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No fewer than five people were killed, scores unconscious, while others sustained serious injuries in a stampede at the entrance of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday.

Thousands of football fans, who had thronged the stadium to watch the match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria in action against the Chipolopo of Zambia on Saturday, suddenly found themselves all at one gate.

A surge followed with the fans pushing and falling over one another.

The blood stain of those who died, and those who sustained serious injuries as well as those who were in coma, were seen everywhere around the gate of the stadium.

A journalist with The PUNCH newspaper was among the victims who were injured by the soldiers who were controlling the crowd.

Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps personnel were seen standing beside some unconscious fans.

Shoes of those who had fallen victims to security manhandling were seen in every section of the stadium.

Some of the fans who spoke with our correspondent said they escaped death narrowly.

One of them, Aniema Ekong, said that apart from the five people that were taken away in ambulance dead, she did not see any possibility for some fans who were in coma to survive.

She said, “I thank God that I’m alive. This is not the first time this incident has occurred. It’s been happening. In fact, in every major tournament, there is always a tale to tell of security agents injuring or killing people.

“To me, it seems as if this stadium is a blood-sucking demon. My experience today is different. Today’s experience is a near dead one. Let them be with their stadium. To me, watching matches here again, will be impossible.”

Another fan said his girlfriend had been severely injured by security personnel manning the gate.

According to him the security pushed the lady to the gate, where she hit her left shoulder and arms against the gate and fell flat on the ground.

He said the lady had been taken to a nearby hospital.

He said, “I don’t know why there is always trouble in this stadium (Godswill Akpabio International Stadium). Each time there is a match; there is always one problem or the other.

Many people were seen leaving the stadium thanking God for their lives.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Elkana Bala, could not be reached for confirmation as his phone lines were switched off.

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BIG STORY

Alleged N110bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello, Other’s Bail Ruling To December 10

Published

3 hours ago

on

November 27, 2024

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned to December 10 for a ruling on the bail application by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others.

Bello had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The former governor, along with Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as the 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a fresh N110bn 16-count charge instituted against them by the EFCC.

Bello, the 1st defendant, vehemently denied the allegations before Justice Maryanne Anenih as they were read out to them.

After taking their plea, the Defendant’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu, moved an application for bail.

However, the EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the application, arguing that it had expired in October.

Clarifying the issue, the Defendant’s Counsel stated that the only relevant application before the Court was the motion for bail in respect of the first defendant, which was filed on November 22.

Relying on all the paragraphs of the affidavit, he added that the bail application was also supported with a written address.

Justice Anenih ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.

The EFCC had filed an N110bn alleged fraud suit against the former governor.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Court Remands Yahaya Bello In EFCC Custody Amid Alleged N110bn Fraud Case

Published

6 hours ago

on

November 27, 2024

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has remanded Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello was arraigned on a 16-count charge related to alleged money laundering on Wednesday.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

 

More to come…

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BIG STORY

First Phase Of 10,800-Bed Hostel In LASU Ready — Tokunbo Wahab

Published

6 hours ago

on

November 27, 2024

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The first phase of a 10,800-bed hostel project at the Lagos State University (LASU) is now ready for inauguration, according to Tokunbo Wahab, former special adviser to the governor on education.

Wahab, who is now commissioner for environment and water resources in Lagos, describes the project as ambitious and transformative.

“ It remains one of the most ambitious and transformative projects undertaken during my time as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education,” he wrote on X.

“It was executed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangement which involves seven reputable investors.”

Wahab commended Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, for his leadership and continuous support.

“Proud of the work done here and to have been a part of this special one,” he added.

“Through the grace of God and the unwavering support and the dedication of the Lagos State Office of Public-Private Partnerships, the relentless efforts of the management staff of LASU, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, and the cooperation of other key stakeholders, the first phase of this landmark project has now been completed.”

Wahab emphasized that the project showcases the state government’s commitment to leveraging public-private partnerships to address critical infrastructure needs in the education sector.

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