Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed both shock and disappointment over recent false rumors about his death that were widely circulated on social media. Speaking at the commissioning of the Old Garage-Oke Fia-LAMECO Road in Osogbo, Osun State, on Tuesday, Obasanjo condemned the rumors as completely unfounded and deeply distressing.

The event, which was held at the invitation of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, saw the former president addressing the false claims that had caused a stir across the internet. Obasanjo recounted receiving an early morning call from a close associate, urging him to check social media platforms where the death rumor was being spread.

“I was taken aback when I saw the rumour claiming that I had passed away at midnight. It was beyond my belief,” Obasanjo said, sharing his initial shock upon learning of the reports.

In his efforts to clear up the misunderstanding, the former president immediately contacted his family and close associates to reassure them that he was in good health. “I assured my family and friends not to worry. Those who wish me harm or death will not succeed,” he stated firmly.

Obasanjo, who spoke in Yoruba during his address, questioned the intentions behind such malicious rumors, expressing bewilderment at why anyone would wish him harm. “Why would someone wish for my death? Those who entertain such harmful thoughts will surely face misfortune themselves,” he remarked, conveying his disdain for those behind the unfounded allegations.

He also took the opportunity to express his concern over the growing trend of false information being spread across social media platforms. “This type of rumor is not only distressing, but it highlights the dangerous potential of technology when misused. It is completely unacceptable,” Obasanjo lamented.

The former president’s remarks shed light on the increasing challenge of dealing with misinformation in the digital age, especially as false stories can quickly gain traction and disrupt lives. Obasanjo’s calm response, however, demonstrated his resilience in the face of such baseless attacks and his commitment to confronting falsehoods.

The event itself, which focused on the development of critical infrastructure in Osun State, served as a reminder of Obasanjo’s ongoing engagement in national development, despite the distraction caused by the malicious rumors.

The federal high court in Abuja has struck out the suit seeking to restrain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, at the end of his tenure.

NAN reports that Joyce Abdulmalik, the presiding judge, dismissed the suit after Gbenga Femi Akande, the counsel who appeared for Sanwo-Olu, moved the motion to discontinue the case.

The court struck out the case on October 31.

In October, a lawsuit instituted on behalf of Sanwo-Olu against the EFCC over an alleged plan to arrest and prosecute him after his tenure was heard in court.

Darlington Ozurumba, a lawyer, filed the suit on behalf of the Lagos governor, who will complete his eight-year tenure on May 29, 2027.

In the suit, the lawyer argued that the alleged plan to arrest Sanwo-Olu is “unconstitutional and a flagrant violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty and freedom of movement as stipulated under sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the constitution”.

The suit sought an order to restrain the EFCC from harassing, intimidating, arresting, detaining, interrogating, or prosecuting Sanwo-Olu in connection with his tenure as the governor of Lagos state.

Reacting to the suit, the Lagos government had said Sanwo-Olu did not instruct anyone to file a case against the EFCC.

Lawal Pedro, the Lagos attorney-general, said the state will investigate “how the case came to be without the knowledge” of the governor.

Pedro said neither the governor nor his aides are under investigation by the EFCC, adding that there is no threat of arrest by the anti-graft agency.

In a counter affidavit, Ufuoma Ezire, a superintendent and litigation secretary in the legal and prosecution department of the antigraft agency, said the EFCC is not investigating the governor and has never threatened to arrest him or his staff.

The anti-graft agency described the legal action as speculative and a “mere conjecture”.

On Tuesday, Hadiza Afegbua, counsel of the EFCC, appeared in court for the case.

However, NAN reports that the lawyer was disappointed that the case was not among the 10 listed for hearing at the court.

The counsel was reported to have expressed surprise when she learnt that the suit had been struck out on October 31.

However, the enrolled order dated October 31 shows that only Akande, the counsel who represented Sanwo-Olu, attended the proceedings leading to the dismissal of the suit.

The Delta House of Assembly passed the Appropriation Bill of N979.2 billion for the 2025 fiscal year for assent.

The budget passed at plenary, was sequel to a report by the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mrs Marilyn Okowa-Daramola.

Presenting the committee’s report, Okowa-Daramola noted that out of the amount, N348.7 billion was for Recurrent Expenditure, while the N630.4 billion was for Capital Expenditure.

She said that the amount showed an increase of N43.2 billion compared to N936 billion Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori earlier presented to the Assembly.

”The committee also recommended that the Capital Expenditure estimate of N587.3 billion be amended to read N630.4 billion.

“This represents an increase of N43.1 billion or 7.34 per cent increase over the proposed Capital Expenditure budget.”

Okowa-Daramola added that the committee recommended that the total amended budget size would now be N979.2 billion from the N936 billion presented by the governor.

She also recommended that the 2025 Appropriation bill should be monitored for effective implementation.

The committee chairman said that the 2025 budget was presented in line with global best practices.

According to her, the budgetary estimates reflect the goals of the ‘MORE Agenda’s of the state governor.

The report of the committee was unanimously adopted at the Committee of Supply, Chaired by the Speaker, Mr Dennis Guwor.

Consequently, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Mr Emeka Nwaobi, moved a motion for the third reading and passage of the bill.

The Minority Leader, Mr Edafe Emakpor (APC-Uvwie) seconded the motion when put to a voice vote by the Speaker.

The Speaker commended the lawmakers for their commitments to the early passage of the appropriation bill.

(NAN)