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APC Condemns Edo State Government’s Harassment of Media
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council wishes to address the recent controversy surrounding the burrow pits in the Obagie N’ Evbosa axis of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
Authoritative sources have confirmed that these pits, traditionally operated by the Palace of the Benin Monarch, were allocated by the Edo State Government to a private individual. This decision has sparked significant concern among the people of Edo State.
We are aware that the Edo State Government’s decision to reverse its allocation was largely due to the public outcry following the exposure of this information by an online medium. The dissemination of this information to the public has been instrumental in prompting the government to reconsider its position.
The APC Campaign Council commends the role of the media in bringing such issues to light, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.
However, we strongly condemn the subsequent actions taken by the Edo State Government to harass the publisher of the online medium. The reported threats of court orders, alongside the involvement of the Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), are unnecessary and constitute an attempt to intimidate and suppress the freedom of the press. Such actions are counter-productive and undermine the principles of democracy and free speech.
The appropriate course of action for the government, if it believes it has been misrepresented, is to issue a rejoinder or formal response to clarify its stance. Resorting to intimidation tactics only serves to distract from the core issue under reference, and raises further questions about the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
It is pertinent to note that this incident is not an isolated one but part of a broader pattern of anti-people and anti-Palace policies executed by the current Edo State administration. The allocation of communal resources to private individuals without adequate consultation and transparency is indicative of a governance style that prioritizes personal interests over the welfare of the citizens.
The APC Campaign Council calls on the Edo State Government to uphold the principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability. We urge the government to respect the role of the media in society and to desist from actions that are direct and deliberate attempts to stifle free expression. The government should focus on addressing the genuine concerns of the people and implementing policies that promote the common good.
As we approach the gubernatorial election, it is crucial for the citizens of Edo State to be vigilant and informed about the actions and policies of those in power. The APC remains committed to advocating for the interests of the people and ensuring that their voices are heard.
The Edo DSS should not be a tool in the hands of Edo state Government to witch-hunt and harass innocent citizens on trumped up accusations. The Nigeria Police, Edo State Command should also not get itself involved in taking compromised position on issues such as the one under reference.
In conclusion, we reiterate our condemnation of the harassment of the media and call on the Edo State Government to engage in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to intimidation. We stand firm in our commitment to holding the government accountable and ensuring that the rights and interests of the people of Edo State are protected.
It is for this reason that we call on all Edo voters to support and vote for the aspiration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC, to usher in a new lease of life for the overall good of the people. This high level intimidation, harassment and threat must stop, and DSS must live within the bounds of law and order.
Dr Emomotimi Agama, the Director General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), has explained that there is nothing the Commission can do to help victims of the CBEX scam recover their lost investments.
CBEX or Crypto Bridge Exchange, an unregistered online trading platform vanished last Monday with about N1.3 trillion invested by about 600,000 investors.
CBEX which had operated under ST Technologies International Ltd lured its victims with a 100 percent returns on investment after 30 days.
Asked by Sunday Vanguard if there is anything the Commission can do to help victims recover their money in part or in full, Dr Agama said: “There is nothing the Commission can do”.
He however expressed concern that Nigerians continued to invest in an unregistered digital entity without drawing the attention of the Commission.
“We are worried that this went on for long without anyone drawing our attention to it. That is why we are doing more enlightenment and asking people to come forward to report this for early detection.
How Nigerians can identify a Ponzi Scheme
He warned Nigerians against investing their money in Ponzi Schemes, saying such schemes make promises that are not real.
“You can identify a Ponzi Scheme when an entity makes offers that appear certainly untrue and are bogus. The definition we have in the ISA (Investments and Securities Act, 2025) clearly tells you that when an investment firm makes any promise that is almost totally unattainable, you will know that that is clearly a Ponzi scheme”.
SEC disclosed that preliminary investigations have revealed that CBEX engaged in promotional activities to create a false perception of legitimacy, in order to entice unsuspecting members of the public into investing monies, with the promise of implausibly high guaranteed returns within a short timeframe.
The Commission stated that CBEX, which also operates under the corporate identity of ST Technologies International Ltd, Smart Treasure/Super Technology, had held itself out as a digital asset-trading platform, offering high returns to investors in Nigeria.
According to the SEC, “The Commission hereby clarifies that neither CBEX nor its affiliates were granted registration by the Commission at any time to operate as a Digital Assets Exchange, solicit investments from the public or perform any other function within the Nigerian capital market.
The SEC emphasised that pursuant to the provisions of Section 196 of the Investments and Securities Act 2025, the Commission would collaborate with relevant law enforcement agencies to take appropriate enforcement action against the CBEX, its affiliates and promoters.
“The Commission uses this medium to remind the public to refrain from investing in or dealing with any entity offering unrealistic returns or employing similar recruitment-based investment models. Prospective investors are advised to verify the registration status of investment platforms via the Commission’s dedicated portal: www.sec.gov.ng/cmos before transacting with them”, the SEC added.
How I lost N500,000 in 7 days – Victim
Narrating how he got involved in the doomed platform, an Abuja based journalist told Sunday Vanguard that he invested N500,000 on April 4, 2025 with the hope of receiving N1 million after 30 days.
The journalist who requested not be named said: “I was involved for just seven days and lost N500,000 to the scam. I have a friend who has been pressuring me to invest on CBEX since December last year and I actually have been resisting because of my past experience with MMM.
“But he kept telling me and showing me how much he was making. So, I decided to give it a try and I got involved and finally transferred N500,000 on April 4. I was admitted into a Telegram group chat. Then the story began. The only luck I have is that my wife refused to be involved after I asked her to. I would have been in serious trouble by now.
“Immediately I got wind of troubles especially when people were locked out of the Telegram group, I tried to withdraw my money which had risen to N616,000 but I couldn’t”, he narrated.
A truck driver driving on one way has killed a father and his three children along with their maid in a road accident along Ife-Ilesa express road in Osun State.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday morning, involving a Mark trailer and the family’s Toyota Hilux vehicle, left the wife critically injured.
A statement issued by Osun State sector command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Taofeek Tokunbo and made available to newsmen by the spokesperson, Agnes Ogungbemi, indicated that the accident was caused by the truck driver who drove on the wrong lane.
She added that the bodies of the deceased were taken to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife, while the injured woman was taken to a private hospital in Ipetumodu for treatment.
The statement added that the truck driver is presently in police custody for prosecution.
The FRSC sector commander, Taofeek Adeyemi, added that the cash of N508,900 and other items recovered from the scene were handed over to relatives of the deceased in the presence of police operatives.
He then warned road users to stop driving on wrong lanes and adhere strictly to road traffic rules to curb unnecessary death on the roads.
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