The military high command, on Thursday, paid last respect to the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, who died on Tuesday, November 5, after a brief illness.

Lagbja’s corpse departed for Abuja on Thursday morning shortly after top military personnel and other dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and other dignitaries paid their last respects in his honour at the Air Force wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja.

The body, which was brought from a mortuary in the state, arrived at the Nigerian Air Force wing in a cream-coloured SUV hearse at exactly 9 am.

It was thereafter received by soldiers of the Guards Brigade who held a military parade on the strip of the Air Force wing.

At exactly 10 am, the body was taken out of the hearse and placed on a trolley as top military officials numbering six slowly moved it into the C-130H NAF aircraft at exactly 10:32 am.

The corpse was airlifted by the 301 heavy airlift crew at 11:45 am.

At the Lagos end, the ceremony lasted for close to two hours and was also attended by representatives of the military wives association and some members of the deceased’s family.

His remains later arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at exactly 12:16 pm, in preparation for his final interment.

Upon arrival at the Abuja airport, a guard of honour was accorded the body, with top military officers on the ground to receive it.

The deceased, according to the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, would be buried at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja today (Friday).

A service of songs was held in his honour in Abuja, on Thursday.

Lagbaja only person to command a battalion twice – Coursemate

The Commander of Training and Doctrine Command, Maj Gen Kelvin Aligbe, praised the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Lagbaja, as an extraordinary military leader.

He said little wonder he was the only officer to command a battalion twice.

Aligbe spoke on behalf of the 39 Regular Course at the Songs of Service ceremony.

Reflecting on their shared journey, Aligbe recalled their commissioning as part of the 39 Regular Course on September 12, 1987, where 199 officer cadets began their training to join the armed forces.

He added that from the beginning, Lagbaja stood out as a born leader.

He said, “On the 12th of September, 1987, I, then officer cadet, Taoreed Lagbaja, and 199 of us assembled for training as members of the 39 regular corps.

“We trained and were commissioned together into the armed forces. Right from time, he led with no doubt. He was, first and foremost, an operational commander.

“Little wonder that while commands in the services are sometimes difficult to come by, he had the privilege of being the only person, if my memory serves me right, to have commanded a battalion at two different times.

“He commanded brigades at two different times. He was a general commanding at two different times.”

He urged the military community to embody the values of service and dedication that Lagbaja held dear.

Aligbe said, “He was primed for the operation that he led, through which, even though they say soldiers don’t die, his memories fade away.

“The only way I and my course mates and the other members of the armed forces, officers and soldiers that he left behind can honour his memory truly is to continue what he believed in. He believed in the indivisibility of Nigeria.

“He believed in service. He gave everything at the risk of sounding immodest. I don’t know if we gave him enough.”

Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association, Bilikisu Ibrahim described Lagabaja as a man of faith whose spirit was rooted in devotion and conviction.

She said, “To those he served, he was a pillar of protection, an unwavering beacon amidst storms of insanity and threats.

“But beyond our soldiers was a man of faith, a spirit rooted in devotion and conviction. In the trials of duty, he held fast to his spirituality, finding in prayers the fortitude that guided him through the darkest battles.

“His beliefs were his anchor, a quiet force that strengthened him as he led a sacrifice for the nation he loved.

“His life was not only a mission of arms but of the heart. A journey where faith met duty and courage met compassion. As we gather hands held in solace and grief, we recall the gentleness in his smile, the depth of his wisdom, the vision that he led armies and inspired peace.”

The Global President of St Charles Old Boys Association, Tade Adekunle, who read a poem written by a Senior Secondary School Two student of the school, described Lagabaja as an immortal hero.

He said, “The immortal hero, a militant heart, now still and cold. The nation mourns, both young and old. A warrior’s soul, a poet’s might. On the field of faith, you shone so bright.

“With every piece of bread, you shield our motherland. Leading brave men with a steadfast hand, both now empty. Blade of honour now laid down.

“Its cannon’s cry extinguished, yet legend remains. A warrior’s pulse now stilled in time. On the altar of freedom, you laid your life, your sacrifice, our beacon of hope.”

In a statement, President Bola Tinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to the late army chief’s family and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Born on February 28, 1968, Lt Gen Lagbaja served as Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months, following his appointment by Tinubu in June 2023.

His distinguished military career began in 1987 at the Nigerian Defence Academy, and he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps on September 19, 1992.

Throughout his service, Lagbaja commanded operations that were vital to national security, including Operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the South East, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger states.

An alumnus of the United States Army War College, he held a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, underscoring his commitment to military excellence and leadership.

Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.

Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned till November 27, 2024, the arraignment of the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

He is facing trial in the fresh 16 charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Bello, and two others – Shuabu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are facing prosecution bordering on criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy to commit an offence to the tune of N110.4bn.

EFCC counsel, Jamiu Agoro, at the resumed hearing, asked the court for an adjournment to enable Bello to be present in court for his arraignment, since the order of the court given on October 3 had not elapsed.

According to the prosecution, the 30-day window issued by the court was still running for the summons earlier issued.

Recall that the court had issued a public summon for Bello to appear before it to answer the 16 new charges pending against him.

Justice Anenih issued the summons after the EFCC filed an application claiming inability to serve Bello with the charge filed on September 24.

Justice Anenih, in a ruling, ordered the EFCC to publish the public summons in a widely circulating newspaper.

She also ordered the EFCC to paste copies of the public summons on Bello’s last known address and in conspicuous places on the court premises.

While Agoro prayed to the court for an extension of time for Bello to appear in court for his scheduled arraignment, he also craved the indulgence of the court to grant an order to paste a hearing notice at his residence.

Agoro said “I will humbly pray to your lordship for the extension of time for the first defendant who is supposed to appear before your lordship to be in court.

“We feel it will not be appropriate for us to take proceedings while the 30 days is still running.

“My Lord, I also want to pray that in the event that your lordship is magnanimous to grant this request the court approves the same to paste a hearing order at the last known address of the first defendant.

“The last known address of the first defendant is No 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4. My Lord, that is our humble application.”

Meanwhile, Bello’s co-defendants (Oricha and Hudu) were granted administrative bail by the anti-graft agency.

Counsel for the second defendant, Aliyu Saiki (SAN), who confirmed that his client had been granted administrative bail by the prosecution, said he had no objection to the application for adjournment.

The third defendant’s counsel, Z. E. Abass, was in compliance with Saiki’s submission.

They also prayed the court to continue to allow their clients to enjoy the administrative bail granted them.

The prosecution counsel afterwards, prayed the court for an adjournment.

He informed the court that a discussion had been had with the defence team and they had agreed to come back on the 27th day of November 2024.

He also said the 20th of November date earlier given was not convenient for him.

After listening to all the parties, the judge granted EFCC’s application for adjournment.

She also granted the request to paste the hearing notice at his residence.

The trial judge adjourned the case to November 27 for arraignment.

She said “I have considered the application for adjournment by the complainant and issuance of hearing notice and the submission by the second and third defendants. The application is granted.”

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday, ordered the freezing of all state bank accounts with immediate effect, until further notice.

The governor warned commercial banks, heads of ministries, departments and agencies to comply with the order freezing the account immediately without delay.

The governor also asked the Commissioner of Police to halt the violent cult clashes in the state in 48 hours.

These were disclosed in statements by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, on Thursday.

In one of the statements, the governor warned that anyone, including heads of MDAs and civil servants who flouted the order on the accounts would be severely punished.

He said, “All bank accounts in all the commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with the order and ensure that not a dime is taken out of the confers of government until there is further notice.

“Heads of ministries, departments and agencies must comply with this order and ensure that there is a full compliance without any further delays.

“After the necessary investigations and reconciliations, the governor will do the needful and decide on the way forward. For now, this order stands.”

The governor asked the relevant government agencies to reverse the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the Ministry of Works.

Okpebholo said since no bridges or good roads were constructed by the administration of Godwin Obaseki, it was, therefore, absurd to maintain such a name.

He ordered relevant government agencies to implement the new order and immediately reflect the new name.

“It is funny how you can call a government institution the Ministry of Roads and Bridges. Ironically, no single bridge was built by the same administration. Not even a pedestrian bridge.

“In the coming days, we will look at more actions taken by the previous administration and more decisions will be taken that will be done in the best interest of the state.”

On the cult clashes, the governor asked the police commissioner to instruct his officers and men across the various formations to immediately swing into action and halt the unnecessary bloodbath.

The statement read, “As the governor of Edo State, cultism cannot be allowed here.

We must end it very fast too.

“I have ordered the Commissioner of Police to halt the madness within 48 hours. All those involved in the killings should be stopped.

“Some associations that are causing trouble in the state, especially in Benin City, cannot be allowed to operate.

“They all remain banned, and the commissioner of police must ensure that his men carry out this instruction by giving teeth to this ban.

“Edo must be safe. That was one of my key priorities during the campaigns and I plan to ensure that we restore it at all costs. We will not fold our arms and allow them to create unnecessary tension.”

Speaking late night on Wednesday, the governor said his traducers tried hard to pull him down but God gave him victory at the September 21 governorship election.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service at the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, he also recounted how he found a dead bat on his bed hours before he was declared the winner of the election.

He urged Nigerians to trust in God alone, irrespective of their challenges in life.

In his words, “I want to thank God. In this last election, while I was praising God, they (traducers) were busy operating from Arise. They were busy operating from Facebook. They were busy operating from Channels.

“But, I took the battle to God because I know the secret. A few days before the election, they said this guy (Okpebholo) was crazy when we gathered to praise God in this state.

“They asked, ‘What is he doing?’ They were there at Arise. But, I was listening to the voice of God and I won the battle.”

He said after the election on Sunday morning, he came to his room and met a dead bat on his bed.

“After the election on Sunday morning, I came to my room. I met a dead bat on my bed, without me shooting any arrow. But, the spirit of God was there. The arrow of God; the hand of God delivered me.

“I am grateful to the men of God that stood in the gap. I am grateful to those who believe that with God, all things are possible. And I will advise you to trust in God alone because he will do it for you,” Okpebholo said.

The governor disclosed that he did not consult any native doctor, or prophet or visit any native doctor to seek help throughout the electioneering period.

The thanksgiving worship service had in attendance prominent politicians and clergymen, among others.