Metro

Ondo Gov Poll: Customers Blame Parties As Banks Run Out Of Cash

Published

10 months ago

November 11, 2024

In less than a week to the Ondo State governorship election, residents are feeling the pinch of severe cash shortages in commercial banks across the state.

The PUNCH gathered that politicians from the major political parties had been making large withdrawals from banks and stockpiling cash to buy votes.

It was learnt that customers who wanted to withdraw money over the counter were given less than what they requested because of the unavailability of cash in commercial banks across the state.

A source in a new generation bank disclosed that the politicians had been withdrawing millions of naira from banks in the last one week.

They were alleged to be colluding with bank managers to make the withdrawal easy.

The source said, “In the past few weeks, there has been a high flow of cash in the state because politicians, particularly members of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party have colluded with bank managers to withdraw huge amounts of money daily. When the politicians ‘settle’ the bankers, they permit them to withdraw as much as they want. I can tell you authoritatively that the politicians are withdrawing millions of naira in cash from the banks, with the assistance of the managers.

“That is why we don’t have much cash to give customers. If you go to banks now, little cash is available in all their branches across the state. They are withdrawing money for their logistics in the campaigns and also keeping the money to buy votes on election day.”

Some bank customers, who spoke to our correspondent, said they had been finding it difficult to withdraw money across the counter.

While blaming politicians, the residents stated that the bankers informed them that they had little cash available in their branches.

A customer, who identified himself as Tunde, said he was disappointed to reach one of the commercial banks in Akure on Thursday only to be informed that he could not withdraw more than N10,000 from the counter.

He added that the bankers advised him to go out and withdraw from the Point-of-Sale machines outside.

“I was surprised that when I got to my bank on Thursday to withdraw N50,000, the man at the counter told me that cash was not available and that they couldn’t give me more than N2,000 cash. I was angry and I asked him the reason; they told me they didn’t get much cash from the CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria),” the customer lamented.

Another bank customer told The PUNCH that it had been a problem getting cash from the banks in Ondo State.

He said he was given the sum of N10,000 from his bank recently when he wanted to withdraw N30,000. Later, he was asked to go and use PoS for the remaining.

“I use one of the new generation banks. I got there to withdraw N30,000 cash to settle some bills but I was told I could only be given N10,000 as the highest I could withdraw from the counter. I asked the reason for this, but the only answer I got was little cash was available in the branch for customers,” he added.

A manager of one of the branches of a commercial bank, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development.

He said little cash was left in the banks for customers to withdraw after politicians mopped up huge amounts of money from the banks.

The source said, “As a matter of fact, even before now, the amount of money in circulation is very low generally, not only in Ondo State, but there is a way we adequately manage the available money given to us. That is not known to the public. For instance, the CBN in Akure has mandated all the banks in its domain that you cannot withdraw (from the CBN) more than twice within two weeks, unlike before that we will go there Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to withdraw cash. But now, they are dealing with us two times a week.

“Then, on the withdrawal by politicians, it is not a lie. It is really happening. It is not limited to only one bank but virtually all the commercial banks in the state. There are some locations that per week, they mop up close to N300m, N200m. You can see that when that one is gone from a branch, there is no way you can serve an ordinary man who wants to withdraw N50,000, N100,000. It is very unfortunate.”

Another source alleged that the chieftains of all political parties approached banks for cash, but the ruling APC and the PDP were most responsible for the cash crisis in Ondo banks.

“They withdraw huge sums to keep for vote-buying on the election day,” he added.

Reacting, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Kennedy Peretei, denied the allegations, saying the main opposition party did not have the money to buy votes.

He said the popularity of its candidate and that of the party were enough to win the poll.

“The PDP does not need to buy votes to win this election. The antecedents and scorecards of the governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, and his deputy can easily see us through the election. Therefore, the allegation is not true as far as the PDP is concerned. However, l cannot speak for the APC which may be relying on vote-buying to cover up their poor performance in government,” he stated.

The Director of Media and Publicity of the APC, Mr Steve Otaloro, also denied the allegation, saying it was to tarnish the image of the party and its candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Otaloro said, “The claim that the APC chieftains have withdrawn large sums of cash from banks to buy votes in the upcoming governorship election on November 16 is a desperate attempt to tarnish our party’s image. Our party, the APC, is committed to conducting free and fair elections, and we have always adhered to the electoral laws and guidelines. We believe in the integrity of the electoral process and have faith in the Ondo State electorate to make informed decisions.

“In fact, our candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has expressed confidence in winning the election based on his outstanding performance and the party’s popularity in the state. We urge the opposition party to focus on issue-based campaigns rather than spreading false information.

“We challenge anyone to provide concrete evidence to support their allegations. Until then, we consider these allegations as mere fabrications aimed at misleading the public. The APC remains committed to transparent and credible elections, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the people of Ondo State receive the best representation they deserve.”

Metro

Youths Uncover Man Chained By Father For Five Years In Anambra

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

There was panic in Igboukwu community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, when members of the community discovered a young man who was chained and locked up for about five years by his father.

According to eyewitnesses near the scene, the man in his mid-20s, identified as Chogbo, popularly called “Agudo,” believed to have travelled to Europe, was found chained and locked up in a hut since 2021 after a search by some youths of the community on Saturday.

One of the eyewitnesses, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “We were passing by near the hut yesterday (Saturday), when we started hearing some strange sounds coming out from the direction of the hut.

“A search was conducted, and when we got there, we found our brother with both hands and legs tied in chains.

“On interrogation, he told us that he had been chained and locked up in that place since 2021. We ordered for the keys to open the chains, and when they brought them, the keys could not open anymore because they have become rusted. We had to forcefully break the keys.

“The victim has been rescued and is receiving necessary medical care. The father told us he travelled to Europe, not knowing that our brother was locked up in a hut for five years without taking his bath. This is barbaric.”

A video currently circulating on social media also corroborates the claims. The viral video showed when the victim was discovered in a hut and being interrogated by the angry youths.

Confirming the development in a press statement on Sunday, the Anambra State Police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the victim has been rescued and is receiving necessary medical attention at the hospital.

Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has commended the youths of the community for the proactive role they played in uncovering the incident, describing their action as a clear example of community partnership in policing.

The statement read in part, “Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has directed Police operatives to immediately investigate a disturbing report circulating in the media regarding a young man identified as Chogbo (popularly known as Agudo) from Igboukwu, who was allegedly kept in chains for five years by his father with claims that he had travelled abroad.

“Preliminary inquiries are ongoing to establish the facts, safeguard the victim’s well-being, and the Command assures that where culpability is established, those responsible will be held accountable in accordance with the law.

“Meanwhile, the victim has been rescued and is receiving necessary care.

“The Command commends the youths of the community for the proactive role they played in uncovering the incident, describing their action as a clear example of community partnership in policing.

“Further development shall be communicated, please.”

Metro

UNIZIK Suspends Doctors, Nurses, Security Personnel Over 100-level Student’s Death

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The authorities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, have suspended doctors, nurses and the security personnel on duty at the university’s medical centre following the death of a 100-level Law student of the institution, Miss Isabella Ajana.

The suspension was communicated to them in a statement signed by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi and made available to journalists on Sunday.

Recall that Isabella, reportedly died on July 8, after being denied urgent access to her insulin medication due to an alleged demand for payment by her hostel manager.

The deceased, who was diabetic and a resident of Elmada Hostel, was said to have suffered a medical crisis after she and her roommates lost their room key, which contained her life-saving insulin.

In a desperate attempt to retrieve her medication, the students approached the hostel mistress, identified as “Madam Bright”, and requested the spare key.

However, according to multiple student accounts, “Madam Bright” allegedly refused to release the key unless the three roommates paid ₦120,000 — ₦40,000 each — in line with a purported hostel policy.

Despite explaining the urgency of Isabella’s health condition and their inability to raise the money immediately, their pleas were reportedly ignored.

Her condition quickly worsened, and she was rushed to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

The development triggered a series of reactions, public condemnation and online buzz that compelled the University authorities to constitute a committee to investigate the incident and the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.

The Committee, chaired by Prof. Mike Oddih, was mandated to thoroughly conduct their investigations and submit its report within one week.

However, giving an update on the incident about six weeks after, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, in the statement released on Sunday, announced the immediate suspension of the doctors, nurses, and security personnel on duty at the University’s Medical Centre on the day Isabella died.

Arinze-Umobi said the suspension will last for three months in the first instance, pending the conclusion and the outcome of the ongoing investigations.

The Vice-Chancellor further directed the Management of Elmada Hostel, which is a jointly owned, but privately-managed facility located within the university premises where the Isabella resided, to immediately sack the Supervisor on duty at the time of the incident.

The statement read in part, “Following the submission of the investigation committee’s report into the unfortunate death of Miss Isabella Chioma Ajana, a 100-level student in the Faculty of Law, I have taken decisive action to address the matter.

“Arising from the report of the panel, I hereby suspend the doctors, nurses and the security personnel on duty at the University’s Medical Centre on the day the student was rushed there, for three-months in the first instance, during which all investigations would have been completed.

“The University demands the management of Elmada Hostel which is jointly owned, but privately managed, as a matter of urgency, to sack the Supervisar on duty who was in custody of the spare key and could not return it after repented calls on her.

“UNIZIK will re-evaluate relationship with the Elmada hostel, demanding International best practices in students accommodation facilities.

“I wish to assure the University Community and general public that we are committed to upholding the highest standard of care and safety for our students in line with my vision, ‘feeling the pulse of the students, staff and finding solutions’.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and assure them that we will do everything possible to prevent such incidents in the future.”
(PUNCH)

Metro

NDLEA Arrests Widow Using Fake Pregnancy To Traffic Cocaine

Published

14 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 50-year-old widow and fashion designer, Mrs Ifeoma Henrietta Ezewuike, for attempting to traffic 1.3 kilograms of cocaine by disguising with a fake pregnancy to evade scrutiny and detection.

The widow, a mother of one and proprietress of Golden Star Creation, a fashion outfit on Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, was arrested on Friday at a bus terminal in Jibowu, Yaba, while attempting to move the cocaine consignment to customers in Abuja.

A statement by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Sunday said a follow-up operation at her residence in Ago Palace led to the recovery of 200 grams of cutting agent used in producing a strain of cocaine.

In her statement, Ezewuike claimed she inherited the criminal trade from her late husband, who died two years ago, while she has been running her fashion business for 20 years.

The statement further revealed that no fewer than 90 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 48.6kg, imported from the United States and concealed in three cartons of kitchen sinks, were intercepted at a courier company in Lagos on 19 August by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI).

In Adamawa State, NDLEA operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided the home of a notorious drug dealer, Idris Garba, on Friday. He scaled a fence to escape arrest, while one of his associates, Boniface Nnaji, who attempted the same, was caught in the act at Rumde Baru, Yola South.

Items recovered from the premises included a black Toyota Tundra jeep marked FST-885-CZ, which Nnaji drove to Yola to supply Garba 354,480 pills of tramadol (225mg, 250mg and other variants), as well as a Toyota Yaris car with registration number DSA 776 AA.

Also, a total of 5,000 capsules of tramadol, 400 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection were seized from a suspect, Neche Okonkwo, at Idah waterside. He had crossed the River Niger from Onitsha, Anambra State, into Lokoja, Kogi State, with the opioids on Wednesday.

In Kano State, Babafemi said Buhari Ibrahim and Mansur Musa were arrested at Zangon Dakata, Ungogo, on 19 August with 5,850 capsules of pregabalin. On the same day, a total of 452,070 pills of opioids were recovered from the home of a suspect, Rabilu Mukhtar, who is still at large, at Rangaza, Ungogo LGA. Similarly, Buhari Idris was arrested at Tashan Rami, Kano, with 140 litres of codeine syrup.

No fewer than 7,000 capsules of tramadol were also seized from Adamu Yusuf along Zaria–Kano Road, Kwanar Dangora area, on Saturday, while a total of 2,289.49kg of skunk, a strain of cannabis, was intercepted in three interdiction operations in Kwara State.

Of this, 1,232.86kg was recovered from a Mitsubishi Canter truck marked ZUR 66 XT on 20 August at Ajase-Ipo, where a suspect, Kabiru Abdullahi, was arrested. Another consignment of the same substance weighing 328.42kg was seized from Paul Olaniran in a Mercedes-Benz truck marked LSD 659 YE on the same day and at the same location.

On 21 August, NDLEA operatives intercepted another consignment of skunk weighing 728.21kg in a Mitsubishi Canter truck with registration number GAD 287 XA, at Ajase-Ipo Junction, Ifelodun LGA, Kwara State, where two suspects, Abubakar Zaki and Yau Babangida, were arrested.

Similarly, two suspects, Awe Sunday and Ayodele Adedayo, were arrested at Alafia Quarters, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, in connection with the seizure of 96kg of skunk. In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives, in conjunction with Civil Defence Corps personnel, destroyed 7,500kg of skunk cultivated on three hectares of farmland at Dadin Kowa village, Bali LGA, on 20 August, while 901kg of the same substance was recovered from a warehouse at Uzebba, Owan West LGA, Edo State, where a 54-year-old female suspect, Fodo Stella Sunday, was arrested on 19 August.

In another operation in Edo State, a total of 14,233.37kg of skunk was destroyed on four plantations measuring 5.69375 hectares at Ebule forest, Owan West LGA, on 20 August.

In Delta State, NDLEA operatives, supported by the military, destroyed 25,500kg of skunk on four plantations measuring 10.2 hectares in Emu-Obiogu community, Ndokwa West LGA, on 21 August. Similarly, in Ondo State, 25,025kg of the same psychoactive substance was destroyed on three farms with a combined measurement of 10.01 hectares at Asolo camp, Uso area of the state.

Babafemi added that two dispatch riders were arrested on 21 August by NDLEA officers during a stop-and-search operation in Jabi, Abuja, for distributing illicit substances in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). While Garba Sule was caught with 300mg of pentazocine injection, Isaac Augustine was found with 8.64g of skunk packaged for delivery.

While commending officers and men of DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Taraba, Delta, Adamawa, FCT, Ondo, Ekiti and Edo Commands for their arrests, seizures and professionalism, the Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), urged them and their colleagues across the country to sustain the Agency’s balanced approach to drug control.