Former Governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, yesterday, chided the erstwhile governor of Osun State, Bisi Akande, over a claim that he (Ladoja) had information on how the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Bola Ige, was assassinated.

It would be recalled that Akande had, in an interview conducted by Edmund Obilo, alleged that Ladoja had information on Ige’s assassination and that the former Oyo governor withdrew the murder case from the court.

Akande said: “I was the Chief Security Officer of Osun State at the time, not Oyo State. Lam Adesina, who was the Chief Security Officer of Oyo State, withdrew the case from the court. He might be able to tell you more. I believe he has more information on Bola Ige’s death.”

But Ladoja, while addressing the media in Ibadan, said Akande lied against him and that he did not at any time withdraw the murder case of Ige from the court while he was governor as claimed by Akande.

He, therefore, urged Akande to either withdraw the statement or be ready to face legal options. Ladoja said: “All options are open, including legal action, except the statement is withdrawn. I now understand why the likes of Chief Ayo Adebanjo and others said the books written by Akande are full of lies and distortions.

“I did nothing to harm the course of justice in the assassination case of Bola Ige. I gave all necessary support to the prosecution of the case even till the apex court.

“Chief Bola Ige was assassinated on December 23, 2001. I got to the office on May 29, 2003, which was 18 months after the assassination of Bola Ige.

“We are not all happy as a result of Bola Ige’s death, and we are all concerned about his death, I was very close to Ige while alive.”

The Police Service Commission has denied issuing a directive for the immediate retirement of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

On Friday, the commission ordered officers over 60 years old or have served for more than 35 years to proceed with immediate retirement.

This directive came amid controversies surrounding the IG’s tenure, as he turned 60 last year.

Despite clarifications from both the police and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, concerns over the IG’s tenure have persisted.

In a statement on Monday, the PSC’s Head of Media, Ikechukwu Ani, clarified that the IG was not included in the commission’s directive, adding that the commission has no authority over Egbetokun.

He said, “The PSC has been inundated with calls, messages, and reports on the status of the IG following the commission’s decision, directing all serving police officers who have served for 35 years or have attained the age of 60 years to proceed on immediate retirement, in line with the nation’s existing laws.

“The commission wishes to state that it does not have the constitutional powers to determine the appointment or exit of the Inspector-General of Police.

“The Police Service Commission is one of the Federal Executive Bodies established under Section 153(m) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. By virtue of Paragraph 30, Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution and Clause 6(1) of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001, the commission is charged with the responsibilities of appointment, promotion, dismissal, and exercising disciplinary control over persons holding offices in the Nigeria Police Force (except the Inspector-General of Police).”

Ani explained that the IG is a presidential appointee, chosen based on the advice of the Police Council.

He said, “The law is clear on the mandate of the commission, and it does not extend to the Inspector-General of Police, who is an appointee of the President, with the advice of the Police Council.

“The commission at its 1st extraordinary meeting of the 6th management board on Friday, January 31, 2025, only considered and made a decision on the regularisation of the date of first appointment of CADET ASPs/Inspector Force Entrants. This has nothing to do with the Inspector-General of Police or his office.

“The commission wishes to state that it is comfortable with the size of the powers bestowed upon it by the constitution and is not interested in seeking additional powers that are not backed by law.

“It notes that it has maintained a close and complementary working relationship with the Inspector-General of Police in the overall interest of the Nigeria Police Force.”

A Nigerian woman based in the United States, Abayomi Whint, has been sworn in as a judge for the Kings County New York Civil Court.

The announcement was made through a video posted on her Instagram page on January 23, 2025, titled, “Welcome to the bench, Your Honour!”

Whint was one of eight candidates elected as judges in Brooklyn during the November 2024 elections having been nominated by Brooklyn district leaders.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at Brooklyn Law School, where she took the oath of office in the presence of her family and friends, who celebrated the moment dressed in white and green.

In her oath, she pledged, “…to discharge the duties of the office of judge for the Kings County New York Civil Court, according to the best of my ability. So, help me God.”

With over two decades of experience in the public sector, Whint has built a career as a litigator, certified mediator, and arbitrator specialising in conflict resolution.

Beyond her legal expertise, she has contributed to organisational leadership, promoting inclusivity, team building and restorative justice practices. As a Restorative Circle Keeper, she has been instrumental in fostering fair dispute resolution.

The Nigerian Consul General, Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, and his wife hosted a banquet at the Nigerian Embassy in New York in her honour.

She is an experienced litigator, certified mediator, and arbitrator who specialises in conflict resolution.