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Markets, Schools Shut As Chiefs Officially Announce Asaba Monarch’s Death

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Business activities in Asaba, Delta State capital, and its environs on Tuesday crippled, following the official announcement of the death of the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Chike Edozien.

Schools, shops and other business concerns were shutdown even as the movements in and out of Asaba including tricycles and motorcycles were restricted.

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The PUNCH correspondent observed that the popular Ogbogonogo and Oko markets among others were under lock and key as early as 5am in preparation for the announcement of the death of the 13th Asagba of Asaba.

At the palace, there was procession led by the Odogwu of Asaba, Chief Nwanze Odua, in a red attire dancing around the palace.

READ ALSO: Asaba Traditional Ruler, Edozien Is Dead

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Announcing the death of the monarch at about 5pm, the Onihe of Asaba, Obi Ubaka Attor, said iroko has fallen.

“Iroko has fallen, the Asagba of Asaba has gone,” he declared.

Reading a statement, the Palace Secretary, Chief Patrick Ndili, said, “With heavy hearts, we announce the transition unto enternal glory our highly reverend royal father, Asagba, Prof. Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba

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“He was aged 100 years and the 13th Asagba of Asaba who ascended the throne as the Asagba of Asaba on July 1, 1991”

READ ALSO: Bread Scarcity Looms As Master Bakers Begin Nationwide Strike

He said the burial arrangements would be announced by the family and Asaba kingdom in due time.

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The announcement was followed with the shooting of 21 cannon.

Attor announced the decoration of Asagba’s first son, Mr Joseph Edozien, as the regent.

Last week, a palace source, who is one of the monarch’s top aides, confirmed his death to our correspondent.

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The source familiar with the workings of the palace, however, said there would be no public statement on the development until after seven days (today).

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JUST IN: Yinka Ayefele In Tears As Fire Guts Fresh FM

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A fire outbreak has been reported at a popular Ibadan-based radio station, Fresh FM, at Felele area in Ibadan South-West local government area of the state capital on Friday.

The incident, which started a few hours ago, has disrupted other related activities at the station.

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Newsmen could not confirm neither the cause nor extent of the damage as at the time of filing this report.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Heavy Gunfire As Benue Community Comes Under Attack

Confirming the incident in a telephone chat, the General Manager, Oyo State Fire Services, Rev Akinyemi Akinyinka said, “our men are on the ground. The situation is under control.”

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Founded by popular musician and broadcaster, Yinka Ayefele, Fresh FM is one of the most listened-to radio stations in Ibadan.

Click link below to watch video:

https://cdn.pmnewsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4YarRfs4-AQPEpS7eh4Sj40BSksJ46sTcwVZZAOsq-ibfVmfuQPhOk5ETRyO-ynZLu4qMgK2n6JR220C0oTevEDxrkfItsdBP66n3H7KR0u2_EYfLrs2ZsQ.mp4?_=1

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Lagos Woman Remanded For False Foreign Currency Declaration

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A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded Ifunanya Phil-Olumba in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over allegations of falsely declaring and failing to declare foreign currency totaling $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had preferred three counts against the defendant, accusing her of making false declarations to the Nigeria Customs Service and failing to declare foreign currency, contrary to Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

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At the resumed proceedings, before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, the prosecution, led by Okezie Chineye, called two witnesses.

The first prosecution witness, an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs. Stella Ogar, told the court that the defendant was intercepted during inward clearance from the United Kingdom.

READ ALSO:Hoodlums Loot, Vandalise FG’s 80-bed Specialist Hospital In Oyo

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According to Ogar, the defendant declared only CA$4,000, despite allegedly being in possession of CA$14,000, alongside other undeclared sums.

We arrested her and handed her over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation,” Ogar testified.

The second prosecution witness, an EFCC operative, Felicia Paul, confirmed that the defendant was handed over to the commission by the customs.

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She stated that the defendant was interrogated and opted to make a written statement, which the prosecution sought to tender in evidence.

READ ALSO:FULL LIST: FG Approves Nine New Private Varsities

However, defence counsel, Edwin Anikwem, objected to the admissibility of the statement, contending that it was not obtained voluntarily and was made without the presence of counsel, contrary to legal requirements.

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However, Justice Dipeolu adjourned further hearing to August 19 for continuation of the trial.

The EFCC alleged that on July 22, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, the defendant falsely declared the sum of $4,000 while in possession of $14,567; failed to declare CA$40; and falsely declared £1,000 while in possession of £1,030.

According to the anti-graft agency, the offences committed contravened Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

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Two Varsity Students Die In Bayelsa Road Crash

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A head-on collision between a truck and a commercial tricycle on the Yenagoa/Amassoma Road, Bayelsa State, has claimed the lives of two students from Niger Delta University, Amassoma.

The accident which occurred on Wednesday also left other passengers of the ill-fated tricycle critically injured.

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Residents attributed the accident to absence of road signs and overspending by drivers as the crash occurred at a bend on the road.

The truck negotiated the bend at high speed, lost control and hit the tricycle at top speed, crushing it.

READ ALSO:Gunmen kill community leader in Bayelsa

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A trader, Godspower Okilo told The PUNCH on Thursday that the truck driver was moving too fast, and by the time he realised the danger, it was already too late.

He said, “The Keke (tricycle) had no chance of escaping the danger because the tipper was already close to it.
“We’ve been complaining about reckless truck drivers on this road for years, but nothing changes.

“The dangerous impact left the tricycle damaged beyond recognition. Good Samaritans rushed to the scene, pulling survivors from the wreckage and transporting the injured to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa.

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“The bodies of the deceased were later evacuated to a nearby morgue.

READ ALSO:Four Sentenced To Death For Killing Driver In Bayelsa

This incident has renewed calls for stricter traffic enforcement, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the State Police Command should intensify patrols, introduce speed breakers, and conduct regular safety checks on heavy-duty vehicles.”

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Another resident of the area, Mrs. Ebike Ekain, said if the appropriate authorities do not act now, more lives will be lost to accidents in the nearest future.

The Yenagoa/Amassoma Road is without doubt the most dangerous road in Bayelsa State due to the number of accidents that occur every year.
The reconstruction of the stretch from the Etegwe Roundabout to Tombia Community resulted in several turns which motorists do not consider as they often drive at dangerous speeds.

READ ALSO:Cultists Hack Two Graduates To Death In Bayelsa

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The Federal Road Safety Commission usually dispatches an ambulance to the road which is stationed at Tombia Community and sometimes at the roundabout leading to Agudama-Ekpetiama Community.

Spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, DSP Musa Muhammad, who confirmed the accident, said investigation is ongoing to unravel the cause of the accident.

Yes, an accident happened there and we are investigating the causes of the accident,” he stated.

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