News

Court Orders Confessed Killer Adeleye’s Remand in Kirikiri

Published

3 months ago

September 27, 2024

By Mario Deepromoter

The Magistrate Court in Ogba, Lagos State, has ordered the remand of confessed killer Ayomide Adeleye in the Lagos Correctional Facility, Kirikiri, Alausa.

Seyi Omodara, presiding over Adeleye’s hearing on Thursday, made the decision after the state arraigned him for kidnapping and killing 21-year-old Christianah Idowu.

The police filed a two-count charge against Adeleye, accusing him of violating the Kidnapping Prohibition Law (2017) and the Criminal Law of Lagos (2015).

These charges read: “That you Ayomide Adeleye on the 19th day of August 2024, at about 5:10 pm, at No. 15, Ajumuti Street, Ita Oluwo, Ikorodu Street, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully lure Christianah Idowu into a shop in front of your father’s house, held her hostage and collected a ransom of N360,000 from the family [with the] pretence of releasing her and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 2 of the Kidnapping Prohibition Law (2017) of Lagos State, Nigeria.

“That you, Ayomide Adeleye on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Christianah Idowu and buried her in a shallow grave within your father’s compound and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 222 and punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015).”

Charge sheet seen by FIJ
Rita Ozobia, Idowu’s foster mother, appeared in court for the hearing in the company of her friends. She told the magistrate about her interaction with Adeleye, his ransom demand, and how she learnt he killed her daughter.

Omodara ordered that the police save Adeleye’s audio confession in CD format and duplicate his case file as they await the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

On condition of anonymity, a staff of the court who did not have authorisation to speak to the press told FIJ the matter will be transferred to a State High Court upon receipt of a positive advice from the DPP.

INVESTIGATION ONGOING
Meanwhile, the police said other than Idowu’s body they found bones when they visited Adeleye’s compound. They said they sent the bones for forensic examination, but found them to be animal bones.

Investigation, they say, is still ongoing to determine if he had help carrying out the crime, and if he was involved in other murders.

“He denied killing his sister,” a source in the police told FIJ.

“On social media, he claimed earlier that if he had done things differently, she may still be alive, but what he told investigators about it was that on the day she died, she wanted him to accompany him to an unknown location.

“He said he refused and went out for hours. When he returned home, he met her in a position that looked like she was asleep, but when he asked his younger ones, they said she stepped out for about 10 minutes, returned home and went unconscious. He said that was how she died.”

Adeleye has since confessed to killing Idowu, but he claims he did not premeditate killing her

News

Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day

Published

4 minutes ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.

Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.

This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.

News

Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget

Published

13 minutes ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.

This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.

During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”

The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.

Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:

Federal Medical Centre, Bida
Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
Federal College of Education, Yola
Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
Federal University of Technology, Minna
Cross River Basin Development Authority
Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
National Examination Council (NECO)
Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
Presidential Amnesty Programme
Galaxy Backbone
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals

Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.

The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.

News

Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability

Published

22 minutes ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called for the revitalization and strengthening of the National Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC) to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance across Nigeria.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, stated this at the joint sitting of Public Accounts Committees of Senate and House and inauguration of an Adhoc Committee for the reconvening of NAPAC at the National Assembly on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of collaboration among Public Accounts Committees at both federal and state levels.

Formed in 2014, NAPAC comprises 38 chapters nationwide, including the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and all 36 State Houses of Assembly, Rep. Salam noted that the Association has been dormant in recent years, necessitating urgent action to restore its relevance.

He stated, “This Association is a pivotal platform for promoting transparency and accountability in governance. However, in recent times, the Association’s activities have been dormant, necessitating the need for a quick revitalization.

“It is in this context that we are inaugurating this Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with the vital responsibility of reconvening the meeting of NAPAC.”

Salam outlined committee’s objectives, including reviving NAPAC’s activities, adopting innovative strategies to combat corruption, and collaborating with anti-corruption agencies, civil society, and the media.

He also stressed the importance of leveraging partnerships with continental and regional associations such as AFROPAC, WAPAC, and SADCOPAC for capacity building and knowledge sharing.

“The task ahead is daunting, but with collective effort, unwavering commitment, and an unshakeable faith in our nation’s potential, I am confident that we shall succeed,” he added.

In an interaction with journalists, thr Committee chairman, stressed plans to engage with the Auditor General of the Federation and Accountant General of the Federation to address delays in submitting reports on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“Of course, Nigerians should expect that we’re going to have more productivity, especially in consideration of the report of the Auditor General,” he said.

He noted that only the 2021 Auditor General’s report is currently before the National Assembly, a situation he described as inconsistent with constitutional provisions. Salam expressed the committee’s determination to ensure Nigeria catches up with the 2022 and 2023 reports by next year.

He added, “We’ll also be able to bring more of these agencies of government in line to ensure that all monies appropriated by the National Assembly are spent judiciously, efficiently, and in a lawful manner.”