Crime Facts

I be nobody’s ex’, Olori Naomi breaks social media silence

  Evangelist Naomi Silekunola, the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Tuesday, broke her silence on social media since her divorce post on December 23, 2021. Taking to her Instastories and Facebook status simultaneously on Tuesday night, the 28-year-old evangelist uploaded a short video of herself after a makeover session. Playing rhythmically in the background was ‘I Am Beauri’ by Afro-soul singer, Bassey Kenneth, popularly known as Beekay. The lyrics of the song heard in the video goes thus; I’m a beauri, I be spec, I drip glory, I be nobody’s ex, haters go hate o, potatoes will potate… Naomi had announced her separation from the monarch through an Instagram post in December 2021. She had also renounced the title of a ‘Queen’, saying she tried to make the three-year union work but the Ooni’s public identity is at variance with “his true self”. Since the split between 47-year-old Ooni and Naomi, many Yoruba monarchs and elders including the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, have tried to reconcile the estranged couple but the peace talks cannot be said to have yielded any results known to the public as the divorce post remains on the social media accounts of the evangelist. Our correspondent cannot also confirm whether she is back to the palace as of the time of filing this report as there has not been any official statement to that effect. Before being coronated king, the Ooni was previously married to Adebukola Bombata in 2008 but the marriage failed. As a monarch, the Ooni married Edo-born Zaynab-Otiti Obanor in 2016 but the union lasted for 17 months before their separation. He later married Silekunola in 2018 and the marriage produced a son before the divorce announcement in December. The monarch also had a daughter with Omolara Olatubosun as a teenager. Olatubosun gave birth to Princess Adeola Ogunwusi but recently, there have been counter-claims between the Ooni and Olatubosun over who was responsible for the upbringing of their daughter. Aside from the Ooni, other traditional rulers who had experienced divorce known to the public include the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, whose marriage to his Jamaican wife, Ms Chanel Chin, crashed in December 2019. Also, Anuoluwapo Adeyemi, one of the wives of the Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi III, parted ways with him in November 2020.

Wike in court to show solidarity with Jonah Jang on ‘N6.32b fraud’ trial

  Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, on Wednesday, visited the Plateau state high court sitting in Jos to attend the trial of Jonah Jang, former Plateau governor. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Jang alongside Yusuf Pam, former cashier in the office of the secretary to the state government (OSSG), for alleged criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of Plateau state funds to the tune of N6.32 billion. The former governor alongside his co-accused were first arraigned before Daniel Longji, a judge, in March 2018 on a 17-count charge to which they pleaded not guilty. However, the case started de novo before Christy Dabup following the retirement of the previous judge, Longji, in December 2019. Wike arrived at the court premises at 9:50 am in the company of some Peoples Democratic Party chieftains and moved straight into the courtroom where the trial was already in progress. Mike Ozekhome, Jang’s counsel, told the judge that the Rivers governor was in the court to witness the trial of his client.

Tambuwal: I’ll Use Modern Technology To Re-Secure Nigeria

  Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant has promised to use modern technology to re-secure Nigeria if elected. He stated this after a consultative meeting with Kebbi State PDP executives, delegates and other key stakeholders of the party held at the state secretariat in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. the party held at the state secretariat in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. Nigerian tweeps react as singer Oxlade’s alleged sex tape surfaces online Lagos pastor accused of defiling worshipper inside church’s store The Nigerian security forces are struggling to contain the security challenges bedevilling the country which include terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, farmers/herders crisis and communal crisis. The incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari, had promised to end insecurity in the country but after almost seven years in charge, no solution was in sight. But Tambuwal vowed to deploy modern technologies to surmount the problem once and for all if elected president in 2023. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tambuwal was in Birnin Kebbi in continuation of consultation towards accomplishing his intent of becoming the presidential flag-bearer of PDP. Tambuwal, who was a former Speaker, House of Representatives, said: “First of all, it’s about ensuring that Nigeria is re-secured and to do that, we must reorient our security forces so that they learn and understand the techniques of the current security challenges. “We will ensure supply of sufficient modern equipment and ensure that security agents are well taken care of in terms of their welfare, recruit more and more personnel and use modern technology to fight banditry, insurgency and other crimes across Nigeria. “We also intend to create more jobs, we will have no business with poverty in Nigeria, and by creating more jobs, you are in a way addressing the issue of insecurity. “We also intend to support and boost agriculture that will take care of most of the people by engaging them in one form of agriculture or the other.” On education, the aspirant observed that “if care is not taken”, the country’s education system would collapse, insisting that the issue was glaring in the lingering squabble between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government. Tambuwal said if elected, he would intensify efforts more on rail services, support constitutional amendment to devolve more powers to states. “On infrastructure, we intend to do a lot more in terms of providing more of rail services in the country by also supporting the constitutional amendment that will devolve more powers to states, strategising for their involvement in rail system, power and energy. “This will enable states to invest in power generation, transmission and distribution as well as provision of railway and other services and a lot of other things that we will do to reform, reposition and take Nigeria to a greater level,” he noted. On how to foster unity among Nigerians, Tambuwal said that records were there when he was the Speaker, House of Representatives, he was able to ensure unity among house members from different parts of the country. “I was able to bring 359 members of the house together without rancour, despite the fact that members came from different parts of the country and from different backgrounds, different cultures, and different parties among others. “This goes to show that by the grace of God the capacity is there to bring back the unity of this country by providing inclusive leadership,” he said. Earlier, former PDP Board of Trustees’ Chairman, Dr Bello Haliru, commended Tambuwal for accepting to contest for the position of President. “We are not just happy that you are from Sokoto, and Kebbi is part of Sokoto, but because you actually deserved to do the job. “This is because we need somebody who is more credible and who will mend the bond of relationship amongst Nigerians. “We need somebody who is honest, confident, committed and more credible to fix the nation,” Haliru said. Dr Attahiru Bafarawa, a former governor of Sokoto State and former presidential aspirant, expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded the entourage in Kebbi, appealing for more support, prayer and encouragement to succeed. (NAN)

Court Dismisses Suit Seeking To Remove Matawalle As Zamfara Governor

  A Federal High Court in Gusau has struck out a suit seeking to remove Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, from office. Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state had filed the suit against the governor over his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Presiding over the case on Monday, Justice Bappa Aliyu said the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case. He, however, held that since it was neither a pre-election nor post-election matter, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not prohibit a governor from defecting from a party. The judge added that the constitutions of the APC and PDP do not make it unlawful for a governor to decide and defect to any other constitutionally recognised political party operating within the country. He stated that the suit should have been filed before an election petitions tribunal, if it were a pre-election case, stressing that only the tribunal or the State House of Assembly has the power to remove the governor on the grounds of defection.   APC Rejoices In its reaction, the national leadership of the APC hailed the judiciary for defending the Constitution and what it termed the popular mandate of Governor Matawalle. “The Federal High Court (Gusau Judicial Division) in dismissing the suit challenging Bello Muhammad Matawalle Governorship of Zamfara State upon his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the whole case was “devoid of merit,” the party said in a statement by its national secretary, John Akpanudoedehe. “Based on Monday’s judgement, the honourable court held that there is no provision in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which states that a Governor will lose his seat whenever he defects to another party other than the political party upon which he was elected. “That Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle has the right to assembly and association with respect to joining or belonging to a political party. In exercise of his right of freedom of association guaranteed under section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), he can defect to any party of his choice and still maintain his seat as the Governor of Zamfara State.” The APC congratulated Governor Matawalle on his affirmation by the court, saying the development would boost his administration’s effort in tackling the security challenges in Zamfara.

IPOB: I’ll not tolerate smear campaign, division infighting — Nnamdi Kanu warns

  The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday, said he would no longer tolerate a smear campaign against IPOB and the legal team. The IPOB lead Counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, disclosed this in a statement to newsmen in Owerri, after they had visited Kanu, at the detention facility of the Department of State Security, DSS, in Abuja, last Monday. Kanu said those behind the smear campaign should be seen as traitors. Ejiofor while quoting Kanu, he said: “Consistent with the subsisting order of the court, we, paid our routine visit on Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. We availed ourselves of the opportunity afforded by the visit to brief Onyendu on several issues. “First, we acquainted him with the level of preparedness for the preliminary skirmishes that will take place in court in the criminal charge preferred against him. As you all know, proceedings in the criminal charge will resume on the 16th instant. 2023: Buhari’s successor ‘ll face multiple problems – Sanusi “Second, we briefed him on the smear campaign orchestrated against my good self by traitors and desperate enemies of the struggle, aimed at causing disharmony within the fold and needlessly generating ill feelings. “Onyendu was thoroughly ashamed by the utter infantile mendacity inherent in the smear campaign and the unimpressive, unintelligent, wobbling, and poorly thought out strategy that informed the whole endeavour. He advised that I should quickly ignore and consign the halfhearted attempt of such a despicable lot to the garbage bin and resist every attempt by them to distract me. He was not at all rattled or perturbed by the news of the smear campaign but rather re-emphasised the unshaken trust and confidence he has always reposed in me.” “He observed that any true son or daughter of Igbo land that opts to take the pleasure of making derogatory or disparaging publications against my good self or any of his other lawyers is guilty of cheap blackmail and must be pitied for condescending to an abysmal level. Such a person must be seen, not only as a contemptuous slave but also as an irredeemable traitor to the entire Igbo race. “Further, Onyendu warned that he will not tolerate any form of distraction, division or in-fighting in his peaceful movement. He commended the dedicated officials at the helm of affairs of the movement for living up to expectation,” IPOB said.

Alleged N5.7bn Fraud: Stop Further Action On Okorocha, Court Orders EFCC

  A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop further action against the former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha until the determination of the case before it. Senator Okorocha had through his lawyer, Ola Olanipekun (SAN) approached the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Stephen Pam to seek the enforcement of some orders, earlier made in his favour in a case between him and the anti-graft agency.   According to Olanipekun, the court on December 6, 2021 granted the prayers of his client and ordered the EFCC to stop the prosecution of Okorocha after faulting the process of investigation adopted by the agency. The court also prohibited the EFCC from investigating or carrying out any other action against the former governor, while asking the anti-graft agency to release his international passport and travel documents. Olanipekun said the orders were predicated on the case they brought before Justice Pam when the EFCC last year carried out an investigation and announced its outcome in the media that his client mismanaged the sum of N5.7 billion when he served as Governor of Imo State without inviting the Okorocha for interrogation, an action he says was an abuse of his fundamental right to a fair hearing and presumption of innocence. At the resumption of proceedings on Tuesday, Olanipekun said he returned to the same Federal High Court 4 to seek the protection of the right of his client because the EFCC has refused to obey any of the three orders earlier made. He accused the EFCC of going ahead recently to prefer fresh charges against his client based on the same investigation which the court invalidated in December. But, Counsel to the EFCC, N.A. Dodo, pleaded for time to respond to the processes. He denied that the EFCC was going contrary to the judgement of the court, adding that the Commission had called on Okorocha to come to pick his international passport and travel documents, but that he (Okorocha) had not responded. However, the trial judge, Stephen Pam, said he was not happy with the attitude of EFCC on the matter, noting that he would not tolerate contempt. “I take exception to disobedience. Your organisation (EFCC) should not do anything to the applicant until this matter is determined,” Justice Pam said. “What is the order, obey it. If you are not okay with the judgement go and appeal it. Don’t allow the drama that took place in my court in the matter between Peter Odili and Nigeria Immigration to take place here.”

2023 Presidency: Any party with Northern candidate ‘ll lose election — Southern Govs declare

  Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu yesterday warned that any political party that fields a northern candidate in the 2023 Presidential election will lose. Akeredolu said that governors in the Southern part of the country under the auspices of the Southern Governors Forum are determined to ensure that the next President comes from the south. The Governor said this in Akure, the Ondo state capital during a courtesy visit by members of a group, Power Rotation Movement, led by the Chairman, Dr Pogu Bitrus, who also doubles as the Chairman, Middle Belt Forum. Other members of the group include the Co-chair, Rtd. General Collins Ihekire, representing the Ohaneze Ndigbo; National Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu; representative of Yoruba Council of Elders, Hon. Ayodele Oni; National Publicity Secretary of Afenfere, Comrade Jaye Ajayi; National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Hon. Ken. Robinson; and Comrade Kennedy Iyere, National Coordinator of Power-shift Movement & Forty Million Ballots ( a movement being driven by the Youth) among others. Akeredolu, who said those pushing against the power rotation in the country are tinkering with the existence of Nigeria, added that he believes in one fair and equitable Nigeria. He commended the group for its approach by involving youths in galvanizing support and votes ahead of the 2023 election. We’re committed to Police reforms — Buhari, Gov Emmanuel “In about two or three meetings, we have come out and declared that power must move to the south. “Only a party that is determined to lose will field a northern candidate. You are now a movement of members of political parties coming together. “What we stand for is fair and equitable power rotation. The only thing fair is that after 8 years in the north, it should come to the south. “Some of us believe in One Nigeria that’s fair and equitable. We have a reason for it and it can be defended. Some people have argued that the Presidency should be based on competence. Are they saying there are no competent ones in the south? “My brother Governors from the south, all of us are determined. Whosoever we pick, for as long as it is south, we will support him. “We are saying the President must come from the south. There are people who merit it in the South-South, South- East, and the South-West. “I also support your approach. If you are able to mobilize the youth and do not allow the election to be rigged, then we will win. You should also get our women to support us.” Earlier, the Chairman of the movement, Dr Pogu Bitrus said that the movement is passionate about power rotation to the south. “We are passionate believers that power should rotate in this country and should move from the north to the south. “We launched the 40 million ballot movement. That’s the sensitization of the youth. We launched it for our youth to key in. According to Bitrus ” leaders in the south and middle belt met in Abuja and agreed that power should rotate to the south, that the middle belt and the south should move against any party that fields any candidate outside the southern part of the country.

2023: PDP In Dilemma Over Zoning Of Presidency – Chidoka

  Former Aviation Minister and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osita Chidoka, says the main opposition party is in a dilemma over the zoning of presidency to any region. Chidoka, who spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said he would personally want the PDP to field a southerner from the eastern part of the country as its candidate. He however explained that his party is faced with two tough options – either to struggle to clinch power or embrace zoning to the detriment of winning the polls.   He said: “PDP is in a kind of dilemma. Do we struggle to win power first or continue our zoning as we have done or do we continue with the zoning even if that candidate may or may not win the election? “First of all, the Igbo people will have to bring out a candidate that can convince Nigerians because Nigerians are not a party to this internal party zoning structures.” In the event that both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP field a south-easterner as their respective candidates, Chidoka explained that Nigerians would be left with the choice of voting the best candidate that will deliver the dividends of democracy to them. When asked if the PDP has lost hope of fielding an Igbo man for it to coast to victory, the former minister neither confirmed nor denied. Rather, he said Nigerians have gotten to the stage whereby they will overlook their ethnic identities and consider the national interest first while voting for credible leaders at the polls. While the 17 southern governors have demanded that the region produces the next President, their colleagues from the 19 northern states have warned that no region can threaten them over the zoning formula. Although few northern governors have called on political parties to produce a southerner as President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor, Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) also of the PDP has demanded that the opposition party field a northern candidate in 2023.

EXTRA: Anambra lawmaker’s mum dies 24 hours after donation to widows

  A member representing Aguata Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and a former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Anambra State, Chuma Umeoji, has lost his mother. The lawmaker lost his mother, Ngozi Umeoji, on Sunday, barely 24 hours after the latter distributed bags of rice, cash and other food items to widows in her community, in Ezinifite, Aguata Local Government Area. A press statement on Tuesday, by the media office, stated, “We announce the passing unto glory of Chief Lady Ngozi Umeoji, the matriarch of the Umeoji dynasty who died on Sunday, February 6, 2022, barely 24 hours after her unprecedented show of love to humanity by putting smiles on the faces of Ezinifite widows. “Her demise came as a shock to everyone basically because the beneficiaries of her goodwill who smiled home not long after the charity exercise that took place at her country home in Ezinifite, Aguata on February 5, 2022, were still sending in their appreciations and goodwill messages. “She lived a wonderful life full of emulation. She’s one of the angels that lived among us. She’s an epitome of good will; the Mother Theresa of our time and an epitome of hope. “She is a woman who is committed to touching lives. Ezinifite, Anambra State has lost a rare gem and a great soldier of Christ.” The press release however did not state the age of the late Mrs Umeoji.

11 Persons Sentenced To Death In Niger

  11 persons from Anfani community in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State, have been sentenced to death by hanging, after being found guilty of nine counts brought against them. The Presiding Judge, Justice Maimuna Abubakar of Minna High Court No. 6, noted that the prosecuting counsel had proved the charges against the 11 people beyond reasonable doubt. He, however, noted that 14 others who had been arraigned along with the convicted persons were discharged and acquitted. The judgement comes nearly three years after about 25 persons from Afani were charged to the Minna High Court by the Office of the Attorney General through the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). They were charged on October 7, 2019, for killing seven people from Gaba community, as well as over a land dispute in Lavun local government.