The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, has discharged and acquitted the founder of Sotitobire Praising Chapel, Akure, Alfa Babatunde, who was earlier convicted by the state High Court over the missing of a one-year-old boy, Gold Kolawole.

Kolawole was abducted in the church in November 2019 by an unknown person, during the church service. Defendants were thereafter arrested by the men of the Directorate of State Security and later charged to court on two-count charges of kidnapping and aiding and abetting to kidnap.

The lower court, presided over by Justice Olusegun Odusola in 2020 sentenced Babatunde and five others – Omodara Olayinka, Margaret Oyebola, Grace Ogunjobi, Egunjobi Motunrayo and Esther Kayode – to life imprisonment, having found them guilty of the two-count charge.

However, the high court judgement was upturned as the appellate judge, Justice Hammah Barka, said the circumstantial evidence upon which the lower court based its judgement was not enough to convict the appellants.

As a result, he discharged and acquitted the appellants.

In his reaction, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Charles Titiloye, who is also the prosecutor, said the state government would study the judgement before deciding on the next step to take on the matter.

He said, “The court has affirmed that DSS can investigate any case and does not have a jurisdictional problem to investigate a case like this. However, the court has stated that the circumstantial evidence upon which the conviction was based upon at the lower court is not enough to sustain the conviction of the defendants. Our attitude from the state is that we study the judgement and take the proper steps we are supposed to take on the matter.”

The counsel to the appellant, who was represented by Akinyemi Omoware, said the court judgement had shown that truth would prevail over falsehood.

“It was held that the appellant was not found culpable of the alleged offence. He is not guilty as pronounced upon by the trial court. We are using this medium to tell the members of the church and the general public that they should rejoice with conscience. They should not go out causing problems. They should take it that that is the will of God. We are happy about this,” the counsel said.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-12-03

The vice president of the Dangote Group and brother to billionaire Aliko Dangote, Sani Dangote, is dead.

Sani Dangote reportedly died after a protracted illness in the United States on Sunday.

The Dangote Group in a short statement Sunday night confirmed the death.

“INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHI RAJIUN!It is with a heavy heart but with total submission to Almighty Allah that we announce the passing on of our Group Vice President, Alhaji Sani Dangote today 14th November, 2021.

“May Allah SWT Grant him mercy and Admit him in Aljannat-al-Firdaus “!

Before his death, Sani had investments in manufacturing, agriculture, banking and oil services.

He also sat on the Board of several other companies, including Nigerian Textile Mills Plc, Nutra Sweet Limited, Gum Arabic Limited, Dangote Textile Mills Limited, Alsan Insurance Brokers, Dan-Hydro Company Limited, Dansa Food Processing Company Limited and Dangote Farms Limited.

He was also the Deputy Chairman of the African Gum Arabic Producers Association and a two-time President of Lagos Polo Club in addition to being a professional polo player.

Sani was a member of several Chambers of Commerce, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria and President of the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association (“FERSAN”).

He was well known for his role as the chairman of Dansa Holdings, a subsidiary of the Dangote Group that produces beverages.

He also owned Dansa Foods Limited, Dansa Energy, Sagas Energy Limited, Bulk Pack Services Limited, Dansa Agro Allied Limited, and Dangote Farms Limited.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-11-15

The Abolongo Correctional Centre in Oyo town in Oyo State was on Friday invaded by gunmen.Not less than a thousand prisoners have reportedly escaped from the prison,after the attack

The gunmen attacked the facility with explosives around 10.30pm and started shooting sporadically,releasing the inmates who fled to various directions.The Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Command of Nigerian Correctional Services, Lanre Anjonrin, confirmed the attack, saying, “I am there now and we are assessing the level of damage done. We will make our findings known later.”

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-10-23

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, insisted that there was no “massacre” at the Lekki toll gate on October 20, 2020.

Mohammed, who also described the leaked report of the Lagos State panel as fake, stated this at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

The nine-member panel had in its leaked report alleged that at least nine persons were killed at the Lekki toll plaza when soldiers and policemen stormed the scene to disperse protesters on October 20, 2020.

However, Mohammed described the allegations as “tales by moonlight”.

“Without mincing words, let me say that never in the history of any Judicial Panel in this country has its report been riddled with so many errors, inconsistencies, discrepancies, speculations, innuendoes, omissions and conclusions that are not supported by evidence,” he said.

“What is circulating in public space is simply a rehash of the unverified fake news that has been playing on social media since the incident of October 20, 2020.

“It is simply incredible that a Judicial Panel set up to investigate an incident has submitted a report laden with allegations, the same allegations it was set up to investigate in the first instance.

 

“Instead of sitting for all of one year, the panel could have just compiled social media ‘tales by the moonlight’ on the incident and submitted, saving taxpayers’ funds and everyone’s time.

“That report is nothing but the triumph of fake news and the intimidation of a silent majority by a vociferous lynch mob.

“The report of the panel in circulation cannot be relied upon because its authenticity is in doubt. There is absolutely nothing in the report, circulating, to change our mind that there was a massacre at the Lekki tollgate.”

The minister said the notion that soldiers and police officers massacred innocent Nigerians at Lekki tollgate should be rejected.

“The report in circulation is calculated to embarrass the Federal Government and its agencies without foolproof evidence,” Mohammed said.

“The federal government has never condoned the abuse of the rights of Nigerians by security agencies under any guise, hence it disbanded SARS.”

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-11-23

Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned till January 19, 2021, the trial of detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

But there was confusion as Kanu’s team of lawyers staged a walkout over the refusal of operatives of the Department of State Services to allow some of them to gain access into the courtroom.

Kanu, who was brought into the courtroom around 9.52am, had shortly after his case was called up bemoaned the refusal of security agents to allow some members of his legal team, especially his lawyer from the United State of America, Bruce Fein, to enter the courtroom.

He told Justice Nyako that Fein, who was handling a case for him in the US, was around to witness his trial.

“I have an ongoing case in the US. I have not been allowed to see him. He is here to see me and to observe the proceedings.

“He has been to the DSS to see me, but they denied him access to me,” Kanu stated from the dock.

When asked by the Judge, if he was ready to conduct the proceedings himself, in the absence of his lawyers, Kanu said no.

Meanwhile, counsel for the Federal Government and Director of Public Prosecution, M. D. Abubakar, urged the court to proceed with the trial in the absence of Kanu’s lawyers.

He told the court that the matter was fixed for the hearing of an application that was filed by the defendant.

Abubakar argued that since Kanu’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who was initially inside the courtroom, walked out with his team shortly before the arrival of the judge, his pending application should be deemed abandoned.

Delivering a short ruling, Justice Nyako expressed displeasure over the conduct of Kanu’s lawyers.

She declined to dismiss the pending application and rather adjourned the case till January 19 and 20, 2022, for trial.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-11-10

The simmering animosity between the current Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun and his predecessor Senator Ibikunle Amosun, came to full glare on Saturday during the APC convention, in Ogun state. It was obvious that there is crisis in the party,as there was parallel congresses between factions led by Governor Dapo Abiodun and the one led by his predecessor, Ibikunle Amosun.

Both held separate congresses, thus producing two executives, amid gunshots recorded at the Amosun-led’s venue.

While Abiodun and his loyalists held their congress at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, Amosun’s loyalists held theirs at the Ake Palace ground, Abeokuta.

The two factions embraced consensus arrangement which was ratified by voice votes from the delegates at the congress.

Abiodun’s faction produced former Chairman of Caretaker Committee of the APC in the state, Chief Yemi Sanusi as the new state chairman of the party.

Amosun’s faction elected former chairman of the party in the state, Chief Derin Adebiyi as the new chairman of the party in the state.

As you read this both factions are celebrating the success of the congresses.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-10-17

It is no more news,that the Attorney General of Ogun State and Commissioner for Justice, Akingbolahan Adeniran, has resigned from Governor Dapo Abiodun’s government.

Hpwever,there are widespread rumours that Adeniran resigned his appointment due to alleged “massive corruption” under the present administration in Ogun State.

DAILY POST learnt that the Attorney General turned in his resignation letter on November 8, but the state government has remained silent since the letter was received.

The Ogun Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Waheed Odusile, when contacted on Monday evening denied the resignation of the Attorney General.

When asked if Adeniran had truly resigned, Odusile replied that, “It is not true.”

However, Adeniran, who did not reply several calls and messages sent to him earlier, confirmed later that he has resigned his appointment.

Though the outgoing appointee did not give any reason for his decision, he said it was not as a result of “massive corruption” in the government.

In a statement made available to DAILY POST by Gov Abiodun’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Emmanuel Ojo, Adeniran said, “It is true that on 8 November 2021, I formally notified His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR, the Governor of the State, of my decision to resign from the cabinet.”

Nevertheless, the legal practitioner said, “I must state that my reasons for resigning are purely personal. I am not aware of any “massive corruption” in the Administration and I am indeed very proud of what we have been able to achieve in the administration of justice over the past two years.”

While listing some of his achievements, Adeniran assured Abiodun and other members of his cabinet of his continued support, saying he had thoroughly enjoyed working with those he called an amazing group of administrators, technocrats and experts in various fields of endeavour.

“I have learnt a lot from you all and pray that God will continue to use you to improve the lives of the good people of Ogun State,” he prayed.

Meanwhile, the former Attorney General has since reacted to the report flying around town that he reportedly resigned due to alleged corruption in the government.

Akingbolahan Adeniran made the clarification known through one of the Governor’s media handler, SF Ojo Emmanuel on Monday night.

The letter containing his reaction on the issue is reproduced below:

MY REASONS FOR RESIGNING AS ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND COMMISSIONER FOR JUSTICE, OGUN STATE

My attention has been drawn to some online news publications purporting to provide reasons for my resignation from the Ogun State Government as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

While it is true that on 8 November 2021, I formally notified His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR, the Governor of the State, of my decision to resign from the cabinet, I must state that contrary to the online news publications, my reasons for resigning are purely personal. I am not aware of any “massive corruption” in the Administration and I am indeed very proud of what we have been able to achieve in the administration of justice over the past two years, including:

· Improved accessibility of justice for the average citizen through the Ogun Public Interest Law Partnership which matches indigent clients with pro bono lawyers;

· Protection of the rights of suspects in detention through regular inspections by duty solicitors engaged under the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme;

· Use of technology to monitor the plight of pre-trial detainees with the Corrections Information Management System and Justice Clock;

· Gradual introduction of forensics into policing;
· Introduction of the Case Management and Scheduling System in conjunction with the Ogun State Judiciary;

· And many other reform initiatives in the justice sector.

I want to assure His Excellency, the Governor and all my colleagues in the Executive Council of the State of my continued support. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with such an amazing group of administrators, technocrats and experts in various fields of endeavour. I have learnt a lot from you all and pray that God will continue to use you to improve on the lives of the good people of Ogun State.

Akingbolahan Adeniran
0706 894 8590
15/11/2021

By

Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-11-17

The management of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun in Odogbolu local government area of Ogun State, on Friday, shut down the school until further notice.

This followed a protest by students of the institution following arrest of some students, including President of the Students Union by troops attached to Ilese Military Barracks in Ijebu North East local government after an altercation between some students and military personnel from Ilese Barracks.A release by the Public Relations Officer of the the university, Mrs. Odubela A. O. stated that the Senate of the school at its emergency meeting on Friday has directed that all students to vacate the university campuses immediately.

The authorities called on parents to contact their wards and ensure they return home forthwith.

It will be recalled that some military personnel were said to have arrested some students of the university, including the President of the Students Union, Ridwan, after he was contacted by other students of the school to help save the situation.

The school revealed that the incident occurred at a military checkpoint close  to a Conoil Filling Station, on the Sagamu-Benin expressway in the evening on Thursday.

The university said it was contacted that some of her students were harassed and consequently taken to Ilese Baracks after being arrested.

It stated further that the Commandant of Ilese Barracks was contacted and he confirmed that his officers were on official operation on the Sagamu-Benin expressway, assuring the University that he would look into the matter.

The statement read, “It should be made clear that the University management at no time invited any military personnel or security agencies into the campus as all the university Campuses are peaceful and calm.

“No student was abducted from any of the University’s campuses, nor was any student shot dead.

“The University management thus appeals to students to remain calm and desist from all forms of unlawful acts.”

A student said the students were moving in different cars when Army personnel stopped them around Conoil Filling Station.

“They stopped students’ cars, ordered them to step out and were checking their phones. As they stopped more cars, the situation got tense.

“Expectedly, students called the SUP on the phone. Ridwan rushed to the scene but was arrested. Many other students were taken too,” the student said.

Another source stated that the students got unruly as they moved in a convoy in continuation of final year examination celebration.

The acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wole Banjo when contacted was said to have appealed to the students to stay calm, assuring that the school management was working to ensure the peaceful resolution of the matter.

Vanguard News Nigeria

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-10-30

Chidinma Ojukwu,the embattled student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Usifo Ataga, the late CEO of Super TV.

The 21-year-old student was arraigned alongside Adedapo Quadri, another key suspect in the case, at the Lagos high court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Tuesday.

Both were arraigned on eight counts bordering on the offences of murder, forgery, and stealing.

But during the court session, presided over by Yetunde Adesanya, the judge, they pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Egbuchu Chioma, Chidinma’s sister, who was also arraigned for alleged possession of Ataga’s phone, pleaded not guilty to the theft charge.

The 300-level mass communication student and other suspects in the case are being prosecuted by the Lagos state directorate of public prosecutions (DPP) team led by Olayinka Adeyemi.

Ataga was stabbed to death and left in the pool of his own blood inside a Lagos hotel on June 15.

Chidinma was thereafter arrested in connection with the murder.

The student had earlier confessed to stabbing Ataga “twice on the neck side,” alleging that the businessman forcefully had sex with her.

But in a dramatic twist, Chidinma denied her initial confession that she killed the Super TV CEO.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-10-12