Metro

You Owe Edo People Explanation On State Of Central Hospital, EDOCSO Tackles Obaseki

Published

2 years ago

June 9, 2024

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) has demanded explanation from Governor Godwin Obaseki the current state of the state-owned Central Hospital.

The CSO’s demand followed rumours making the rounds that the Obaseki-led administration in the state is on the verge of permanently shutting down the Central Hospital.

Recall that Obaseki, a few years ago demolished the Edo Central Hospital located in the centre of Benin City and relocated various units of the hospital to different hospitals and sister agencies, and thereafter started construction of a museum on the land.

The civil society members during their General Assembly held over the weekend, said if the planned closure comes to fruition, Edo will be the only state without state-owned Central Hospital.

EDOCSO, in a statement jointly signed by Leftist Austine Enabulele,
Interim Technical Executive Council (TEC) Chairman, and Leftist Grace Okike, interim TEC Secretary, and read during the General Assembly, the civil society members lamented that rather than improving on the hospital built with tax payers money, Obaseki has caused more damage to the hospital and has made it unaffordable for the masses it was initially built for.

According to them, all policies being implemented by Obaseki regarding the Central Hospital is a departure from the purpose the hospital was established over a century ago.

They said: “Most recently is the sharp increment of hospital bills, like case file which used to be N6000 (six thousand naira) has been increased to N15000 (fifteen thousand naira) this is just example of the increment that touches everything which has further contributed to the pains of the common man in Edo State.

“As we speak Edo state do not have Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the state hospital which finally suggests that healthcare is gone and of no interest or importance to the government of the day.

“It should be noted that, our forebears established the central hospital in such a strategic location for easy access and affordability for the people.

“What the government led by Mr. Godwin Obaseki currently doing is a far departure from it, and this is anti-people, wicked and a devalue for the lives of Edo people and residents respectively.

“One would think the new hospital built using tax payers’ money by the former governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole would have been equipped with modern health equipment as an expansion of the Edo Central h ospital to boost the government health facility in the state by this OBASEKI’s administration as at when he took over in 2016, instead it was surreptitiously privatized by him, which has become far from the reach and affordability of the poor.”

The civil society members, while rejecting “in its entirety the total close down of Edo Central Hospital and recent increase in Hospital bills of the average and poor Citizens in Edo State, using the Edo Central Hospital facility,” demanded a “reversal of all the astronomical increment of charges in the public hospital for easy access and affordability by commoners.”

They also demanded employment of Doctors “to cover the current shortage being experienced,” and “training and retraining of all medical personnel in the hospital.”

They warned and reminded Obaseki of the implication of his policy in the health sector on his candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Metro

NDLEA Destroys Two Cannabis Farms, Arrests Suspects In Edo

Published

50 minutes ago

May 18, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, have destroyed two cannabis plantations with a yield of 1,388.42kg in Ago Forest, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Benin, said four suspected drug traffickers in the past one week.

According to Mitchell, credible intelligence led to the raid of the farms measuring 0.362021 hectares and 0.229346 hectares, respectively, and totalling 0.555367 hectares which were completely destroyed.

Mitchell revealed that three suspected female and one male drug traffickers were also arrested in a separate operation at the back of Oredo Local Government Secretariat in Benin City.

He named the suspects as Eniye Osague, a 25-years-old female; Osaretin Erabor, 43-year-old female; Vivian Chukwuma, a 38-year-old female; and Osigwe Omogie, 44-year-old male.

Eniye Osague, a 25-year-old female, was arrested behind the Oredo LGA Secretariat, Benin City, on 15th May 2026.

“Exhibits found on her are 272 grams of Scottish loud. Osaretin Erabor, a 43-year-old female, was also apprehended behind the Oredo LGA Secretariat, Benin City, on the same day with 914 grams of cannabis sativa.

“Vivian Chukwuma, a 38-year-old female who was arrested at the Hausa Quarters, Oluku, Benin City, was found with 315 grams of cannabis loud, 22 grams of Colorado, 38 grams of methamphetamine, and 30 grams of Tramadol 100mg.

“The fourth suspect, Osigwe Omogie, was caught with 113 grammes of Cannabis sativa, 8 grammes of loud and 5 grammes of tramadol,” the statement reads.

Metro

Violence Rocks APC Reps Primary In Ekiti Ward, Exercise Declared Inconclusive

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted at the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary for Ward 10, Fajuyi Pavilion, Ado Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Saturday.

Electoral officials halted the process and declared it inconclusive after violence broke out among party supporters.

The primary pitted Olushola Fatoba against Tope Ogunleye, widely known as RST. Loyalists and agents of both aspirants had converged on Fajuyi Pavilion before voting was scheduled to begin.

According to eyewitnesses, tensions rose when suspected thugs allegedly backing Fatoba stormed the venue wielding canes and firearms. Their arrival appeared aimed at intimidating Ogunleye’s supporters and suppressing turnout.

Despite the hostile atmosphere, Ogunleye’s backers held their ground, chanting solidarity songs in support of their candidate. Voting eventually started under heavy tension.

Observers at the scene said Ogunleye seemed to have the larger share of support among members present, with his base visibly outnumbering the opposition.

Violence broke out after Fatoba’s camp allegedly sensed an imminent loss. Clashes between both groups forced an abrupt end to voting.

During the unrest, Ogunleye’s agent, Mr. Sunday, was assaulted. Another member, Mr. Femi Ogunleye, was reportedly beaten and his Tecno Spark 9 phone seized. A female supporter, Mrs. Oluwaseun Osamuwa, was also attacked and her Apple Smart Wrist Watch stolen. Both Mr. Femi Ogunleye and Mrs. Osamuwa sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital.

As of press time, no winner had emerged and the Ward 10 primary remained inconclusive.

The violence has renewed concerns over thuggery and intimidation in internal party elections. Party members and political observers say the incident raises serious questions about voters’ ability to freely choose candidates without fear.

Stakeholders are calling on security agencies and electoral authorities to probe the disruption, ensure justice for those attacked, and safeguard the credibility of future primaries.

Metro

My Wife Destroyed My Property, Instigated Our Children To Beat Me, Man Tells Court

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

The Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has delivered judgment in a divorce suit filed by a man, Theophilus, against his wife, Aina, whom she accused of lack of affection, frequent quarrels, and domestic violence.

According to Theophilus, Aina was stubborn and always insisted on having things her own way.

He further said that she was disobedient and refused to listen to him.

The plaintiff also told the court that the defendant was hostile towards their friends and neighbours, which often led to conflicts between them.

He further claimed that Aina was violent and would attack him with any object within her reach during disagreements.

In addition, he accused her of destroying his property whenever they had differences.

Theophilus also explained that Aina turned their children against him.

He stated that they assaulted him and damaged his belongings.

He told the court that he eventually left their home because he feared for his safety and believed that the defendant intended to harm him.

The plaintiff therefore appealed to the court to dissolve their marriage and also requested an order restraining Aina from threatening him or interfering with his privacy.

Aina was absent from court despite being served court summons.

Theophilus, while giving his testimony before the court, stated, “I have not enjoyed peace or rest of mind since I married my wife.

“I paid her bride price to her family, but they rejected it.

“My wife is far from being a virtuous woman.

“She was never submissive and was always full of herself.

“She had no respect for me and disobeyed my instructions whenever she wished.

“She neither listened to me nor accepted my advice.

“My wife was also violent.

“During disagreements, she attacked me with any dangerous object she could lay her hands on.

“On three different occasions, Aina destroyed my property.

“Our neighbours and friends were not exempt from her hostility.

“She was constantly at loggerheads with them and fought with them on several occasions.

“My wife also turned our children against me.

“They beat me mercilessly and nearly killed me.

“They also destroyed my belongings.

“I left the house after the incident because it became obvious that my wife wanted me dead.

“I came to court to seek the dissolution of our marriage because my wife’s presence in my life has brought me nothing but pain and suffering.

“I sincerely appeal to the court to dissolve our marriage.

“I also request an order restraining her from threatening me or interfering with my privacy.”

The Court President, Mrs. O. E. Owoseni, while delivering judgment, stated that there was no valid marriage to dissolve because no marital rites were performed, and no bride price was paid.

Owoseni also issued an order restraining the defendant from threatening or interfering with the plaintiff’s private life