News

Uproar In Senate Over Oshiomhole’s Looting Comment

Published

3 years ago

July 26, 2023

… As Lawmakers Ask Oshiomhole To Apologise

There was a mild drama in the Senate, yesterday, during plenary session as the lawmaker representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Adeola, accused his colleague from the Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, of alleging that Senators in the 9th National Assembly looted their offices, carting away office furniture and equipment.

Oshiomhole, who spoke when he appeared on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, had said that in spite of the presence of security operatives, television sets, carpets and chairs were looted by the immediate past senators and House of Representatives members.

The comment, however, led to a rowdy session in the Senate when the matter was raised during plenary.

Trouble started when Senator Adeola, who is the Chairman of Senate Committee on Appropriations, raised a Point of Order to express his displeasure over a television interview reportedly granted by Senator Oshiomhole.

Adeola called on Senator Oshiomhole to apologize to the Senate over his comment.

The lawmaker said: “A Senator appeared on the television addressing Nigerians that Senators in the 9th assembly looted their offices, chairs and tables were looted.

“He was addressing Nigerians about this Senate and knowing full well that a Senator cannot move anything outside the National Assembly without the approval.

“If anything you move is not in compliance and without the approval of the National Assembly, your severance allowances will not be paid. No Senator has looted and I feel that he has to apologise to the Senate for making such comments.”

On his part, Senator Adamu Aliero, who represents Kebbi Central Senatorial District, supported Adeola adding that Oshiomhole should tender an apology.

Aliero said: “The statement is misleading; I served in the 9th Assembly. The person should apologize.”

At this point, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, (APC, Borno South) through a point of order moved that the Senate should resolve into a closed-door session to brainstorm on what he described as a very sensitive issue.

When the motion to go into the closed-door session was put to a voice vote, Senators opted that the matter be discussed in plenary by voting “nay”.

To douse the tension in the chamber, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, said: “Our colleague is new, he is not aware of the tradition of the Senate. I know anybody can make mistake and I know he will apologize for this mistake. Over 70 per cent are new in the 10th Assembly.”

In his remarks, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio called on the former Edo state governor to approach the chair.

After a brief talk with Oshiomhole, Akpabio called on the former APC chairman to state his side of the matter.

Oshiomhole, who was thereafter given the floor, said he has huge respect for the National Assembly adding that he indeed appeared on a respected national television station but said he defended the collective integrity of the Senate.

He said: “I have huge respect for each and every Senator not only in the 10th Assembly but every Senator because I know what it takes to win an election.

“I didn’t address the social media; I spoke with a respected TV station. The question was put to me by the TV host as to what justified the appropriation for the comfort of the National Assembly.

“That allegation against the Senate, in my opinion, I was defending the integrity of the Senate. I know we didn’t appropriate the funds for comfort. I want to repeat that I have huge respect for people in this Senate and not only in the 10th Senate but any Senator, as far as 1999, because I know the road to this place is not easy.

“At no time did I say Senators looted their offices. I only said offices were vandalised and that many Senators had to use their personal money to purchase basic items for their offices.

“I was defending the erroneous impression out there that we appropriated money to ourselves.”

Recall that the former Edo State Governor, Senator Oshiomhole had expressed shock over what he called the level of vandalisation of the properties of the National Assembly by former lawmakers.
VANGUARD

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

19 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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