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Court Sacks Ekiti Oba Over Improper Selection Process

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The High Court of Justice, Ikole Ekiti Division , has removed the Owa of Odo Ayedun Ekiti, Oba Ilesanmi Ajibade over gross abuse of tradition in his selection process.

The Court upheld the position canvassed by the Claimant, Prince Adekunle Adeniyi that he remains the most appropriate person for the coveted seat, having participated in the selection process conducted by six kingmakers in the town.

Adeniyi in the suit number HCL/12/09 filed at the Registry of the Court on July 10, 2013 , sought a declaration nullifying the selection of Oba Ajibade(15th respondent) and an order directing the Governor of the State (10th respondent ) to approve the nomination of the claimant.

Other reliefs sought include: a declaration that the appointments of the warrant chiefs(11th to 14th defendants) was illegal and an order setting aside the nomination of the15th respondent( Oba Ajibade) .

Joined in the suit as respondents were: Pastor Isaac Aluko(1st), Chief Aribisala(2nd), Chief Olu Areola (3rd), Chief Kayode Osho(4th), Chief Amos Jegede (5th) and Miss Oyenike Ojo (6th).

Others include: The Secretary, Ikole Local Government(7th), Special Adviser, Chieftaincy Matters(8th), Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice(9th), Governor of Ekiti State(10th) Mr Joseph Oluyi(11th), Mr Aderemi Akinola(12th), Mr Adeniyi Oluyi(13th), Mr Mike
Farunmona(14th) and Oba Ilesanmi Ajibade( 15th respondent)

The claimant called two witnesses during the trial and tendered three Exhibits, which include a programme of coronation and official presentation of staff of office ,a letter from Odo Ayedun kingmakers to the claimant for him to fill the vacant stool, a letter from the claimant to the office Director of Civil Litigation , Ministry of Justice and another letter from the claimant to the late Elekole of Ikole Ekiti, Oba Adeleye Adetunla, who is the supreme head in the
area.

The claimant also claimed that setting aside his nomination for the coveted seat by the kingmakers and set up another selection process where the 15th respondent was ‘wrongful nominated’ was illegal , null and void.

Delivering his judgement on June 28, 2016 , a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti ,on Monday, Justice Abiodun Adesodun agreed with the position canvassed by the claimant that the selection of the 15th respondent was illegally done.

“It is my humble opinion that conducting the selection process on the 29/1/10 during the pendency of this case by the defendants was in contempt of this court. They cannot now approach the court for redress without purging themselves of the contempt.

“The whole exercise , that is the appointment of warrant chiefs , the second nomination exercise of 29th January , 2010 and the appointment of the15th defendant, from the circumstances of this case and the evidence on record is nothing short of an exercise in futility.

“Come to think of it, the 15th defendant was purportedly appointed or elected Owa elect on 29th January, 2010 and his appointment was approved 3rd February 2010 five days after the election contrary to section 13(2) of the Chief Law which stipulated mandatory 21 days, why the hurry in this case?”, the judge queried.

Justice Adesodun added that the claimant has been able to establish his case based on the pleadings and the totality of evidence before the court as to entitle to him reliefs sought.

“It is hereby declared that the selection of the claimant to fill the vacant stool of Owa of Odo Ayedun is valid and legal. It is equally declared that the notice of intention to set aside the nomination of the claimant to the vacant stool of Owa of Odo Ayedun is illegal, null and void.

“I also grant an order directing the 10th defendant to approve the nomination of the claimant as the Owa of Odo Ayedun, I also declared that the nomination of the 11th -14th defendants as warrant chiefs is null and void.

“I also grant a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, servants, privies or any other person from appointing warrant chiefs or taking any further step to disturb the nomination of the Claimant as Owa of Odo Ayedun.

“On the whole, the claimant’s action succeeds,” Justice Adesodun declared.

The Judge told the parties to bear their own cost.

BIG STORY

Equitorial Guinea Sacks Senior Government Official, Baltasar Engonga Over “Sexcapade”

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The Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been dismissed following the discovery of over 400 explicit videos involving him with high-profile women across the country.

The dismissal, ordered by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, was confirmed by Real Equatorial Guinea, which referenced Decree No. 118/2024, issued on November 4.

According to the decree, Engonga’s removal was due to alleged professional misconduct and personal behavior deemed incompatible with his public position.

The scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation involving the 54-year-old economist, leading to a surprise search of his house and office by ANIF officials.

During the search, they uncovered several CDs containing explicit videos that revealed his sexual encounters with different married women.

One of the women involved has since committed suicide. It has not been confirmed whether Engonga will face prosecution for his actions.

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BIG STORY

Kaduna Government Gifts N100,000, Smartphones To 39 Released #EndBadGovernance Protesters

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The Kaduna State government has provided N100,000 in cash, new smartphones, and additional support to 39 #EndBadGovernance protesters who were recently released from detention.

The government facilitated their reunion with their families on Wednesday, following their release from detention.

The reunion ceremony took place at the Children Homes along Kauru Road in Kaduna, where Governor Uba Sani offered support to the protesters, promising to assist them in reintegrating into society.

He assured them of opportunities for empowerment, contingent upon their commitment to lawful and responsible conduct.

Speaking to journalists after the release of the protesters, the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Abdulkadir Meyere, who represented the governor, revealed that Sani had instructed him to gather the credentials of those who have completed their tertiary education.

‘’The governor promised that some of them will be given start-up capital to begin trading, others will be taught skills, and some will be offered employment,’’ he said.

However, the SSG emphasized that the activities and conduct of the released protesters would be monitored to ensure they maintain good behavior, “before these benefits will be extended to them.”

Meyere also noted that the state government had taken the details of the released detainees, including their contact information, telephone numbers, and the names of their Next of Kins, to facilitate tracking and monitoring.

He further explained that the protesters underwent medical evaluations and received psycho-social counseling to encourage them to make positive changes and become productive members of society.

“Both Islamic and Christian religious leaders preached to them to embrace the teachings of their faiths and avoid bad company, so as to benefit from God’s blessings here and in the hereafter,” he said.

Meyere added that the detainees were each given a phone because they had lost theirs during detention, and ‘’the Governor has graciously given each of them N100,000 as a measure of goodwill.”

The state Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, also addressed the protesters during the reunion, emphasizing the government’s commitment to their welfare.

She stated that the 39 protesters, including two minors aged 16 and 17, had received various forms of support from the government.

“We want you to be ambassadors of peace and preach peace within your peer groups, so you won’t be involved in any unlawful protests.

“We want you to return to a more peaceful environment with your families, and then we can invite you back for further training,” she said to the released protesters.

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BIG STORY

Two Robbers Gunned Down, 23 Suspects Arrested In FCT

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The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has killed two armed robbers during a gun duel and arrested four others in the Jahi area of the nation’s capital.

Additionally, no fewer than five car snatchers were arrested, and 13 stolen vehicles were recovered during operations carried out by the FCT command’s Scorpion Squad.

Speaking on Wednesday while parading the suspects in Abuja, FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, said the armed robbers opened fire on October 21 after seeing police officers who had responded to a distress call about a robbery in the Jahi area.

According to Disu, during the ensuing gun battle, the police neutralized two of the armed robbers, recovered two of their vehicles, and arrested two suspects, Haruna Abdullahi, 32, from Ikara LGA, Kaduna State, and Yerima Usman, 28, from Itoro LGA, Bauchi State.

He said, “Upon sighting the police patrol vehicle, the suspects opened fire, and in the ensuing confrontation, two suspects were neutralized.”

Disu added that after a follow-up operation on October 23, the suspects led police operatives to arrest two additional gang members—Abba Ismail, aka Dan-Abba, and Ashiru Suleiman—who had escaped from the scene.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a gang of armed robbers led by one Dan Auwalu, who is still at large. So far, they have carried out armed robberies in Mabushi, Jahi, and Gishiri. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining gang members,” he stated.

Disu also identified the arrested car-snatching suspects as 32-year-old Arji Thomas from Gwoza LGA, Borno State; Amobi Ndukwe, 40, from Awgu LGA, Enugu State; and Amaechi Sampson, 26, from Imo State.

He said the trio—Thomas, Ndukwe, and Sampson—are members of a notorious car-snatching gang led by one Chidiebere, who is currently on the run.

According to him, the suspects were apprehended just as they were about to sell a stolen blue Toyota Corolla with registration number KTW 2155D.

“It is important to note that both Arji Thomas and Amobi Ndukwe are ex-convicts. During interrogation, they admitted to operating in Garki for the past year and a half, claiming responsibility for numerous car thefts within the metropolis,” Disu added.

Disu also explained how Joseph Abang was arrested. He said one Philemon Olaoluwa reported at the Central Police Station that his mechanic, Abdulhamid Saidu, had absconded with his car—a 2006 ash-colored Honda Accord with registration number RBC 40—after repairing it and taking it to Jos.

He added that Saidu, who is still at large, handed over the vehicle to Abang, who confessed to being part of a gang of car thieves operating in Abuja, Plateau, and Nasarawa states.

Disu said, “Extensive investigations led police operatives of the Central Police Station to Jos, Plateau State, where Joseph Abang was arrested. During interrogation, he informed the police that he belonged to a gang of car thieves who operated in Jos, Abuja, and Nasarawa State.

“He specializes in receiving, remodelling, and selling off vehicles stolen by his gang members. During a search operation at his residence and place of business, two additional vehicles—a Hyundai Accent and a Peugeot 208—suspected to be stolen were also recovered from him. He is in custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.”

Disu also revealed that a Toyota Hilux with registration number 03A309 FG, stolen by a newly employed security guard, Usman Abubakar, was recovered. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspect.

Disu explained that the vehicle, owned by Mr. Frank Udah, was stolen on October 7 by Abubakar, who had only been employed for three days. Preliminary investigations revealed that Abubakar took the vehicle to Nasarawa State, where he handed it over to two other gang members, who have since been arrested and are facing trial for another offence in Nasarawa State.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the security guard, who had been employed for barely three days, stole the said vehicle on October 7, 2024, and took the same to Nasarawa State where he gave the vehicle to two other gang members who were arrested and currently facing trial for another offence in Nasarawa State. While the vehicle has been recovered, efforts are in place to arrest the suspect, Usman Abubakar, who is still on the run,” Disu stated.

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