News
Obaseki, Edo CJ Partner To Reduce Number Of Awaiting Trial Inmates
…say devt of new State correctional centres ‘ll help to reform inmates, decongest facilities
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has said his administration will collaborate with the Chief Judge of Edo State and the judiciary to reduce the high numbers of awaiting trial inmates across correctional facilities in Edo State.
The governor said this when he received the leadership of Edo State judiciary led by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, who was on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Benin City.
Obaseki said, “We are concerned about the large number of awaiting trial inmates in our correctional centres and would like our Chief Judge to do something different and give assurance of comfort to these people and reduce the number of awaiting trial inmates. We are ready to put in resources to support you in achieving this.
“We are ready to work with you in taking advantage of the new constitutional arrangement to build our own correctional facilities in Edo State to support the work you are doing. We have acquired land and are working on the design as the Attorney General of the State will be meeting with you to show you the plan we have in place.”
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Commending the judiciary for its role in maintaining law and order in the state, the governor noted, “The executive arm of government in Edo State will ever be grateful to the judiciary. The judiciary has been one key basis for the success we have recorded as they have helped us sustain the rule of law.
“When we came in 2016, this was not the case. It was not uncommon to find non-state actors taking laws into their own hands, becoming laws unto themselves. Sometimes, it’s better for us to reflect on what the situation was less than eight years ago. With the help of the judiciary, we have been able to maintain law and order in Edo State.
“Nobody can challenge this administration or accuse us of taking steps that are extra-judicial in our dealings as we have abided by the law of the land, which is why we enjoy the level of peace and stability today in the State.”
The governor further stated, “We want to thank you for the adoption of technology. In the executive arm, we are enjoying the benefits of technology as our sessions are now virtual and all the memos and approvals I give are now through technology. We will continue to support you to embrace technology.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Obaseki Accepts Shaibu’s Apology, Says To Err Is Human, To Forgive Divine
“Advancement in technology is not restricted to Benin City alone as we have laid 2,000km of fibre optic connections across the State as it will help us deliver high connectivity to all your Courts in Edo State. We are delivering technology to our schools, hospitals, and also consultants in America offering telemedicine services to our people.”
On his part, the Chief Judge, Justice Okungbowa, who commended the governor for his continuous support to the judiciary, said the visit is to invite the governor to the 2023/2024 Legal Year.
He said, “We want to thank you, Your Excellency, for the cooperation in the past year and solicit for more cooperation in the coming years. You have done so well in terms of infrastructural development as new Courts have been built and also support in improving the judiciary technology-wise.”
News
Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court
The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.
Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.
READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration
The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.
They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.
The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.
In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: NLC Begins Meeting With ASUU, Other Unions Over Strike
The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.
The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.
According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.
However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.
News
Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru
Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.
Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.
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La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.
The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.
He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.
News
Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.
A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria
“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.
“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.
“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.
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