An 86-year-old woman is currently battling to retrieve N19 million from a blind herbalist who allegedly defrauded her under the pretext of healing her child and making money rituals for her, reports Head of Investigation Desk, KUNLE AKINRINADE. The desperate attempt of an aged woman to prevent death from snatching her children has landed her in trouble. The 86-year-old woman identified simply as Madam Alimot had 15 children, but they were snatched by death one after the other until she was left with only three. When one of the remaining children was also hit by a strange illness last year, the octogenarian woman began a frantic search for healing. In the process, she stumbled on a weekly programme on a popular radio station based in Ogun State, where a blind herbalist was advertised as a man with mystical powers to heal the sick and see visions about people’s life problems. Consequently, Madam Alimot, who lives in Mowe area of Ogun State, visited the herbalist, Owolabi Adefemi a.k.a. Ojunu after taking down the his phone number and address, at his home in Ogijo, another community in Ogun State, for a solution to the sickness that had seized her daughter. Unknown to her, she had walked into the dragnet of a fraudster. Adefemi was said to have told the woman that death was hovering around her household and could only be averted through an atonement requiring a sacrifice with a cow. The desperate woman promptly provided the amount requested for the sacrifice, setting off a chain of subsequent requests for additional money for unexpected sacrifices that gulped a princely N19 million. By the time the scales fell off from the eyes of the woman and her children, she had sold her two buildings while her daughter and granddaughter had warmed the herbalist’s bed several times. The homeless aged woman and her children are now left to cry for justice and a refund of the money the herbalist allegedly defrauded them of. She said she had noticed that rather than giving her a concoction for the treatment of her daughter’s illness, the herbalist kept saying he could make her rich after making some sacrifice with cows and other expensive items. Alimot said: “He said we were taking the big cow to Agbara and later changed it to Mowo area of Badagry We were asked to enter the house with our back to the door, and we saw a well-built young man on the floor. He said the cow we gave him money to buy had turned into a man. “He asked me to pray on the young man’s body and stab him to death but I declined. They took our photographs and I challenged him to take our photograph at the scene while I held the knife in my hand. “We were shown plenty of cash of different denominations stuffed in a sack. “Babalawo Ojunu (Owolabi Adefemi) and one old man called Agbaakin, who we met in the building, then said that we could not take the money because we did not come with the third person. We left the place without the money. “When we went back to him, he also did not give us the money. Instead, he said the money would just appear in my house with at night. ” Later, he said a monarch in Ile-Ife, Osun State had summoned him over my matter and that a sum of N2 million was needed to pacify the monarch. “We ended up paying him the sum of N5 million on that day, but he never gave me any charm for my sick child and the child has not died contrary to what he said to cajole me to sell my houses and give him the proceeds of the sale. “I sold the house I had built with N9 million for N5 million and gave him the money. I also sold another house and gave him the money, totalling about N19 million. “I want to collect my money from Owolabi Adefemi a.k.a. Ojunu and Nigerians should help me because I don’t have anywhere to call home anymore. “I have also developed high blood pressure, among other complications, as a result of this predicament of mine. “My drugs cost N15,000 and I don’t even have money to buy the drugs as I speak.” One of Madam Alimot’s children, Bose, said: “I want to plead with Nigerians to help me beg Owolabi Adefemi a.k.a. Ojunu, a herbalist, to leave us alone, because my mother is dying right now. “He has been collecting huge sums of money from my mother and my mother is panicking now. “He cajoled my mother to sell two houses and collected the proceeds from the sale of the buildings, yet he has not let go of her. “My mother was contemplating suicide and we have been begging her not to kill herself. “I did not know him before until my mother gave the phone to him and he told me that I should follow her to Badagry for a certain propitiation. “When we got to Mowo area of Badagry, he told us that we would need to buy a cow that cost N280,000 and an additional N38,000 for transporting the cow to the place where the atonement against death would be made. “He said that failure to do that would result in multiple deaths in our family. “That day, he took me into a dingy house and asked me to enter the house with my back to the door. “On entering the place, I saw an old man there who asked me to pray in front of a deity, but I refused. “He collected the N38,000 meant for transporting the cow from me and we left. “When we returned to the place again, the old man I saw in the house led us to the back of the building where we saw a well-built man lying helplessly on the floor. “I asked why the cow was not brought

  Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, on Friday, gave those accusing him of parading fake academic credentials 30 days to submit all their evidence to the relevant agencies for investigation. He noted that if found culpable, he would strip himself of any titles and honours he might have garnered in his career. He also said that failure by the accusers to provide evidence within the stipulated time would mean they lack honour and should, as a token of moral recompense, “undertake to jump off the bridge of the symbolic River Niger”. One Joseph Dahip had in a 1998 article referenced a 1996 report in which a scholar, Prof James Gibbs, was quoted as unravelling some claims allegedly made by Soyinka. The 1996 article partly read, “The claim by Professor Wole Soyinka that he obtained a first-class bachelors degree in English Literature from Leeds University has been challenged. Instead, what the Nobel laureate actually obtained from Leeds was a second-class degree. This startling revelation was made by Professor James Gibbs who has closely monitored the activities of former Leeds students in English literature.” The report quoted Gibbs as saying that he relied on a variety of sources, including contemporary Leeds publications, archival material, Soyinka’s work and “interviews I had with him” in arriving at the facts he had on Soyinka’s academic records. But Soyinka in a Friday statement titled, ‘A moral call to amoral conscripts’, said he was awaiting the decision of his lawyers on whether or not to file a legal action. He stated, “A document of unmatchable scurrility, last encountered during General Sani Abacha’s global campaign of calumny against opponents of his despotic, infernally venal and homicidal reign, is back in circulation. Duly modified to suit a debased internet culture, it is making its grimy rounds ironically under the auspices of a democratic political party, supposedly dedicated to an ethos of freedom of opinion and expression. The contents of that script are attributed, as before, to the scholastic industry of a Bristol schoolteacher. While awaiting a decision from my lawyers whether or not to dignify the current sponsors of this mouldy tract with legal action, I wish to state in advance that I voluntarily waive all protection under the statute of limitations, and insist that the laws that govern fraudulent academic claims be invoked and applied to these allegations to the uttermost limit. I also declare, in advance, that if found culpable, I shall strip myself of any titles and honours I may have garnered in my entire career, from the most obscure to the most coveted. In return, I expect the purveyors of this sordid material to submit all evidence, however minuscule, to the nation’s investigative agencies – Directorates of Prosecutions, EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission), plus affected institutions and others – within the next 30 days. Failing this elementary service in public interest within the stated time, and/or if such allegations are yet again proven baseless, thus indicating that their sponsors can boast of neither honours to their careers nor honour to their births and origins, then, as a token of moral recompense, they should undertake to jump off the bridge of the symbolic River Niger, provided with life jackets to ensure a life of remorse after this ritual purgation, but chained to one another in a commendable unity of purpose.” Soyinka said he had copied the statement to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Pan-African Writers Association, Accra, Nigerian Association of Authors, the Nobel Foundation, Stockholm, the University of Leeds, the alleged Bristol Primary Source and his school, and the media.

  Saturday 07 October 2023 Certificate saga: Presidency says Atiku desperate as ex-VP submits Tinubu’s Chicago varsity record Prove allegations of fake credentials against me, Soyinka dares accusers DSS officers slapped, threatened to kill me for defending client – Lawyer Gov battles: PDP victorious in 11 states, APC, LP get 10, one Police Name ‘Prime Suspect’, List Naira Marley, Sam Larry, Others In Mohbad Case FG Still Paying Subsidy For Petrol, Says PENGASSAN Tribunal Dismisses PDP’s Petition, Upholds Otti’s Election Ozekhome’s Kidnappers Bag 20 Years Imprisonment. Two Arrested, CCTV Cameras, Other Items Recovered In Suspected IPOB Camps’ Raids Communal Clash: Osun Govt Imposes 24-Hour Curfew In Two LGAs Motorists Stranded As Tanker Explodes On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Alleged Cyber Fraud: Court Issues Production Warrant Against Naira Marley Inspector, Two Security Guards Shot In Ogun Hotel Robbery 17 Abducted Ondo Church Choir Members Regain Freedom Court Jails Ex-Convict 12 Years For $1.4m Fraud In Lagos Customs Intercept 20 Containers Of Expired Tomatoes In Lagos Gov Yusuf Hires Tinubu’s Lawyer To Regain Mandate Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  ⁣The National Broadcasting Commission on Friday issued a final warning to Arise Television over what it called the use of derogatory and incendiary remarks on its programmes. ⁣ In a warning letter dated October 6, 2023, and signed by NBC’s Director-General, Dr Balarabe Ilelah, the Commission urged the TV station to install a delay mechanism to avoid unwanted content.⁣ The warning comes eight months after the Commission fined Arise TV N2m for breaching Nigeria’s broadcasting codes. ⁣ Illelah’s letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Arise Global Media Limited, is titled “Preponderance of derogatory and incendiary remarks: final warning”. ⁣ It read in part, “The NBC has observed with concern preponderance of incendiary remarks allowed on Arise news. This letter seeks to underscore the tremendous responsibility put on the broadcaster to manage the array of guests that may feature on the station from time to time.⁣ “The commission listed the station’s morning show programme on October 5 anchored by Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni and Ayo Maio-Ese, which featured Oladokun Hassan and Dele Farotimi as guests. ⁣ “The programme contained unguarded incendiary remarks by Dele Farotimi against the Legislature and the Executive, the Judiciary and Mr. President.” ⁣ The NBC also accused Arise TV of defaulting on its responsibility while airing its Newsday programme which featured the Spokesperson of the Labour Party, Kenneth Okonkwo, who, it said, used derogatory remarks on air. The commission therefore drew the attention of the broadcast station to broadcast rule and code 1.10.3, 3.3.1(a), 3.3.3(c), 3.3.1 (e), 5.3.3(b) and 5.5.6.⁣ “Arise TV is advised to install a delay mechanism to guard against undesirable contents as prescribed in section 5.5.6 of the broadcasting code,” the letter read. ⁣ ⁣ On February 3, 2023, NBC fined Arise TV N2m for “unprofessional broadcasts”. ⁣ Listing the broadcasts, the letter wrote, “On January 24, 2023, between 1: 00 pm – 2: 27pm, Arise TV aired the Presidential campaign rally of PDP which was held in Delta State, replete with unfair remarks and mockery of the APC presidential candidate by Dino Melaye.⁣ “Mr. Melaye sang a song ‘…hand dey shake, leg dey shake, baba wey no well, e dey shout emilokan’ he further went on to fall down demonstrating the frailty of the APC presidential candidate.”⁣ It argued that Arise TV did not only air the programme but repeated the clip of Dino Melaye in a mockery of the APC Presidential candidate in another programme anchored by Ojy Okpe What’s Trending.⁣ “On January 26, 2023, at 9: 40 am, during the programme Morning Show, a guest, Na’jaatu Muhammed described the Presidential Candidate of APC, Bola Tinubu as mentally deranged without caution from the anchor. The guest had a field day with vituperations against the presidential candidate of the APC.⁣ On January 31, 2023, at 3:30 pm, during the broadcast of the PDP presidential rally in Sokoto State, Dino Melaye referred to the Vice-Presidential candidate of APC, Kashim Shettima as GCOB, meaning Grand Commander of Bandits.⁣ “Consequently, pursuant to the aforementioned Sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, Arise TV is hereby sanctioned and shall pay a penalty of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira Only),” the letter read.⁣

  The National President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Festus Osifo says the Federal Government is still paying subsidy on petroleum. President Bola Tinubu had in his inauguration declared that the subsidy era is gone, triggering a hike in the cost of the commodity across the nation. But months after the move, Osifo, who is also the president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said due to the cost of crude oil in the international market and the dollar to naira rate, the government still pays subsidy for the product. “They [government] are paying subsidy today,” he said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday. “In reality today, there is subsidy because as of when the earlier price was determined, the price of crude in the international market was somewhere around $80 for a barrel. But today, it has moved to about $93/94 per barrel for Brent crude. So, because it has moved, then the price [of petroleum] also needed to move,” the PENGASSAN boss added. For the government to stop subsidising petroleum, he said two things must happen. “The only reason the price will not move is when you are able to manage your exchange rate effectively and you are able to pump in supply and bring down the exchange rate,” Osifo maintained. “So, if the exchange rate comes down today, we will not be paying subsidy. But with the exchange rate value and the price of crude oil in the international market, we have introduced subsidy.” The fuel subsidy had been in place for decades and kept petrol prices artificially low in what was seen by many Nigerians as one of their benefits from the government. However, the measure costs the country billions annually because although Nigeria is a major petroleum producer, it imports most of its fuel needs due to its lack of refineries. President Tinubu acknowledged the challenges facing Nigerians in the wake of the subsidy removal but in July rolled out measures to cushion the impacts. To “reduce the burden”, he pledged at least $264 million for agriculture, $165 million for small and medium-sized businesses, and $99 million for manufacturing. “In the short and immediate terms, we will ensure staple foods are available and affordable,” he said. “To this end, I have ordered the release of 200,000 metric tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households,” Tinubu added.

  The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has announced a ban on the use of laterite as a base in road construction. He directed that henceforth, contractors should use lumps, sharp sand and stone base to form the base before laying of concrete or asphalt pavement. The Minister gave this directive while inaugurating a committee for the supervision of the Reconstruction of Benin – Warri dual carriageway and the dualization of East – West Road, Port Harcourt – Onne Port junction road in River State. This was contained in a statement signed by the Director (Information), Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Lere-Adams Blessing, in Abuja, on Friday. According to her, Umahi noted that laterite has a limited load bearing capacity, susceptible to erosion and weathering especially in areas with heavy rainfall and this can lead to degradation of the road surface overtime, maintenance challenge and does not last long. She quoted the Miniater as saying, “We are giving very serious attention to the roads between Benin and Warri. The road between Eleme and Onne Port, we are mindful of the site conditions of these roads, the water conditions and the boreholes instead of pot holes on these roads. “No more laterite, contractors are now to use lumps, sharp sand and stone base in place of laterite” The Minister also directed the newly inaugurated Road Taskforce Team that there must be a continuous maintenance of all the roads under construction until the end of the project. He enjioned them to ensure that the contractors are duly informed of the development, and that they should remember that the ministry is under a matching order given by Mr. President, to fix Nigerian roads for the citizens to have ease of movement from one location to the other. Umahi said, “The committee must implement the contract agreement with maintenance culture as key. Committee members are to monitor the contractors closely to make sure things are done right. “Our contractors can now understand that we are not insisting that things have to change without a reason, but that the society is demanding for sustainability and integrity of the work they are doing”. Umahi disclosed that road infrastructure is one of the key factors for the revolution of our commerce, education, security and power in this country and that Mr. President is committed to our road infrastructure improvement and thus the Ministry is on a mission to uphold the renewed hope agenda of this administration on road infrastructure provision. “I want to say that road infrastructure is one of the key factors for the revolution of our commerce, education, security and power in this country and Mr President is committed to our road infrastructure, so we are on a mission and we must take back our country. He added. The Minister equally mandated the committee to ensure daily proper supervision and documentation of what the contractors are doing and that they must ensure the new methods of construction are followed including maintenance because it is part of the elements of the project and anything contrary to this will attract appropriate sanctions. Umahi said, “We are not at war with the contractor but contractors should not put the public to suffering. Proper daily supervision and documention of what the contractor is doing is compulsory. “They must ensure the new method of construction is followed and maintenance follows too because it is part of the elements of the contract and any offence is punishable.” Umahi ordered that contracts must be stable; no variation (VOP) on the contract will be accepted. He charged the contractors using asphalt pavement to ensure that their contracts are stable, sustainable and can stand the test of time and warned that the ministry will not go to Federal Executive Council (FEC)to ask for increment because of the fluctuating price of bitumen, insisting that the ministry will not go beyond the N6trillion set aside for the ongoing projects completion. He also said, “Those contractors using asphalt concrete and have achieved 80 percent completion can go ahead but no cost variation because I cannot be going to the National Assembly on weekly basis asking them for increment of contract sum” The Minister added that before mobilization fund can be released to any contractor, the contractor must have mobilized 50% of its equipment and personnel to site. He noted that the ministry will respect the rights of contractors and contractors have to also respect the right of the citizens. Meanwhile, the committees constituted are as follows : • Reconstruction of Benin-Warri Dual Carriageway (Section 1 : By Levant Construction Company Ltd) Engr. C. Oke, Deputy Director HSSI; Engr. B. W. Hassan; Representative of the Honourable Minister; Representative of Highways MG&QC; Representative of Human Resources Department, FMW; Representative of Legal Department, FMW ; Representative of COREN; Representative of NSE. Among others.

  The National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has directed Ondo Assembly to stay action on moves to impeach Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, gave the directive on Friday when inaugurating a nine-man reconciliation committee on the political impasse between the Deputy Governor and his principal, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. The committee is headed by former Katsina Governor Aminu Bello Masari. Inaugurating the committee, Ganduje emphasised the need to ensure a sound working relationship between the governor and his deputy. Ganduje expressed optimism that the members of the committee with vast experience in public service have the wherewithal to achieve the goal. APC as a political party we are interested to see that there is a peaceful coexistence and a good working relationship between the governor of Ondo State and his order to see how we can solve this problem, it is important to set a reconciliation committee. A reconciliation must be comprised of people who have relevant experience, and cognitive knowledge on the issue before us,” he said. The terms and references of the Masari panel include: “To interface and engage with all contending parties gathering facts and circumstances surrounding the lingering impeachment process of the Ondo State Deputy Governor. “To advise the Party on the most amicable ways of handling the lingering issues leading to the impeachment process of Ondo State Deputy Governor. “To make necessary recommendations to the Party on resolution of issues and any other matter that may come up in the course of the assignment. “The Committee has one week after its inauguration to submit its recommendation.” Masari expressed assured that their intervention would resolve the issue between the governor and his deputy amicably. Members of the conclude include Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Gboyega Oyetola, Sen Jack Tilley Gyado, Tanko Almakura, Martin Elechi, Martins Elechi and Mohammed Abubakar.

  Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos State, on Friday, issued a production warrant against singer, Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley. Naira Marley who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on 11-count charges bordering on conspiracy and credit card fraud has been mandated to appear in court on October 30. At the resumed sitting on Friday, counsel to the Naira Marley, Olalekan Ojo, SAN informed the court that the defendant was unavoidably absent from court owing to his being detained by the police for interrogation in respect of the murder of Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad. Ojo, therefore, prayed the court for an adjournment of the trial. Responding, the prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, however, prayed the court to issue a production warrant against the defendant to ensure his presence in court on the next adjourned date. Justice Oweibo granted the prayers of the prosecution counsel and issued a production warrant against the defendant. The judge further adjourned the matter till October 30, 2023 for continuation of trial.