News
Oyo govt files 18-count charge against Ooni’s ex-wife, Oriyomi Hamzat over stampede

The Oyo State Government has filed an 18-count charge, including manslaughter, against Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, the CEO of Agidigbo FM; and Fasasi Abdullahi, the principal of Islamic High School. The charges stem from a tragic stampede at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan that resulted in the deaths of 35 children.
The suspects are currently in detention, with the state alleging their failure to ensure adequate security and medical provisions at the event. At the Oyo State High Court on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the defence team appealed for bail, arguing their clients posed no flight risk and had cooperated fully with the investigation.
Counsel for the defendants argued that their detention was unconstitutional, citing procedural flaws and the illegitimacy of the “holding charge” used to remand them. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adekunle Sobaloju, representing Oriyomi Hamzat, stated that the holding charge is not recognised under Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). He urged the court to grant bail, emphasising that detaining the accused without proper arraignment violated their rights.
“We filed an application for bail, and the court has reserved its ruling for January 13. The continued detention of the defendants on a holding charge is legally unfounded,” Sobaloju told journalists after the court session.
The state’s Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, opposed the bail applications, emphasising the seriousness of the charges and the need for justice for the victims. He dismissed allegations of persecution as baseless and insisted that the defence had not provided compelling reasons for their release.
Initially, the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan filed charges of conspiracy, culpable homicide, negligence, and failure to ensure safety against the trio. However, the matter was later transferred to the state high court for proper jurisdiction.
Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, who presided over the earlier proceedings, declined to take the defendants’ pleas, directing that the case be escalated to the appropriate court.
Justice K.B. Olawoyin has reserved judgment on the bail applications, which will be delivered on Monday, January 13, 2025. The case remains a significant legal battle, with both prosecution and defence presenting compelling arguments about procedural rights and justice for the victims.
News
Protests erupt in Plateau over incessant k!llings

Protests erupted in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Monday morning over the continued killings of indigenous residents by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militants.
The demonstrations, led by Christian leaders including the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Polycarp Lubo, commenced on Monday morning at the Fawvwei Junction community road, causing a heavy gridlock and stranding commuters.
The latest protest comes amid a surge in violent attacks by gunmen in various communities, with over 100 people killed in Bokkos and Bassa LGAS in the past two weeks.
“We are not happy over the continuous attacks and killings by gunmen in our communities. That’s why we have come out again to protest these happenings,” said Gyang Dalyop, one of the protesters.
Another protester, Hannatu Philip, called on the government to intervene before it spirals out of control.
The protesters brandishing placards with different inscriptions were seen marching towards the Rayfield Government House.
News
Tinubu not your equal – Presidency replies Peter Obi’s ex-running mate, Datti

The Presidency has said the former Labour Party, LP, presidential running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed is no match for President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare was reacting to Datti’s remark that he (Tinubu) would not run for the presidency in 2027.
The former LP running mate insisted that Tinubu’s time is up, adding that everything is there for the president and the ruling All Progressives Party, APC, to see that they lose in 2027.
Dismissing such remark, Dare likened Datti’s comment to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through.
In a statement he signed, Dare said the likes of Peter Obi and Datti would have been president left for the latter’s theories.
According to Dare, Datti has chosen to venture into an unfamiliar terrain.
The statement reads partly: “Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed’s “illogical logic” was all over the place in his recent interview with a television channel.
“Listening to Yusuf Datti Baba- Ahmed spurn his postulations about the political future of Nigeria and that of the incumbent President is like listening to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through. Yusuf Baba Ahmed and his co-traveller Peter Obi are indeed a “double whammy“ in the Nigerian political space.
“He chose to base his political calculations on President Bola Tinubu not winning a second term given his antecedents and because Nigerians will decide at the polls among other things. He conveniently avoided the substance of performance and capacity.
“Unfortunately, he chose to walk into a lane he was unfamiliar with and chose to confront a politician he is no match for.”
Similarly, the Presidency had also stressed that Tinubu will reveal his plans for a second term at the right time.
It said the APC 2027 presidential campaign billboards had no links to Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
News
‘Conducting unfair election in 2027 will lead to Nigeria’s demise’ – Top Northern Politician Sends Warning To Tinubu

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former aide to Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that any attempt by the government in power to manipulate the 2027 general elections will be resisted.
He also said that should the polls or its results be tampered with, this would create dire consequences for the country.
Baba-Ahmed said this in a viral video seen by 9NEWS NIGERIA.
The former leader of the Northern Elders Forum who just resigned his position as a presidential aide said conducting a bad election might lead to Nigeria’s end.
“Conducting a bad election in 2027 may lead to the end of Nigeria, I swear to God,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He further stated that elders from the Northern region would soon take a stand on the nation’s politics ahead of the 2027 election.
“There will be a time we will come out and say it’s okay, and it’s soon. This injustice is over. We know who we are,” he warned.
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