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Okomu Crisis: Lawrence Yanbor’s Claims, Peace Move, and Its Absurdity – Community

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The natives of Okomu community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State have reacted to Lawrence Yanbor’s readiness to drop his arms and embrace peace in the community and its environs.

The community described Yanbor’s peace move, particularly his narration in an online publication, as the “absurdity of the century.”

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Lawrence Yanbor claimed that the denial of natives’ political and indigenous rights by the Edo State government, Okomu Oil Palm Company, Okomu National Park, and others pushed him and his gang to raise arms against these entities and agitate for their rights.

He stated that “perceived neglect and marginalization of our people, among several other reasons, have since 2010 led to our agitation that the relevant authorities – the government and others like Okomu Oil Palm Company, Ose Rubber, and Okomu National Park Service – should address our demands for a better situation for the generality of the people.”

READ ALSO: Okomu Attack: INC Talks Tough, Warns Those Twisting The Incident To Desist Or…

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However, reacting to his claims, Chief Edwin Denmene, the Ibe-uyadonwei of Okomu kingdom; Chief Rickson Nanaghan, the Otugbu of Okomu kingdom; and Chief (Dr) Atele Biriodoubrah, the Ibe-bolowoniwei of Okomu kingdom, on behalf of the entire kingdom, described Yanbor’s claims and peace move as an illusion that shouldn’t be taken seriously.

According to them, Yanbor’s claim of fighting for the rights of Okomu is absurd because he can’t be claiming to fight for them while simultaneously terrorizing and burning their properties. The trio, who said they are not against any peaceful resolution of the crisis, warned the Edo government and other authorities to be wary of Yanbor’s peace move.

The Okomu chiefs described Lawrence Yanbor’s peace move as pretentious and dangerous, saying that if he wants a peaceful resolution of the crisis, he should first rebuild the over 40 houses he razed in the community.

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They added, “Lawrence Yanbor claimed that neglect and marginalization forced him to carry arms, but we have not seen him carry arms against the Edo government, Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC, or Okomu National Park, rather, he has been raising arms against the Okomu community he claims to be fighting for.

READ ALSO: Militants Attacks: Okomu Community Sends SOS To Obaseki, Edo CP

“Well, we are not against peace; we want total peace in that community, but what we are saying is that if Lawrence Yanbor says he wants peace, fine, but we want him to go and rebuild all the houses that he burnt down, and replace all the properties he destroyed. After doing this, he is free to come and drop his arms and embrace amnesty.

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“Our point empathetically is that he cannot come from the backdoor after destroying properties and thereafter say he wants peace. Lawrence must face the wrath of the land. What he has been doing is a criminal offence.

“Edo State government should properly investigate this issue before giving amnesty to Lawrence Yanbor. If he is given amnesty without proper investigation, and doing the needful, other groups may come up again.”

On Lawrence Yanbor’s claim of being the Chief Priest of Okomu kingdom, the chiefs refuted: “This is an impersonation by Lawrence Yanbor. We don’t think he even knows the meaning. We have a recognised Chief Priest in our kingdom, not Lawrence Yanbor with his criminal activities.”

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Sanwo-Olu makes U-turn, Unblocks Lawyer Who Sued Him Over Blocking On X

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unblocked human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, on X after a meeting with him at Lagos House, Marina, on Friday.

The lawyer, who had accused the governor of rights violations, announced the development in a post on his X account on Saturday.

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According to him, Sanwo-Olu personally invited him for a brief meeting to address his complaints.

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unblocked me on X (Twitter). I met briefly with him yesterday at Lagos House Marina, on his invitation, to amicably resolve my complaint of human rights violations. We will continue to hold authorities accountable, regardless. Aluta continua!” Ogun wrote.

READ ALSO:Lawyer Sues Sanwo-Olu For Blocking Him On X

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Tribune Online reports that Ogun had earlier filed a suit against Sanwo-Olu at a Federal High Court in Lagos, accusing him of violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on his verified X account.

In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, which he shared on Facebook, the lawyer claimed the governor blocked him over his 2021 “constructive criticisms” and “demand for accountability” on the October 2020 #EndSARS killings.

In 2021, I noticed that the Governor blocked me on his official X handle @jidesanwoolu owing to my constructive criticisms of his policies and demand for accountability in respect of the October 2020 #EndSARS Massacre.”

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READ ALSO:‘Court Of Corruption’ — Obasanjo Knocks INEC Chairman, Judiciary In New Book

Ogun said the action has prevented him from accessing vital government updates and information.

“Blocking me on X has prevented me from accessing public updates and receiving information about policies and governance in Lagos, which constitutes a violation of my right to receive information without interference,” he said.

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In his originating summons, he asked the court to declare the move unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory.

 

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Tragedy Deepens As Prime Suspect in Taraba Student’s Death Found Dead

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The investigation into the death of Comfort Jimtop, a 100-level Mass Communication student at Taraba State University, has taken a dramatic turn following the discovery of the lifeless body of Emmanuel Kefas, the prime suspect in the case.

Kefas’s body was discovered on Friday in the Tudiri community, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, under unclear circumstances, intensifying public concern and adding a tragic dimension to a case that has already gripped the university community and residents across Taraba State.

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Confirming the development on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Taraba State Police Command, James Lashen, said the police received a report from the village head of Tudiri about the discovery.

READ ALSO:Army Kills Notorious Bandit, Babangida, In Kogi

A lifeless body was found in Tudiri, and a Tecno Android phone was recovered beside it,” Lashen stated.

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Upon charging the phone, investigators found a photograph showing the deceased with the late Comfort Jimtop, suggesting they were in a romantic relationship.”

Lashen added that the body has been taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jalingo for autopsy. At the same time, efforts are ongoing to officially identify the remains through the suspect’s family.

READ ALSO:Four Feared Killed As Gunmen Attack Burial Ceremony In Anambra

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Police have yet to determine whether Kefas’s death was the result of suicide, homicide, or an accident. Investigations into both deaths are continuing.

Comfort Jimtop’s mysterious death had earlier sparked outrage on campus and across the state, with students and rights groups demanding justice. Kefas was named a prime suspect in the case, which remains open.

This latest development has left many unanswered questions and deepened the grief surrounding the case.

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Students, residents, and civil society groups are closely monitoring the situation, calling on authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and bring clarity to the tragic chain of events.

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Ossiomo, Chinese Impasse: This Is Our Story — Management

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The management of Ossiomo Power Plant has cleared the air on the dispute between its Chinese partners and the circumstances surrounding the shutting down of the power plant early this month.

Representative of Ossiomo management, Engineer Festus Evbuomwan, during an interactive session with customers on the impasse between the two partners, said contrary to the rumour making the rounds, the management of Ossiomo Power Plant had paid over ₦2bn to its Chinese partner — Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology (CCETC) — since the power plant started operation.

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Recall that representative of CCETC who identified himself as Mr. ‘W’ had, during a telephone phone interview two weeks ago, claimed that “instruction to shutdown was because we lost lots of money and did not get any return on investment,” adding that “all the $20m investment was done by us including the distribution lines.”

But Evbuomwan during the interactive session, said the management was not aware of the $20m investment the Chinese partner claimed, just as he disclosed that “when they generate power, we sell and pay them.”

READ ALSO:Edo Govt Denies Shares As Ownership Tussle Rocks Ossiomo Power

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He disclosed that after shutting down the power plant, the Chinese partners came up with a request of ₦185m to be paid to two Chinese not known to the management, stressing that this was declined.

According to him, the Chinese partner, having seen how lucrative the business is, “went to some quarters and raised some issues probably thinking they can manoeuvre us with the help of some big persons, so that they can use their machines to generate power and sideline us but this is not possible.”

The Chinese partners also claimed that they borrowed $20m from their native land to invest, we are not aware of such investment, and we do not know where the money was invested up till now.

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“They have been also saying they have not been receiving anything, but I want to tell you unequivocally that first, the partners run a joint account where their investment is going into. More so, The Chinese partners have received over ₦2bn so far for the power they generate with their machines. When they generate the power, we sell and pay them.”

READ ALSO: Five Years After, Edo Govt Reconnects To BEDC As Ossiomo Shut Down

Engr. Evbuomwan, while apologising to customers for the power outage caused by the dispute between the two partners, said Ossiomo had started power generation though not in full capacity, assuring that power generation would be fully restored soon.

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“We have purchased turbines, and one have started working. They are working on the second one, so, by the time our five turbines start working we will be in full capacity. Even with that, those connected to the government may not be reached immediately. This is because the government bought the poles and contracted the wiring, and we cannot force the government to do our bid. Also, we are making efforts to site 33kva transformer along Airport Road and Lagos Road as soon as possible, so that our customers there will get power.”

He said the Edo State government does not have a stake in the company, just as he appealed to the “government to let us supply power to customers in through their Lines. I want to emphasise that Ossiomo is not completely shut down.”

He further urged the “government to encourage the Nigerian citizens to invest and not to work against local investors.”

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