News

Oyo Assembly passes bills to establish four additional ministries

Published

7 years ago

August 6, 2019

Eric

The Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the executive bills to establish four additional ministries in the state.

The bills include; Ministry of Energy; Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry bill; Ministry of Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport Bill and Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion bill.

The bills, which were passed at the Tuesday’s plenary in Ibadan, the state capital, are said to be in line with intention of Governor Seyi Makinde to have a structural adjustment of the ministries to put the state on the path of posterity and upgrade its governance to a global practice.

While speaking on the introduction of Ministry of Energy, the Chairman of the House Committee and lawmaker representing Kajola State Constituency, Hon. Mustapha Olawale Akeem, noted that the ministry is aimed at developing capacity to attend to the power needs of residents and explore the state power creation potential.

According to him, the ministry will be charged with the responsibility of strategizing, promoting and developing sustainable policies for energy planning to ensure availability of reliable energy for all residents in Oyo State as well as making the State an investment destination, working on public private partnership to provide modalities for initiative within the energy sector.

He said, “As a state, we shall continue engagement with Federal Government of Nigeria, Ministry of Power and its agencies to align power reform policies and implementation through this ministry.”

Also speaking on the bills, the lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State constituency, Bamidele Adeola noted that the new ministries bills is to restructure the existing ones and adjust how their components are married.

According to him, the executive’s aim on the bills is to break out of the old norms, adding that if the ministries are properly handle, it will bring lot of change to Oyo State.

He said, “There are no new ministries, we can only call it a kind of reshuffle because the aim is to marry the right and suitable components together to form a ministries.

“For instance, the former ministry of agriculture and natural resources is proposed to become ministry of agriculture and rural development which we believe will make it more effective.

“We are just calling on the executive to ensure round pegs are placed in round holes, so that the strategy and efforts would not be seen as mere body exercise if there are no corresponding results.”

Speaker of the house, Adebo Ogundoyin declared that the lawmakers had dotted the ‘Is’ and cross the ‘Ts’ on the bills before been passed to ensure they serve their purposes.

“We have thoroughly reviewed the bills and we assure our people that the ministries will serve their intended purposes.”

News

IGP Disu Removes Benjamin Hundeyin As FPRO

Published

7 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has reportedly removed Benjamin Hundeyin as the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO) and replaced him with a new appointee, though the name hasn’t been officially announced.

Hundeyin was previously serving as the Lagos Command PRO before being promoted to the national role.

This move comes as part of Disu’s efforts to revamp the Nigeria Police Force and improve its public image.

As the 23rd IGP, Disu has emphasized professionalism, accountability, and transparency, warning officers that there will be no tolerance for misconduct or abuse of power.

News

Assets Declaration: Court Dismisses NDLEA’s Case Against Abba Kyari

Published

8 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), against suspended DCP Abba Kyari on allegations bordering on non-disclosure of assets.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the suit, filed against Kyari and his younger brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, for failure of the anti-narcotic agency to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge held that the burden of proving a case beyond reasonable doubt falls in the prosecution which it had failed to do so.

The ruling covers only asset declaration allegations. Other cases including drug related offences are still ongoing.

News

NDLEA Nabs UK-wanted Drug Lord after 15-Year Hunt

Published

14 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old fugitive drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had been on the wanted list of Nigerian and British authorities for over 15 years.

His arrest was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by spokesman of the agency, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

Ilomuanya, according to the agency, was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what officials described as a high-stakes, well-coordinated operation by officers of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit.

He was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and later convicted for drug trafficking.

He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment but released after serving two years following a successful appeal.

In July 2011, Ilomuanya was again arrested in the UK for drug-related offences.

Though granted administrative bail, he absconded and fled to Nigeria, evading further prosecution.

In November 2018, NDLEA operatives arrested him in Nigeria after uncovering two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories — one at his country home in Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, and another at his residence in Lagos.

During the operation, officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive drug production equipment.

He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos but later jumped court bail, remaining on the run until his latest arrest.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s sustained crackdown on drug trafficking networks.

“This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice. Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation,” Marwa said.

He added that the Agency remains committed to strengthening intelligence-led operations and deepening international collaboration to prevent Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for global drug cartels.

Marwa commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism, resilience, and diligence in tracking down the fugitive, stressing that the NDLEA remains unwavering in its resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within the country.

The agency is expected to proceed with legal action against Ilomuanya in the coming days.