Metro News

Oni to contest Ekiti governorship under SDP

Published

2 years ago

February 17, 2022

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Former Ekiti State governor, Segun Oni, has said he would contest the June 18 governorship election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party following continued calls by his supporters for him to stand as a third force.

Oni, who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party after losing the January 26 governorship primary election after citing irregularities and manipulation of the exercise, said necessary paperwork by the SDP national leadership for him to be the party’s candidate would soon be concluded with the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The former governor, who spoke in an interview on a private radio in Ado Ekiti monitored by our correspondent, said, “For those who are in the All Progressives Congress, four aggrieved aspirants are working with us. Also, we are working with members of the South West Agenda for Asiwaju 2023. SWAGA is a strong force in the APC with a strong membership base.

“In the PDP, the majority of the people in the Repositioning Group are working with us. It is going to be a grand coalition that will definitely benefit the people of Ekiti. I believe the goodwill of the Repositioning Group, SWAGA and Segun Oni is almost enough to win elections in Ekiti.

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“I want to say without any form of contradiction that we politicians are coming together for this project, coupled with the opinions of people on the streets. I have been around for some time; my antecedents are there for us to see; I am not looking for what to eat, but service to the people. That is how I see politics.”

However, the SWAGA Coordinator in the state, Bamigboye Adegoroye, faulted Oni’s assertion, saying, “That is not true. Members of SWAGA cannot form a coalition with Segun Oni to win any election,” adding that it showed the former governor’s desperation.

Adegoroye said, “The Chairman of SWAGA in Ekiti State is Senator Tony Adeniyi; I am the coordinator of SWAGA in Ekiti State. So, nobody else could have moved SWAGA in Ekiti anywhere. Nobody has that capacity. Segun Oni was in the PDP and left the PDP; Segun Oni has no capacity to talk about SWAGA at all. He can’t talk about SWAGA at all.

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“Last week, he (Oni) was talking about the All Progressives Grand Alliance; this week, he is talking about the SDP; maybe he will be talking about the Labour Party next week. That is the act of desperation of Segun Oni that we are talking about, which people have to guard against. He should not be taken seriously. He sounds a little confused and you don’t take him seriously.”

An aggrieved former PDP aspirant, Senator Biodun Olujimi, who had last week spoken of the discontent of her supporters with the party, on Tuesday, said she was being pressured by governors and senators of the party against dumping the PDP alongside her supporters.

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Metro News

South Africa police arrest 8 Nigerians over attack on officers during drug raid

Published

9 hours ago

April 19, 2024

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The South African police have arrested eight Nigerians for allegedly attacking officers during a drug raid.

In a statement issued on Friday, the police said the suspects were arrested in the Northern Cape province.

The police said the suspects also damaged vehicles and other property.

“At the time of the arrest, police were tracing information of one of the Nigerian nationals being in possession of drugs,” the statement reads.

“While conducting this search, a large group of Nigerians attacked police. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

“One suspect was arrested for illegal possession of drugs, and three suspects were arrested for public violence and detained at Kimberley Police Station.

“During processing, the suspects broke windows at the station. Additional charges of malicious damage to property were added.

“Another group of Nigerians later approached the Police Station and threatened to retaliate.

“The Operational Commander warned the group to disperse.

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“However, upon dispersing, the group damaged police vehicles. Another four suspects were arrested for malicious damage to property.”

Koliswa Otola, police commissioner for the province, commended officers for the arrest of the suspects.

Otola condemned acts of violence against law enforcement agents, saying those who prevent police from exercising their duties “will be dealt with harshly”.

“We will not allow such lawless behaviour,” the commissioner said.

“We are processing the suspects and working with Home Affairs to determine if they are legally or illegally in the country.

“Police will continue to stamp the authority of the state in the Northern Cape Province.”

Metro News

Police arrest grandma for locking up three children in Lagos

Published

9 hours ago

April 19, 2024

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Police operatives in Lagos State have arrested a grandmother for locking up three of her grandchildren.

The spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command Benjamin Hundeyin said the suspect’s neighbours alerted them about the development.

“All thanks to vigilant neighbours who alerted the police, these children were rescued by police officers from Ikotun Division after being locked up in a room for days by their grandmother,” he said in a post on his official X handle on Friday.

“The children are now in safe hands while their grandmother is in police custody. An investigation is ongoing. See something, say something!”

The children comprising a girl and two boys, looked malnourished from the photos he shared online.

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Metro News

UPDATED: EFCC declares Yahaya Bello wanted over N80bn ‘financial crime’

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state, wanted over alleged N80 billion financial crimes.

The anti-graft commission has asked anyone with useful information on Bello’s whereabouts to contact the commission or the nearest police station.

“The public is hereby notified that YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO (former Governor of Kogi State), whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with alleged case of Money Laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eighty Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo),” statement reads.

“Bello, 48-year old Ebiraman, is a native of Okenne Local Government of Kogi State. His last known address is: 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja offices.”

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On Wednesday, some EFCC operatives barricaded Bello’s Abuja residence.

Some hours after, Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at Bello’s residence and was said to have left with the former governor in his vehicle.

But Abdulwahab Muhammed, Bello’s lawyer, said his client was in his state when the EFCC operatives besieged his residence.

Bello was absent in court earlier today when the EFCC arraigned him.

His arraignment came after a warrant of arrest and enrolment order was granted to the EFCC by the court on Wednesday.

“It is needful to state that Bello is not above the law and would be brought to justice as soon as possible,” EFCC said in a statement on Wednesday.

The federal high court in Abuja adjourned the case against Bello, Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, to April 23.