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The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, was yesterday accorded a heroic reception by mammoth crowd of supporters and admirers that gathered at Ilorin International Airport to welcome him to Ilorin, his hometown, some 10 days after the Supreme Court discharged and acquitted him of allegations of false assets declaration.

The supporters of the Senate president patiently waited for the arrival of their leader for about eight hours, having assembled at the airport as early as 8am.

Motorists and other road users had a hectic time on the Ilorin-Ogbomosho Road as Saraki’s supporters lined both sides of the road with vehicles stretching for about five kilometers.

Although Saraki’s flight didn’t arrive until about 4.17pm, the supporters kept themselves alive with dance and music from various live bands.

He was accompanied on the flight by the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad; Senator Rafiu Ibrahim; former Speaker of the state Assembly and chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Razak Atunwa; as well as former presidential spokesman, Dr. Doyin Okupe.

While taking questions from newsmen, Saraki described his three-year trial as tough but expressed satisfaction that his followers never doubted his innocence as he had told them on many occasions.

On his trial and the visit he said: “It’s been a long journey for all my own people in the state, and today we thank the Almighty God for this. I want to thank all of them who did not at any time waver. They believe in my innocence and supported me throughout those three very tough years and it was a great feeling for all of us.

“It is my first homecoming to thank them for all the support they have given me and the victory and for the fact that the truth prevailed and justice was done. Today is a day for me to visit and more importantly thank the people for the support they have given for years.

“As I always say time will come for everything, a time will come I will tell people where I am, what I’m doing. For now it is just to thank the people of the state because the last three years have been tough and they are still committed and remain and I have to appreciate that. I appreciate that.”

The Senate president and his entourage drove directly from the airport to the Emir’s palace to pay a thank you visit to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

It was cheers all the way for Saraki by residents who lined the streets to show their love for their hero.

The Supreme Court quashed all the charges against Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, saying he had no case to answer.

However, after the judgment, Saraki led a delegation of the National Assembly on official visit to the United States of America.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had dragged Saraki before the CCT, accusing him of failure to fully disclose his assets.

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MOHBAD: Police Grill Sam Larry, Lagos CP To Address Press

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The Lagos State Police Command has deepened its probe of Balogun Eletu popularly known as Sam Larry, over the ongoing investigation into circumstances leading to the death of late Singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba aka Mohbad.

Recall that Sam Larry was detained by the police on Thursday night after he honoured the police invitation, and has since been grilled by police investigators over his disagreements with the late musician.

It was gathered that the suspect who is currently detained at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters and was yet to hire the services of a lawyer over the incident as of Saturday, is very much likely to remain in police custody until next week Monday.

According to The Punch, a security source under anonymity also revealed that police officers arrested Sam Larry at the Murtala Muhammed Airport on Thursday night following his arrival from Kenya.

“Sam Larry was arrested by policemen at the Murtala Muhammed airport last night (Thursday) after he arrived from Kenya, and he was immediately driven to the Lagos Command Headquarters in Ikeja for questioning,” the source noted.

Speaking with our correspondent in an exclusive interview, Friday night, the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin revealed that the outcome of the police investigation would determine the decision to be taken on Sam Larry.

The police spokesman further noted that he could not reveal details of the controversial socialite’s statement to the police, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa will address the press about the development soon.

Hundeyin revealed, “Sam Larry is still with us. But I’m not talking about our plans yet because he’s still under investigation, hence the outcome of our investigation will determine the lifeline of our next move.

“I’m not disclosing the content of his statement yet; the Commissioner of Police will address the press over the development soon, and when the CP addresses the press, I’d be able to talk about our investigation so far.”

SP Benjamin Hundeyin, earlier Thursday, had revealed that Sam Larry was held in police custody, and was assisting with an ongoing investigation.

The police had earlier invited Sam Larry and singer, Azeez Fashola aka Naira Marley for questioning over Mohbad’s demise.

The police, last week, also confirmed that pathologists have concluded the autopsy conducted on Mohbad, while the police await the result.

“Autopsy has been concluded. Awaiting results”, Hundeyin confirmed.

This development followed the exhumation of Mohbad by a combined team of the Nigeria Police Force and health officials.

The police had also arrested the nurse who reportedly injected the deceased singer prior to his demise on Tuesday, September 12.

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President Tinubu Returns To Abuja One Week After UNGA

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Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has returned to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, one week after he attended the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.

The 78th UNGA session was held from September 18 to 26.

Tinubu, during one of the sessions, voiced concerns about foreign exploitation in Africa and rising insecurity, and asked other nations to offer solutions of mutual benefit. The UNGA session was his first as Nigeria’s president.

After delivering the national statement and holding several meetings on the sidelines of the global assembly, Tinubu also rang the closing bell at the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ).

Although there was no official statement, multiple reports said the president departed New York for Paris, France for a short vacation.

Tinubu’s return to Nigeria comes amid threats by labour unions to commence an indefinite strike from October 3, if he fails to address the rising cost of living.

The president’s arrival also comes a few days before Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary on October 1.

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Tension In Ogun As Tribunal Determines Abiodun, Adebutu’s Fate

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There’s anxiety and tension in the premises of Isabo Magistrate Court, Abeokuta, the state capital as Ogun State Governorship Election Tribunal is set to deliver judgement in the petition filed by Hon. Ladi Adebutu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the election victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

After three month, long sitting and conclusion of hearing, the Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal reserved  judgement for today in the petition filed by PDP’s Adebutu against Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Adebutu is praying the tribunal headed by Hamidu Kunaza to nullify Governor Abiodun’s victory and declare him winner of March 18 Governorship election in Ogun State.

Adebutu, among things, is also seeking an order of the Tribunal to upturn the election of Governor Abiodun, alleging that the election that brought him into office for the second time, was riddled with violence, irregularities and rigging.

In the final oral and written address through his counsel, Mr Chris Uche, SAN, Hon Ladi Adebutu who is not in the country at the moment, prayed the tribunal to grant all the reliefs, including the disqualification of Abiodun as a candidate in the March 18 election.

He also asked the tribunal to sack Abiodun and declare him as winner of the poll instead, declaring that heavens would not fall if the Governor was thrown out by the Tribunal.

He alleged non-compliance by INEC with the Electoral Act and corrupt practices by the governor and his All Progressives Congress(APC) during the election even as former lawmaker claimed the process was sabotaged by thugs who allegedly deployed violence in over 99 polling units to disenfranchise over 40,000 voters.

But countering in his written address through his counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Governor Dapo Abiodun urged the Tribunal to dismiss the petition filed by Adebutu and his party against his victory.

Also, in their separate submissions counsels to the 1st respondent (INEC), Mr Remi Olatubora (SAN), and the APC, Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), told the tribunal that the petitioners failed to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Counsel to INEC, Olatubora, specifically asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition for absolutely lacking in merit and being a waste of the tribunal’s precious time.

He posited that the allegations of corrupt practices, non-compliance, multiple thumb printing of ballot papers, ballot stuffing, and forgery as alleged by Adebutu and his party were not proved beyond any reasonable doubt.

He also described the testimony of the witnesses brought by the petitioners as heresy, which is not admissible in law.

Counsel for Abiodun, Chief Wole Olanipekun, (SAN) in his final address, described Adebutu’s petition as a mere academic exercise.

Olanipekun submitted that the soul of the petition was not duly signed or stamped and, therefore, lacked merit to be adopted.

He urged the Tribunal to strike it out.

“The document is not signed, not dated, no heading, no title, no identity, no signature, no stamp. The CTC has no signature,” Olanipekun alleged.

However, in his counter-argument, Counsel to Adebutu, Chris Uche, SAN, told the tribunal that all documents presented by the petitioners were obtained from INEC.

He urged the tribunal to declare Adebutu the winner of the governorship election or, in the alternative, order a rerun of the election in 99 polling units where he alleged that there were disruptions.

Counsel to APC, Tayo Oyetubo, who spoke to reporters at the time of trial, said the respondents have presented a good case, even as he expressed confidence that the verdict would be in their favour.

However, The Nation’s bid to access the Court was prevented by a security operative who stated the newspaper was not listed to cover the court matters today.

He also pulled a list, showing that the media organisation was not authorised to cover it.

It is not yet clear how the list was generated.

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