Metro

Ogun Slams Six-month Suspension On Monarch Assaulting Man In Viral Video

Published

10 months ago

February 3, 2025

The Ogun State Government on Monday placed the Olorile of Orile-Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, on a six-month suspension for his uncivil conduct not befitting the status of an Oba.

The decision, according to a statement from the Special Adviser to Gov Dapo Abiodun on Communication and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, on Monday, was reached after Oba Ogunjobi and his victim, 73-year-old Areola Abraham, were invited by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, for interrogation.

Akinmade said, “This became imperative as a result of the reckless utterances and public misconduct of the Kabiyesi as it was evident in the social media and being bandied in the larger public space.

“After the investigation conducted on the matter, the Kabiyesi has been suspended and stripped of the paraphernalia of the stool of Olorile-Ifo pending the determination of his culpability or otherwise on the allegation.

“The foregoing decision was reached by the ministry in conjunction with the Egba Traditional Council in accordance with Section 52(1) of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State 2021”.

Meanwhile, the Committee for Defence of Human Rights, on Monday petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, demanding the arrest and prosecution of Oba Ogunjobi for assaulting Abraham in a viral video.

The National Vice President of CDHR, Mr Yinka Folarin, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abeokuta on Monday.

Folarin said that Oba Ogunjobi is said to be found of allegedly going about with thugs to intimidate and harass members of the public while using his influence as a former police officer to perpetrate all forms of nefarious activities.

He explained that “The atrocities of Oba Ogunjobi as captured in a viral video include the recent assault on Elder Areola Abraham Love JP, a 73-year-old resident of Ifo, on January 21, 2025.

“Elder Areola Abraham Love JP was beaten by Oba Semiu Adewale Ogunjobi and members of his suspected killer squad.

“The victim, an elderly man with an ailment, narrated his ordeal, stating that he was going to get food when the Olorile of Ifo saw and called him.

“He respectfully crossed to honour the call, only to be attacked by the Oba, who slapped him severally and ordered his squad to descend on him; all pleas by the old man meant nothing to the Oba, who is notorious for his thuggery and public assaults”.

Folarin said that the viral video and the testimonies of the victim revealed that Ogunjobi assaulted Areola, slapped him severally, kicked and forced him to kneel down and prostrate, an act that was carried out by himself and his men.

The CDHR has therefore urged the IG to ensure the arrest and prosecution of Oba Ogunjobi to establish that no one is indeed above the law, no matter the status in the society.

The association also urged the state governor to within 72 hours commence the process to remove Oba Ogunjobi from office for descrating the traditional stools and for not behaving in way that hold the traditional stools in high esteem and greater respect.

Speaking during the press briefing, Areola said he had done nothing to warrant such a humiliating attack from the royal father.

The community leader said that the attack has left him traumatised and he is now very afraid of his life.

He said, “I asked him what I did, but he never wanted to listen to me; he only wanted to molest me; that is what he does. When he gets to his hotel, he will now be showing them the video; he will say look at how he was begging me; I molested him and made him beg.

“He said he is in control of the police, that he will kill me and nothing will happen, I however want Nigeria government to save me from him, he said he would kill me and nothing will happen. I am now very afraid of my life.”

Ogunjobi had sparked outrage after a viral video surfaced showing him verbally and physically assaulting Areola.

In the footage, some men with Ogunjobi were seen slapping the elderly man and forcing him to kneel and prostrate.

The incident led to widespread condemnation.

(PUNCH)

Metro

Sowore Arraigned Over Alleged Cybercrime

Published

2 hours ago

December 3, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned politician and online publisher Omoyele Sowore before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime offences.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate, faced a five-count charge accusing him of defaming President Bola Tinubu by calling him a criminal in posts on X and Facebook. The DSS claims that his actions violate the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, as well as the Criminal Code Act.

At the hearing, Justice Mohammed Umar granted Sowore bail on self-recognition. However, the court imposed strict conditions, barring him from making any statements capable of inciting the public or undermining national security. The judge warned that any violation of these conditions would lead to immediate revocation of his bail.

Justice Umar noted that Sowore, who previously contested for the presidency, was already under bail conditions with his international passport held by the court. He said these factors justified granting him bail without a monetary surety.

The arraignment on Tuesday came after two earlier attempts were unsuccessful. DSS counsel, Akinolu Kehinde (SAN), attributed the delays to legal obstacles introduced by Sowore’s defence team.

Sowore pleaded not guilty to all charges. His lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, also filed a fresh bail application during the proceedings, which the court considered before ruling.

Two other defendants — X Inc. (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Inc. — are listed in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025. The DSS claims that these companies aided Sowore in publishing the posts allegedly containing defamatory statements against the president.

The case is the latest in a series of legal battles involving Sowore, who has in the past faced arrests and charges over his activism and online publications.

The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, under which Sowore was charged, criminalises the online publication of false statements that can harm individuals or public institutions. The law also empowers the government to hold social media companies accountable if they facilitate the spread of such content.

Sowore’s arraignment has drawn reactions on social media, with supporters describing the charges as politically motivated, while others argue that public figures must exercise caution in their statements online.

Metro

Alleged Cybercrime: Court Grants Sowore Bail

Published

2 hours ago

December 3, 2025

Editor

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Abuja Federal High Court, on Tuesday, granted former presidential candidate and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, bail on self-recognition, cautioning him to refrain from making any utterances that could incite the public against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sowore’s bail followed his arraignment by the Department of State Services (DSS) before the court on a five-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime.

In the five-count charge, Sowore is accused of allegedly making derogatory remarks about President Tinubu on his social media handles.

Sowore, who is the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read to him.

Earlier in the proceedings, his counsel, Marshall Abubakar, had raised a motion challenging the competence of the suit, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction.

The prosecution objected, stating they had only just been served with the processes and needed time to respond.

In a short ruling, Justice Umar held that the objection on jurisdiction was not ready for hearing because the prosecution was served that morning, adding that the defendant needed to give them adequate time to file a counter-affidavit.

He then directed that the charges be read to the defendant.

When the charge was read, Sowore pleaded not guilty; his counsel applied for bail on self-recognition. The prosecution, however, opposed the application, arguing that Sowore posed a flight risk.

Justice Umar, in ruling on the bail request, granted Sowore bail on self-recognition and adjourned the matter to January 19, 2026, for trial.

Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2019, was accused of contravening the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Criminal Code Act by calling President Bola Tinubu a criminal

The two other defendants listed in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, are X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp.

Metro

Delta: Suspected Kidnapper Killed In Gun Battle With Police

Published

8 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

A suspected kidnapper has been killed during a gun battle with operatives of the Delta State Police Command in collaboration with Community Volunteers in Obiaruku Forest.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer,SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday.

“Operatives of the Command State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU), in collaboration with community volunteers, were on intensive patrol when they received credible intelligence that suspected kidnappers were mobilising within the Obiaruku forest to carry out an attack.

“Acting swiftly on the information, the operatives advanced towards the location to forestall the planned criminal activity,” the statement said.

According to Edafe, on approaching the area, the suspects opened fire from multiple directions in a bid to repel the team.

“The operatives responded with superior firepower, leading to the death of one suspect, while others escaped into the forest with various degrees of injuries.

“One AK-47 rifle with forty-two rounds of live ammunition, nine mobile phones, and charms were recovered,” the statement added.