A high court in Ibadan has fixed Monday, January 13, 2025, to rule on the bail applications filed by Naomi Silekunola, ex-wife of Ooni of Ife, Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM, and Fasasi Abdullahi.

Abdullahi serves as the principal of Islamic High School, the site of the stampede incident in Ibadan.

The trio are standing trial over their alleged roles in a stampede at a funfair in December, which claimed the lives of over 40 people, most of them children.

The defendants were remanded at Agodi correctional centre on December 24 after being charged with conspiracy, negligence causing harm, and failing to provide adequate security and medical facilities.

At the hearing on Tuesday, their legal representatives presented separate arguments for bail.

Silekunola was represented by Musibau Adetunmbi, while Hamzat and Abdullahi were represented by Adekunle Sobaloju.

The prosecution, led by Abiodun Aikomo, Oyo state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, opposed the bail applications.

He asked the court to deny the defendants temporary release.

After hearing the submissions of both defendants and prosecutor, Kamarudeen Olawoyin, the presiding judge, reserved his ruling for January 13.

Buba Marwa, the chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says operatives of the agency arrested over 18,500 suspected drug traffickers and seized 2.6 million kilograms of illicit drugs in 2024.

Marwa spoke in Lagos on Tuesday during the inauguration of the NDLEA central exhibit office.

The US government donated the NDLEA central exhibit office located at the agency’s headquarters annex in Ikoyi.

Marwa said the steady operational successes being recorded by the agency in its drug supply and demand reduction efforts were attributable to the support given to it by the US government and other partners.

“Today, I am particularly pleased to acknowledge one of such gestures, namely the donation of the office for our central exhibit custodians,” he said.

“This donation acknowledges the critical need for efficient and secure handling of evidence, which is essential for the successful prosecution of drug-related cases.

“This contribution will not only strengthen our operational framework but also set a new standard for accountability and transparency in drug law enforcement

“It is an investment in the security and the future of our nations.”

Marwa said in spite of the agency’s improved performance, its personnel recognised that the war against drug trafficking and abuse is far from being over.

“As an organisation, we are committed to surmounting the challenges,” he said.

The NDLEA chairman noted that tremendous successes had been recorded on all fronts against the drug menace despite many challenges.

“So far, the results have been justifying. In 2024, we seized over 2.6 million kilograms of illicit drugs across the country,” he said.

“We arrested more than 18,500 drug trafficking offenders and got over 3,250 convicted, including 10 drug barons, with more than 220 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed.

“While in the same breath, we counselled and rehabilitated over 8,200 drug abusers.

“We organised more than 3,000 sensitisation and advocacy programmes across the country in schools, markets, motor parks, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, among others.”

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, has further established its position as a customer-focused institution, securing a spot among the Top 5 banks in several categories of the KPMG 2024 West Africa Banking Industry Customer Experience Survey.

The survey underscored UBA’s strong performance, placing it second in SME Banking and third in Retail Banking. These results represent a significant advancement, propelled by the bank’s commitment to its “Customer First” (C1st) philosophy.

The bank’s upward trajectory in customer satisfaction is clear. In Retail Banking, UBA jumped to third place from 14th in 2023. Similarly, in SME Banking, it rose to second place from 6th. In Corporate Banking, the bank earned fourth place, up from 8th last year. These gains highlight UBA’s dedication to exceeding customer expectations and providing outstanding service across its operations.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, referred to the recognition as a validation of the bank’s transformation. He stated, “This achievement is a testament to our ability to turn aspirations into accomplishments and challenges into triumphs. Our “Customer First” (C1st) philosophy is more than a mantra; it’s the foundation of our success. Through it, we’ve redefined customer satisfaction, created value, and built lasting trust and loyalty.”

Alawuba credited UBA’s success to the unwavering dedication of its employees. “From our retail branches to corporate offices, and from technology teams to front-line staff, every effort has contributed to this extraordinary transformation. I am deeply grateful to our remarkable team for making this possible,” he said.

He highlighted the bank’s focus on six pillars of customer experience: Integrity, Resolution, Expectations, Time and Effort, Empathy, and Personalization. These principles have transformed UBA’s interactions with customers, fostering trust and loyalty across its varied markets.

While celebrating these milestones, Alawuba reaffirmed UBA’s ambition to be the leading bank in all segments. He outlined the bank’s strategy to deepen customer relationships, enhance processes, and drive ongoing innovation. “As the banking landscape evolves and customer expectations rise, we remain agile and committed to delivering unparalleled value. Together, we will set new benchmarks for excellence,” he added.

UBA is a prominent financial institution with 25,000 employees serving over 45 million customers worldwide. Operating in 20 African countries and international hubs such as the UK, USA, France, and the UAE, UBA offers a comprehensive range of retail, commercial, and institutional banking services, championing financial inclusion and utilizing cutting-edge technology.