News

Orbih Mocks APC, Says ‘I Have Called Obaseki, Oshiomhole For Settlement’

Published

6 years ago

January 11, 2020

…2020 Election Walkover For PDP-Ex-Senator

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Dan Orbih, Friday, January 10, mocked the ruling APC in the state, saying he had invited governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki and his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to settle their political fight but they have refused.

Orbih made this mockery statement at Afuze, Owan West Local Government Area of the state during Edo North Local Government Area of the state during Edo North PDP Leaders Tour which kick started yesterday.

He noted that the Tour was an indication that leaders of Edo North PDP have decided to unite in their efforts to rescuing the state.

Leaders of the PDP in Edo North during the sensitisation tour at Afuze, Owan East

“Two weeks ago, I issued a public invitation to Adams Oshiomhole and Godwin Obaseki to come before me so that I can settle them in their political fight, but they have not answer our patriotic call. With all this, you will agree with me all is not well in Edo State”, he added.

A cross section of members and supporters of the PDP during the Tour at Afuze on Friday

Orbih, who called on Edo people to embrace the PDP in the forthcoming election for job employment and provision of social amenities, lamented that public schools and hospitals have been abandoned by the present administration hence are in pitiable state.

“Today, state of our schools in the state is one that one cannot be proud of. Here in Afuze, the promises made to the good people of Afuze by Godwin Obaseki during his campaign tour have become mere promises. He has neglected the College of Physical Education. Our hospitals are worst than mere consulting clinic”, he said.

Speaking on accountability in governance, the PDP chairman urged Obeseki to immediately investigate and prosecute those behind “the fraud of award and execution of multi-billion naira Edo Central Hospital.”

He said, “I want to use this opportunity to call on Godwin Obaseki to immediately swing into action and bring to book all those responsible for the fraud of award and execution of our Central Hospital, Benin City.

Another cross section of members and supporters of the party at Afuze, Owan East on Friday during the Tour

“They spent billions of our public funds to build that hospital. More than Three years after that hospital was commissioned by president of this country, it is still under lock and key. Those behind the award and execution of the hospital contract must be prosecuted.

“Let me also say this, we must not play politics with public institutions. One would have expected by now that hospital and our other public institutions should be working perfectly, but what do we have, nothing.”

A cross section of supporters and members of the party at Sabongida-Ora, Owan West local govt during the sensitisation tour on Friday

Speaking on the forthcoming gobernosrhip election in the state, former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Yisa Braihmor said the election would be a walkover for the Peoples Democratic Party.

The former Senator who represented Edo North in the Red Chamber, assured party faithful that the PDP is regaining power through the next gobernosrhip election.

A cross section of supporters and members of the party at Sabongida-Ora, Owan West local govt during the sensitisation tour on Friday

“My message to you my people is that this is the year of glory for PDP. By the special grace of God, we are going to Osadebey’s house come December 2020.

“The election coming August this year is a walkover for us“, he added.

According to him, the PDP has resolved not to give ticket to any defector who later returns to the party to pick the party ticket with the primary aim of contesting under the party.

He said, “No body will just come to our party and pick up ticket as contestant. No decempee (sic) will come and we make him candidate tomorrow. That era is over.”

A cross section of supporters and members of the party at Sabongida-Ora, Owan West local govt during the sensitisation tour on Friday

Chairman of the Tour, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi said the Tour was to unite the party the more with a view to coming out victoriously in the forthcoming election.

“I want to plead with all of you, eschew the bitterness of the past; forget what had happened in the past. Let us embrace each other; let us work together as one and leave a good legacy for children and the ones unborn. We need to forgive ourselves”, he added.

A cross section of supporters and members of the party at Sabongida-Ora, Owan West local govt during the sensitisation tour on Friday

The Tour well attended by party leaders and members covered Owan East and West today.

News

Nigerian Government Explains Cause Of National Grid Collapse

Published

8 hours ago

September 10, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Government has explained the cause of the national grid collapse around 11:20 am on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

According to the Nigerian Independent System Operator, NISO, Wednesday’s grid collapse was caused by the tripping of a generation company, resulting in a significant load drop, which cascaded to other GenCos and led to a system disturbance.

NISO, responsible for the country’s national grid, made this known in a statement on Wednesday, noting that restoration of the national grid commenced immediately.

It stated that an investigation has begun to determine both the immediate and root causes of the grid collapse.

“The disturbance was caused by the tripping of a GenCo, resulting in a significant load drop, which cascaded to other GenCos, leading to a system disturbance. NISO immediately commenced restoration of the grid at 11:45 hrs, beginning with supply to Abuja from the Shiroro power plant, and substantial restoration has been achieved across the country.

“A full investigation into the immediate and remote causes is underway.

“The outcome(s) of the investigation report would determine the remedial and proactive actions to be taken to forestall future occurrences. We crave your indulgence to bear with us as restoration is still ongoing,” NISO said.

DAILY POST reports that national grid restoration has begun, with power supply restored in parts of Abuja.

News

EFCC Grills Ex-NNPCL Boss, Mele Kyari

Published

8 hours ago

September 10, 2025

Editor

Mele Kyari, a former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mele Kyari, on Wednesday, visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, office.

Kyari arrived EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja at about 2:15pm.

He was invited to answer questions on financial and technical matters during his time in office.

Recall that the EFCC had placed Kyari on its watch list over an ongoing probe into the $7.2 billion refineries’ turnaround maintenance.

This is just as the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered a temporary freezing of four bank accounts linked to Kyari due to allegations of fraud.

News

Owo Church Attack: Court Turns Down Bail Request For Alleged Al-Shabab Terrorists

Published

11 hours ago

September 10, 2025

Editor

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday refused the bail request made by five alleged Al-Shabab terrorists who allegedly attacked a Catholic Church in Owo town, Ondo State, leading to the death of over 40 worshippers.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who dismissed their bail application, held that the terrorism charges preferred against them were capital in nature and that they were accused of being members of a strong terrorist organisation who may intimidate witnesses, influence proceedings and jeopardise the trial of the defendants before the court.

Delivering a ruling on the bail application, Justice Nwite upheld the arguments of the Department of State Services (DSS) that the evidence against the alleged terrorists was strong and could not be glossed over.

Besides, the judge said the argument of the DSS that they would jump bail and abscond if released was not disputed and was deemed to be true.

The judge also upheld the submission of the security agency that the five accused persons did not provide credible sureties to stand for them pending trial, and added that the DSS’s argument that admitting them to bail would amount to judicial risk was not challenged by their lawyers.

In all, Justice Nwite held that the defendants failed to give cogent and verifiable reasons why they should be granted bail pending their trial and subsequently dismissed the bail request.

Earlier, before going into the merit of the bail application, the judge had declared the motion on notice incompetent on the ground that the names of the five defendants were not listed on the motion paper as required by law.

The judge also faulted the motion paper on another ground: that a joint affidavit of two paragraphs was filed in support of the request for bail of the five defendants, contrary to the position of the law that each accused person must file a separate affidavit to back up a bail request.

While granting an accelerated trial, Justice Nwite fixed 19 October for the commencement of the trial.

It will be recalled that the bail application of the defendants – Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar – dated 11 August 2025, was argued by their counsel, Abdullahi Awwal Ibrahim, on 19 August 2025.

While arguing the application, the lawyer had submitted that the accused persons had assembled reliable and responsible sureties to stand for them.

The request was opposed by the DSS lawyer, Dr Callistus Eze, on the grounds that the accused persons may escape because of the gravity of the charges against them, urging the court to refuse the bail application and allow the defendants to remain in DSS custody.

Some counts in the charge read: “That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar adults, males, with others still at large, sometime in 2021, did join and became members of AL Shabab Terrorist Group, with cell in Kogi State and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 25(1) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 30th May, 2022; 37 June, 2022 and 4 June, 2022, at Government Secondary School, Ogamirana, Adavi LGA, Kogi State and behind Omialafa Central Mosque, Ose LGA, Ondo State, respectively, attended and held meetings, where you agreed to and planned for the terrorist attack, which you carried out on 5™ June, 2022, at St. Francs Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(a) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, with intent to further your religious ideology and while armed with IEDs and AK 47 rifles, did attack worshippers, held them hostage and in the process, caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons, including Onileke Ayodele, John Blessing, Nselu Esther and Ogungbade Peter and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 24(2)(a) of the same Act.

“That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, had in your possession IEDs and AK 47 rifles, with which you attacked worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, held them hostage, killed over 40 persons and caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2(1)(2) and (3)(v) and punishable under Section 24(1) and (2) of TPPA, 2022.

“That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, with intent to cause death, did detonate Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which led to the death of over 40 persons, including: Ajanaku John; Onuoha Deborah; Onileke Esther and John Bosede and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 42 (a)(ii) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, did detonate Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) which caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons, including: Onuchukwu Happiness, Ogungbade Vivan and Nnakwe Paschaline Ugochinyerem and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 42(a)(i) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”