The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, arraign a businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, before the Federal High Court in Lagos, over allegations of abusing the naira.
Cubana Chief Priest will be arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on a three-count charge of allegedly spraying and tampering with the naira notes at a social event contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
In the charge filed on April 4 by the EFCC’s prosecutor, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rotimi Oyedepo, and seven other lawyers representing the chairman of the anti-graft commission, it was alleged that “Okechukwu Pascal on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
In count 2, it was alleged “that you, Okechukwu Pascal sometime in 2020, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”
In Count 3, it was alleged: “that you, Okechukwu Pascal sometime in January 2024, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying the same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”
The EFCC, on April 5, secured the conviction of popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, on similar charges for which he was sentenced to six-month imprisonment.
Winner of the Big Brother Naija ‘PepperDem’ edition, Mercy Eke, has been hospitalized hours after partying with friends on a yacht.
Naija News reports that the reality TV star made this known in a post on her Snapchat.
She also shared a photo of herself on the hospital bed, urging her friends to avoid wasting their time in anger, regret, worries and grudge because life is too short to be unhappy.
She wrote, “Don’t waste your time in anger, regrets, worries and grudges. Life is too short to be unhappy. Who would have thought that I will end up in a hospital barely 24 hours I was seen outside. I’m just having different thoughts of what could have been the worst case. God I thank you for your loving kindness. Life is so fickle.. good health is underrated.”
Why I Have Decided To Keep My Relationship Private
Meanwhile, Mercy Eke has revealed that she keeps her dating life private because of her past experiences.
She noted that she made a couple of mistakes in the past when she shared her dating life on social media.
Eke stated this in a recent episode of the Celebrity Quickies posted on comedian AY’s YouTube page.
According to her, she is in a relationship, but has decided to keep the identity of her man private.
Eke disclosed that she can’t go a day without talking to her mystery lover.
She said Nigerian celebrities are under a lot of pressure, stressing that most of the pressure is from the people around them.
The reality star said regardless of that, Nigerian celebrities are breaking new grounds.
[NaijaNews]
‘Even If I Will Be Killed, I Am With You Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’ — Aisha Galadima Speaks After Release By DSS
AFOLABIAisha Galadima, a political ally of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS), has confirmed her release.
Although the reasons for her arrest are uncertain, reports revealed that the strong ally to the former governor may have instigated the current administration with her political views targeted against its principal, Governor Uba Sani and shared via her Facebook page.
Operatives of the DSS were said to have stormed her residence in the Tudun Wada area of Kaduna on Sunday afternoon and was whisked off in a Hilux. Her phone lines were subsequently unreachable.
But the Kaduna government when contacted by the press, expressed its ignorance of the situation.
“I’m not aware that a woman was arrested for posting a negative comment against His Excellency. In any case, you should direct your enquiries to the DSS, not the Kaduna State Government,” the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Muhammad Shehu was quoted to have said.
Checks by THE WHISTLER on her Facebook page discovered most posts by Galadima to have expressed an unwavering support for Nasir El-Rufai, accompanied with his pictures, while others had a direct and indirect criticism of the present administration’s policies, and happenings in the state.
As frequent and engaging as her posts are on her page of over 11,000 followers, Galadima’s last post before her purported arrest was on Sunday. It read, “Living with integrity is better than living with leadership Malam Nasir El Rufai (sic).”
Twenty-four hours after she was reported to have been released, Galadima posted, “Alhamdulillah”, translated — “Praise be to God” — with over 132 comments congratulating her on her release.
Galadima in another post said, “Even If I will be killed, I am with you Malam Nasir El-Rufia”.
She continued, “These are signs of their failure in 2027”, alluding to the former governor’s victory in the 2027 presidential election.
Confirming her release to Daily Trust, Galadima said she was harassed and beaten by operatives of the secret police.
“I was inside my room about to take my bath when they came in and dragged me out. I saw four of their Hilux outside the gate. They pushed me inside and drove away,” she said.
According to her, the DSS had accused her of making some posts against the governor in February.
Recall that Governor Sani revealed that his administration inherited a burden of $587m and N85bn debts as well as 115 contractual liabilities from El-Rufai, noting that the fluctuating exchange rate worsened the state’s capacity to repay almost triple the monies borrowed his former principal.
Sani lamented that a significant amount of the state’s federal allocation goes into servicing the debts while stating that in March alone, N7bn out of the N10bn federal allocation to the state was deducted for debt servicing, leaving just N3b to cover expenses.
However, Bashir El-Rufai, son of the former Governor fired back accusing Sani of negligence of duty, contract inflation, and speculative financial practices.
Bashir accused the governor of lobbying and approving the loans while he (Uba Sani) was a senator.
Governor Sani was the Kaduna Central Senator in the 9th Senate before he emerged as the state governor in the 2023 elections.
The President of the Premium Bread Makers Association of Nigeria (PBAN), Emmanual Onuorah has explained that the 15 per cent Wheat Development Levy on bread and the cost of other inputs are responsible for the high cost of the commodity despite the appreciation of the naira against the United States dollar.
The PBAN president revealed this on Tuesday during a presentation on Arise News’ Global Business Report.
The price of a loaf of bread rose to around N2,000 in February after bakers reported an increase in a bag of flour from N37,000 to N42,000 and sugar from N62,000 to N72,000.
The naira has gained against the dollar from N1,700 in February to nearly N1,000 in April.
Onuorah explained that wheat constitutes 60 to 65 per cent which are imported from Ukraine, Russia, and other parts of the world.
He said, “Since this crisis (Russia/Ukraine war) started about three years ago, it has led to an upending of our pricing structure as regarding wheat. As a country Nigeria produces, we can grow wheat in 15 states.”
The PBAN president said bread makers pay 15 per cent Wheat Development Levy which is transferred to the final consumers.
He said, “For instance, they (federal government) take 15 percent for every bread that you eat, for every flour that we buy, 15 percent of it is taken for wheat development level.
“Cumulatively, the duty on wheat is 30 per cent and 15 per cent Wheat Development Levy that Jonathan initiated in June 2012 and was supposed to be adopted or a stopgap. But it’s still their till today.
“They are supposed to use it for R&D and all of it. But it’s still the same thing, redoing corruption and all that. We are not getting the benefit of that. And that’s why we’ve been asking the government, to remove this thing, and place a moratorium on wheat import since Nigerians are hungry.
“So, we’ll keep pushing on the pressure. That’s why we are a pressure group. And we must use our platform to ensure that Nigerians also get cheap bread.”
He also said the cost of diesel, electricity bills and other inputs are responsible for the prices.
Kaka, the Brazilian football legend, has spoken out about his divorce in 2015, responding to a strange claim made by his ex-wife.
Kaka married his childhood sweetheart Caroline Celico, while playing for AC Milan in 2005 and they had a son and daughter together, before splitting a decade later.
Last week, it was reported that Celico claimed she left the marriage, because “he was too perfect for me”.
But Kaka, now 41, speaking on a podcast, as reported by Spanish outlet Sport, insists he did everything he could to avoid the split.
He said: “In 2015 I was married, and my wife at the time decided she didn’t want to be married anymore.
“She said, ‘I’m not happy and I attribute my unhappiness to marriage’.
“I was living in the United States, and she asked to go back to Brazil.
“Her words were, ‘I want to go back to Brazil, I want to live there and I don’t want to be married anymore’.”
The hideout of Yoruba Nation agitators has been uncovered by security operatives in Oyo State.
The hideout was found in Oluyole local government area.
It was learnt that the hideout was discovered at Fatusi and Shagari, Olode sector of the Oluyole local government area.
A video made on Tuesday showed that some items were found in the hideout.
Some of the items are army uniforms and other items.
Details soon
Media
VIDEO: Warehouse of the “Yoruba Nation” busted in Ibadan, Oyo State. Camouflage uniforms and others recovered. Very disturbing I hope FG and OYSG will act decisively, apprehend and punish all those involved. Security Threats in SouthWest region shouldn’t be underestimated. pic.twitter.com/k6webJdhH4
— UNCLE DEJI™️ (@DejiAdesogan) April 15, 2024
Self-styled relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, aka Blessing CEO, has claimed that most women cheat in their marriages because of irresponsible spouses.
According to her, it is impossible for a woman who caters for her family not to cheat.
Okoro stated this in the latest episode of her TV show, Moments With Blessing CEO.
She urged men to be financially stable and responsible to avoid infidelity on the part of their spouses.
“As a man, you have to get a job. How would you leave responsibilities for a woman for 9years and you’re expecting her not to sleep around?” she remarked.
DAILY POST reports that the topic of infidelity has dominated the Nigerian social media space, following the recent cases of paternity fraud.
[DailyPost]
Manchester United have spoken to Alejandro Garnacho after the winger liked social media posts criticising manager Erik ten Hag over his handling of the player.
The Argentina international, taken off at half-time in their 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on Saturday, liked two messages on X, by United fan and YouTuber Mark Goldbridge.
One post accused Ten Hag of “throwing (Garnacho) under the bus” because of comments the United boss made about the 19-year-old’s performance.
The other said Garnacho “had a poor first half but taking him off at half-time and holding him up as the problem is a joke”.
Garnacho swiftly “unliked” both messages, an action the club believes shows contrition, and a United source told the PA news agency the matter had been dealt with internally.
The teenager has become a key player for United this season, scoring nine goals and providing four assists in 42 games.
The incident follows one in September when Jadon Sancho said on X that he had been made a “scapegoat” after being left out of the squad for the Arsenal match, with Ten Hag saying he had trained poorly.
Sancho said he would “not allow people saying things that (are) completely untrue”, interpreted as accusing Ten Hag of misrepresenting reasons why he was not in the side.
The 24-year-old was banished from the first team before being loaned to Borussia Dortmund in January.
Ten Hag’s position has come under renewed pressure after the draw against Bournemouth, which left United seventh in the Premier League table, 13 points off the top four.
The FA Cup is the only silverware that United can win this season — they take on second-tier side Coventry in the semi-final at Wembley on Sunday.
[Vanguard]
At the backdrop of sustained rise in prices of staple food items in the market, Nigeria has recorded an unprecedented food inflation rate of 40 percent in March 2024.
Economists and financial analysts explained that the development would put more pressure on the purchasing power of average Nigerian and they also predict that the trend will continue for some months before stabilising.
The food inflation drove the headline inflation rate to 33.2 percent, up from 31.7 percent recorded in the month of February.
The figures released yesterday by National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, in its Consumer Price Index, CPI, report for March 2024, represented a 2.09 and 1.5 percentage percentage points increases month-on-month.
But the analysts see a wider headline inflationary rise in this month to 34.6 percent, representing a 2.4 percentage month-on-month rise resulting from the recent hike in electricity tariff.
Electricity tariff hike to drive further inflation – CardinalStone
Analysts at CardinalStone Finance Limited, a Lagos based investment house, indicated that further inflationary upswing should be expected following the recent drastic hike in electricity tariff.
They stated: ‘’The inflation outlook is biased to the upside, a consequence of the recent implementation of a new electricity tariff. For context, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) have hiked price for Band A customer from N68 to N225 per kilowatt hour.
‘’Nevertheless, we see some downside risk from the recent currency sustainability. ‘’Overall, we project inflation to print 34.6% in April 2024.’’
In the meantime, analysts at Alpha Morgan Capital said: “From our analysis, we project that inflation will further increase but at a continuously slower rate. We tie this prediction primarily to the recent monetary interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria in mopping up excess liquidity, curbing volatile exchange rate movement through various aggressive currency interventions, government fiscal policies, such as agricultural interventions, among others.”
Devpt is bad for businesses – NACCIMA
Meanwhile, OPS said that the persistent rising inflation could sound the death knell for small businesses in the country, with consequential loss of jobs and worsened insecurity.
Commenting, Director General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Sola Obadimu, said: “Persistent rising inflation is bad for business as well as for individuals.
“It erodes income in value terms and purchasing power becomes weaker for both individuals and businesses. Inventories will continue to grow.
“It is bad for planning purposes and breeds growing uncertainty. Cost of doing business continues to grow leading to higher cost of goods. It’s cyclical.
“Even when businesses or individuals tend to earn higher income, the value (in real terms) becomes lower.”
In his reaction, President of Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), Dr Femi Egbesola, said the development will worsen survival of small businesses.
He stated: “The new and rising inflation rate, affecting largely food, essential commodities, raw materials, electricity and alternative power generation, transportation among others, will continue to worsen the survival and growth of SMEs.
It will, no doubt, squeeze out the meager working capital of SMEs and make us more vulnerable to extinction.
“Not all costs can be passed to the consumers but even at that, certain costs will be passed onto them, and since they also have had their disposable income eroded by inflation, sales of goods and services of SMEs will drastically drop. For an average citizen, their standard of living and welfare will significantly drop too.
“More Nigerians will suffer from hunger, and lack of access to basic necessities and amenities, worse of it is health and medical needs.
“Overall, the implications of this on SMEs is that many more businesses will die off and become ailing, job losses will increase as many more businesses will lay off workers.
“There will be an increase in bad loans as more SMEs will be unable to fulfill their loan obligations leading to decreased access to funding from banks that will be more averse to lending to SMEs particularly with the increased interest rate, now coupled with inflation.
“More insecurity will prevail in the land for many will look for alternative illegal ways of survival. More will migrate in the name of Japa.
“The extinction of more businesses will open doors for imported products to take their space which eventually will also stress the Naira exchange rate.”
In its CPI report NBS stated: “In March 2024, the headline inflation rate increased to 33.2 percent relative to the February 2024 headline inflation rate which was 31.7 percent .
“On a YoY basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.16 percentage points higher compared to the rate recorded in March 2023, which was 22.04 percent.
On food inflation the bureau said: “The food inflation rate in March 2024 was 40.01 percent on a year-on-year basis, which was 15.56 percentage points higher compared to the rate recorded in March 2023 (24.45 percent).
“The rise in Food inflation on a year-on-year basis was caused by increases in prices of the following items garri, millet, akpu uncooked fermented (which are under the bread and cereals class), yam tuber, water yam (under potatoes, yam, and other tubers class), dried fish sadine, mudfish dried (under Fish class), palm oil, vegetable oil (under Oil and Fat), beef feet, beef head, liver (under Meat class), coconut, water melon (under Fruit Class), Lipton tea, Bournvita, Milo (under coffee, tea and cocoa class).”
Police launch manhunt for Abiola's widow for allegedly sponsoring invasion of Oyo State Government Secretariat by Yoruba Nation agitators
AFOLABIThe police have launched a manhunt for Mrs. Dupe Onitiri-Abiola, a suspected sponsor of the invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Ibadan by some Yoruba Nation agitators.
The manhunt for Mrs Onitiri-Abiola, a widow of the business mogul and prominent politician, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, began after the emergence of a viral video in which she claimed responsibility for the violence on Saturday, April 13.
The armed agitators, clad in military camouflage, invaded the Oyo State House of Assembly complex located inside the secretariat and hoisted their flag on Saturday morning. They also attempted to breach the security of the governor’s office, before they were repelled by security operatives.
No fewer than 21 of the agitators were rounded up.
Those arrested were on Monday, April 15, paraded by the police with the arms, ammunition, camouflage and other items recovered from them.
Oyo State Police Commissioner, Adebola Hamzat, who paraded the 21 suspects, described the invasion as a criminal, unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism, which would be meted with adequate sanctions.
Although he did not mention the name of Mrs Onitiri-Abiola, Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Security Matters, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said he was aware that she is leading a group of Yoruba Nation agitators. Owoseni, in a televised statement, acknowledged Mrs Onitiri-Abiola’s longstanding involvement in separatist movements and highlighted the need for security reform and youth engagement to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Prof. Banji Akintoye, who is the leader of another Yoruba group along with Sunday “Igboho” Adeyemo, in a statement on Saturday dissociated his group from the action. He alluded to the group as the one led by Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola.
Subsequently, a viral video by Mrs Onitiri-Abiola claiming leadership of the group surfaced on social media.
The Oyo State Police Commissioner said the arrested suspects have been listing the names of their sponsors, adding that the police had visited some locations within Oyo State where some incriminating items were recovered.
The Commissioner urged parents and leaders to discourage their wards from engaging in activities that threaten public order, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to safeguard the state and nation.
More...
•We don’t regret our actions —Defiant suspects
•Local security outfit discovers hideouts •
•Invasion is treasonable —Oyo govt
ONE of the suspects, who was among Yoruba Nation agitators that invaded the Oyo State House of Assembly and Governor’s office, on Saturday, Ayanwale Rofiayat, yesterday, disclosed that those who sponsored the invasion, promised to put an end to starvation in her life.
This came as the Oyo State Government, yesterday, described the invasion as treasonable.
Recall that some self-acclaimed Yoruba Nation agitators hoisted their flag on the building housing the state House of Assembly last Saturday.
The woman suspect was among other 20 suspects paraded by the Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele in Ibadan.
Other items were displayed by the police. They include two security jackets, 30 pieces of torchlights, 49 bells, 5 horse tails, 7 pieces of walkie-talkies, two photographs of Modupe Onitiri Abiola, 261 belts, 12 Yoruba Nation flags, one Oodua Nation coat of arms, 405 live cartridges, 72 pairs of camouflage uniforms and others.
Speaking while being paraded, Rofiat said: “I’m from Igbo Ora in the Ibarapa zone of the state. The sponsors promised me and my entire family that they would empower us and that our future would be assured. Starvation would no longer be in our lives and that cost of living would automatically come down.”
She explained where they got the foreign military camouflage from saying, “The Army camouflage attire on me was given to me and other members when we converged on Ibadan before moving to the Secretariat.”
Another suspect, Mr Alabi Ogundeji, who is a 55-year-old lecturer at a Federal College of Education, said the membership of the Yoruba movement is spread across all Yoruba-speaking states.
Ogundeji said: “Our leaders went to all Yoruba-speaking states to serve officials letters written and we were given our copies.
“Then the proclamation was made and after the declaration, occupation, and notification to the world that Yoruba is an indigenous nation.”
We don’t regret ouractions—Defiant suspects
On his part, a 29-year-old phone repairer, Ademola Adeniyi, was defiant saying he didn’t regret his action.
Adeniyi said: “We all know that nothing is working in Nigeria and things are hard for everyone except those in government, we were at the Secretariat waiting for our leader to come and address us.
“We believe our leader knows much about the law and so we are not afraid to join when we were called upon. Our leaders told us that all challenges Yoruba are facing shall be addressed if we achieve our aim.”
Also, a septuagenarian, who was among the suspects, Mr Peter Adeyemo, had denied being a member noting that, he and his daughter went to Itamerin Market to buy some items and on their way back, they saw people gathered and inquired from a policeman, but was later rough-handled and arrested.
On the charms and amulets found on his body, Adeyemo, a furniture carpenter from Iwere Ile in the Ibarapa zone of Oyo State, admitted that he and his daughter were given some insignias including a flag found in possession of the daughter.
It’s a treasonable felony —Oyo CP
While parading the suspects, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Adebola Hamzat said: “On Saturday, 13/04/2024 at about 0855hrs, information was received that some men dressed in military-like camouflage, armed with pump action semi-automatic rifles, riding on motorcycles, were sighted moving into the main city from Olomi axis of Ibadan.
“At about 0915hrs, the hoodlums, later known as Yoruba Nation Agitation Group, were trailed to the State Secretariat, spreading from the Flyover to within the Premises of the Governor’s Office, and hoisted their Flag at the House of Assembly, proclaiming the creation of a democratic republic of the Yoruba.
“With Police re-inforcement, the miscreants were warned to dispatch. The agitators turned violent and opened fire on the Police and a detachment of Amotekun corps was present. The Police responded and were joined by Operation Burst Patrol teams and Personnel of other security agencies who suppressed the treason and dealt with the agitators in line with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
“A total of 21 Suspects were arrested, seven rifles made up of five English Pump Action semi-automatic rifles, two wooden double-barreled guns and other items of exhibits as displayed, were recovered.
“While declaring this act as criminal, unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism to be meted with adequate sanctions through purposeful prosecutions, the Command re-assures the good people of Oyo State that it remains solidly unwavering to the protection of their lives and property as constitutionally required by the laws of the land.”
Local security outfit discovers hideouts
Meanwhile, a local security outfit, Oluyole Security Surveillance Team, OSST, said it has uncovered another hideout of Yoruba nation agitators.
The hideout is located around the Fatusi and Shagari areas of the Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.
Some items which were allegedly recovered from the agitators included military camouflage, bulletproof jackets, Torch Lights, Generators, Megaphones, and Standing Fans amongst other items.
Makinde commends security agencies for keeping peace in Oyo
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, yesterday, commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for keeping the peace in the state.
Governor Makinde stated this when he received the 46th General Officer Commanding the 2 Mechanised Division, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan, Maj. Gen. Obinna Onubogu, at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat in Ibadan.
The governor, who seized the occasion to throw light on the invasion of the Government Secretariat last Saturday by suspected Yoruba Nation agitators, explained how the effective security system in the state was able to bring the aggressors to their knees in no time.
Makinde said: “On what happened on Saturday, the Emergency Security Response was activated and it worked. The response was quick, and timely and I believe the hoodlums and miscreants met something that was beyond their imagination. Within one hour, everything was under control.
“Everybody responded timely and we are grateful for the timely response.
“Concerning the unfortunate incident, what I can say is that we must win the war but we must also win peace. It is a challenging period.”
Speaking earlier, Maj. Gen. Onubogu said: “We are indeed in a period of security challenges and I want to commiserate with you and the good people of Oyo State over the invasion of the Secretariat by some self-acclaimed, irredentists on April 13, 2024.
“This incident is unfortunate as it shows that despite the peace that exists in Oyo State, there are still sons and daughters of South-West Nigeria who are bent on challenging Oyo State, the entire South-West as well as Nigeria as a whole.
“I have taken note of some of the gaps that preceded this incident and I want to assure you that under my watch, we will play our part to ensure that such a situation does not arise again.
“As our adversaries have made their intentions known, it will be foolhardy for us not to refocus and ensure the people of Oyo remain safe.”
Invasion is treasonable — Oyo govt
Also reacting to the invasion, the Oyo State government described it as treasonable.
Addressing newsmen, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, who condemned the act said there are better ways of agitation other than craving for bloodshed.
Oyelade said: “Attempting to barge into the hallowed chambers of the legislature and take it over with an arsenal of seven pump action submachine guns, over 700 live cartridges, is an act of terrorism.”
The commissioner further disclosed that sponsors of Saturday’s invasion had succeeded in leading them into serious trouble.
Treat invaders as coupists, YCE tells FG
Similarly, the Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, has described the invasion of the Oyo State House of Assembly and State Secretariat as a coup just as it insisted that those involved in the act should be treated as coupists and punished accordingly.
Reacting to the invasion, Secretary-General of the YCE, Chief Oladipo Oyewole, said the elders condemned the act adding that the Federal Government should fish out perpetrators of the act.
Oyewole said: “The ill-fated mission of misguided persons in Military Camouflage/outfit to the Oyo State Government Secretariat Ibadan is bad.
“The Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, condemn this unlawful invasion in its entirety.
“Unequivocally, we stand to say that the nauseating act is a coup d’etat. It is barbaric and unwarranted. From reports and analysis, it is an ill-conceived action which was dead on arrival.
“We are of the position, in line with the laws of Nigeria, that all the people involved should be treated as coupists and punished accordingly.
“Yoruba land and our inherited culture abhor violence.
“The Yoruba man, because of his Omoluwabi ethos, would maintain decorum and dialogue rather than take part in any forceful takeover.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria should, without delay, deploy its apparatus to fish out parties involved in the dastardly act by all means and mete out judgement commensurate with this dastardly act.
“Going by all indicators, Nigeria is ready for take-off to prosperity through proper planning and application of rules of engagement that will give our nation, the cutting edge we earnestly desire and deserve for our comfort and mutual prosperity. We condemn this unfortunate act in all ramifications.”
Invasion is act of treason —Bode George
Also joining in condemning the invasion by the Yoruba Nation agitators, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George, yesterday, described the invasion in Oyo State as an act of treason.
Speaking in an interview on Arise Television, George said: “You don’t just go and take up arms against your government, it is treason. That they called Amotekun and the police is something; if it were people from my old profession, they would have seen them as enemies and fired at them.
“I was completely very angry because that is not the way you talk to your government. What could have driven them into that? My conclusion is that they might not be educated. You don’t take up arms against your nation.
“It’s unimaginable; you brought guns and charms; were they dreaming? It’s unacceptable; it’s the highest breaking of the law of the land. You have your freedom of speech which is the most sensible way to approach this problem. The problem is that this thing never leaked to the intelligence of this nation.
“Agitators carried their weapons in military uniforms, and nobody stopped them on the road; you now see the urgent need for state police because they could not have been meeting somewhere if we are well organized like the state police.”
Abiola’s son slams Onitiri-Abiola for instigating invasion
On his part, the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice-President, Mr Jamiu Abiola, yesterday, faulted the invasion of Oyo State House of Assembly and the Governor’s Office by suspected Yoruba nation agitators.
Abiola, in a chat with Vanguard, also said it was sad that a woman connected with his father, the late Moshood Abiola, could have declared the South-West region a Democratic Republic of Yoruba Nation, stressing that her call for secession was against all that MKO was known for.
His words: “I have never met her and I don’t think that she told members of the Abiola family because the family members I spoke to are furious about this. They are shocked. Our family patriarch, Chief Moshood Abiola, was well known for his strong belief in Nigeria’s unity and that was why it was easy for him to convince Nigerians from all regions to give him their votes.
“It is sad that a woman bearing his name could have made such a declaration, particularly now that the Nigerian President, Senator Bola Tinubu, is a Yoruba man who is doing a lot of what my father had wanted to do as Nigeria’s President.
“By doing that, we would be giving her declaration more attention than it deserves. We will ignore her just like most Nigerians have done.”
We’re not terrorists, youth group tells Ondo govt
Meanwhile, a group of Yoruba Nation Youths, both Home and Diaspora, yesterday, insisted that they are not terrorists but a legitimate group of youths demanding Yoruba Nation, self-determination and independence.
The community of Eket Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State was cloaked in mourning on Monday as the remains of the late Nollywood makeup artist, Abigail Edith Frederick, were laid to rest in her family home in Ikot Udoma.
The 24-year-old artist tragically lost her life in a boating accident on the River Niger, which also claimed the lives of five other film practitioners, including the notable actor Junior Pope.
The burial ceremony was a poignant affair, marked by the outpouring of grief from family members and friends who gathered to bid their final goodbyes.
Governor Umo Eno, who had visited the bereaved family over the weekend, ordered that Frederick’s initially buried remains by the bank of River Niger be exhumed and returned to her hometown for a proper burial.
This directive was part of efforts to provide closure to the family and honor the deceased in accordance with local customs.
In tribute to her memory, a candle-light procession was held, illuminating the evening as those who knew and admired Frederick celebrated her contributions to the Nollywood industry.
A Facebook user, Ubong David, who shared pictures from the burial on Monday wrote, “Today, the late Abigail Frederick, the Nollywood makeup artist who tragically lost her life in the ill-fated boat mishap, has been laid to rest at the family compound in Ikot Udoma, Eket Local Government Area.
“The funeral service was conducted by the Church of Christ, Ikot Udoma, and was attended by various dignitaries, including the Eket Transition Committee Chairman, Akaniyene Tommey; Commissioner for Tourism, Charles Udoh; SA on Entertainment, Moses Eskor; Godfada Uko, members of the Eket Transition Committee, Nollywood actress, Eve Esin, the Nollywood community, friends, and sympathisers.”
Eno had during his visit to the deceased’s family announced automatic employment to her elder sister and directed the renovation of the family house.
He said, “This is deeply unfortunate. A young girl, 24 years old, who finished her National Youth Service Programme just last year, and decided to pursue her passion.
“This is a reflection of our Arise Spirit. It shows that our young people are willing to go out there, not begging, not waiting for handouts, but to pursue their passions. Sadly, her life ended the way it did.
“Once I was fully briefed, I decided to come here personally with the full complement of Government to console and encourage the family.”
Eno had said going there meant the state cared. According to him, “You know Akwa Ibomites are like Americans. We don’t leave each other behind. The government will be with the family and support them.”
Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a suspected internet fraudster, Ali Desmond Chinedum in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
A statement released by the commission says he was arrested following credible intelligence on his suspected involvement in internet-related offences.
Items recovered from the suspect include one iPhone 11 Pro Max, One Redmi 12 android mobile device, two United States Navy identity cards with numbers: 100040041245 and 100010041159, one Mercedez Benz GLK and one HP Laptop computer device and charms.
The commission added that he will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
A 26-year-old Nigerian man, Michael Chidozie, has died of spinal injury complications after his wife shot him four times during an argument inside their Houston residence, Texas, US.
Chidozie’s wife, Keaiirra Shavoiyae, two years older, shot him in the middle of an argument on March 21 in front of their two children, claiming she acted in self-defence.
He was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital after police found him with gunshot wounds and his wife in a panic holding their two kids, aged three and two.
According to Daily Mail, Chidozie lingered 18 days on life support in the hospital before dying of spinal injury complications.
Consequently, Shavoiyae has been charged with aggravated assault but it has not been upgraded to murder since his death.
She claimed to have shot Chidozie in self-defence as she feared for her life during the argument when he followed her into their bedroom.
The argument began elsewhere in the house before she went to the bedroom, where she picked up a pistol and shot him, the police said.
However, the report did not reveal whether the Nigerian national who was a bodybuilder had physically assaulted his wife for her to resort to shooting him for self-defence.
Chidozie was shot once in the arm, once in the chest, and twice in his torso and left to die on the bedroom floor.
Police found Shavoiyae with the children in a nearby parking lot after witnesses called police to say she was frantically running around asking for help.
Friends said they had never seen the couple be violent towards each other and were shocked that an argument escalated into fatality.
Chidozie’s family who prayed for him when he was in the hospital, now trying to raise $70,000 to bring his body back to Nigeria for burial, as it was his dream to one day return to the country.
“His passing has left a profound void in the lives of all who knew and loved him. He was a devoted father, a cherished son, and a dear friend to many,” they said.
“Chidozie’s kind heart, infectious laughter, and unwavering love for his family will forever be remembered and cherished by all who were fortunate enough to know him.”
Chidozie’s wife, Shavoiyae was released on bail and is set to face court on May 23, and their children are being cared for by another family.