Metro
Over 100 Priests, Palace Chiefs Storm Court For Oba Of Benin In Solidarity
Over 100 priests, priestesses and palace chiefs stormed the Edo State High Court on Thursday chanting curses against the enemies of the Oba at the resumed hearing of the case instituted by suspended Enigie (Duke) in Benin against Oba Ewuare II.
Two suspended Enigie (Dukes) of Evbuobanosa and Egbaen Siluko Dukedoms in Benin Kingdom, Prof Gregory Akenzua and Chief Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen had on behalf of some others, sued the monarch at Edo State High Court, challenging their suspension from offices.
Furthermore, the pair, speaking on behalf of others, asserted that their removal from their positions could only be done by the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and not by the monarch who had suspended them for rebelling against his authority.
The High Court admitted the Benin Traditional Council, as a party in a suit instituted by suspended (Enigie) Dukes in Benin, against the Oba.
Ruling on a motion on Thursday, Justice Peter Akhihiero granted the first defendant’s application to include the Benin Traditional Council as the third defendant in the suit marked, B/250os/2023, while Oba Ewuare II and Edo State Government, are the first and second defendants respectively.
The ruling was in response to an application filed by the second defendant’s lead counsel, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, Prof Edoba Omoregie and his team against the Claimants, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, and Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen who both took the Oba of Benin to court over their suspension as Dukes of Evbuobanosa and Egbaen Siluko Dukedoms in Edo South Senatorial District by Oba Ewuare II in 2023.
Justice Peter Akhihiero directed parties in the suit, Edo State Government represented by the State Attorney General and State Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, Oba Ewuare II, Prof. Gregory Akenzua and Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen, who were both represented by their counsels led by Dr. Osagie Obayuwana who had objected to the motion through the counsel of Oba Ewuare II, to amend their relevant documents in the case to reflect the decision.
While other parties in the suit aligned with the position of Oba Ewuare II’s counsel to join Benin Traditional Council, in the suit, the claimants, Prof. Gregory Akenzua and Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen through their counsel, Dr Obayuwana, prayed the court not to list the council as a party in the suit and urged the court to award cost against Oba of Benin in favour of the claimants.
But Justice Peter Akhihiero turned down the prayers and held that Obayuwana should not worry about the timing, insisting that, “The race is not for the swift, or the battle for the strong.
“If they are bringing in the Traditional Council as necessary, I don’t see this as a problem since you people have brought the Oba to court.
“I don’t think I can shut down any party. Let them come in and file their processes.”
Justice Akhihiero adjourned the hearing in the case till July 15, 2024, in the absence of any objection.
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There was a heavy security presence at the premises of the State High Court Complex on Sapele Road in Benin City.
However, all those who came to the court in solidarity with the Oba were not allowed into the court due to their large numbers.
Groups and Edo sons and daughters, including members of the royal family and chiefs, displayed affection and solidarity for the Oba.
Metro
Fire guts tanker, fuel station in Akwa Ibom
A fire outbreak involving a petrol tanker gutted a fuel station in Itam, near the Uyo metropolis of Akwa Ibom State in the early hours of Saturday.
The Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, ASP Timfon John, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said there was no casualty and that an investigation to unravel the cause of the incident has commenced.
“We received information about a fire outbreak in Itam, and officers were immediately dispatched, there was no casualty and the investigation is still ongoing”, ASP John said
Our correspondent reports that the fuel station caught fire when a truckload of Premium Motor Spirit reportedly supplying fuel to the station went up in flames.
A thick smoke from the fire soon attracted a large crowd of people who stood helplessly by, while Fire Service personnel battled to put out the fire.
Motorists who spoke with journalists expressed concerns about the incident, praying that it should not lead to the loss of lives.
‘What we are afraid of is it resulting in a loss of life, the property and resources lost, might be regained but we don’t want any human life to be affected, ” one motorist said.
Metro
Ibadan Funfair Tragedy: Ooni’s Ex-Queen Hospitalised, IG Takes Over Investigation
A stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan has left 35 children dead and six others injured, prompting the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take over the investigation. The tragic event reportedly stemmed from overcrowding at the venue, where over 7,500 children arrived for an event initially planned for 5,000 participants.
The funfair was co-organized by Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, and Oriyomi Hamzat, an Ibadan-based broadcaster. Following her arrest, Naomi reportedly collapsed on Friday and was rushed to the Police Hospital at Eleyele for treatment. Oriyomi Hamzat, Chairman of Agidigbo FM and co-organizer, was also hospitalized.
A senior staff member at the hospital confirmed their admission, noting heightened security around the facility. Meanwhile, eight individuals have been detained in connection with the incident, and Agidigbo FM House, a key venue, has been shut down.
Medical officials have provided updates on the victims. At Adeoyo State Specialist Hospital, four children are receiving treatment, while five deaths have been confirmed at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. The hospital clarified that no bodies were taken to its mortuary.
Government and Public Reactions
The Oyo State Government, through its Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, mandated stricter safety measures for public events and warned of severe penalties for negligence. Governor Seyi Makinde described the incident as painful and preventable, announcing the cancellation of his December 25 birthday celebrations in honor of the victims.
The South-West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi expressed their condolences. PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, blamed the tragedy on economic hardship, which drove families to seek free entertainment. He commended the state government’s swift response. Fayemi, in a statement, called the tragedy heartbreaking and prayed for the affected families.
Metro
Father demands justice after child dies from drinking kerosene in school
Jessica Chuks, a female pre-nursery student at a private school in Uja village, Oru Oboro, in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State, Okoronta, died after it was suspected that she had consumed a liquid substance while attending class.
While Okoronta Chuks, the father of the deceased student, claims his daughter died after consuming a dangerous liquid that was carelessly stored within the school, the school administration asserts that it took multiple actions to save the child’s life in a clinic following a suspected Kerosene drink.
Speaking about the tragic incident, the father of the deceased child stated that on November 21, 2024, he received a call from the school’s headmistress telling him that his child had been taken to a Clinic in Nnono Oboro after she drank Kerosene.
Chuks claimed that before his daughter was brought to the hospital, he was not even notified.
“Imagine, they took my child to a clinic without my knowing! I believe as an affected parent, I should have a choice of the hospital and also we have a family Doctor. So I took a bike ride to the place as she mentioned. When I got there, it was a horrific scenario.
“We were also hopeful that the child would be revived but sadly, she gave up”, Mr Chuks said in tears.
The father, who demanded justice for his deceased daughter, claimed that the Nigerian Police Force’s Ikwuano Divisional Headquarters had been notified of the situation.
Speaking on the subject, James Uchegbuo, secretary of the Oboro Council of President Generals Forum, stated that no dangerous materials should be stored in offices or classrooms, particularly those where children are present.
Uchegbuo advised the police to provide a reliable investigative report in order to provide justice to the family of the innocent child.
In response to ZINGTIE’s inquiry regarding whether the issue had been reported to the Abia State Command’s Ikwuano Divisional Headquarters, ASP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Spokesperson, confirmed that the matter is being investigated.
“Yes, we have such a report. It was reported and investigation is ongoing”, ASP Chinaka said.
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