Our Reporters, Author at Trendbrio.com

Ibadan Stampede: Court grants Oriyomi Hamzat, Queen Naomi bail

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has granted the bail applications of Naomi Silekunola, former wife of the Ooni of Ife; CEO of Agidigbo FM, Hamzat Oriyomi; Islamic High School principal, Abdullah Fasasi, filed by their respective counsel. The trio are on trial for their roles in the stampede that culminated in the death of 35 children, including males and females, at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan on December, 18, 2024. The Eagle Online however learnt that the Oyo State Government has filed a fresh18 counts charge, bordering on murder and manslaughter against the three defendants. According to a source privy to the case, the charge sheet, marked I/05C/2025, was filed on Friday, January 10, 2025 before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan. The Oyo State Government was listed as the complainant while Silekunola, Hamzat and Babatunde were named as defendants. “The court will most likely grant bail on Monday. The state government has however filed an 18-count charge of manslaughter and similar offences against the Defendants,” the source said. In the 18 counts, the government accused the defendants of “conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit an offense to wit: criminal negligence, and criminal negligence.” The offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. In the charge sheet, the state alleged that the defendants “negligently omitted to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities to prevent a stampede at a children’s funfair programme organised by you.” It could be recalled that the Defence Team, at the Oyo State High Court last Tuesday, January 7, passionately argued for the bail of the accused, citing their cooperation with investigations and lack of flight risk. The defence lawyers contested the detention of their clients, asserting that it was unconstitutional due to procedural irregularities and uncertainties surrounding the court’s jurisdiction. They further expressed concerns regarding the legitimacy of the “holding charge” employed to remand the trio, arguing that it lacked recognition under Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act. However, the state government through its Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, strongly opposed the request. Aikomo insisted that the applicants had not provided sufficient grounds for their release. He dismissed claims of persecution by the state government, describing them as unfounded. He, therefore, vehemently opposed the motion, stressing the gravity of the charges and the need for justice for the victims and their families. Following deliberations from both the prosecution and defence, Justice K.B. Olawoyin reserved his judgment on the bail applications, scheduling the ruling for Monday, January 13, 2025.

Makinde presents Staff of Office to new Alaafin

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago08 mins

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has presented the staff of office to the new Alaafin of Oyo, Abimbola Akeem Owoade. The governor presented the official instrument legitimising the reign of a king to the new monarch on Monday morning at the Exco Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, the state capital. The symbolic event was performed nearly three years after the death of the former Alaafin, Lamidi Adeyemi III. The presentation of the staff of office was done amid controversy concerning the choice of the new Alaafin announced by the governor last week. Speaking at the event, the governor said the Alaafin’s stool is important not just to Oyo town but to the Yoruba race as a whole. The governor maintained that he decided not to meddle in the appointment of the new Alaafin because of his administration’s belief in openness and transparency. He said, “The Alaafin stool is very important not just to Oyo Town or Oyo State but the entire Yoruba race. So, under my watch, I made it very clear that the stool would not be for sale. It is not a stool for us to toil with. “I met Prince Owoade for the first time in my life yesterday. I never spoke to him in my entire life until yesterday. I did not know his profile or the profile of any of the princes vying for the stool and it was deliberate, because I did not want my opinion to influence the process. “Let me say this clearly; when we came in 2019, we had challenges with the traditional institution in Ibadanland and it has been resolved to everybody’s satisfaction. “When it was time for us to approve the selection of Okere, some people came to me and said ‘This is our friend’. They said one person is APC and I said it does not mean anything to me whether you are PDP or APC. Why should my decision be based on political consideration? So, I approved the selection of the Saki kingmakers. “I always tell people not to kill themselves over politicians, because we see ourselves in the night. We go to each other’s houses. Politics, electioneering is a game. It’s only when you have been elected, then governance becomes a serious business because you will take decisions that will affect millions of people. So, we will not play politics with governance. “The Alaafin stool became vacant in 2022. We were moving towards election and people said, you have to approve the appointment of Alaafin, otherwise, Oyo people would not vote for you. I said the people should not vote for me but that I would do what was right and Oyo voted for me massively. Oyo will continue to support me. “Let me also say briefly that those that are still hell-bent on destabilising the traditional institution in Oyo, the government is not letting down. We will prosecute them. The money they collected; they will still be prosecuted except they go to Kabiyesi. If he forgives them, I will also forgive them.” While congratulating the new monarch, Governor Makinde prayed that his reign would bring peace and progress to Oyo Town, Oyo State and the Yoruba race. “The coronation would be in four weeks. From today, we have an Alaafin. I congratulate the Alaafin of Oyoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade. I pray that your reign shall bring unity to Yoruba race wherever they may be around the world. “I pray it would also bring progress and development to Oyoland, Oyo State as well as Yoruba race in general,” Governor Makinde added. In his response, Alaafin Owoade promised to work for the progress of Oyo Town, Oyo State and Nigeria as well as the development of the people. He thanked the Governor, the Oyomesi and everyone that worked for his selection and assumption of office as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo. Earlier in his speech, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Demola Ojo, lauded the Governor for his determination to ensure that the right processes were followed in the selection of the new Alaafin. He also thanked those involved in the selection process. In attendance at the event were the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; a former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; member representing Oyo East/Oyo West House of Assembly, Hon. Rahman Olorunpoto; Awise Awo Agbaye, Professor Wande Abimbola and his wife, Iyanifa Ajisebo Abimbola; some members of the Oyomesi as well as traditional rulers in Oyo Kingdom. Top government functionaries in attendance included the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Joel Ajagbe.

Edun pushes for smarter investments at ISDB retreat in S’Arabia

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Minister of Finance Wale Edun has delivered a decisive call for action during the Islamic Development Bank Governors’ Retreat in Al-Madinah on Sunday. His remarks were part of the bank’s ongoing efforts to gather input and build consensus on its upcoming 10-year strategy to achieve greater developmental impact. Edun emphasised the need for the IsDB to rethink its approach to development financing in response to current economic realities. He called for transformative, high-impact projects in infrastructure, agriculture, rail, and energy, urging the bank to focus on investments with strong returns to ensure sustainable financing. He also highlighted the importance of innovative funding solutions tailored to national priorities and debt dynamics, stressing the urgent need for a concessional financing strategy that balances development goals with minimal debt accumulation. The retreat also featured key contributions from Algeria’s Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Board of Governors, H.E. Laaziz Faid, and Saudi Arabia’s Finance Minister, H.E. Mohammed Al-Jadaan, who opened the discussions. Responding to the bank’s call for input Edun also stressed the need for robust monitoring systems to evaluate the real impact of the bank’s initiatives. His remarks reflected Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the IsDB’s role in delivering greater results for its member states. The retreat served as a forum for governors to provide ideas and feedback on the IsDB’s 10-year strategy (2026–2035), which aims to chart a clear path for addressing pressing development challenges in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Obasanjo: Jimmy Carter visited Abacha to seek my release from prison

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said Jimmy Carter was the only leader outside Africa who visited Sani Abacha, the late military dictator, solely to plead for his release from prison. Obasanjo stated this in a tribute to Carter, the late American president, who passed on December 29, 2024, aged 100. The tribute, titled “Jimmy Carter: The Departure of a Titan”, was read during a memorial service held on Sunday at the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun state. Obasanjo was arrested, tried, and sentenced to prison by the Abacha junta in 1995 over alleged involvement in a failed military coup. Obasanjo narrated how Carter visited Nigeria and got Abacha to release him (Obasanjo) from prison, and he was placed on house arrest. He said that although many others intervened to seek his release, Carter was the only one who had visited Nigeria solely for that purpose. “President Carter was one of my foreign friends who stuck their necks out to save my life and to seek my release from prison. On President Carter’s visit to Nigeria, he got Abacha to agree to take me from detention to house arrest on my farm. But that did not last for too long,” Obasanjo said. “Many other friends and leaders intervened, but President Carter was the only non-African leader, according to my information, that paid a visit to Abacha solely to plead for my release. “I would remain ever grateful to all who worked for my release from Abacha’s gulag. Abacha ensured that I would not be released. Within a week of his death, though, I was released by his successor, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who also facilitated my going around Africa and the rest of the world to thank all those who worked for my release.” Obasanjo further said he was surprised when Carter told him that Ted Turner, CNN founder, had offered to take care of him and his family upon his release. “I was touched and moved to tears. I immediately went to Ted, who expressed to me the same sentiment that President Carter expressed,” Obasanjo said. The elder statesman said he and Carter shared some similarities, including their military backgrounds and being born into farming families that instilled discipline in them. “He beat me though in one respect; there was a road to his settlement, and there was no road to my village. We walked to every place or, at best, we were carried on bicycles,” he said. Obasanjo said he would miss Carter, “a great and true friend but I know we shall meet again in paradise”. Speaking during an interactive session with young African leaders at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library OOPL during the weekend, Obasanjo said his refusal to keep quiet on national and international issues landed him in detention during Abacha’s tenure.

NDLEA seizes 6 vehicles, 40ft trailer load skunk in Abuja

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago06 mins

A 40ft trailer load of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 2,217.6 kilograms has been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, while being distributed into six vehicles at an abandoned fuel station in Kagini, Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja for onward distribution to some Northern states. The intelligence-led operation, which took place at 1:20am on Saturday 11th January 2025 led to the seizure of not only the large illicit consignment but also the trailer and the six vehicles: Toyota Van, Toyota Camry car, Toyota Sienna bus, JAC 4-wheel-drive Hilux truck, Toyota Corolla car and a Vento Passat car as well as the arrest of a suspect: 42-year-old Isaac Monday Desmond. The consignment was loaded into the trailer at Uzebba in Owan local council area of Edo State. In another raid in the FCT, two suspects: Anthony Nnamdi, 42, and Abba Ali, 27, were arrested by NDLEA officers at Nyanya, where a combined 1.398kg cocaine and a precursor substance used in preparing crack cocaine were recovered from them. No fewer than 20 wraps of cocaine weighing 330grams have been recovered from a cargo going to Australia at a logistics firm in Lagos by officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, in NDLEA. The cocaine parcels were concealed around the body of face cream containers in the shipment. A total of Three Hundred and Thirty-Eight Thousand Two Hundred (338,200) bottles of codeine-based syrup worth more than One Billion One Hundred and Ninety Million One Hundred and Sixty-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Naira (N1,190,168,200.00) in street value, were intercepted in two containers watch-listed by the Agency following processed intelligence. The illicit consignments were discovered during joint examination of the containers by NDLEA operatives, Customs and other security agencies on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th January 2025 at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers state. In Lagos, the traditional chief priest of the Igunuko shrine, Alpha beach Ajah Lekki where 2,760kg skunk was recovered on 25th October 2024, Bariu Aliu (alias Malo) has been arrested by NDLEA operatives after over three months of manhunt for him. Though two of his accomplices were earlier arrested at the shrine last year and had since been charged and convicted in court, Bariu was said to be the leader of the syndicate. A suspect, Habibu Ya’u, 23, was nabbed by NDLEA officers who raided Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria road, Kano on Thursday 9th January where they recovered 45 blocks of cannabis weighing 24.2kg; and 40,800 pills of opioids including tramadol from him. With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Ijaye Housing Estate Junior Secondary School, Lagos state; surrendered Boko Haram members at Hajj camp, Maiduguri, Borno state; Muslim faithful during their Juma’at prayer at Kamba Central Mosque, Kebbi state, while Kano state Command paid a WADA advocacy visit to the District Head of Danbatta, Dr. Mansur Mukhtar, among others. While commending the officers and men of DOGI, FCT, PHPC, Lagos, and Kano Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

SERAP sues Tinubu, governors over misuse of Cybercrimes Act

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago012 mins

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the government of President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s 36 governors over “the repressive use of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 to criminalize legitimate expression and violate the human rights of Nigerians, including activists, journalists, bloggers and social media users.” The ECOWAS Court had in its judgment dated 25 March, 2022 “ordered Nigerian authorities to stop using section 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2015 to prosecute anyone on the grounds of insulting or stalking public officials online.” The Court declared section 24 as “arbitrary, vague and repressive” and ordered Nigerian authorities “to repeal it in conformity with the country’s human rights obligations.” But while the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 has repealed section 24, it has not cured the arbitrary, vague and repressive nature of the provisions. In the suit no: ECW/CCJ/APP/03/2025filed last week before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, SERAP is challenging “the legality and compatibility of the provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024 with the rights to freedom of expression and information.” SERAP said, “The provisions of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 have opened the door to criminalizing legitimate expression and punishing activists, journalists, bloggers and social media users.” According to SERAP, “What constitutes ‘causing a breakdown of law and order’ in section 24(1)(b) of the amended legislation is unclear and undefined, threatening to punish peaceful and legitimate expression and opening the provisions up to abuse.” SERAP also said, “Rather than using the amended legislation to make cyberspace and its users safer, Nigerian authorities are routinely weaponizing it to curb Nigerians’ human rights and media freedom.” SERAP is arguing that, “The Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024, in addition to its arbitrary, vague and repressive section 24 provisions, broadly defines ‘cyberstalking’ in section 58 as ‘a course of conduct, directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.’” SERAP is also arguing that, “The provisions of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 represents a harshly punitive attempt to address the problems relating to stalking and harassment and fails to provide sufficient safeguards against misuse, particularly for peaceful and legitimate exercise of human rights.” SERAP is arguing that, “The use of section 24 of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 to harass those who are deemed critical of the government directly threatens the staff, members and supporters of SERAP, particularly given the nature of the organization’s advocacy for human rights.” The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Mrs Adelanke Aremo and Andrew Nwankwo, read in part: “The amended legislation is abused to threaten and stifle people’s human rights and livelihoods. “The vague, arbitrary, and repressive provisions on ‘cyberstalking’ in section 24 of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 are routinely abused to suppress factual reports by activists, journalists, bloggers and social media users, thereby leaving a chilling effect on human rights and media freedom. “Nigerian authorities not only have a negative obligation to abstain from unduly interfering with human rights and media freedom but also have a positive obligation to facilitate and protect these rights. “Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and full enjoyment of this right is central to achieving individual freedom and to developing democracy. It is not only the cornerstone of democracy, but indispensable to a thriving civil society. “Whether labelled as cyberstalking, criminal defamation, seditious libel of government officials or false news, the provisions of section 24 of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 disproportionately penalize the accused and inevitably limits protected public discussion and debate on matters of legitimate public concern. “The ECOWAS Court had on 25 March 2022 ruled that section 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2015 is arbitrary, vague and repressive and therefore, is in contravention of Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. “The Court also ordered the Federal Republic of Nigeria to amend Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 in accordance with its obligations under Article 1 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. “The National Assembly amended section 24 and other provisions of the Cybercrime 2015 in 2024 but the new Cybercrime (Amendment) Act, 2024 still criminalizes ‘cyberstalking’. The provisions remain vague, arbitrary, and frequently misused by Nigerian authorities to crackdown on human rights. “Since the amendment of the Cybercrime Act in 2024, Nigerian authorities at all levels have consistently used the provisions of the Cybercrime Act to harass, intimidate, arbitrarily arrest and detain and unfairly prosecute users of social media, activists, journalists, and bloggers solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights. “Stories published online have been deemed ‘offensive’, ‘obstructive’, ‘insulting’ or ‘annoying’ with actionable consequences under provisions of section 24 of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 even when the stories are true and factual. “According to the 2023 and 2024 Freedom House Reports on Nigeria, internet freedom of expression declined due to an unprecedented pattern of arbitrary arrests and detention of bloggers after the enactment of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024. “There are several reports on the recent abusive use of the arbitrary, vague and repressive provisions of section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024. “For example, the police filed ‘cybercrime charges’ against activist Dele Farotimi under the arbitrary, vague and repressive provisions of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024. “Journalist Agba Jalingo of the Cross River Watch Newspaper was charged with ‘cyberstalking’ over a report that a relative of a former governor of Cross River State had engaged someone to sit for law exams on her behalf. “Chioma Okoli was arrested following her comment on Facebook complaining about the sugar content of Nagiko tomato mix. Funke Adeoye was also reportedly summoned by the police for alleged cyberbullying due to a statement she shared on her X account. “The Nigeria police also reportedly re-arraigned four bloggers on fresh charges of alleged cyberstalking. The police also arrested ‘a famous singer’ for alleged cyberstalking…

NFF to unveil Éric Chelle as Super Eagles’ Head Coach on Monday

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation will on Monday in the Federal Capital, Abuja present to the public the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle. The event has been scheduled for the Media Conference Room of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, by 11am. Chelle’s appointment was confirmed on Tuesday by the NFF Executive Committee, following a recommendation by the football ruling body’s Technical and Development Committee. The 47-year-old will mount one of the hottest seats in world football, but President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said on Sunday that the Franco-Malian embodies the fresh energy, new thinking and positive attitude with which the Federation desire the Super Eagles to confront their remaining six matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. “We appreciate the fact that Nigerians are very passionate about the game of football, and that is the reason for the different tones of reactions following the appointment of Coach Chelle. However, the NFF hereby appeals to Nigerians to come together and support him, as we believe he has the qualities to achieve success with the Super Eagles. “The NFF will give him all the support that he needs to succeed in the job.” At Monday’s unveiling, the NFF will also disclose the names of Coach Chelle’s assistants, with the crew to shepherd the Super Eagles B at next month’s African Nations Championship in East Africa, before focusing squarely on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, beginning with the matches against Rwanda (away) and Zimbabwe (home) in March. Chelle, who took Mali’s Aiglons within breathing distance of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, left his job at top Algerian side MC Oran – 1989 African Champions’ Cup finalists – to team up with the Super Eagles.

David Moyes returns to Everton

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

Everton have confirmed the return of David Moyes as head coach, with the Scot becoming Sean Dyche’s replacement at Goodison Park. Dyche was sacked by the Toffees just hours before the team’s FA Cup third-round contest against Peterborough United on Thursday night, but the team managed to record a 2-0 victory in order to progress to the next stage. There has been widespread speculation surrounding a possible return for Moyes in recent days, and the Scot’s switch back to the Merseyside giants has now been confirmed ahead of Everton’s next Premier League match against Aston Villa on January 15. Moyes was previously in charge of Everton between March 2002 and June 2013, and he has since managed Manchester United, Real Sociedad, Sunderland and West Ham United. The 61-year-old’s second spell at West Ham came to an end in May, but he is now back in the Premier League and will be aiming to guide Everton away from the Premier League relegation zone in the coming weeks. Moyes told Everton’s official website: “It’s great to be back! I enjoyed 11 wonderful and successful years at Everton and didn’t hesitate when I was offered the opportunity to rejoin this great club. “I’m excited to be working with The Friedkin Group and I am looking forward to helping them rebuild the club. “Now we need Goodison and all Evertonians to play their part in getting behind the players in this important season so we can move into our fabulous new stadium as a Premier League team.” Meanwhile, Everton’s executive chairman Marc Watts said: “We are pleased that David is joining us at this pivotal time in Everton’s history. With over a decade of experience at the club, he is the right leader to propel us through our final season at Goodison Park and into our new stadium. We look forward to working with David to build the foundation of a new era for Everton.” Moyes was previously Everton manager between March 2002 and June 2013, taking charge of 518 matches, boasting a record of 218 wins, 139 draws and 161 defeats, giving him a win percentage of 42.08. The Toffees made the 2009 FA Cup final under Moyes, while they also enjoyed four European campaigns, with their best Premier League season coming in 2004-05, when they finished fourth. Everton finished 11th in 2005-06, but they then claimed sixth, fifth, fifth, eighth, seventh, seventh and sixth during an impressive period; it has been a struggle for the Merseyside club in recent seasons, though, finishing 16th, 17th and 15th in their last three campaigns. Moyes is taking charge of a Toffees outfit that are currently 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone, having picked up only 17 points from their opening 19 matches of the campaign. The Toffees are without a victory in the Premier League since December 4, while they have only won one of their last 11 fixtures in the top flight of English football. Moyes’ first match in his second spell at the helm will come at home to Aston Villa on January 15, before welcoming Tottenham Hotspur to Goodison Park on January 19.