News

OPINION: Brother Goddy And 753-duplex Estates

Published

9 months ago

December 6, 2024

Tunde Odesola

Four eyes lock in combat. Two belong to a snake. The other two belong to a former President, whose lipless mouth, pointed nose and slit eyes are snakelike, too. In a swift reversal of roles, the hunter has become the hunted, both locked in the ultimate battle.

Measuring over two meters, the king cobra regularly visits Bubu Farms in Katsina to gobble up eggs and devour chickens. On this fateful day, the ex-president, Bubu, himself is on a secret inspection of his farm when he sees the cobra slithering into the poultry section.

“Damboro ba shege! So, na you, dis snake, dey chop my eggs and chickens? You will die today,” Bubu swears at the snake.

But the king cobra will not go down without a fight; a cornered cobra is deadlier than death. The snake hisses loudly and flares his neck muscles into a hood, raising one-third of its body off the ground, warning: steer clear!

But Bubu grew up in the village hunting snakes, lizards, birds and rodents. He flung off his babanriga, together with his cap and Rolex wristwatch in one fell swoop on the floor. “You’ve been chopping my eggs and chicken. Today, I will chop you,” Bubu vows.

The ex-president fetches a machete as the cobra coils up, swinging its hooded head left-right, right-left like a flame in the harmattan wind. Neither foe looked away from the other.

As a retired soldier, Bubu considers his options quickly; he knows it is suicidal to move near the reptile with his short-range machete. Eyes fixed on the snake, which begins to uncoil, Bubu tears off a long branch from a cashew tree beside the poultry and lunges forward.

Seeing the stick in Bubu’s hand, the snake raises its head higher and spits twice at his face – twaaah, twaaah – missing the eyes narrowly as Bubu, even though old and gaunt, smartly ducks his head but the venom lands on his neck, leaving him with a burning sensation.

Bubu throws down the stick, momentarily scratching his neck, picks the stick up again, and runs after the fleeing snake heading towards the nearby iroko tree. Bubu shouts, “I go kill me today! I go kill me today!”

A herdsman and farmer, Bubu had just cleared and tilled his farm, so there was no debris or hay to harbour the snake. It was plain hectares of farmland and cattle and poultry. The snake flees. Bubu is in hot chase.

Suddenly, the assailant stumbles, o-u-c-h, but he falls not. The assailed snake doesn’t look back, gaining some distance; the iroko tree is within reach, and the serpent raises its head to ascend the tree to safety.

“You cannot escape, you serpent, you cannot! Ba zu ku iya tserewa ba, ku maciji,” Bubu screams. He runs faster, raising his stick in the air, and takes a whack at the snake as it begins to climb the iroko, aiming for the head. But the serpent is wiser. It wraps its body around the tree and keeps its head on the other side away from Bubu’s view and reach, moving on unseen legs upwards.

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Bubu moves round the tree to aim at the head of the snake but the snake moves its head away to the side where Bubu was before. Bubu runs around the tree to aim at the snake’s head, the snake, in turn, moves its head away from Bubu’s view, climbing higher, both Bubu and the snake swirling in opposite directions around the iroko until the snake disappears to the top of the tree. You duck my spit, I duck your stick.

As Bubu watches the snake snaking up the tree, he sees a load tumbling down from the iroko, he ducks just in time by stepping away from the crushing weight of the load. The load crashes to the ground gboooah. Bubu’s jaws drop when the load turns into a human being! It is Amboke, the former factory worker, who lost his wife, three children and job about six months ago.

Bubu: Amboke, so its you? It’s you who has been entering my farm to steal my eggs and chickens?

Amboke: No, old soldier. I’m sorry, sir. I’ve never stolen anything from your farm, though I came here today looking for food. I climbed the tree when I suddenly saw you, I didn’t know the snake was going to climb the tree.

Bubu: Sorry for yua sef! You’ll be prosecuted for premeditated trespass and acts bordering on banditry, terrorism and kidnap of farm produce and livestock. You’re one of the useless youths I was talking about.

Amboke: No, sir. I’m a graduate but I lost my parents and young family to the boat tragedy on River Niger after losing my job when the Indians that own the textile factory where I worked relocated to Ghana.

(Security operatives swooped on the scene, rough-handling Amboke.)

Bubu: I caught this thief by myself, using my military expertise. I want him charged to Sharia court immediately. Me, I have forgiven Amboke’s body but his legs will go and tell the Sharia court why they trespassed on my farm. Jangebe’s hand was cut off for stealing a cow in the year 2000. I shall leave the judiciary to do their job diligently.

(A great noise builds up outside the gate of Bubu Farms)

Bubu: What noise am I hearing? Can’t I retire in peace? I will relocate to Niger Republic o!

(Head of the guards, Adalu, steps forward, and gives a salute)

Adalu: It’s the masses, Your Excellency. They are protesting the arrest of Amboke. They’re saying your wife, children, friends and lackeys are the ones responsible for the collapse of the farm, and not youths like Amboke.

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Bubu: Go and give them the Lekki treatment.

Adalu: We can’t, sir. We need to clear that with your successor, sir.

Bubu: Give me my phone, I’ll call Bourdillon myself.

(Outside the farm, youths have made bonfires and barricaded the roads. Their leader, Gani, was making a speech)

Gani: (Sings) Soli, soli, soli….Solidarity forever, solidarity forever…, we shall always fight for our rights!

(The crowd screams as another comrade, Pius Adesanmi, arrives and bursts into another song)

Pius: (Sings Fela Anikulapo’s song) Many leaders as you see dem, na different disguise dem dey o, animal in human skin, animal wear agbada, animal put suit…

Gani: Wake up, Nigerian youths! You must begin to ask questions and challenge these charlatans who have eaten your destinies! They have taken you for idiots. They said a former god of the national treasury, Goddy Emefiole, stole billions of dollars and cornered 753-duplex apartments, under whose government did he steal it? How can you investigate Emefiole without investigating Bubu and his righteous deputy?

Pius: The anti-corruption fight of the Boudillon administration is all a ruse. All na scam! Why hasn’t the EFCC named the cronies who own some of the apartment 753-duplex apartments with Emefiole but they are quick to name only Emefiole?

Gani: Yes, Emefiole’s crime was trying to stop Bourdillon’s emergence as president, nothing more. America jailed R Kelly, Mike Tyson and other world-renowned citizens, including billionaires who ran foul of the law. Can that ever happen in Nigeria? Many former governors, senators, ministers etc have been on trial since 1999 to date. A holier-than-thou former president and his Ori o gbade deputy spent billions of dollars to import darkness from an American firm, yet they are walking free today. This is the country where the wife of a clueless leader, Mama Peace, had to do plea bargaining and pay back illegal proceeds.

Pius: Amboke must be freed! Amboke symbolises the tragedy of the Nigerian masses. Say no to gluttons in power. Say no to Next-of-Kin Nigerian Democracy Plc! All their children are billionaires. Nigerian masses, fight for your rights! God will never come down to build Nigeria. He never came down to build any country. Nigerians will build the Nigeria they want.

Email: tundeodes2003@yahoo.com

Facebook: @Tunde Odesola

X: @Tunde_Odesola

News

Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Published

4 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed.

“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.

News

Lawyers Fault EFCC Statement, Say It’s Misleading

Published

5 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

Some legal practitioners in Bauchi state have faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) official statement about their client on Wednesday, adding that it was erroneous, false and misleading.

It could be recalled that EFCC posted on its official Facebook handle that a Bauchi State High Court has cleared the commission to proceed with its investigation of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State, Hamza Koshe, and his company, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd.

According to the EFCC statement, the commission said Justice Aliyu Baba, in a judgment delivered on July 30, 2025, dismissed an application by Koshe seeking to restrain the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission from probing him.

However, in a statement jointly signed and made available to newsmen in Bauchi on Thursday by Jibrin S. Jibrin Esq, M.M. Usman Esq, H.B. Pali Esq, Abbas Ibrahim Esq, I.G. Agwam Esq and Salome Audu Esq all counsel to Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Anor as well as Koshe insisted that the statement was misleading.

According to them, the EFCC owed the public the duty of relating only the truth of what the courts decided as regards the contract financing agreement in the issues their clients were parties.

“Our attention as the legal representatives of Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Alhaji Hamza Koshe in respect of suit No. BA/271/2024 has been drawn to the statement posted on the official page of the EFCC on Wednesday, where the Commission supposedly rendered an analysis of the judgement delivered by the High Court of Justice No. 4 Bauchi Presided by Justice Aliyu Usman on the 30th July 2025.

“Now against the background of the erroneous, false and misleading publication by the EFCC on the matter, we deem it necessary to set the records straight by stating what actually is the truth of the matter in terms of the enrolled judgment Order of the Court to which this press release is attached.

“It is proper to state as a fact that in an earlier judgement relating to the subject of this release, the verdict of the High Court of Justice No. 10 Bauchi presided by Justice M. M. Abubakar delivered on the 19th December, 2024 is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject matter of the suit having been found to be valid and not contravening any law remains enforceable hence, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd is accorded the applicable injunctive reliefs as regards the activities of the Commission.

“We state as a fact that the main question of law determined in Justice Aliyu Baba Usman’s judgment is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject of the suit is valid.

“The EFCC failed to state in its statement in reference the fact that many parties and contractors concerned or involved in the Contract Financing Agreement in the issue have been invited by the Commission with virtually all of them responding, honoring its invitation on the matter and thereby discharging their legal obligation speak volumes of ‘the bidding of some’ which the publication seeks to achieve ab initio,” said the lawyers.

The counsel added that the mischief and deliberate misrepresentation in EFCC’s statement could be seen when not only did it make no mention of this fact but also created the impression that their clients went to Court to evade investigation on the matter.

They said that Koshe was a guest of the Commission having honored its invitation in September 2024 which he was released on administrative bail, the terms and conditions applicable to which he has been observing.

“It is also important to clarify as a fact that there is no truth at all in the Commission’s statement to the effect that our client sought a perpetual injunction of general nature against the Commission’s activities.

“The truth about the reliefs sought by our clients is as contained in the Court’s processes filed in the suit in reference.

“We challenge the Commission to provide evidence of where our client ever sought a perpetual injunction at large or of general nature against it or any other body duly established by law.

“We urge members of the public to disregard in its entirety EFCC’s statement on the subject and be guided in its stead by the facts as contained in the relevant court processes to which this release is attached,” he said.

News

Tricycle Riders Sentenced To Five Years Over WhatsApp Group Mobilising Protest Against Nigerian Gov

Published

5 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has been accused of being power-drunk following allegations that he ordered the arrest and conviction of two members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and tricycle operators for creating a WhatsApp group to mobilize a protest against his administration.

Crack police operatives carried out the arrests in Maiduguri before the scheduled End Bad Governance protest.

The two men, identified as Mohammed Bukar (alias Awana) and Ibrahim Mohammed (alias Babayo), were convicted on June 30, 2025, by Hon. Justice A.M. Ali and handed a five-year prison sentence.

Court documents with reference number BOHC/MG/CR/2150/CT10/2024 revealed that the men were accused of creating a WhatsApp group called “Zanga Zanga Group”—translated as Protest Group—to mobilize Keke Napep (tricycle) operators for a planned demonstration against the Borno State Government.

Mohammed Bukar and Ibrahim Mohammed were the 6th and 7th defendants in the case in which Governor Zulum accused them of using videos on the WhatsApp group to instigate Keke Napep (tricycle) operators in Borno State to join the protest against the government.

They were also accused of producing videos in Kanuri and Hausa languages, urging tricycle riders to come out en masse, declaring “no going back” on the planned protest against the Borno State Government.

On June 30, 2025, Hon. Justice A.M. Ali sentenced the duo to five years’ imprisonment for allegedly planning the protest on WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, the seven defendants were charged with two counts: Count 1. That the defendants conspired to form a group named Zanga Zanga group (or protest group) on WhatsApp social media platform wherein they agreed to take up arms, to wit; guns, knives, bows and arrows and all forms of dangerous weapon against the Government thereby committing an offence contrary to Sections 60 and punishable under Section 79 of the Penal Code Laws of Borno State 2023.

Count 2. That the defendants formed a group named Zanga Zanga group (or. protest group) on WhatsApp social media platform and agreed to take up arms, to wit; guns, knives, bows and arrows and all forms of dangerous weapon against the Government thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 79 of the Penal Code Laws of Borno State 2023 All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them at their arraignment on April 11, 2024. The prosecution called four witnesses to prove their case.

However, all defendants pleaded not guilty when arraigned on April 11, 2024.

The prosecution called four witnesses, including Sgt. Isa Abubakar, an investigating police officer attached to the Crime Squad of the Nigerian Police, Borno State Command.

Sgt. Abubakar testified that on July 21, 2024, the 6th defendant used one of the videos as his WhatsApp status to mobilize tricycle riders for the End Bad Governance protest.

He added that the 6th and 7th defendants also made another video in Hausa, saying, “Allah Yaisa Zulum two Billion Namu,” roughly translating to “May God punish Zulum for our two billion.”

He further testified that he downloaded the videos and arrested the two suspects on July 23, 2024, before handing them over to the Crime Squad office in Maiduguri.

Justice Ali said, “I have considered the pleas for leniency made by each of the convicts and the pleas made on their behalf by their counsel. The 5th convict is 17 years old, the 2nd convict is 14 years old, and the 3rd convict is 15 years old.

“The 5th, 2nd, and 3rd convicts are therefore young persons within the meaning of the Children and Young Persons Law of Borno State.

“It was held by the Apex court in the case of Aminu Tanko VS the State 2009 Legalpedia SC 61216 that where the sentence prescribed upon conviction in criminal charge is term of imprisonment then some extenuating factors, such as the age of the convict and whether he is a first offender can be taken into consideration in passing the sentence.

“It is in this regard that, on the 1st count charge, I sentence the 5th, 2nd, and 3rd defendants to community service specifically washing the toilets of General Hospital Maiduguri, for 3 months. Make an order that they be given 20 strokes of the cane each.

“On the 2nd count charge, the 5th, 2nd, and 3rd convicts are sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment. The 2nd and 3rd convicts are to be held at the children’s remand home, while the 5th defendant is to be remanded at the Maiduguri correctional centre. The period of imprisonment should commence today.”

“Regarding the first convict, who is also a young man, he is hereby sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment. The first convict is sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment. The 6th convict is sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment. The 7th convict is sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment. All sentences should commence today, the 30/6/2025,” Justice Ali added.

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the families of two commercial tricycle operators had accused the state government, led by Governor Babagana Zulum, of ordering their arrest and prolonged detention after they allegedly planned a peaceful protest over the alleged mismanagement of funds contributed by riders.

The detained operators, identified as Muhammed Bukar and Ibrahim Muhammed—both members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—were arrested by the Police Crack Squad on the alleged orders of Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Saina Buba.

According to relatives, the riders were detained for three months and two weeks at a police facility before spending an additional two months in prison custody while facing trial.

At the centre of the dispute is a daily N100 ticket fee collected from tricycle operators, supposedly serving as insurance to provide financial support to any operator facing emergencies.

However, the riders alleged that officials managing the fund embezzled the money and failed to assist operators in need, prompting plans for the protest before their arrest.