News

Outrage Over Obaseki’s Disregard For Court Order

Published

3 years ago

October 1, 2022

Editor

There was outrage yesterday in Edo State over the demolition of some houses by Governor Godwin Obaseki despite a court order restraining it.

Justice Veestee Eboreime had, on August 4, 2022, ruled in favour of elders and leaders of Oke-Oroma community and restrained the Edo Governor from
further trespassing on, bulldozing or developing the land in dispute situate and lying at Oke-Oroma Village, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Edo State with an area of 714.750 hectares or doing anything whatsoever on the land in dispute that is inconsistent with the rights of Claimants/Applicants pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

In the Suit filed by Gaius Emokpae and five others, Justice Eboreime also granted an Interlocutory Injunction restraining the
Defendants/Respondents, their servants, agents and/or privies from taking possession of the land situate and lying at Oke-Oroma Village.

Defendants in the suit were Edo State Governor, Attorney General and the Edo State Geographic Information Service.

The Oke-aroma elders threatened to file contempt proceedings against the Edo Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Iyamu.

Mr. Omorogiuwa who spoke on behalf of the elders said the forceful take over of the land was to hand over such to neighbouring Amagba community.

He dismissed allegations of land grabbing levelled against his community by the state government, adding that the administration of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion de-acquired the forest reserve some years back.

“What the Government has done is to trample on the order of court and subvert the rule of law. There is no issue of land grabbing involved. It is up to the Bar to defend the rule of law in our State and our law practice.

“Government is supposed to protect its citizens and not destroy their lives. To build a new town is not done through annexation and forceful acquisition. The action of Governor Obaseki is against United Nations rules on human rights. We will use the law to ensure our ancestral land is preserve for our generation to come.”

A socio-cultural group, the Benin Solidarity Movement, (BSM), condemned the action of Governor Obaseki saying developers would not have been allowed to spend money to erect structures on the land.

President-General of the group, Ambassador Curtis Eghosa Ugbo, in a statement, the destruction of the properties at a time Nigerians are passing through difficult times was wicked and devilish.

“One would have expected Governor Obaseki should have not only erected signposts in the said plots of land to show that the properties belong to the State Government but also create awareness of ownership of the said plots of land.

“These are Edo citizens who paid their taxes as at when due. They deserves accolade, they struggled to purchase the land unknowing to them that the landed properties they had acquired belong to the Edo State Government.”

An activist, Barr Daniel Osa-Ogbegie, warned that the Governor was acquiring community lands for his cronies and friends.

“A Governor is subject to laws, not above the law. A resort to self help has been held in a plethora of cases to be illegal, ultra vires and therefore subject to payment of damages.

“My heart goes out to all those their houses were demolished by the ematon Governor, but what really pains me is that Obaseki has been going around Edo South, grabbing communal lands on behalf of his friends ,Nigerians and Chinese.

“Governorship is not forever. A time will come when books will be opened and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

News

Tinubu Unveils Plan To Restart Oil Production In Ogoniland

Published

2 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has moved to restart oil production in Ogoniland in Rivers State.

The president disclosed this on Wednesday when he conferred posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, on the late Ogoni four; Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage.

Conferring the honours at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu urged the Ogoni people to embrace reconciliation and unity after decades of division.

He assured them of his administration’s support for peace, environmental remediation, and economic revival in the land.

“I am encouraged by the overwhelming consensus of the Ogoni communities to welcome the resumption of oil production.

“The government will deploy every resource to support your people in this march towards shared prosperity,” he said.

The president directed the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to begin engagements between Ogoni communities, NNPCL, and other stakeholders to finalise modalities for restarting operations.

Earlier in his report, the NSA stated that the consultations engaged all four Ogoni zones and the diaspora, capturing demands for structured participation in oil production, accelerated cleanup, and sustainable development.

News

Former Oyo Police Commissioner Is Dead

Published

3 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

A Former Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abiodun Odude is dead.

The shocking news of his death was shared by the Chairman, Ibadan branch of Government College, GCI Old Boys Association, Akin Orowale on the Association’s platform.

Abiodun Odude, an old boy of GCI, served as Oyo CP between 2017 and 2019.

In the meantime, reactions have continued to trail the death of Odude.

A former Director General, Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), and GCI OBA stalwart, Dr Yinka Adepoju posted this on platform.

“Hmmm, another deep cut in the GCI Old Boys Association and Boys of 71 Set in particular!

“May the Soul of Biodun rest in peace as l pray that the Lord comforts all members of this Great 71Set and his entire family members, ‘Yinka Adepoju @71, 2356# Grierson”

“So sad to lose such a personality NOW. But what can we do? Nothing absolutely than to wish him eternal rest and divine consolation to the loved ones left behind, particularly his immediate family and GCIOBA,” another old boy, who is an Ibadan based politician, Mr Adeniyi Adeoti said.

The late Odude served in the Intelligence Department, Zone 2, Lagos State as Deputy Commissioner of Police, CID, Panti, Yaba; he was Commissioner of Police, Administration; Department of Finance and Admin., Force Headquarters, Abuja.

News

Lagos Govt Gives Computer Village Traders Ultimatum To Relocate To Katangowa

Published

8 hours ago

September 24, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has given traders at the popular Computer Village in Ikeja an 18-month deadline to move to a new permanent site at Katangowa, in the Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement with market leaders and traders on Tuesday.

According to him, the state government has provided the necessary infrastructure and facilities at the Katangowa site to ensure a conducive business environment once the relocation takes effect.

“The government wants your cooperation to ensure the relocation comes to pass. The time is now. We have to make the project a reality. The relocation period is 18 months,” Oki said.

He explained that Computer Village currently sits on land originally designated as a residential area, which over time was converted into a bustling commercial hub without formal approval from the government.

Oki also revealed that plans to move traders from Ikeja to Katangowa have been in the works since 2006 but were stalled due to delays in completing the new site.

Emphasizing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to inclusive governance, he noted that the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to carry traders along in the government’s plans.

“The governor is passionate about infrastructure development and the welfare of Lagosians. Katangowa has been designated as the permanent site for this market. It sits on 15 hectares of land, well-planned and strategically located near essential resources for your businesses.

“The present location in Ikeja was never meant to serve as a trading hub. What we are offering at Katangowa is a structured market environment that supports growth while addressing environmental and urban planning concerns. We want to work with you and jointly plan this relocation,” Oki said.