News
Just in: Tears as RCCG Pastor killed by abductors, finally buried

Just in: Tears as RCCG Pastor killed by abductors, finally buried
The pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Olugbenga Adedolapo Olawore, who was abducted and murdered by kidnappers on Lanlate-Eruwa road, was on Tuesday buried as Christian faithful, friends and relations mourned him.
The burial took place at a cemetery in Mowo, off Badagry expressway, Lagos State, after a church service at the RCCG (City of His Glory), zonal headquarters along Badagry expressway. People who gathered there wore sombre looks. Some shed tears as the atmosphere turned sombre.
In his ministration, a cleric, Pastor G. Aribisala, quoting Psalms 90:4 andq Ecclesiastes 3:2, declared the shortnessq of life, but added that the deceased had lived his life, fulfilled his time and purpose.
“One day, we will see him face to face because we will all die one day.
“Life is a market. When you get there does not determine when you will leave.
“We shall all give account and face judgement one day. His killers will not escapeq judgment,” he said.
The pastor enjoined all to live their lives to satisfy God, just as Pastor Olawore lived and served God diligently.
He prayed for the deceased’s family and asked God to protect them and make themq untouchable for the enemies.
At the graveside, the assistant pastor in charge of Lagos Province 73, which was headed by Pastor Olawore before his sudden death, Pastorq Simeon Olaniran, gave a short message before the lowering of the casket into the grave.
Quoting Hebrew 9:27, Pastor Olaniran pointed out that every humanq being has one life to live, after which judgmentq comes.
He urged everyone to repent of their wrong acts before it would be too late.
The deceased’s younger brother, Mr Bolaji Olawore, who gave vote of thanks, expressed appreciation for theq support given by all at a trying period for the family.
On Monday, the wake keep service was held for the late pastor at his residence at Edu town, Off Agbara-Lusada road, Ogun State.
In his exhortation, the cleric who presided over the wake keep service, Pastor Hunpe Emmanuel, titled his message: ‘There is a timing for everyone.’
In reference to a song, Pastor Emmanuel described God as a fountain of life which is flowing everywhere, giving an assurance that whosoever tastes Him will never thirst again.
He said: “There is a time that everyone will get to their bus stop and alight,” cautioning those in attendance to get prepared for their own timing.
He said that the testimonies of the deceased given by the people were enough assurances that he was in heaven.
He enjoined the late pastor’s nuclear and extended family members to take solace in God, and thereafter prayed for and handed them over to God for safekeeping.
Paying tributes to the late pastor, Reverend Komolafe of the Anglican Church in the neighbourhood, described the deceased as a perfect gentleman and a prayer champion.
A next door resident, Mrs Tomchukwu, spoke on his gentleness, saying that he never had quarrels with neighbours.
Pastor Mrs Oladele recalled how the deceased gave her money on two occasions to connect electricity in her house, having been in darkness for years in their new house.
The last born of the Olawore family, Kolawole, who shed tears uncontrollably, described the late pastor as a soldier.
He noted that life was full of mystery as he fought battle till death, assuring the deceased’s wife that nobody in the family would intimidate her.
A brother-in-law described Pastor Olawore as a peace-loving man who was more of his brother since he married his sister 20 years ago.
The deceased’s wife, Mrs Olawore, said until his sudden death, her husband was her friend, father and companion who loved God and always went into the neighbourhood to preach the gospel of repentance.
When RCCG pastors were contacted for comment, the move was politely declined, as they said that they were not in the position to speak with the media.
Pastor Olawore was in charge of Heavens Gate Parish, Lagos Province 73, along Agbara-Lusada Road, Ogun State, before his demise penultimate week after he was kidnapped by gunmen at Maya axis of Lanlate-Eruwa Road, along with other passengers in a commercial bus on Thursday, April 18 at about 5:00p.m.
Nigerian Tribune learnt that he went to his hometown, Ipapo Town, to put final touches to the burial arrangement for his mother who died in February.
He had boarded a commercial bus on his return trip home when the occupants were confronted with sporadic shots by kidnappers.
One of the passengers, a female, reportedly died instantly, while the remaining ones were shepherded into the bush by fully-armed abductors.
The kidnappers were said to have started calling family members of their victims, including the pastor’s wife, for payment.
However, things turned awry for unknown reason on Friday, a day after the abduction, making the kidnappers to kill the victims they held in hostage, except two of them who were able to escape.
Nigerian Tribune further learnt that though the pastor’s family had learnt of his murder by the kidnappers, the news was broken to his wife on Monday, April 21.
The wake keep service for the pastor’s mother had been slated for April 26, while her burial was to be on Friday, May 3.
The late pastor was born in 1971 and was 53 years old when he died.
He attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Lagos State University and University of Lagos where he got NCE certificate, B.Sc and M.Sc degrees respectively.
News
SAD! Woman Reportedly Poisons Boyfriend To D3ath For Cheating On Her

…conceals Body Under Bed
A young woman allegedly poisoned her boyfriend to d3ath for cheating on her in Iyo Polo community, Marine Base, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
It was gathered that after k!lling the deceased, she hid his body under the bed inside his room for three days.
According to local reports, residents of the area became suspicious after noticing a foul odor emanating from the victim’s residence.
Concerned neighbors attempted to reach the deceased but received no response.
Their suspicions grew when they observed the suspect acting strangely and refusing entry into the apartment.
Upon notifying law enforcement, officers arrived at the scene and forced their way into the room, where they discovered the decomposing body of the victim.
The suspect was immediately arrested and taken into police custody for further investigation.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the motive behind the alleged m8rder.
However, preliminary findings suggest that the incident may have stemmed from a domestic dispute.
News
Protesters call for suspension of FUOYE VC over alleged sexual harassment

A group of protesters have converged on the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja, calling for the suspension of Professor Abayomi Fasina as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), to allow proper investigation into sexual harassment allegation.
Protesters armed with placards-bearing slogans such as ‘Ekiti Deserves Better’ and ‘Protect Our Women,’ argued that the Vice-Chancellor cannot remain in office while facing investigation for sexual harassment allegations.
The embattled VC has been under investigations over allegations made in a leaked voice note regarding a sexual harassment case against one of his married subordinates.
Speaking to journalists after submitting a petition to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the leader of the protesters under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption, Victor Adetola, said suspending the VC would give room for thorough investigations into the matter.
Adetola said: “We have looked at the developing story that has been going on in that university as an organisation that is fronting for the welfare of Nigerian students and the community or the educational community generally.
“The issue will be festering if there is no thorough investigation, and we need that place to be sanitised. Honestly, currently there is a disciplinary action investigation that is going on that was first given a three-week ultimatum.
“After that, they requested for another three weeks ultimatum, even inclusive of the governing council. And for the past six months, nothing has been done. We see that a lot of undiagnosed, a lot of corruption has been festering.
“In fact, one of the most critical issues happening is the sexual harassment that has happened to one of the married assistant directors in that school.
“Specifically, it’s necessary that the leader of the university steps down first, or the governing council relieves him of that position first, so that independent investigation can be carried out on all the petitions that we have written.”
News
NJC, NBA raises concerns as Uzodimma names Nzeukwu Imo’s acting Chief Judge

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has distanced itself from the purported appointment by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as the acting Chief Judge of Imo State.
The NJC, in a statement by its Deputy Director (Information), Mrs. Kemi Ogendengbe said it was yet to consider a request by Uzodinma to appoint Justice Nzeukwu, who is currently number four in the hierarchy of judges’ seniority in Imo State High Court.
The statement reads: “The attention of the council has been drawn to the news making rounds that the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, had purportedly appointed Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, who is number four in the hierarchy of judges seniority in Imo State High Court, as the acting Chief Judge of the state, in view of the recent disciplinary action taken against the erstwhile Chief Judge of the state.
“The National Judicial Council, by this press release, wants to clarify to the public that the Governor of Imo State had earlier written to the council requesting for its approval to appoint Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, who is number four in the hierarchy of seniority as acting Chief Judge of the state.
“The governor in his said correspondence to the council, gave reasons why in his own view, the three most senior judges are not appointable.
“The council is informing the public that the said letter is yet to be considered, as deliberation on the request is slated for the next council meeting, which is scheduled to hold on 29th and 30th April, 2025.
“The council is therefore, by this press release, informing the public that the governor’s request is yet to be considered by the council.
“The council has not given approval to the governor for the appointment of the acting Chief Judge.
“The council is not a party to the process of the purported appointment of Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as the acting Chief Judge.”
The NJC had, at its 107th meeting held between November 13 and 14, 2024 recommended the compulsory retirement of the then Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka over alleged age falsification.
It said Justice Chikeka was recommended to the Imo State Governor for compulsory retirement with effect from October 27, 2021, with all salaries and allowances the judge received in excess from the said date refunded to the council.
The NJC added: “The recommendation was pursuant to the findings of the Council that His Lordship has two different dates of birth: 27 October 1956 and 27 October 1958.
“However, 27 October 1956 appeared to be the consistent date of birth, but in 2006, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit changing the date of birth to 27 October 1958.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri Branch has expressed serious concerns over the appointment.
Speaking after swearing in the new Acting Chief Judge, Governor Uzodimma recalled the disgraceful manner the former Chief Judge was removed from office by the NJC, and the events that followed thereafter, and warned against a repeat of what he described as “dishonourable incident where a Chief Judge is suddenly removed from office for such an ugly indictment of age falsification.”
Reacting to the appointment, the NBA urged Governor Uzodimma to adhere to due process in the appointment of a new Chief Judge, emphasising the importance of following established protocols to ensure transparency and legitimacy.
According to the NBA, Nzeukwu’s appointment violates the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that the most senior judge of the High Court should be appointed as Acting Chief Judge in the event of a vacancy.
“We insist that due process must be followed in the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge,” Chairman of the NBA Owerri Branch, Chief Chris U. Ihentuge and the Secretary, Daniel O. Odiba, said in a statement yesterday.
According to the statement: “If the most senior judge or judges were bypassed, the rationale for this deviation must be immediately justified.”
Failure to do so, they warned, will further erode public confidence in the judiciary.
The NBA demands that Governor Uzodimma takes immediate action to address this situation and reverse the appointment, which they deem inconsistent with the Constitution.
The statement reads in part: “The Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch demands that the Governor should, immediately, take steps to address this situation and reverse this action which is inconsistent with the Constitution. Failure to do so will further erode public confidence in the judiciary at a time when trust in our institutions is already fragile. The Bar shall also take all steps necessary in the circumstance.
“The Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, reiterates that it has no interest in any particular individual holding the office of the Chief Judge, but it is deeply committed to the protection of due process, the rule of law, and the sanctity of the Constitution.
“The NBA Owerri Branch has communicated its concerns to the Imo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), Imo State Chapter, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) of Imo State, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, and the National Judicial Council (NJC).”
-
News12 hours ago
Full list: NNPC appoints new senior management team
-
News20 hours ago
JUST-IN: Burkina Faso President Traore Reportedy Survives Another Assassination Attempt
-
News24 hours ago
Damaged reputation: Akpabio drags Abbo, Natasha to court
-
News11 hours ago
SAD! APC publicity scribe dies in UK
-
News21 hours ago
US Keenly Monitoring Edo Election Appeal Process Amid Concerns Over Transparency
-
News12 hours ago
Inmate allegedly killed wife during prison visit
-
Politics8 hours ago
Natasha/Akpabio feud: Senate fast progressing in error -Ex-lawmaker, Teejay Yusuf
-
Metro11 hours ago
Plateau attack: 40 more bodies recovered as death toll hits 52