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Niger tanker explosion: HoR Minority Caucus commiserates with families of victims, demands probe
… punitive measures against perpetrators
… legislative action to forestall future occurrences
Pained by the unnecessary loss of lives after a fuel tanker exploded in Niger State, the HoR Minority Caucus has demanded for an investigation and legislative action to forestall future occurrences.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Minority Caucus leaders, Rep Kingsley Chinda, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Isa J. C Minority Whip,, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki Deputy Minority Leader ,Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi Deputy Minority Whip.
Peeved by this ugly development, the Caucus noted: “that poverty is truly ravaging the people, these avoidable deaths should not be condoned.
“Therefore, we call for the investigation and punishment of all those found culpable just as we also call for a legislative solution to the incessant incidents of petrol tanker accidents in Nigeria.
In the statement it was further stated that: “Following the tragic and horrific death of about 90 people and injuries to many more that occured last weekend at Dikko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna highway in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger state due to fire from a fuel tanker’s explosion, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives commiserates with families of the victims, and prays for the quick recovery of those wounded. The Caucus also expresses its deepest condolences to the government and people of Niger State over the unfortunate incident.
“The Caucus is extremely sad and tearfully heartbroken that while some citizens paid the ultimate price, many others sustained varying degrees of injuries, including colossal loss of properties due to negligence as the tanker, which was laden with Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as Petrol, lost control and caught fire.
“This heart-rending incident is shocking, saddening, and painful.
“Conscious of the frequency of tanker explosions across the country, which has damaging psychological effects on our people, the environment, and the economy, the Caucus calls for appropriate punitive measures against violators of transportation safety regulations.
“In addition to that, we call on the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), and other relevant government agencies to intensify, and improve traffic management of tankers, trucks, and other haulage vehicles on the highway in other to avert or minimise the occurrences of these kinds of catastrophic mishaps to the barest minimum.
“As we all grieve over the sad incident, which is becoming worrisome and alarming across the country, the Caucus appeals for total and comprehensive collaboration among all medical institutions towards the speedy recovery of Nigerians who sustained injuries during this tanker explosion.
“Finally, while the Caucus notes that poverty is truly ravaging the people, these avoidable deaths should not be condoned. Therefore, we call for the investigation and punishment of all those found culpable just as we also call for a legislative solution to the incessant incidents of petrol tanker accidents in Nigeria.
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.
The Chairman of Ward 1 of the Labour Party (LP) in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Okasime Olowojoba, has been kidnapped while traveling along the Auchi-Benin-Ibillo Road.
The incident occurred on Saturday near Sasaro, a location notorious for frequent cases of abduction. Olowojoba, who also works as a realtor, was reportedly returning to Igarra after visiting Auchi to pick up his children following their holiday break.
According to reports, the assailants initially seized everyone in the vehicle — Olowojoba, his children, and a house help — but later freed the children and the domestic aide, taking only Olowojoba deep into the forest.
A family member speaking with Vanguard on Monday revealed that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N50 million for his release.
The source explained, “Valentine Okasime Olowojoba was returning with his children when he was ambushed and kidnapped around Sasaro. The lack of network service throughout Saturday delayed any contact with the kidnappers until Sunday afternoon.”
“The attackers abandoned the vehicle at the scene and took him away. His brother later confirmed that a N50 million ransom has been demanded. We also heard reports of additional abductions in the same area on Sunday,” the source added.
Efforts to reach the Edo State Police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered.
Vanguard
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a N1 billion suit instituted against former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele over the hardships that trailed the 2023 Naira redesign policy.
The judge threw out the suit instituted by an Abuja based legal practitioner, Uthman Isa Tochukwu on the grounds of lack of diligent prosecution of the case.
In a ruling on Monday, Justice Ekwo said that he was convinced that the plaintiff had deliberately abandoned his own case due to his persistent absence in court without legal representation and any explanation.
The plaintiff in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/418/2023 had dragged the former President, Attorney General of the Federation, former governor of the CBN, CBN and two commercial banks before the court claiming that they inflicted series of hardships on him during the redesign of the Naira.
In the suit filed on his behalf by his counsel, Bala Dakum, the plaintiff alleged that his fundamental rights to freedom of movement and dignity of his person were violently breached.
Specifically, the legal practitioner claimed his movement was curtailed while his money in the two commercial banks could not be assessed during the hardship occasioned by the redesign of the Naira in January and March 2023.
He therefore prayed the court to award N1 billion damages against the defendants to be paid to him for the breach of his fundamental rights.
However, at Monday’s proceedings, both the plaintiff and his counsel were not in court and did not offer any excuse for their absence.
Counsel to the 3rd and 4th defendants (Emefiele and CBN) Mr Chikelue Amasiani drew the attention of Justice Ekwo to the persistent absence of the plaintiff and his counsel in court during past proceedings.
He prayed the judge to strike out the suit and that the plaintiff can come back to revive the case when ready to show seriousness.
In a brief ruling, Justice Ekwo agreed with the lawyer and struck out the suit.
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