Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

Suspected kidnappers have killed two traditional rulers in Ekiti State.

 

The monarchs were said to be returning from a security meeting in Irele-Ekiti in a vehicle being driven by one of their colleagues, the Alara of Ikole Ekiti, when they were attacked by gunmen along a community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Monday.

 

DAILY POST learnt that the two traditional rulers—the Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olushola and the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin—were killed in the ambush, while Oba Adebayo Fatoba, the Alara of Ara Ikole-Ekiti, escaped from the scene.

 

Confirming the incident, the chairman of the Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Michael Ogungbemi, said the gunmen attempted to kidnap the three traditional rulers.

 

Speaking with DAILY POST, the state police spokesman, Sunday Abutu, said, “I will get the details and get back, please.

THE Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission ( RMAFC), have resolved to strengthen collaboration to block revenue leakages in the mining sector.

 

Speaking while welcoming the RMAFC chairman, Mohammed Bello, and his team to his office recently, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake commended efforts of the commission to boost revenue accruing to government coffers through mining operations.

 

Bello in his remarks stated that the commission’s visit is hinged on pledging support for efforts of the Minister to transform the mining sector since assumption of office and also extract commitment that the commission will get his cooperation to carry out its statutory monitoring activities.

 

” The commission was instrumental to getting the 10% monthly payment from the Natural Resources Development Fund to the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), and we know we can do much more together under your guidance and leadership to sanitise the sector, plug all loopholes and ensure the mining industry becomes a big chunk of our nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)”, he said.

 

In his submission, the commission’s chairman of solid minerals committee and commissioner representing Zamfara state, Abubakar Sadiq lauded the Minister for his reforms and leadership that has given visibility to the mining sector, stressing the need for improved collaboration with the RMAFC to address shortfall in revenue remittance by mining operators.

 

” Our evaluation of mining operations across the country has shown a shortfall in revenue to government. There is a monitoring gap. Government and RMAFC should strengthen collaboration to seal this gap and plug leakages in the system. ”

 

” We are also making a case for proper supervision and documentation of minerals exported through our borders whilst also urging that the environmental impact of mining operations should be looked into and minimized,” Sadiq added.

 

Dr. Alake, in his response, revealed that the federal government has put in place measures like engaging consultants to block leakages and recover funds owed by licensed operators, which he put at several trillions of naira.

 

” From our efforts, so far, we have discovered to our chagrin that we are owed trillions of naira in unpaid royalties and taxes by legalised operators. We are committed to recovering these funds and also in the process of engaging internationally certified auditors to look at the system and automate the whole gamut of the revenue collection processes, “the Minister asserted.

 

Alake restated the resolve of government to sanitise the mining environment, ensure it contributes substantially to the nation’s revenue, and ultimately make the sector rival oil in contribution to Nigeria’s GDP.

 

“We are ready to collaborate with you, states, and host communities to maximise the potential of the mining sector for the benefit of all Nigerians. Our focus is to ensure that the industry translates to greater good for the greatest number of our people, “Alake said.

The New Governor of Kogi State.

The newly sworn Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,has promised the people of the state that he would govern them with the fear of God and that he would not be an ethnic governor.

He gave the pledge on Saturday in Lokoja during in his speech after his inauguration as the 5th governor of the state.

The governor who presented the names of his commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly for consideration and approval, said his administration would hit ground running by making the state, tourism destination and investment hub for local and foreign investors and tourists among other plans.

According to him,his government would build and consolidate on the solid foundation laid by the administration of the immediate past Governor Yahaya Bello’s infrastructural development, security,unity, agriculture,among others.

Highlight of the event was the highest honour conferred on the the former governor by the new governor as a mark of appreciation for Bello’s great input to the development of the State.

 

The Vice President,Kashim Shettima, the National Chairman of APC, Dr.Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and other stakeholders in the party as well as other members of the society attended the occasion.

Details later.

Our correspondent reports that the Chief Judge of the state,Justice J.Majebi administration the oath of office on the Governor and his Deputy, Mr.Joel Oyibo Salifu.

Details later.

R-L::Governor Yahaya Bello (GYB) “stepped aside” on Saturday, January 27,2024 in Lokoja after the successful completion of his eight years in the governance of Kogi State.
Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo(OAU) stepped in

Six Ghanaians, including three soldiers, have been sentenced to death by hanging for their involvement in a coup plot three years ago.

 

This was the first treason trial in Ghana since 1966 when post-independence leader Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown.

 

The six were arrested in 2021 while testing weapons in the capital, Accra, to allegedly topple the government.

 

The group, including a gunsmith, pleaded not guilty during a trial that captured the attention of the nation.

 

Three other people, including a senior police officer and two military officers, were acquitted.

 

There was a heavy security deployment outside the High Court in Accra during the sentencing on Wednesday.

 

The court found the six guilty of high treason and conspiracy to commit high treason.

 

The men were arrested with locally manufactured guns, improvised explosive devices and AK-47 rifles, according to court documents.

 

State prosecutors said the group had planned to organise protests, ostensibly to topple President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government ahead of the 2020 general elections.

 

The court said it found the evidence against the men, including intercepted communications and testimonies, compelling.

 

Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, who led the prosecution, praised the court verdict as “significant”.

 

“The constitution of Ghana as the fundamental law of the country, which has sustained the stability of the nation, frowns seriously upon any attempt to overthrow a government and that is why that offence [treason] is punishable by death,” Mr Dame said.

 

Ghana had last carried out an execution in 1992 when it returned to democratic rule.

 

Last year lawmakers last year voted to abolish the death penalty for ordinary crimes, replacing it with a life sentence.

 

Defence lawyers said they would appeal against the ruling in the Supreme Court.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has rolled out strategies to help Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) survive the temporary economic fallouts from fuel subsidy removal.

 

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director-General of the agency, Mojisola Adeyeye, and issued to journalists on Monday in Abuja by Olusayo Akintola, NAFDAC media consultant.

 

Mrs Adeyeye, a professor, disclosed that the new set of strategies was targeted to help MSMEs survive the economic situation from the fuel subsidy removal, to enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

 

Mrs Adeyeye said the agency had reviewed downward, the present administrative charges for late renewal of NAFDAC-regulated products to make the business environment more investment-friendly in a quick response to the realities of the time.

 

This translates to a 65 per cent decrease in processing fees for the renewal of registration for locally manufactured products (which will be N44,200).

 

This is against what is currently charged and 45 per cent of the processing fee for foreign products (which will be $ 450) as against what is currently charged.

the agency has also granted a 10 per cent review of tariff structure for facility and inspection fees for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as businesses across the world confront the disruptions caused by the global economic meltdown.

 

“NAFDAC will continue to adopt and implement practical measures to ensure that the projected growth in the MSMEs sector is not seriously affected by the development,” she stated.

 

The NAFDAC boss further explained that the response of the agency was not just “to give succour and assistance to existing MSMEs, but also ensure that there is practical and active fillip to new MSMEs.

 

This will ensure that the growth of the sector is not discouraged by the current economic trauma.

 

She said it was the right moment for the agency and that NAFDAC, as a regulatory body, was prepared to back MSMEs and other businesses that were ready for the innovative and interesting times ahead.

 

‘’We have no excuse not to be one of the most productive and prolific economies in the world. We hope to achieve this aim in the incredible numbers of MSMEs that we have,” she said.

 

The DG described NAFDAC palliatives for MSMEs as a thoughtful and strategic response to the realities of the present time, adding that those were indicators of the new spirit of NAFDAC and foretaste of the support for MSMEs in the trying times.

 

According to her, this is not a new undertaking for the agency; it is merely an extension or intensification of the Federal Government’s long-standing commitment to MSMEs

FELICITATION!

 

The Timi of Ede land, HRM, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa the 1st, has felicitated Delta State Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, who hails from the ancient town on his elevation to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.

This was contained in a press statement personally signed by the monarch and made available to the newsmen by the palace Director of media and Public Communication, Dapo Akinyele, in Ede on Thursday.

 

The Royal father eulogized AIG Wale Abass for his dedication to duty, resilience and doggedness which every Ede indigene is known for, adding that AIG Wale Abass is a courageous Officer with the courage of his forebears as great warriors.

 

The highly revered monarch also used the medium to pray for God guidance and protection over the new AIG, while also urging all sons and daughters of Ede, both at home and in the diaspora to be good ambassadors of the ancient town wherever they are.

 

“On behalf of all Indigenes of Ede in Nigeria and in the diaspora, I heartily felicitate with AIG Wale Abass on his recent elevation to the exalted position of Assistant Inspector General of Police; it is indeed a profound reward of gallantry and diligence.

 

“Without mincing words, this present assignment is an impetus for him to continue to do more in the course of protecting the lives and property of every Nigerian through systemic and pragmatic policing”, the statement read.

Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered that the five Port Harcourt-based men arraigned by the Federal Government on terrorism charges be remanded at Kuje Prison in Abuja.

The suspects are to remain in prison custody till February 2 when their respective bail applications would be determined by the judge.

 

The five defendants are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.

In the 7-count charge, the defendants were accused of committing alleged terrorism offences by invading, vandalizing and burning down the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex in the wake of political crisis that rocked the state in October last year.

 

The crisis followed the face-off between Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Terrritory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

 

Beside allegedly burning down the State House of Assembly, the suspects were also accused of killing a Superintendent of Police, (SP) Bako Agbashim and five police informants at Ahoada community of the state.

 

The police informants alleged to have been killed are Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu and Saturday Edi.

 

The Federal Government also accused them of using various cult groups, namely – Supreme Viking Confraternity, Degbam, Iceland and Greenland – to unleash mayhem on the people of the state and their commercial activities.

 

However, when the charges against them, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, was read, they all pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Although the immediate past factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Edison Ehie, was not listed in the 7-count terrorism charge, he was however represented in court by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Oluwole Aladedoyin, on the ground that his name featured prominently in the alleged offences.

 

He challenged the allegations that he was at large alongside other suspects.

 

Justice Olajuwon did not however allow further arguments on the ground that he was not yet a defendant in the trial.

after the arraignment, the leader of the prosecuting team, Audu Garba, applied for a date for full blown trial of the defendants.

 

However, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Lukman Fagbemi, who stood for Chime Eguma Ezebalike and Prince Lukman Oladele, who are 1st and 2nd defendants, sought to move applications for their bail on the ground that they have been in the police custody since last year.

 

The government lawyer, Audu Garba, vehemently opposed the motion, arguing that he had just been served with the bail applications and needed time to study them and file a counter affidavit.

 

Justice Olajuwon agreed with the prosecution lawyer that the bail applications were not ripe for hearing. He subsequently fixed February 2 for hearing of all bail applications.

 

Pending hearing and determination of the bail applications, the judge ordered that the five defendants be taken to Kuje Prison until the adjourned date.

Isaac Fayoade, brother of former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, confronted a minister for driving against traffic on a one-way lane in the Maitama area of Abuja.

 

The incident is believed to have happened on Wednesday night.

 

However, the identity of the minister was not revealed.

 

In a video making the rounds on social media, Fayose instructed the policemen on duty to send the defaulting minister back, urging them to exercise their authority.

 

He was heard saying: “Send them back, you are authority, they are not authority.

 

“Even if you are a minister, go back. If you are driving a minister, is this the country you people want?

Go back now, DPO is talking to you, enter your car and go back now.”

 

Fayose’s action has generated diverse reactions on social media, with many people praising him for the rare action