News

Police Arrest, Parade Killers of Ondo Driver

Published

1 year ago

April 18, 2023

Eric

The Ondo State Police Command on Monday said it had arrested no fewer than seven persons in connection with the killing of a man, Tope Olorunfemi, in a mob attack in Akure, the state capital.

This is just as one of the suspects, Victor Amos, admitted that he hit the deceased’s head with a stone.

Olorunfemi, a driver, was killed in a mob attack at the Ijoka Area of Akure on Easter Monday after his Toyota car allegedly crushed one person to death and injured six others.

He was thereafter lynched while his vehicle was set ablaze by some people in the area.

The people had alleged that they found some fetish items in his car, raising suspicion that he was a ‘Yahoo boy.’

Parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Akure, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed that seven persons were arrested but four of them were paraded before journalists.

The PPRO identified the suspects paraded as Samuel Olatunji, 20, Pelumi Farotimi, 42, Ismaila Durotoye, 32 and Victor Amos, 30.

Odunlami added that an investigation into the incident is ongoing while the suspects would be charged in court for murder and arson. She declared that the command is on the trail of other suspects still at large.

She said, “Last week Monday, we had a case of jungle justice in Akure in which a young man who was driving along Ijoka Road had an accident and unfortunately killed one commercial motorcyclist and injured six others.

“Unfortunately, those who were at the scene resorted to jungle justice. Some of these people have been arrested. Seven people are in custody but four principal suspects are here. Jungle justice is illegal, it is against the law. It is wrong for anybody to kill anybody anyone under the guise that the person had killed someone else.

“We are not through with the arrest of suspects. Some suspects are still at large. After investigation, all suspects involved will be charged with arson and murder.”

The PPRO also disclosed that the victim had been buried on Monday.

One of the suspects, Amos, who spoke during the parade insisted that some fetish items were found in the deceased’s car, admitting that he was involved in the beating of the deceased.

He said, “On getting to the scene of the accident, the deceased had been beaten to a pulp, and he had been soaked in his blood. Commercial motorcyclists beat him mercilessly. I didn’t even know those that stoned him. On getting to the scene, I was moved by the lifeless bodies of those that he crushed and that made me pick up a stone and hit him on the head. I didn’t even know that he was the younger brother of my friend.

“When I gave him some punches, he held on to my leg and to release myself from his grip before he could drag me into the gutter, I tried to choke him on his neck. I indeed saw a small coffin and tortoise inside the car before it was burnt. But I was no longer there when the car was set ablaze.

“I was not arrested by the police. I went to report myself at Ala Police Station when my picture was being circulated as part of those who participated in the beating. I told the police that I beat and stoned him but I did not kill him.”

The Punch

News

Pensioners’ Welfare: Govenor Adeleke Approves N3.3bn for Retirees

Published

24 hours ago

October 4, 2024

Eric

The Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Dr Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has again approved a whopping sum of Three billion, Three hundred naira only (#3,300,000,000.00) for the payment of accrued rights (bond certificates) of a number of workers who retired under the Contributory Pension Scheme across the State, according to a statement esigned by the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina.

Of the said amount amount, N1.5 billion is for retirees at the State level comprising Ministries, Departments, Agencies, secondary schools and tertiary institutions while the sum of #1.8bn is for those who retired in the local government service, junior and primary schools across the State.

The statement noted that the approved fund is presently undergoing due process at the Bureau of Public Service Pension and the Local Government Staff Pension Board.

The approval, the statement further disclosed, is apart from the regular monthly payment of pension and gratuities to retired public servants under the old pension scheme across the whole gamut of the public service.

It will be recalled that workers and pensioners welfare top the 5- point Action Plan of Governor Ademola Adeleke-led administration in the State.

Stakeholders admit that Governor Adeleke been keeping his promise since he came on board in November, 2022 going by his unhindered love for public servants and the entire citizens of the State.

News

We’re Winning War Against Bandits, Terrorists, Says Tinubu’s Minister

Published

1 day ago

October 4, 2024

Eric

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; said on Thursday that Nigeria is winning the war against terror and banditry.

Idris made the claim during the opening ceremony of the 1st Annual International Lecture of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja

He said: “Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism.

“Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever.

“As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country.

“Indeed, this quote from President Bola Tonibu has amplified the resolve and determination of this administration to address the security challenges confronting us.

“By understanding the root causes, evaluating the impact on our territorial integrity, and implementing strategic policy measures, we can effectively address the challenges posed by this crisis.”

The minister pointed out that the Federal government through intelligence gathering and other grassroots measures is tackling insecurity.

News

Court Releases Ex-Taraba Governor, Darius Ishaku on N150m Bail

Published

2 days ago

October 3, 2024

Eric

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has granted a N150 million bail to a former governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku.

Ishaku was arraigned on Monday alongside Bello Yero, former permanent secretary, bureau for local government and chieftaincy affairs.

Both men are being prosecuted on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds.

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” when all the charges were read to them.

At the court session on Thursday, the defendants’ respective counsels moved their bail applications.

Rotimi Jacobs, prosecution counsel, said he would not object since the defendants have been granted administrative bail.

Sylvanus Oriji, presiding judge, granted the bail application.

He held that the defendants must produce two sureties each in like sum. The two sureties must be responsible citizens of Nigeria and must be residents within the FCT, with verifiable office and residential addresses.

One of the sureties produced by each defendant must be a director in the civil service.

The defendants must not travel outside the country without the court’s permission and must deposit their travel documents to the court.

Ishaku, 70, was governor of Taraba from 2015 to 2023.

In July 2023, the EFCC invited the former governor over some financial transactions conducted during his spell in office. He was later released on bail.

On September 27, 2024, Ishaku and Yero were arrested and detained by the commission.