News
Senate probes NDLEA’s allegation against Senator Ashiru
The Senate on Tuesday constituted an ad-hoc committee to investigate drug distribution allegations by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) against Sen. Oyelola Ashiru.(APC-Kwara).
This followed the adoption of a point of order brought by Ashiru under Order 42 of Senate Standing Rules which entailed personal explanations.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee has Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe as Chairman.
Other members of the committee are: Senators Ede Dafinone, Afolabi Shaibu, Shehu Kaka and Lawal Usman.
The committee, which has one week to present its report, is to invite NDLEA to speak to the allegation and justify its claims against Ashiru.
President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, had, before announcing the composition of the committee, said Ashiru had actually approached him about the breach of his fundamental rights and privileges.
Akpabio, however, said whatever the NDLEA did was based on Ashiru’s submission, when he said that the integrity of NDLEA officials should be looked into.
He said it was surprising that NDLEA had never invited, arrested or charged Ashiru to court on any drug-related issue before now.
“If they felt you were a drug baron, they would have arrested you when you were 30, 50, 60, 65 years, not at the age of 68, when you made contributions on the floor of the senate on a bill to establish a drug rehabilitation centre.
“We in the senate see you as a gentleman to the core and we must take this issue seriously and call this agency to order because an injury to one is an injury to all.
“So it is my personal view that the senate invites NDLEA to come and justify the allegations, falling to do so, the senate will take very drastic action,” he said.
Earlier in his explanation, Ashiru said he had expressed his concern and contributions on the bill based on information from his constituency on the negative effects of drug consumption and trafficking.
He said one of his constituents had asserted that in the last two years, more than 50 persons had lost their sanity because of drugs.
The senator said there were visible drug barons who were making money from distribution of drugs.
He said that the increase in drug-related crime had resulted in his contribution, advising that the senate looked into the operation of NDLEA officials, especially on the allegations of corruption among them.
Ashiru said that he had also supported the establishment of an institute for awareness and rehabilitation of persons affected by drugs.
He said that he was presenting his personal observations in order to explain and clear himself of the insinuations that he was involved in drug distribution.
“I want to ascertain that in my life, I am 68 years old now, I cannot even identify cannabis or any drug.
“Beyond taking water, I don’t take alcohol; I don’t even take carbonated drinks, beyond taking water and other foods,” he said.
Ashiru said the basis for the debased publication against him could only be traced to his contributions at the plenary on a bill to establish a drug rehabilitation centre.
He said rather than NDLEA addressing the issues raised by the senate, it resorted to deceit.
The lawmaker further stated that the report was an attempt to infringe on the senate’s right to free debate on issues of national interest.
He said the resolve of the senate on the bill was that the menace of drug abuse should be frontally confronted, no matter the personality involved.
Ashiru described NDLEA’s allegations against him as unfounded and malicious.
He said it was an attempt to undermine his credibility as a senator and impede his ability to fully participate in parliamentary debates.
“For the protection of the senate, we must do something about it,” he said.
(NAN)
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, February 20, 2025, endorsed to two bills establishing the Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji in Osun State, and the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State.
He said these specialised institutions will address the educational needs of the populace while driving research and innovation and contributing to the country’s overall economic growth and development.
He said the institutions will serve as training grounds for developing agriculture, science and technology professionals and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global economy.
According to the National Universities Commission (NUC), Nigeria currently has 63 approved federal universities, 63 State universities, and 149 private universities.
On February 3, 2025, the president approved the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) in Ogoni town of Tai, Rivers State.
Tinubu also consented to the federal government’s takeover of a forfeited private university in Southern Kaduna and its transformation into a federal university.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that France was entering a “new era” and that he planned to tell US President Donald Trump he could not “be weak” with Vladimir Putin.
Macron spoke to the French ahead of a planned visit to the White House to meet Trump next week, as Europe scrambles to respond to his Ukraine war shift.
“I’m going to tell him: ‘You can’t be weak with President Putin. That’s not who you are, it’s not your trademark, it’s not in your interest’”, Macron said as he answered questions from the French public on social media.
Trump will meet in Washington with Macron on Monday and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday next week, the White House said.
Trump has sent shock waves around Europe by saying he is ready to resume diplomacy with Putin to end Russia’s three-year war against Ukraine, over the heads of European countries and Kyiv.
In recent days French officials have said the French public needed to understand the magnitude of the threat coming from the Kremlin.
Macron told reporters earlier this week: “Russia poses an existential threat to Europeans.”
On Thursday, the French president said that France needed to beef up security amid the shock policy shift in US-Russia relations.
I am convinced that we are entering a new era. It will impose choices on us,” Macron said. “We Europeans must increase our war effort.”
Macron stressed he did not plan to send troops to Ukraine “tomorrow” but indicated that France was considering providing security guarantees to Ukraine following a ceasefire deal with Russia.
“I have not decided to send troops to Ukraine tomorrow, no,” he said.
“What we are considering instead is sending forces to guarantee peace once it has been negotiated,” he said.
Speaking to AFP earlier Thursday, a French source familiar with the discussions said France was working with European countries to ensure security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire agreement.
Macron also said he planned to speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later Thursday.
AFP
…as bandits demand N100m ransom
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
An ex- presidential candidate, Eniola Ojajuni, has been reportedly shot and abducted by bandits in Abuja.
Mr Ojajuni was abducted from his vehicle on Monday, family sources revealed.
Mr Ojajuni was the presidential candidate of the defunct Alliance for Democracy, in 2019.
The politician was on his way to a meeting when he was attacked.
“The kidnappers have reached out to his (Mr Ojajuni) wife, demanding a ransom of N100 million,” said a source on Thursday.
The source also revealed that Mr Ojajuni, the national president of the Afenifere Youths Council, was shot in the buttocks during the attack.
“The Afenifere National Youths Council is deeply saddened to announce the kidnapping of its national president, Prince Eniola Joseph Ojajuni, in Abuja, Nigeria.
“During the kidnapping, Prince Ojajuni sustained a bullet wound on his buttock. We are deeply concerned about his safety and well-being, and we urge the kidnappers to release him unharmed,” the youth group said in a statement.
The FCT police command spokeswoman, Josephine Adeh, could not be immediately reached for a comment.
President Tinubu endorses bills establishing varsities in Osun, Ekiti
“I will advise Trump not to be weak with Putin – Macron
Insecurity! Ex-presidential Candidate Reportedy Shot, Abducted in Abuja
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News24 hours ago“You have no right to suspend CJ, NJC tells Benue govt, insisting Ikpambese remains
-
News14 hours agoWhy I dismembered student I met on Facebook – Kwara Cleric comfesses
-
News23 hours agoReinstated Osun APC LG Chairmen freeze council accounts
-
Politics23 hours ago
Osun APM declares Appeal Court verdict quashing APC’s appeal stands
-
News24 hours agoFG finally bans 60,000 litre fuel tankers from roads
-
News14 hours agoReps Launches Probe into Allegations Against USAID
-
News24 hours agoJust in: Tinubu announces fresh appointment
-
News24 hours agoReal Madrid hammer Man City 3-1 to hit champions league last 16