₦airaland Forum

nabegibeg:
lock him up

The Ogun State police command on Monday said that its Igbeba Division, Ijebu-Ode, arrested one Shedrack Olawale Olayemi, who had been on the police wanted list for armed robbery and alleged rape of some female students of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, in July.

The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists on Monday.

Odutola said that Olayemi was picked up after an intelligence report revealed that the 33-year-old alleged armed robber and rapist was sighted at the university area, Ijagun, where he has been trying to conceal his identity.

The statement said, “The divisional police officer of Igbeba Division has arrested a wanted notorious suspect for armed robbery.

Following a tip-off, that one Olayemi Olawale Shedrack, aged 33 was sighted in Ijagun, trying to conceal himself among other citizens, but his identity was immediately confirmed by intelligence, and the police were contacted. In swift action, he was apprehended.

“Olayemi Olawale Shedrack has been on the police search for armed robbery and rape. He was fingered as the prime suspect for an alleged crime of armed robbery and rape in which he participated actively on the 21st of July, 2024, where he and his cohort broke into a female Royal Villa accommodation area in Tai University of Education Ijagun, where he robbed harmless female students of their luxury educational devices, including laptops, iPhones, sports wristwatches and cash, and further had unlawful carnal knowledge of the innocent female student and has since fled.”

The police said that a preliminary investigation has commenced, and the suspect has been immediately taken to the Igbeba police station for interrogation and will soon be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation and prosecution.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Alamutu Abiodun Mustapha, has directed that Olayemi’s cohorts be arrested with further appeal to the host of the Ijagun community to volunteer credible information to assist the police in tracking down other members of this criminal gang.

[center]The Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress factions on Sunday rejected the conduct and outcome of the local government election, stating that no election was held in the state on Saturday.

The Rivers PDP loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, described the poll as an exercise in futility, vowing to challenge it in court.

The Wike camp said this as the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, swore in the newly elected council chairmen of the 23 local government areas of the state.

The exercise was held on Sunday at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, hours after the chairmen were issued certificates of return by the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Adolphus Enebeli.

The Saturday council election, which was marred by explosions and gunfire, was won by the Action Peoples Party which secured 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance candidate won one seat.

The APP also won 314 out of the 319 councillorship seats in the 23 LGAs in the state.

The exercise was complicated by the ongoing power struggle between the Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.

After losing control of the PDP to Wike, Fubara’s supporters switched to the APP, securing chairmanship positions in their local government areas.

PDP challenges poll

Speaking to The PUNCH hours after the election winners were sworn in, the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kenneth Yowika, said the party would challenge the conduct of the poll in court.

‘’We are pressing further through the courts to ensure that justice is done and seen to have been done. So, we do not agree nor do we recognize if any swearing-in is taking place today (Sunday) or tomorrow (Monday),” he asserted.

Yowika said from the beginning, the ruling party in the state had insisted on the Federal High Court judgment barring the conduct of the council poll, pointing out that what the state government did was illegal.

Yowika said, “First of all everything concerning that issue is illegal. We have said it clearly that elections should not be held, you know, relying on the Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu.


“And I had said before this time that any action taken regarding the issue of the local government will be futile because if we say we are a country that stands by the rule of law, then we should not be doing things that are contrary to the law.

“The law had said do things that will be in line with the judgment of the Federal High Court and the Government of the day has not obeyed that.

“So, we are a law-abiding party. We are not going to come out physically to begin to fight. We had a protest yesterday (Saturday) clearly showing that there was no election.

“And we stand by that decision that we have taken that there was no election, and we wait for the judiciary and other arms of government that should put things in proper perspective to act. We continue to hold on that there was no election.”

Continuing, he said, “We visited the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission yesterday and clearly, the world saw that there was no election there. So, we stand by the ruling of the Federal High Court which said that that election should not go on.

“Well, they went ahead to do whatever charade people saw and that is not acceptable by the Peoples Democratic Party. Like we said we are a law-abiding party, and we stand to remain that.”

Similarly, Chibuike Ikenga, Publicity Secretary of the Chief Tony Okocha-led APC insisted on the Federal High Court judgment which restrained the state government from conducting the poll.


Ikenga also said the swearing-in of the election winners ‘is neither here nor there,’ saying the party is pressing further through with the law.

“As a party, we insist on obeying the decisions of the Federal High Court under Justice Peter Lifu. And that is the reason why we did not acknowledge that any election ever took place. But the government is known for disobedience of court order went ahead. So, they are on their own.

“Our position is that you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand. So, whether anybody has been sworn in or not is secondary, we are not aware and we are not interested in whether it is taking place today (Sunday) or tomorrow (Monday).

“We are pressing further through the courts to ensure that justice is done and seen to have been done. So, we do not agree nor do we recognize if any swearing-in is taking place today or tomorrow,’’ he stated.

Asked if the party will return to the court based on the latest developments, he said, ‘’The state government already took the matter to the Court of Appeal where they asked for a stay and the stay was refused. So, the matter is on at the Court of Appeal.”

However, the APC loyal to the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the election, saying it would not contest the outcome.

Chizi Enyi, who is the Chief of Staff to the APC Chairman, Emeka Beke, said the party did not lose out because it won a councillor slot.


“The APC won the council slot. We are satisfied with the election held. Our biggest worry was those who said the election should not be held. So, we accept the outcome and we will not litigate it,” he said.

The Rivers State Commissioner for Environment and immediate past Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Sydney Gbara, also expressed satisfaction with the election, describing it as the freest and fairest election in the history of the state.

Gbara said, “Yes, I’m very satisfied and I can tell you that this is the freest and fairest and most peaceful election that has been conducted in Rivers State so far. The most striking thing about the election is that there was no police security yet everywhere was peaceful. That is the most interesting thing about the election.

“This is the best election that Rivers people came all out to participate in because they know that their future depends on yesterday’s election.”

Asked why he was excited even though his party did not win any slot, he said the interest of the state is paramount.

Gbara stated, “It is unfortunate that my party withdrew from the contest but as a Rivers man, the interest of the state supersedes any other interest, any personal or individual or group interest.

“For me, it is a step of liberation for the Rivers people and it is a day we have all been waiting for.”

Addressing the election winners, Fubara said the state has now entered into a season of transformation where democracy would not only thrive but the people shall witness the delivery of democratic dividends that satisfy their aspirations.

He acknowledged with great delight the support of Rivers people in the fight to salvage the local government system, according to him, ‘’it was at the precipice of doom because of the activities of some distractive political forces that wanted a grip on it.’’

He said that the pressure to destroy the LG system in Rivers State became intense three days before Election Day when an attempt was made to invade the RSIEC Headquarters.

The governor said, “But the truth remains, desperate situations require desperate measures. We were confronted with a situation where the local governments of this state was heading for doom.

“And the truth about it is, because of the genuine love that we have for this state, we must salvage the local government election. And what we did, with the support of Rivers people, was to salvage the local government council. And to the glory of God, that has been done and dusted.”

Fubara said with the elections now over, his administration would not engage in undemocratic action to confront or fight anybody.

Rather, he promised to deploy peaceful means to protect the state’s assets.


He added, “We will assure the Federal Government that we are not going to be a party to anything leading to the breakdown of law and order in this state. This is because we know quite alright that if there is a breakdown of law and order in this state, Nigeria will suffer, and we are not going to be party to it. That is the reason why our standard, in terms of maturity, was high.”

Gov admonishes chairmen

Fubara admonished the new chairmen to remain connected with the people in their council areas.

He urged them to emulate his approach to peace by being patient with the people and resolving every situation amicably.

He added, “For the newly sworn-in chairmen, I want you to see yourselves as servants. Once you see yourself as an emperor, that is where the problem begins. Once you see yourself as the one who knows it all because of the power of the fund available to you, that is where you will start seeing crisis.

“But see this opportunity as a call to service. It is an opportunity for you to bring people together and to deliver to the people of Rivers State. We need development in the 23 local government areas.”

The governor observed that his administration had provided certain critical infrastructure and other levels of development, but added that more needed to be done.


And the truth about it is, because of the genuine love that we have for this state, we must salvage the local government election. And what we did, with the support of Rivers people, was to salvage the local government council. And to the glory of God, that has been done and dusted.”

Fubara said with the elections now over, his administration would not engage in undemocratic action to confront or fight anybody.

Rather, he promised to deploy peaceful means to protect the state’s assets.

He added, “We will assure the Federal Government that we are not going to be a party to anything leading to the breakdown of law and order in this state. This is because we know quite alright that if there is a breakdown of law and order in this state, Nigeria will suffer, and we are not going to be party to it. That is the reason why our standard, in terms of maturity, was high.”

Gov admonishes chairmen

Fubara admonished the new chairmen to remain connected with the people in their council areas.

He urged them to emulate his approach to peace by being patient with the people and resolving every situation amicably.

He added, “For the newly sworn-in chairmen, I want you to see yourselves as servants. Once you see yourself as an emperor, that is where the problem begins. Once you see yourself as the one who knows it all because of the power of the fund available to you, that is where you will start seeing crisis.

“But see this opportunity as a call to service. It is an opportunity for you to bring people together and to deliver to the people of Rivers State. We need development in the 23 local government areas.”

The governor observed that his administration had provided certain critical infrastructure and other levels of development, but added that more needed to be done.

Handing down leadership tips to the new council leaders, he stated, “Represent them well. Work for the betterment of your local government, and ensure that you are a servant leader. Open your doors, embrace everyone, and I assure you, that nothing is bigger and greater than that.

“That is the structure. When you work for the people, when you bring them in, when you help them, there is nothing bigger than that. So, that will be the ingredient of this administration.”

Fubara said he is aware that his detractors were mobilising 20 people per political unit to attack the council chairmen when they reported to their various council secretariats on Monday.

He, however, advised them not to confront their adversaries or fight them.

He said, “I’m aware that they are mobilising 20 people per unit to go and confront you tomorrow when you resume in your local government headquarters. Please if they are coming with violence, avoid them.

“The peace of this state is too important to us. Everybody knows what they are planning but please I want to beg everyone to follow my approach.

“At the right time, you will always win if you are patient and calculative. We have made our promises to our people. We are going to lead them to the promised land.”

Fubara also said that his administration had promised Rivers people that he would lead them to ‘the Promised Land of greater development in an egalitarian society where everybody is equal.’

The governor urged the grassroots leaders to key into that commitment, which he said, would help them to work with so much enthusiasm as if the government would end the next day.

He warned them against greed and the urge to amass wealth indiscriminately.

He added, “You must ensure that this opportunity God has given you at this critical time is protected. Don’t fail Him. Don’t fail these elders that have come here to witness this ceremony.

“We want this to be a landmark. This is the beginning of a new Rivers State, and I am going to make sure that I supervise it with all that I have.

“I will follow up with whatever is happening in the 23 local governments with everything because I believe this is not a time for me to make any mistake.”

While expressing gratitude to God, Fubara appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his democratic approach and support for his administration.

So, on behalf of the good people of Rivers State, I want to thank him (President Tinubu). I am so glad that the Chairman of the Governor’s Forum of PDP, and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, is here with us to witness the ceremony. I want to assure you that I remain a member of PDP,” the governor stated.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has faulted a media report (not The PUNCH) suggesting that his first daughter, Mrs Helen Obareki, has been appointed as the First Lady of the state.

The PUNCH reports that Mrs Patience Umo Eno, wife of the governor, died at a hospital on September 26, 2024, surrounded by family members.

During a condolence visit by the Wife of the President, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, the governor said his daughter, as the Special Assistant to his late wife, was in the right position to coordinate the Office of the First Lady.

Speaking at the All Nations Christian Ministry Intl, Eket, on Sunday, the governor described the move for his daughter coordinating the office as a gesture that came more out of a natural outcome, than a product of political expediency.

He stated that asking her to coordinate the office would bring healing to the family, keep the office running, and serve as one of the ways he would find comfort.

He stressed that First Ladies were not appointed, adding that in the face of the sad situation of the demise of his wife, it was not only proper but also comforting and assuring for the daughter, who had been her closest assistant, to coordinate the lofty programmes of the office.

Eno said priority attention would be given to his wife’s pet project, “Golden Initiative For All,” and other support programmes for the women, elderly, vulnerable, and the less privileged, adding that the activities could only be sustained with Mrs Obareki as coordinator due to her experience, exposure, education and access.


“Please listen to me and listen well, First Ladies are not appointed, they come with the governor. I made a statement, and I would like to repeat that statement for the avoidance of doubt.

“Our daughter, Mrs. Helen Obareki, will coordinate the office of the First Lady. She had been with the mother from the beginning, and you heard the First Lady of the Nation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, say ‘The mother introduced her to me’.

“So appointing her as the coordinator is not an appointment of a First Lady. You don’t appoint a First Lady.

So, by appointment, she is a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor and the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady. This is not political, it is natural.

“All I pray for is support and wisdom for her to be able to ensure that none of those programmes will die and that she will bring more insight and innovation to the office,” he said.

He said he decided to bring healing to the family and allow the smooth running of the office.

“The only reason I brought this up again is for clarification, that I am conscious of what I am doing, and it is to bring healing to the family and allow the office to keep running. That’s one of the ways I will be comforted,” the governor said.

Speaking further, Eno said, “Even when Jesus died, Peter said ‘Choose from amongst us those that were with Jesus’. So, for me, the Office of the First Lady has responsibilities to the women of this state, and my wife had programmes she was running: the GIFA, the support for the elderly and the other programmes, and as long as I remain governor, those programmes will not die.

“There must be a coordinator, and it must be someone that I see daily, someone that can walk into my room and brief me, not a distant person.”

He reaffirmed his gratitude to Mrs Tinubu and her entourage of some of Nigeria’s renowned women for their visit which he described as timely.

He also thanked her for acknowledging the appointment of Obareki to run the late mother’s office as apt.

The governor appreciated the church for the consolation messages and charged them to be consoled in the word of God.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested 44 suspected internet fraudsters in Enugu and Anambra states.

The arrests were made on September 28 and 29, 2024, following credible intelligence linking the suspects to online criminal activities.

According to a statement issued by the EFCC on their X page, the suspects were apprehended at various locations in Enugu and Anambra states during the early hours of Saturday and Sunday.

The statement reads “Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested Forty-four (44) suspected internet fraudsters at different locations of Enugu and Anambra States.

“They were arrested in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29, 2024 following actionable intelligence linking them to suspected online criminal activities.”

The commission’s investigation revealed that the suspects utilized social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, to defraud unsuspecting victims. Some suspects also employed fake identities to engage foreign nationals in romantic affairs with the intention of defrauding them, while others were found with fraudulent documents on their devices.

The EFCC recovered several items from the suspects, including laptops and sophisticated mobile phones.

The statement concluded that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations.