The All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has made about 423.5 million naira in the sale of nomination forms for the November 6 2021 gubernatorial elections.
The opposition PDP pegged its expression of interest form at N1m, compliance form N5m and nomination form, N20m bringing the total amount paid by each of its 13 male aspirants at N26m.
When collated, the male aspirants paid N338m. The three female aspirants were exempted from the paying the N20m nomination fee.
They each paid N6m being the cost of expression of interest and compliance forms. The total amount paid by the women was N18m.
Aspirants who paid for and obtained the PDP forms include: Dr. Obiora Okonkwo; Senator Uche Ekwunife; Mr. Chris Azubuogu; Wintson Udeh; Valentine Ozigbo; Godwin Ezeemo and Emeka Atiaba (SAN).
Others include: Mrs. Genevieve; Chidi Onyemelekwe; Godwin Maduka; Ekwochi; Tony Nwoye; Ifedi Okwenna; Ugochukwu Uba; and Walter Okeke.
For the APC, only three aspirants have so far paid for and obtained the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms being sold for N22.5m. Put together, the APC has so far garnered N67m.
Those who have so far obtained the APC forms are: Senator Andy Uba, Dr. George Moghalu and an aspirant whose identity was yet to ascertained as at the time of filing this report.
While the sale of forms has ended in the PDP, that of the APC is still on sale.

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/11/anambra-2021-apc-pdp-make-423-5-million-naira-from-the-sale-of-forms/

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeen Odumosu has alleged a plot by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to attack the state.
He said that the plot will be thoroughly investigated and will foil it.
Odumosu made this known at the security summit held in Lagos which was organized on Monday, May 10.
He said: “The command has taken notice of agitators for Oodua Republic by some Yoruba separatist groups and the threats to disrupt law and order in the state.
Twenty four of these groups have been identified and are being closely monitored.
“Similarly, the threat of IPOB to attack soft targets in Lagos is equally being put on the radar of the command intelligence gathering and other security services in the state.
“Strategies are being put in place to neutralise their activities. The command is using this medium to solicit the support of all and sundry to be vigilant at all times and report any suspicious person or movement to security agencies. Let us adopt the slogan of ‘when you see something, say something.’”
In addition, Odumosu said intelligence reports revealed that most miscreants now use abandoned buildings as hideouts and in most cases, initiation camps, adding that most of the abandoned buildings were traced to family disputes.
But the leadership of the IPOB on Monday described the allegation as baseless, false and tribal, adding it was being hatched to cause division between two friendly and loving ‘nations’ (Igbo and Yoruba).
IPOB’s Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, stated this in a statement through its Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful.
The group said: “The public is hereby notified that the allegations that IPOB is plotting to attack Lagos is a lie.
“The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who made the allegation is a former Chief Security Officer to Bola Tinubu and their intention is to fuel division between the Yoruba and Biafrans; but, it won’t work. This is not 1967.”
Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/11/ipob-denies-plans-to-attack-lagos/

An ex National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has said that but for a courageous judiciary, he would have been a convict.
He reminisced on his days as a labour leader and recalled that he was frequently arrested for his activities in his fight for a better quality of life for workers.
He said this while hosting members of the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSON) in his office in Abuja at the weekend.
The diminutive former Edo State Governor has been invited by the students as guest speaker at their forthcoming National Conference on Rule of Law..
“I have been a beneficiary of very courageous judiciary. But for a courageous judiciary, I would have been a convict because in the course of my work as a trade union leader, when I stepped on the government redline, they deployed all the weapons, including the police, and arrested me countless times.
“They had me arraigned before magistrates and judges for all kinds of charges, like unlawful assembly and incitement. But each time they did that, I was always fortunate to appear before judges with courage.
“I have been defended by lawyers, who most of the time provided their knowledge of the law and intellectual sagacity to defend me from government after government.”
Oshiomhole, who was a former Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) president, also recalled that his decision to contest for the governorship seat of Edo State would have been truncated but for the judiciary.
He said: “I am a beneficiary of the rule of law that most Nigerians will remember. I was rigged out of the election in Edo State when I contested for governorship in 2007, but for a very courageous judiciary and the industry of very learned senior members of the bar.
“I think I am in history, the only person rigged out of election and courtesy of a courageous judiciary, I was declared the winner .
“All my life, I will be appreciative of the role of the judiciary in our society notwithstanding whatever criticism anybody may have. For me, I will say without fear or favour that I am a beneficiary of a courageous judiciary.”
Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/10/i-nearly-became-a-convict-oshiomhole/

A cross section of Nigerians have attacked the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina for his claim over an alleged plot by some Nigerians to pass a vote of no confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari due to the high level of insecurity in the country.
He wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday, ‘They Should Let Us Breathe,’ blamed the Senate, opposition party, religious leaders and civil society groups for the state of the nation, saying they should “please get their knees off the neck of Nigerians.”
He added, “Rather than team up with government and security agencies to find solutions, some past and present political leaders, disgruntled religious leaders, and ethnic champions are in cahoots, to exacerbate the situation.
“They are plotting to hold conferences, which would pass a vote of no confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari, a man they so much love to hate.”
Many Nigerians blasted the former SUN Managing Director turned Presidential Spokesman online and some of the comments read:
@holluremy, said, “It is the president and the presidency that should remove their legs from the neck of Nigeria and Nigerians. Go to the streets and find out how Nigerians feel about your government. Let the president hear the voices of the people that elected him. Stop the hypocrisy.”
Similarly, @solomonlaw20 asked, “Is the citizenry breathing?”
@Musayakubumust2 also said, “Speaking of the insecurity situation in the country, your boss appealed to terrorists to release students kidnapped for weeks. What a president we have!”
Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/09/adesina-attacked-over-alleged-plan-to-pass-vote-of-no-confidence-in-buhari/

There was widespread jubilation at the release of the remaining students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Kaduna. They were abducted for 56 days and they went through a harrowing experience while in bondage.
One of the released students narrated his experience while there and said: “The bandits need prayers. All that we have to do is to pray for them for God to touch their hearts. As for me, I have forgiven them for whatever we went through in their hands. The experience was hell.”
However, a female student called Sarah Sunday, recounting her ordeal in captivity said that they were subjected to inhumane conditions and were not allowed to wash themselves.
Sunday said, “A lot of things happened while we were there. We were subjected to hunger. We were subjected to trekking and all sorts of dehumanising experiences. We were insulted but thankfully, they did not molest or kill any of us. They only beat us on the first day when they did a video of us.”
Asked if they were fed at all, Sunday said, “The boys used to go and fetch water for us to cook. We cooked tuwo with miyan kuka, and tuwo with dry okra. We only cooked rice once, and we cooked spaghetti once too.”
When asked whether the abductors used to leave them to go out for other operations, Sarah said, “Yes, they used to go out, but they always left some of their armed members to stay with us.
“Even our male colleagues who used to go and fetch water were always escorted to the stream by gang members bearing AK-47 rifles.
“Our living condition in the jungle was very bad. We never had a bath. We were exposed to the rain. Athough there was a hut that we always ran to hide whenever it was raining, still there was no escaping the rain because the hut was poorly built. But we have forgiven our kidnappers. And we pray that God will give them the chance to change for the better.”
One Pamela Ibrahim said that the bandits disclosed that their grudge was geared towards the government and promised to put them through hell.
Ibrahim said, “Before they released us, the kidnappers told us that they didn’t have anything against us (students). They said they kidnapped us because they needed the government to settle things with them and that they also wanted to be educated like other Nigerians. They need work and houses too.
“They said if the government doesn’t settle with them, they would continue to make sure that Kaduna State is unsafe. They said they meant it. Some of them are Nigerians, others are foreigners. They spoke mainly Fulani (language) and Hausa.
“There was an old man among them who prevented others from harassing us and anytime he was not around, we were beaten and insulted.”
Ibrahim Hassan who was glad to see his daughter again said her eldest daughter’s wedding was just in a few days.
Hassan said, “I was confused; my life was miserable throughout the time my daughter was with the kidnappers. I only depended on God.
“When I heard that some of the students of Greenfield University were killed, I became sad thinking that I would never see my daughter again but when I learnt they had been released, my joy knew no bounds, especially as her elder sister’s wedding comes up in Zaria tomorrow (Saturday). It is double joy for me.”

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/08/we-did-not-have-our-bath-for-56-days-in-captivity-released-kaduna-students/

A team of security personnel killed a bandit in Kaduna State while several others escaped with gunshot wounds. This was confirmed by the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security & Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.
He said: “The bandits had earlier attacked a Fulani settlement belonging to a popular herder, Damina Kukumake, at Kukumake village
“The bandits who kidnapped some members of the herder’s family, also rustled several cattle and were making their escape when security agencies received a distress call.
“The security personnel comprising troops of the army and air force, as well as police operatives, made contact with the bandits as they attempted to cross the Kaduna-Zaria expressway.
“In the fierce gun duel, a notorious bandit, one Habu Bawale, was neutralized. Many other bandits escaped with bullet wounds.
“During the gunfight, the abducted hostages escaped and the rustled cattle scattered. After a check, the remaining cattle were recovered as some were confirmed to have been killed in the skirmish.
“Troops and police operatives are now combing the general area in a clearance operation.
“Governor Nasir El-Rufai who received the report, commended the troops and police operatives for the successful operation which foiled the bandits’ attack. He praised their spirited efforts in neutralizing one of the bandits, and enabling the escape of the kidnapped citizens.”
Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/08/troops-kill-one-bandit-in-kaduna/

Nollywood actor Uche Maduagwu has once again claimed that he is gay and nobody not even President Muhammadu Buhari can change that ‘fact.’
The Vent Republic recalls that he once claimed he was gay only for him to later back track that he was straight and that he lied of his sexual orientation simply because he wanted to identify with the persecuted gay community in Nigeria which cost him his relationship and acting roles.
He went as far as calling for the removal of Buhari either via resignation or impeachment since he cannot adequately guarantee the safety of the LGBTIQ community in Nigeria.
At this point The Vent Republic is confused as to his real sexual orientation and wonders why he tends to change his mind like the weather cock. Is he trying to subtly poke fun at the gay community? Why the frequent changing of mind? In all honesty he should stop this as this is not the right way to clout chase.

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/07/uche-maduagwu-backtracks-again-claims-he-is-gay/

Michael Jackson was a legend in his lifetime and even a bigger one in death as he sold more records after he passed on than he did in his entire lifetime. He was a very controversial figure known for his morbid love for the Caucasian race which made him do a plastic surgery to look white which later added to his plethora of challenges. One recurring decimal in his life was his alleged sexual molestation of male minors. This haunted him throughout his chequered life and saw him lose a vast fortune to court settlements. It was only by a hair’s breadth that he avoided any form of conviction.
Popular American R & B Singer, Robert Kelly is currently facing charges for allegedly molesting female minors and if found guilty will be convicted.
James Olanrewaju Omiyinka a.k.a Baba Ijesha, a Yoruba movies actor is in the dock for the alleged sexual violation of an unnamed minor when she was seven years old. In a widely circulated video he was seen pleading with Princess to have mercy on him attributing it to the Devil as usual – the terrestrial being who is always known to take the rap for the transgressions of mortals.
I condemn child molestation in all its ramifications as it robs the minor of his or her innocence with its concomitant lifelong psychological trauma in some cases. In as much as I hate the act, I loudly criticize the method in which Princess used to obtain evidence via a CCTV camera which was used to nail Baba Ijesha. She convinced her foster daughter to cooperate with him and allow herself to be consciously molested seven years after the initial act all in the bid to get incriminating evidence.
The method was extremely wrong and utterly crude as she set the stage for a further emotional damage of the teenager in question. Imagine the harm she caused her simply because she wanted to nail Baba Ijesha! Could this have happened in an advanced country where they take child rights laws very seriously? Wouldn’t the police also have arrested her for causing untold harm to the girl? It is bad enough that the minor was subjected to the trauma seven years ago by Baba Ijesha but it is worse to have asked her to cooperate with him again simply because she wanted to obtain evidence.
It is sad that none of the so called celebrities have condemned the method employed by Princess simply because she wanted to do the job of an investigative police officer!
Franklin Awodiya, a UK based YouTube content creator talked about the case of a medical doctor based there who is facing charges simply because he viewed child pornography on his phone. He is fighting the battle of his life not to lose his medical license. A senior female police officer was dismissed there because she failed to report the source of the child pornography that was sent to her phone.
It is wrong to subject such an innocent girl to another round of pain in the name of evidence gathering!
Princess said she has six children in her custody. Has an investigation being done on whether there was no sexual violation of the remaining five by either Baba Ijesha or other shameless sexual predators?
This brings to mind our shaky child protection laws. Why should Princess who runs an extremely busy schedule as a comedienne be in custody of six children? Could she have been reasonably expected to take proper care of them in view of her unpredictable schedule which can see her travel for months for tours and shows? Why should the parents dump their children with her simply because her marriage hit the rocks? If she wanted to adopt children, why didn’t she pass through the due protocol?
When population control advocates canvass for family planning and child spacing, opponents especially in the religious circles tend to overtly criticize them for wanting to ‘play God’ and that children are gifts from the Almighty who shouldn’t be rejected. Why bring children into this already cruel world that you are not ready to take responsibility for all in the name of adhering to the Biblical injunction of being fruitful and multiplying?
One wonders why the biological parents of the child have been silent since the scandal broke out! Has poverty stolen their voice? Why should they abdicate their duty of care to the vulnerable minor to Princess who used an obnoxious and sinister method to bait Baba Ijesha?
If Baba Ijesha is found guilty, he should face life imprisonment in my modest opinion as the world will be a better place if a child sexual molester is far away from minors for the rest of his life. However, Princess shouldn’t be hailed as a Saint because she further damaged the child. She should also be invited for questioning and made to answer to the police and the court of public opinion why she made her foster daughter pass through a second hell for evidence sake. Two wrongs can never make a right and the end doesn’t justify the means here. Life on earth will be chaotic if all adults decide to use minors as pawns to fight their never ending battles.
This is also a plea to the relevant child protection authorities in the country to strengthen child protection laws. Children shouldn’t be treated as chattels that can be freely moved about from one place to another. The law should protect them as they are supposed to be in the custody of responsible adults. These kids are vulnerable to child predators when they work as unpaid domestic serfs, live in homes of relations and parents’ friends and when left in the care of maids without parental supervision. The laws should be greatly strengthened to sturdily protect their interests in this cold and complex world.
I commend the Lagos State Police Command for charging Baba Ijesha to court yesterday and if convicted faces life imprisonment. He should be used as a scape goat for the avalanche of child predators that dot the landscape. However, Princess should also be arrested as well as she caused incalculable damage to the child because of her Sherlock Holmes or James Bond strategy.
The government should act in the overall best interest of the children as no child should be denied of a happy childhood either due to the nauseating activities of child sexual offenders or the dereliction of responsibility by their negligent biological or foster parents.
Tony Ademiluyi is a Co Founder of The Vent Republic Media – www.theventrepublic.com and wrote from Lagos.

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/05/baba-ijesha-princess-is-also-culpable-tony-ademiluyi/

Jaafar Jaafar the journalist who exposed the alleged bribe video involving Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has fled the country with his family to the UK citing threat to his life.
He told Premium Times that he wouldn’t be returning until the ‘coast is clear.’
He said: “I’ll be here until this regime can guarantee my safety and protect freedom of the press."
Jaafar who went into hiding when the controversial video was released at the time said: “Police are trying to file criminal charges against me for publishing Ganduje videos.
“That I defamed the character of IGP is a bait to arrest, detain and file criminal charges against me.
“I wrote nothing against the former and the current IGP."
Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/03/journalist-who-exposed-alleged-bribe-video-of-governor-ganduje-goes-into-exile-in-the-uk/

The Honeywell group has issued an official statement saying that its loans were being serviced. It said that its loan obligation to the bank had reduced by thirty percent in the last two and a half years. It issued the statement in Lagos.
The company stated that it had a relationship with the bank since 1972 and invested in it about a decade later.
This statement came after the CBN gave the company 48 hours to repay the loan or else it will take punitive action against it for insider borrowing.
The Chairman Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko, also served as Chairman of FBN Holdings PLC until he was kicked out along with other directors on Thursday by the apex bank last week.
The apex bank had noted in a letter on Wednesday that First Bank had yet to comply with regulatory directives on divesting its interest in Honeywell despite several reminders.
In addition, the CBN asked First Bank to forward evidence involving the divestment of interest in Honeywell Flour Mills groups and Bharti Airtel Nigeria Ltd within 90 days according to a report by Punch.

The statement read: “In 2015, First Bank under the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria, drew our attention to a 2004 circular (BSD/9/2004) which requires that insider related facilities must not exceed 10 per cent of paid-up share capital.
“Based on this directive we subsequently entered negotiations with the bank to agree an appropriate repayment structure and the final negotiated position was duly approved by the CBN.
“In addition to the above, First Bank, on the directive of CBN, requested additional security in the form of FBN Holdings Plc shares held by the Chairman of Honeywell Group, Dr Oba Otudeko citing a 2001 circular. This was duly provided through an authorisation to place a lien on the shares”.

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/03/we-didnt-default-in-servicing-our-first-bank-loans-honeywell/

The South West Zonal Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Karounwi Oladapo has accused former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose of attempting to impose a stooge in the 2022 gubernatorial elections.
Oladapo said that the emergence of the Ekiti State PDP Chairman, Bisi Kolawole was evidence of Fayose’s attempt to metamorphose as a political godfather in the state.
He said: “The person will be using the PDP structures to negotiate for survival and relevance within the PDP hierarchy and remain as opposition leader in Ekiti State. This is because PDP and its candidate cannot withstand APC in the 2022 gubernatorial elections for a number of reasons.
“As of today, May 2, 2021, if the PDP primary election is to be conducted, Fayose/Bisi Kolawole will beat Senator Biodun Olujimi to a second position and Segun Oni to a distant third position.
“However, as politics is dynamic and volatile, things keep changing rapidly in politics, the equation may change in the days ahead, provided Fayose sleeps behind the wheel, should that happen, Olujimi, may spring a surprise.”
In reaction, the Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Kolawole Campaign Organisation, Lere Olayinka, said, “The APC should face their party and their failed government.
“People are being killed, people are being kidnapped everywhere, their concern is who is campaigning by proxy. If contesting by proxy is what will bring peace to Ekiti, what is wrong with that?
Olayinka, who noted that none of the campaign posters or billboards showed that Fayose was contesting, said, “Our aspirants are sure that they would become governor of the state by picking the PDP ticket.
“In APC, are they even settled to contest? “Who is contesting under APC? Nobody, because they know that they cannot win election again.”
Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/03/apc-pdp-battle-over-fayoses-alleged-backing-of-crony/

The Pan Yoruba Group, Afenifere has blasted the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration for corruption and nepotism. The ex leader of the group Pa Reuben Fasoranti said the group was justified in not backing him in 2015 and 2019 as they have been vindicated.
He stated this at the 70th anniversary thanksgiving service held at St. David Cathedral Akure on Sunday.
He said: “We were justified in not supporting President Muhammadu Buhari. He has not been doing well, that is why we did not support him. There is insecurity in the land. There is corruption everywhere.
“All those who committed one crime or the other, he left them in office to continue their nefarious activities. Those who he should sack, he left them in office. Thank God we did not support him in his elections.
“My daughter was killed in Ore on her way to Lagos; up till now, they have not concluded the trial. I know justice will be done.”
He said it was difficult for the group during the pro democracy struggle in the military era as many members were either imprisoned or forced into exile.
Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/03/afenifere-has-been-vindicated-by-not-backing-buhari-fasoranti/

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has appealed to Nigerian youths to take more interest in governance in the country rather than relocating abroad especially to Canada at the slightest opportunity.
He made his views known at ‘The Platform’ which was organized by the Covenant Christian Centre on May 1, 2021.
He said that Canada had a glass ceiling unlike Nigeria.
He said: “Don’t succumb to despondency, there is a lot to hail in this country. There is a lot to frustrate you, a lot to want to make you give up and pick that visa and go to Canada,” the governor told the youths.
“I know it (Canada) is a popular destination but you know what? There is also a glass ceiling in Canada. When you get to the top of it, you will now discover there is a glass ceiling there. This is the place where there is no glass ceiling, let us work towards making it a better place.”
He went further to say: Even if your search is a regime change in a democracy, there is only one what for regime change in a democracy, you work towards it.
“Another election is going to come if you do not like what APC is doing. Organise, stop agonising, organise against the party. Link up with others who are organising and then kick the APC out of office and put people that you think we do better not creating a situation of anarchy.”
The governor urged young Nigerians to also hold those in their wards and communities accountable, instead of engaging in what he termed as “Twitter revolution.”
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“The space is more liberalised now, not like what we fought against during the military regime. I’m not talking about the Twitter revolution. Many young Nigerians are cosying, giving it to governors and attacking ministers on Twitter and Facebook,” he said.
“Go to the wards, go to the communities and challenge what they are doing there. Hold them accountable.”

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/02/dont-go-to-canada-kick-apc-out-if-you-are-dissatisfied-fayemi-to-youths/

Popular Nigerian blogger and entrepreneur, Linda Ifeoma Ikeji has revealed that she is insensitive to negative public opinion about her as she has a thick skin.
Ikeji, a mother of one and one of Nigeria’s richest celebrities who lives in the exclusive neighbourhood of Banana Island – the most expensive place to live in the country bared her mind on how she copes with negative things about her to an inquisitive fan.
Below is her exchange on Instagram:
Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/01/i-have-a-thick-skin-as-my-mom-cant-tell-me-how-to-live-my-life-linda-ikeji/

Popular actress and activist Tonto Dikeh has said that rapists should either be killed or castrated.
She made her view known to Punch Newspapers in an interview monitored by The Vent Republic.
She said: “In Nigeria, cases of rape are fast assuming a threatening dimension that requires urgent intervention. Rape, like other forms of violence against women, is an infringement on women’s rights, privacy, self-preservation and dignity. There is little or no policy or law that protect the victims as they are most times blamed, stigmatised and humiliated by society if it is brought to the public domain. This hinders victims from embracing a mindset of reporting such an inhumane crime to the appropriate authorities.
“I believe that any person found guilty of rape should be sentenced to death either by hanging, firing squad, lethal injection or electrocution. I would also recommend castration. Rape cases and sexual molestations have become the order of the day, and the victims are not getting enough justice. Most of these perpetrators still walk freely.”
The controversial mother of one and ex wife of popular businessman, Olakunle Churchill added: “Yes, we can eradicate rape and work towards zero tolerance. Firstly, we need to speak out against the root causes. Rape culture festers when we buy into ideas of masculinity that see violence and dominance as ‘strong’ and ‘manly’, and when women and girls are less valued. It is also underpinned by victim-blaming—an attitude that suggests a victim, rather than the perpetrator, bears responsibility for an assault. When discussing cases of sexual violence, a victim’s sobriety, clothes and sexuality are irrelevant. Instead, we need to counter the idea that men and boys must obtain power through violence and question the notion of sex as an entitlement. The law on rape should be amended and its definition expanded.”

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/01/rapists-should-be-killed-or-castrated-tonto-dikeh/

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Team has said that it has taken a keen interest on the alleged rape incident involving James Olarenwaju Omiyinka a.k.a Baba Ijesha and a 14 year old minor girl.
The Nollywood actor has been in police custody for some weeks now.
It said: “We confirm that the duplicate case file has been forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. For avoidance of doubt, the following allegations are being considered:
”(1) Sexual Assault by Penetration- S 261 of the Criminal law of Lagos State, 2015 punishable by Life imprisonment, (2) Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration-S262 of the Criminal law, punishable by 14 years imprisonment
”(3) Sexual Assault- S263 of the Criminal Law, punishable by 3 years imprisonment. (4) Indecent treatment of a child- S135 of the Criminal Law punishable by 7 years imprisonment”
”We have absolute confidence in the criminal justice system as well as social support structures in Lagos State in ensuring justice is served in this matter and, most importantly, the survivor receives the relevant support on her journey towards healing,”

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/05/01/alleged-rape-charges-against-baba-ijesha-listed/

An Igbo Group in the Diaspora has described Ebube Agu as a Trojan horse and urged the South East Governors to throw their weight behind the Eastern Security Network to more effectively tackle the security challenges in that region.
The group condemned the alleged tacit support of the Federal Government towards banditry and terrorism in the nation.
In a statement signed by the Coordinator of the group, Ike Orji, and Secretary, Mr Matthew Ohanele it read: “While the Federal Government paid ransoms and negotiating with terrorists, Igbo men and women, who lost their lives, crops, property, raped and sexually assaulted, were left to cater for themselves, such lame and naive approach only emboldens the murderers and killers.
“We, the Igbo Union, frown on and condemn in totality the use of the military force by any governor in the South-East.
“The grass roots Ndigbo are in total support of the establishment of the Eastern Security Network to protect lives in Igbo land, and we urge the governors not to sabotage the security outfit for the zone.”
Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/04/30/forget-about-ebube-agu-show-your-support-for-esn-group-tells-south-east-governors/

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho has denied media reports that the Lagos State Government denied the 25 million naira that kind hearted Nigerians raised for amputee hawker, Mary Daniels.

The Nation newspaper yesterday carried a viral report that Mary Daniel was a fraudster hence the confiscation of the funds by the government.

Nigerians took to social media last night to demand that the funds be released to her.

Omotosho said the state government had no intentions of confiscating the funds that she could do as she pleased with it and set up her dream supermarket in the state since that was where fortune smiled on her. They only tried to protect her from being harassed by unscrupulous elements who wanted to take advantage of her vulnerability.

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/04/29/lagos-state-government-denies-withholding-mary-daniels-25-million-naira/

Ibadan Grammar School founded in 1913 was one of the secondary schools founded by the former British Colonial Masters to give a public school education in the then Nigerian Colony. It has gone on to produce astounding Nigerians in all walks of life.
It was this old educational institution that the then young Mike Adenuga was a student in the 1960’s. When asked what he wanted to become in the future, he didn’t give the usual answers like wanting to become a lawyer, doctor, engineer etc. He responded that he wanted to be wealthy. This earned him the nickname ‘Gold Digger.’ As a result of his huge and rotund frame he also got another ‘Ad Belly.’
He didn’t follow the path of his elder brother Ademola who went to the University of Ibadan. He chose an independent route in sojourning to the United States for his tertiary education. While there he worked as a cab driver and security guard to financially support himself despite having a wealthy business woman mother.
When he returned to the country in the late 1970’s he didn’t follow the popular course in securing a plum job in either a blue chip multinational or with the government, he chose the tortuous road of entrepreneurship fraught will all manner of risks and trials. He took over the family sawmill in Ijebu Ode and later spotted an opportunity after the Udoji Committee greatly increased the salaries of Federal Civil Servants nationwide. The salary increase led to a concomitant rise in disposable income and the workers bought cars in frenzy. He imported removable car radio stereos and made his first fortune there. He was later to become a government contractor through a contact with one of the brothers of the then Chief of Army Staff, General Alani Ipoola Akinrinade. He expanded his fledging business empire by imported Swiss lace and became a Jack of all trades and a Master of all.
Few people know that he is a friend of the media as he invested heavily in the defunct News Watch Magazine owned by the quartet of the late Dele Giwa, Dan Agbese, Ray Ekpu and Yakubu Mohammed.
When the oil and gas industry was liberalized in 1990, he got an oil bloc. While many of his contemporaries sold theirs and went on a spending spree by painting the town red, he did the unthinkable by prospecting for his. His concerned mother travelled from Ijebu Ode to Lagos to dissuade him from embarking on the ‘economic suicide.’ Despite his love and immense respect for his mother, he stuck to his guns and trusted his gut instincts. In the end, his persistence paid off as on Christmas Eve in 1991, he struck gold and made history by becoming the first Nigerian to strike crude oil in commercial quantity. His Company Consolidated Oil (Conoil) became a force to be reckoned with nationally and it held its own in the cloak and dagger game with the multinationals. He went on to acquire the government owned Nolchem that was teetering on the verge of bankruptcy and made it so profitable that its stock became a crown jewel in the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He floated two banks – Equatorial Trust Bank and Devcom Merchant Bank and later merged the two during the 2005 Consolidation period before selling ETB to investors.
When the telecommunications sector was liberalized in 2001, he wanted to become a player in it as he predicted that the telecoms sector will be the new oil. He established Consolidated Investment Limited (CIL) and paid about 285 million USD for the license. Sadly he was denied for inexplicable reasons but this didn’t deter the man later nicknamed by friends and admirers as the Bull because of his tenacity.
He went back to the drawing board and berthed Globacom. Fortune smiled on him as he was lucky this time around in 2004. Glo as its fondly abbreviated has gone on to become the second largest telecoms company in the country with over thirty million subscribers. They were the first company to initiate the idea of using celebrities as brand ambassadors and were the first to introduce per second billing which broke the dominance of the South African led MTN.
Adenuga is by nature reclusive and hardly likes regularly fraternizing in parties and social functions. This trait makes him come across by some as cold and arrogant but he still reaches out to those he really wants to keep in touch with. He is a great lover of sports as Glo was once sponsoring the Nigerian Football League and he has given large sums of money to the Super Eagles.
He is fiercely loyal to his friends and a great rewarder of hardwork. One of the top members of staff in the Corporate Affairs Department of Globacom, Bode Opeseitan once told the story of how he once left the company but Adenuga still poached him from his start up back. Dele Momodu never gets tired of telling him how he was instrumental to his phenomenal rise in the media especially when he gave him a lucrative public relations account when the latter ran Celebrity Goodwill before his exile to the United Kingdom.
He has regularly graced the prestigious Forbes Magazine as one of the wealthiest men in the African Continent despite just only Conoil being the only public company linked to him. A lover of Real Estate, his domiciliary edifice in Banana Island is a wonder to behold.
He believes sturdily in grooming the next generation since life is ephemeral and has adequately prepared his children to effectively manage his businesses. Always planning a step ahead, he has even gone as far as purchasing his tomb in a private vault as he is aware of his mortality and the disdain of the strong man syndrome that has been the bane of the African Continent especially in the polity and business.
Let us wish the indefatigable Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr a Happy 68th Birthday on this Red Letter Day and many more years in good health and wealth as his kind comes once in a generation!

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/04/29/happy-68th-birthday-the-bull-tony-ademiluyi/

An officer of the Lagos State Police Command has confirmed on condition of anonymity to The Vent Republic that James Olanrewaju Omiyinka a.k.a Baba Ijesha may be released from custody on Friday.
The source said that due to the ongoing strike by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), the courts couldn’t sit and he could not be detained indefinitely without trial.
The source said: “There was no case of defilement, people are just talking out of sentiment. They are not talking from the point of law. We interviewed all parties involved in the case for three hours today (Wednesday).
“The mother complained that her child was at the age of seven when she was defiled and the child pointed at Baba Ijesha. But the case was not reported until she was 14 years and under the law, the case has become statute-barred.
“Regarding this new case, the CCTV footage has been assessed and nowhere was it captured that Baba Ijesha defiled her. The footage only showed him touching the victim’s body but it never showed him having any sexual intercourse with the girl. The girl also confirmed the same thing.
“So, in law, it is a case of indecent assault and not sexual harassment, and it is open to bail. So, can we continue to keep him when the offence is subject to bail and when there is no court sitting? That is against his fundamental human rights and the police do not work on sentiments. Directives have been given out for his release on bail.”
The source, however, said that despite granting Omiyinka bail, investigation would continue, adding that the command had also sought legal opinion from the state Ministry of Justice.
The source added, “A test was recently done on the victim and it was discovered that she had penetration. Is it the penetration of seven years that is still evident now, and who penetrated her then? Is there any medical report linking the man (Omiyinka) to the crime?
“The CCTV footage never showed Baba Ijesha defiling her, but he confessed to touching her body indecently and apologised, and the girl confirmed the same.
“Investigation is still ongoing and we have instructed them to conduct a medical examination on the victim at a government recognised medical facility. We are not specialists in the field and we have also sought legal opinion from the Ministry of Justice.”

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/04/29/baba-ijesha-may-be-released-on-friday-police-source/

Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has warned that Nigeria cannot afford to have another civil war giving the rising spate of insecurity and loud cries for secession. He urged the political elite to rise up in unison for the continued unity of the country.
His position was backed by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.
Both Royal Fathers spoke against secessionist attempts by some groups.
Osinbajo spoke in a meeting with the gubernatorial aspirants of Anambra State where he said: “Everyone who thinks they have some monies stored up somewhere, will eventually run out of money. Everyone who thinks they can go and hide somewhere, won`t even find a place to hide. In the end, everyone will suffer.
“Even if you don’t suffer, your parents, children, young and old people and your relations will suffer. We cannot afford a war in this country, we can`t afford it.”
He added: “I pray that our country will never know conflict, but I know that every conflict is as a result of elite failure to speak up the truth and tell the truth to their communities.”
“If we don`t speak up against disunity, if we keep quiet and remain under the radar, the enemies of peace and those who want to promote disunity will have their way. And when this happens, we will find ourselves running helter shelter.”

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/04/29/a-civil-war-must-not-happen-in-nigeria-osinbajo/

Paxful, a crypto currency Fintech company has said that Nigeria is their biggest market. It said that the volume of trade in Africa’s most populous nation has hit $1.5 billion with over 1.5 million users.
The Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Paxful, Ray Youssef, said, “Our mission at Paxful is to give everyone equal access to finance no matter who they are or where they are so they can control their own money and build the future they want with financial freedom.
“The financial system is failing 99 per cent of the world’s population; it is disconnected and out of date. This means there is no way out of income inequality for a lot of people in the world. With cryptocurrencies, we see an alternative: a way to rest the financial system based on equality.”
He added, “We are on track for a 20 per cent+ increase in volume this year. We are seeing growth in all our markets and especially among groups or in countries where there’s a real need for cryptocurrencies: where the traditional financial system is failing people, whether that is because of extreme volatility, strict capital controls or high transaction costs.
“People are looking for freedom from these constraints and find that in cryptocurrencies. So, there is a real increase in people using cryptocurrencies for their original purpose – as currencies and not just as a speculative asset.”

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/04/28/nigeria-is-our-biggest-market-crypto-currency-company/

The Chandler Good Government Index has recently ranked Nigeria as the third worst country in the world.
The report ranked Africa’s most populous nation very low on governance and leadership.
The 2021 report released in Singapore noted that the ability to effectively tackle corruption is the strongest indicator of good governance.
The index, which was the first in the series, scored Nigeria 0.44 on leadership and foresight; anti-corruption 0.45; long-term vision 0.47; strategic prioritization 0.41 and innovation 0.4.
The report also ranked Nigeria low in other parameters, scoring the nation 98 in leadership and foresight; 85 in robust laws and policies; 101 in strong institutions; 88 in financial stewardship; 97 in attractive marketplace; 72 in global influence and reputation and helping people rise 98.
Finland ranked number one with 0.848 points followed by Switzerland; Singapore; Netherlands; Denmark; Norway; Sweden; Germany; New Zealand and Canada.
Mauritius, which was Africa’s best performer scored 0.5670, placing it at number 38 on the index.
Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/04/28/nigeria-is-now-third-worst-country-in-the-world-report/

Award winning musician and OBO crooner, Davido has shelled our millions of naira for a customized pendant for his first child Imade. He gave her the gift after his return from the United States.
He had Imade with Sophia Momodu his first baby mama and he shared the information on his verified Instagram handle.
Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/04/26/davido-shells-out-millions-of-naira-for-a-customized-pendant-for-his-first-child-imade/

Boko Haram Insurgents launched a fresh attack in Mainok, a town 60 kilometres from Maiduguri.
They burnt houses and looted shops and they marched into a military base in 14 motorcycles. There was a cross fire between them and the military according to some sources before they were driven out of the town.
There are no casualties as at the time of the filing of this report.

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/04/26/boko-haram-attacks-maiduguri/

Bandits struck one more time in Kaduna State on Sunday, April 26 when they killed a Christian worshipper and kidnapped four others in Haske Baptist Church in Mannai Tasha village in Kuriga ward of the Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
The dastardly attacks have been roundly condemned by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Southern Kaduna Peoples Union and Middle Belt Forum.
Mr Luka Binniyat, Sokapu’s spokesman was quoted to have said: “Kaduna State is unarguably Nigeria’s kidnappers paradise. It is also the safest place for arsonists and violent land grabbers. There doesn’t seem to be any serious attempt at uprooting them, especially in Southern Kaduna.
“It is sad that only published kidnapped cases are given attention by the public, but they constitute just a fraction of that crime going on in the state.
“In our press statement of 23rd April, 2021, we affirmed that 65 Adara natives from Libere Gida, in Kallah ward and Kajuru ward were kidnapped last Tuesday night. 55 are still with the abductors after 10 managed to escape.
“The remaining 29 students of Federal School of Forestry, Afaka, Kaduna are still with their kidnappers for over 40 days now. They are now threatening to kill the males and marry off the girls if N500m ransom is not paid.
“Of course the kidnapped students of Greenfield University, Kasarami, in the Chikun LGA in Southern Kaduna are still hostages of their kidnappers after three of them were killed in cold blood. The murderers are asking for N800m in exchange for their freedom.”
He added, “Chikun ward in the Chikun LGA is virtually under the unchallenged control of the outlaws among other places.
“Last year alone, we made a conservative estimate of N1bn as the amount kidnapped Southern Kaduna families and friends paid to these cold blooded criminals.
“Kidnapping and related crimes continue unabated in Southern Kaduna because there are no consequences for the criminals whom surviving victims have always said are armed herdsmen.”
The Middle Belt Forum also condemned the attacks and lamented the situation where foreigners invade the country and pose a huge security risk.
Ohanaeze spokesman Chief Alex Ogbonnia said: “Honestly, the rate of violence in Nigeria has raising to a tipping point; a tipping point where perhaps a major catastrophe will besiege the country. It is a thing for worry and of great concerns.”

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/04/26/anger-greets-kidnapping-of-christian-worshippers-in-kaduna/

Yinka Oladejo, a clearing and forwarding agent shares his harrowing experience in the hands of corrupt Federal Road Safety Officials who extorted him many times in his bid to clear a car which is part of his job.
He spoke exclusively to The Vent Republic and below is the unbiased account.
When Babatunde Raji Fashola, the current Minister for Works and Housing was the Governor of Lagos State between 2007 and 2015, he introduced Wharf landing fees for every vehicle coming from the port. The rate was 300 naira for cars and 500 naira for SUV’s and buses. Once you pay, you get a corresponding sticker.
There are two ports in Lagos – Apapa Wharf and Tin Can Island. About 98% of vehicles that come into Nigeria through the Lagos port passes through the Tin Can port.
There are only two exits to Tin can, Coconut Bridge towards Mile 2 and Liverpool Bridge towards Apapa GRA. Liverpool axis is under construction so every vehicle has to go through Coconut bridge towards Mile 2.
Last week Tuesday, April 20, he wanted to deliver a just cleared vehicle to the owner after he had tipped three sets of policemen 200 naira each, two sets of touts 100 naira each and Wharf landing fees popularly known as Fashola at 300 naira.
When he was about to get to Mile 2, he met a team of road safety officers – twenty of them asking for the Lagos state tag and he gladly pointed at the Fashola tag. The next thing they asked was how much did I pay to get the tag and he replied 300 naira and he immediately ran to their commanding officer.
The commanding officer said the price was 3000 naira and he took him to the station. One of them entered into the car and Yinka asked him how the tag looked like. It was at that point he realized that none of them knew how the tag actually looked like. On getting to their office, they said he should go and get the tag before his car would be released to him.
They claimed that the tag had been in existence since January 18 this year and no awareness was created to that effect. Another man who was arrested said he thought that tags were issued at the FRSC licensing office only for them to call the commander in charge who directed him to the appropriate place to get the tag.
After Yinka got the tag, he went back to the FRSC office and they told him he would have to pay 3200 naira for a fine and 500 naira to collect his key back.
As we write his car has not yet been released to him and this is greatly affecting his business.
We call on the relevant authorities to critically address this mind boggling corruption among FRSC officials who are maintained at tax payers’ expense and are supposed to be servants of the people.

https://theventrepublic.com/2021/04/25/exclusive-frsc-officials-in-the-web-of-massive-extortion-and-corruption-revealed/

Controversial Nigerian actor, Uche Maduagwu has blasted Michael Collins Ajereh a.k.a Don Jazzy on Instagram.
We recall that Don Jazzy recently blasted some Nigerian men for maltreating their wives simply because they paid their bride price.
Maduagwu took to his page where he wrote: “Abeg let us hear word everybody wan turn relationship expert overnight oga tell us why your marriage no work firstly before you talk about other men charity begins at home”.
Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/04/25/why-didnt-your-marriage-work-out-uche-maduagwu-blasts-don-jazzy/

Congrats!

Popular Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh has vowed that Yoruba actor, James Olanrewaju a.k.a Baba Ijesha who allegedly raped a 14 year old girl for seven years rots in jail.
He was arrested by the Lagos State Police Command on April 19, 2020.
Dikeh said:

If the allegations are true.
I HOPE HE ROTS IN JAIL AND THEY DO SAME THING TO HIM WHEN HIS SOAP DROPS..
IF THIS IS TRUE I WILL PERSONALLY MAKE SURE HE NEVER SEES THE LIGHT OF DAY.
.
WE WILL TOGETHER AS WOMEN STAND UP AND USE YOUR VOICE TO MAKE AWARENESS OF WHAT THIS MAN HAS DONE.

https://www.instagram.com/p/COA3LwknQkG/?igshid=1p4qoaq9no51n

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THIS PLEASE CONTACT ME..
This EVIL MAN MUST NOT BE RELEASED NOT GRANTED BAIL..
They may twerk the law to his favour as a celebrity, WHAT WE SHLD ALL DO IS REPOST THIS AND TAG FOREGIN AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES....
.
.
HE RAPED US ALL WHEN HE RAPED HER...
MOTHERS COME OUT THEY HAVE STABBED US
@nigerianpoliceforce @unitednations @unwomen @naptipnigeria @lagosstate

https://www.instagram.com/p/COA428uHjE5/

THIS IS THE FACE OF A CELEBRITY RAPIST.
.
THIS IS THE FACE OF EVIL WHO PLEASURES HIMSELF WITH A 7YEAR OLD FOR 7YEARS.
.
HE IS A NOLLYWOOD/YOURBA ACTOR (I DONT KNOW HIM, NEVER HEARD OF HIM EITHER..)
.
HE MAY BE YOUR FAVOURITE STAR.
.
HAVE YOU HEARD WHAT HE DID TO THE LIFE OF A 7YEAR OLD GIRL??
.
HE RAPED A 7YEAR OLD GIRL FOR 7YEARS
.

https://www.instagram.com/p/COA5wNtneUt/

The Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (Lautech), Professor Mojeed Olaide Liasu has been named the acting Vice Chancellor of the Institution.
He is a Professor of Plant Physiology, Department of Pure and Applied Biology.
The Vent Republic gathered that the former VC, Professor Michael Ologunde was asked to step down.
Liasu’s appointment took effect from today.

Source: https://theventrepublic.com/2021/04/23/lautech-names-acting-vc/

Rest in peace Sir! I am happy that we connected via email before your demise!