News
Oyo govt files 18-count charge against Ooni’s ex-wife, Oriyomi Hamzat over stampede
The Oyo State Government has filed an 18-count charge, including manslaughter, against Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, the CEO of Agidigbo FM; and Fasasi Abdullahi, the principal of Islamic High School. The charges stem from a tragic stampede at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan that resulted in the deaths of 35 children.
The suspects are currently in detention, with the state alleging their failure to ensure adequate security and medical provisions at the event. At the Oyo State High Court on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the defence team appealed for bail, arguing their clients posed no flight risk and had cooperated fully with the investigation.
Counsel for the defendants argued that their detention was unconstitutional, citing procedural flaws and the illegitimacy of the “holding charge” used to remand them. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adekunle Sobaloju, representing Oriyomi Hamzat, stated that the holding charge is not recognised under Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). He urged the court to grant bail, emphasising that detaining the accused without proper arraignment violated their rights.
“We filed an application for bail, and the court has reserved its ruling for January 13. The continued detention of the defendants on a holding charge is legally unfounded,” Sobaloju told journalists after the court session.
The state’s Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, opposed the bail applications, emphasising the seriousness of the charges and the need for justice for the victims. He dismissed allegations of persecution as baseless and insisted that the defence had not provided compelling reasons for their release.
Initially, the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan filed charges of conspiracy, culpable homicide, negligence, and failure to ensure safety against the trio. However, the matter was later transferred to the state high court for proper jurisdiction.
Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, who presided over the earlier proceedings, declined to take the defendants’ pleas, directing that the case be escalated to the appropriate court.
Justice K.B. Olawoyin has reserved judgment on the bail applications, which will be delivered on Monday, January 13, 2025. The case remains a significant legal battle, with both prosecution and defence presenting compelling arguments about procedural rights and justice for the victims.
…call for stronger global cooperation against terrorism
By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government has strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives in South Kashmir’s Pahalgam area of India.
In a official statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government expressed deep sadness over the attack, which reportedly targeted mostly tourists and left several others wounded.
The statement reads in part: “Nigeria, having faced similar challenges, understands the devastating impact of such acts of violence and reiterates its call for enhanced global cooperation to combat terrorism and extremism”.
The government described terrorism as a “global menace” that must be addressed through collective international effort.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of India as they recover from this tragedy, and we stand united in the shared pursuit of peace, stability, and justice worldwide,” the statement added.
News
Ex-DIG,Olofu debunks online newspaper report, says ” I retired from NPF meritously after 35yrs service
Ex-Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Rhoda Adetutu Olofu has denied an online newspaper report declaring that the information published are mere fabrications.
The former DIG, in a statement she personally signed noted that:
“My attention has just been drawn to a publication dated April 26, 2025, by an online publication, *Sahara Reporters.*
“The said report purports than I was “discharged” from the police “over allegations of age falsification and violation of service rules.”
“A number of my colleagues who equally retired from the Nigeria Police Force, (NPF), were also listed in the same report. Nothing can be farther from the truth than this baseless concoction which attempts to stand gospel truth and reality on its head.
“To put things in correct perspective, I joined the Nigeria Police on March 3, 1990. I was barely 25 years of age at the time. I had indeed graduated with honours from the University of Ilorin in 1986, just about the time of my 21st birthday. I trained at the prestigious Police academy Kaduna.
“I served the Nigeria police force in various capacities. Notably: Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Establishment, Office of the Force Secretary; Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCP), Investment, Logistics and Supply Department as well as DCP, Administration, Training and Development.
” Similarly, I was DCP, Research and Planning; Commissioner of Police, (CP), Servicom, Research and Planning; CP, X-Squad, Force Criminal Investigation Department, (FCID) and CP, Ports Authority Police Western Command, Lagos. I was also AIG, Maritime Police Command, Lagos. I was redeployed to the Force Headquarters August 28, 2024, as Force Secretary of the Nigeria and rose to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Force thereby becoming the first female Deputy Inspector-General of Police in the entire Northern Nigeria to the glory of God.
“I retired after attaining 35 years of service with unblemished record. As it stands, I am yet to attain the age of 60. Service rules requires that officers and personnel retire either upon the completion of 35 years or attainment of 60 years.
“For me, my 35th year in service preceded my 60th birthday. I retired contented, grateful to God for a career without blemish and thankful to the Nigeria Police for the opportunity to contribute my quota to national development. I was NEVER discharged from service as has been mischievously proffered.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has nabbed a renowned business executive and socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu.
Her legal team made this known in a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, her lawyer had reportedly told the Federal High Court in Abuja that she had already stated in her court documents that she would visit the EFCC today in connection with its ongoing investigation into an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered Achimugu to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to respond to allegations related to an ongoing investigation.
The court also directed that she must be present before it on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, to continue proceedings in the matter.
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