a heavy security crackdown on the latter’s Abuja home.

Ododo arrived at Bello’s residence at about 2:30 pm Wednesday, alongside several security operatives and youth supporters protesting against the siege to the former governor’s home.

The PUNCH correspondent, who visited the residence Wednesday afternoon, observed the heavy presence of armed operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, policemen, operatives of the Department of State Security, Counter Terrorism Unit, and Yahaya Bello’s private security team.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Drama As Police, Others Prevent EFCC From Arresting Yahaya Bello

EFCC operatives had on Wednesday morning stormed Bello’s Abuja home located in Wuse Zone 4, Federal Capital Territory.

Photographs seen by our correspondent on Wednesday show some armed EFCC personnel laying siege to the ex-governor’s home on Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

As of press time, our correspondent could not independently confirm the reason behind the siege on Bello’s home as the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, did not respond to inquiries concerning the development.

READ ALSO: Alleged N84bn Fraud: EFCC Operatives Storm Yahaya Bello’s Abuja Home, Ex-gov Kicks

However, the EFCC had earlier dragged Yahaya Bello, his nephew Ali, one Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in an amended charge in March 2024 over an alleged N84bn money laundering.

Reacting to the development, the ex-governor’s media office, in a statement, condemned the operatives’ actions while urging President Bola Tinubu to caution the EFCC.

According to the statement, the presence of the operatives in Bello’s residence negated the order of injunction granted on February 9, 2024, by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division, in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Yahaya Bello v. EFCC, restraining the commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting him, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.

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Ex-WMA President, Enabulele Honoured As Labour Hero

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The immediate past president of the World Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, has been honoured as a labour Hero.

He was honoured during the commissioning of Labour House, Benin , by Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Monday, April 29, 2024.

Presenting the award on behalf of Edo State Government and organized labour, the Deputy Governor of the state, Engr. Marvellous Omobayo, applauded the progressive leadership strides of Enabulele, and wished him greater attainments in his endeavours.

Responding, Enabulele thanked the state government and the Organized Labour for the honour done to them.

READ ALSO: Oba Of Benin Suspends Six Officials For Posing As Palace Emissaries To Ooni Of Ife

He commended Obaseki for his unparalleled commitment to the actualization of the Labour house, and called for its sustained maintenance and utilization for the purposes for which it was built.

The event climaxed with Governor Obaseki’s announcement of N70, 000:00k minimum wage for Edo State public sector workers with effect from the 1st of May, 2024.

The event was attended by members of the State Executive Council, the Speaker and members of the Edo State House of Assembly; NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero; Comrade Festus Osifo (TUC President).

The programme also featured the recognition of other Labour heros such as Pa Michael Imoudu, Pa Jonathan Ihonde, Comrade Festus Iyayi, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, amongst others.

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Tinubu, GEJ, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Others To Grace Igbinedion University 25th Anniversary

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President Bola Tinubu; former presidents of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.) are among dignitaries to grace the 25th anniversary of Igbinedion University, IUO, Okada, Edo State.

Vice-Chancellor of the university,
Professor Lawrence Ezemonye, , disclosed this today, Tuesday, 30th April 2024, during a world press conference held at the institution’s campus.

According to Ezemonye, President Tinubu would be the special guest of honour, while former President Jonathan would chairman the event and Abubakar would be a special guest of honour.

Reeling out activities slated for the anniversary, Ezemonye who said different activities have been lined up for the 25th anniversary, noted that the University Founder’s Day would be held on May 10th with Anniversary Colloquium, titled: ‘Re-Imagining Tertiary Education for Africa’s Present and Future Realities’.

READ ALSO: UK-based Nigerian Doctor Loses Licences Over Sex For Free Botox Injections

He listed Hon. Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman; H.E. Professor Mohamed Bellhocine, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, H.E. His Excellency, Shri. G. Balasubramanian, High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, amongst others, as guest speakers.

Speaking on the 25 years journey of imparting knowledge on Nigerians and beyond, the Vice-Chancellor said at inception, IUO started with a modest figure of 115 enrolment, but has over 7,000 male and female students on campus today.

He said: “Over the years, IUO has been able to provide value and significance in the higher education landscape.

Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye (First right) alongside other principal officers of the University unveiling the 25 years anniversary logo on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

“We are the first private university in Nigeria to produce Medical Doctors, Pharmacy and Law graduates.

READ ALSO: Travellers Beat Rivers Policewoman To Death

“The first to produce a First Class law graduate who repeated the same feat at the Nigerian Law School and went on to become a Professor of Law, Deputy Vice Chancellor of a university and the youngest Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

“We are the first private university in Nigeria whose First Class Law graduate also obtained First Class at the Nigerian Law School (2005).

“We pioneered entrepreneurship as an academic programme in Nigeria before it was adopted by NUC as a mandatory component of the curriculum of Nigerian universities.”

Ezemonye, while noting that IUO commenced academic activities with 5 Colleges at inception, boasted that the University has expanded to 7 Colleges and 3 Schools today.

READ ALSO: Watch Of Richest Titanic Passenger Sells For £1.17m

The academic departments/programmes have witnessed exponential increase from 7 at inception to 85, made up of 34 undergraduate and 51 postgraduate programmes,” he added.

He continued: “We have produced over 16,000 graduates across disciplines spread across the globe, with records of stellar performances in their respective fields of endeavour.

“All courses/programmes are fully accredited not only by the National Universities Commission (NUC) but also by relevant professional bodies.

“Our admission quota for Medicine, Nursing and Medical Laboratory Science was recently increased by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) by 100 per cent each.”

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Edo Poll: Court Dismisses Suits Seeking Ighodalo’s Disqualification

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Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed two separate suits challenging the Peoples Democratic Party’s primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s governorship candidate for the Edo poll.

The court dismissed the suits on the premise of a lack of locus standi on the part of the plaintiffs.

Delivering judgments in the separate suits marked FHC/ABJ/CS/195/2024, which was filed by Adizetu Umoru, the second suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/196/2024, filed by Moses Alabi and Christopher Oboarer.

Justice Ekwo held that the plaintiffs failed to convince the court or show sufficient, direct and tangible personal interest that could lead the court to nullify the primary election.

The court maintained that the plaintiffs did not establish how their interests were affected or jeopardized by the primary election.

The plaintiffs had sued the Independent National Electoral Commission, PDP, Umar Damagun (acting national chairman), Setonji Koshoedo, PDP’s National Working Committee, and its National Executive Committee as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

All three plaintiffs, in separate motions filed on February 19, sought an interim order of the court restraining the defendants from using the list of ward congresses held in February. 4, to conduct the PDP’s primary in Edo State, which was held in February. 22 pending the hearing and determination of the main suit.

Justice Ekwo stated that the plaintiffs did not establish whether they were eligible to participate in the election but prevented it or whether wrongdoings were displayed during the election.

INEC had announced that the Edo governorship election will be held on Sept. 21, 2023.

 

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