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Diran Odeyemi Cries Out over Invasion of Residence, Disruption of Peace by Police

Published

4 months ago

October 27, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Chairman, Governing Council, Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke, and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Diran Odeyemi, has cried out over what he called invasion of his residence and disruption of his peace by the Nigerian Police Force.

Prince Odeyemi, who is presently holidaying in London, raised the alarm in a press statement, made available to this medium, where he stated that his alerted via phone call of heavy police presence(numbering about 20) in his residence at Aerodrome GRA Samonda, Ibadan.

The lamented that the news left the neighborhood in disarray and his family deeply shocked and disturbed.

The statement also narrated of various unfair treatments meted in his staff including his PA and a ‘lady’, who runs his laundry business.

Read the statement in full:

Invasion of My Residence by the Nigerian Police and Disruption of Peace

I wish to bring to public attention a deeply concerning and unacceptable incident that took place at my residence in Aerodrome GRA Samonda, Ibadan, yesterday, 26th October, 2024. While I am currently in London on holiday, my neighbors alerted me that my home had been surrounded by heavily armed policemen numbering about twenty and arriving in multiple buses and Hilux vehicles. This invasion, which has raised alarm in the entire neighborhood, has left my family, staff, and myself shocked and deeply disturbed.

Upon receiving the distressing news, I made repeated attempts to reach my personal assistant (PA) and cousin, who were present at the property. Despite my calls, they were not permitted to respond until much later, when my PA finally managed to contact me. He handed the phone to one Mr. Babatunde Chris-Olaiya, who identified himself as a Chief Superintendent of Police from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Osogbo. Mr. Chris-Olaiya declined to explain the reason behind this aggressive raid on my private property, merely instructing me to report to the Commissioner of Police in Osun State.

During the forced search of my home, the police reportedly brought along a lady and another visibly injured man, both subjected to questioning.

The lady, who operates my laundry services business, recounted a disturbing series of events. She was lured under false pretenses by a call from someone claiming to be the new manager of a local establishment who said he needed her services. Acting on this call, she sent our dispatch rider to pick up the items. Upon arrival, however, the rider was arrested, beaten, and coerced into bringing the policemen to the lady’s home.

The police then stormed her residence, arrested her, and took her to their station at Eleyele. There, she was told they were investigating a kidnapping case involving someone she had communicated with recently. She was forced to provide her phone password, and her conversations with me were examined. Both she and the rider were made to write statements, after which she was compelled to lead the police to my home.

The intrusion into my home, the physical and psychological harm inflicted on individuals associated with me, and the police’s unprofessional conduct in a residential area suggest an unsettling level of harassment. More disturbingly, my entire neighborhood was made to believe I was under investigation for kidnapping. It is both unthinkable and unacceptable that the Nigerian Police Force would engage in such conduct under the guise of an investigation.

As a journalist of over for thirty seven years and a renowned politician, I understand harassment when I see one. All my life I have been committed to speaking the truth and fostering a peaceful and lawful environment, and I am an advocate for transparent governance. However, this incident appears to fall well outside any legitimate law enforcement function, hinting at intimidation tactics aimed at stifling my activities or silencing my voice in public matters.

I hereby demand a full investigation into this incident by relevant authorities to clarify the motives of those involved and to hold accountable any parties who may have abused their positions of power. I stand firm in my commitment to democracy, justice, and the well-being of those around me, and I call on law enforcement agencies to exercise their duties within the bounds of professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights.

Finally, I urge my supporters and the public to remain calm, vigilant, and steadfast in their commitment to a peaceful society governed by the rule of law. I remain resolute in the face of these developments and will continue to act in the best interests of our community and nation.

Prince Diran Odeyemi is the Chairman, Governing Council, Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke, and Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party

Featured

Glo Partners Samsung to Offer Customers the Exclusive Galaxy S-25

Published

1 day ago

February 10, 2025

Eric

Digital solutions company, Globacom, has teamed up with Samsung, world’s leading manufacturer of electronic devices, to bring a new offer to Glo subscribers. This tantalising deal allows Glo customers to pre-order the highly sought-after Samsung Galaxy S-25 smartphone and enjoy unique benefits.

Samsung Electronics unveiled its newest flagship smartphones: the Galaxy S25 series which comes with cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and was designed to elevate user experience and set new standards in the industry on January 22, 2025.

The pre-ordering exercise kicked off on January 22 and closes on February 18, 2025 at Gloworld shops across the country. It gives customers the opportunity to select from the Galaxy S25 lineup, including the S25 Ultra, the top-tier and most sophisticated model, as well as the S25+ and the standard S25. They, however, come with different processors and storage options.

Customers who pre-order the Galaxy S25 or S25+ will receive complimentary gifts, including a Buds FE, a suit cover, and Samsung Care, while those opting for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, will receive a free Buds 3, a standing grip case, and Samsung Care.

Globacom is also delighting customers who purchase any model from the Galaxy S25 series with 18GB bonus data for 6 months under smartphone festival data plans, while they can also secure their pre-order at any Gloworld shop with an advance payment of ₦500,000. Pre-ordered phones will be delivered to customers from February 19 onwards.

“We are thrilled to bring this offer to our subscribers, who will enjoy unparalleled benefits, including innovative packaging. This partnership with Samsung reinforces our commitment to providing value-added services that cater to the evolving needs of our customers”.

The company advises other phone lovers who are yet to pre-order the new device to visit any Gloworld outlet close to them and join the list of the new owners of the Samsung S-25 phone before the expiry date.

Featured

Another Gloworld Retail Office Opens in Maiduguri

Published

4 days ago

February 7, 2025

Eric

Technology company, Globacom, on Wednesday opened another Gloworld retail outlet in the Borno State capital, Maiduguri.

The new Gloworld shop is the latest in Globacom’s trademark customer interface shops, and is equipped with the latest technology for fast and efficient customer service and complaints resolution.

According to Mr. Augustine Mamuro, Globacom’s Regional Sales Coordinator, North East, the opening of the centre is in line with its “desire to bring its services closer to the people, create more platforms for customers to have access to Globacom’s wide range of products and services and give them more exciting experience on the network.”

He added that Globacom’s approach to customer service “is one that is underpinned by innovation and total inclusiveness. This is why we are consistently seeking innovative channels to make available our array of services to them”.

Mamuro assured the people of Maiduguri that the office is manned by well-trained, polite and customer-friendly staff who will provide first-class services and attend to customers’ enquiries as well as their service and product needs.

He also said the new shop will offer affordable Glo products, devices, smartphones and accessories, adding, that the people are assured of quick and satisfactory resolutions of all issues ranging from SIM replacement and registration to recovery of over-scratched cards, refill, unblocking of phones and laptop configurations for internet, as well as post paid bill payments and purchase of all Glo and other complementary products”.

The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Umar Umar Kadafur, who was the Special Guest at the event, eulogised Globacom for deeming it fit to open a new Gloworld in Maiduguri for the benefit of the people.

He lauded the management of the company for its thoughtfulness in bringing its products and services close to the people of the state.

Featured

I Don’t Belong to Wike’s Camp, Dakuku Peterside Declares

Published

5 days ago

February 6, 2025

Eric

Dakuku Peterside has publicly declared his political leaning in Rivers State, saying he does not belong to the camp of the former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Instead, Peterside, a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said he aligns with Wike’s predecessor and estranged former godfather Rotimi Amaechi.

“I am a friend to Rotimi Amaechi,” the former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship hopeful said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday.

“I am not on the side of Nyesom Wike,” Peterside submitted, adding that he is also not politically aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

He, however, said he was ready to provide advice for the incumbent governor on how to move the state forward.

“When Nyesom Wike was governor, recall that I was doing open letters to him consistently, giving him my advice. I did that for some time. If Governor Fubara seeks my advice, of course, I am willing to give that, like many governors,” he said.

Rivers is one of the politically charged states in Nigeria, a situation which could be attributed to the chunk votes and fat purse of the oil-rich state.

Like a coat of many colours, fragmented political camps make up the diverse and intrigue-filled state dominated by pugilists in the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where the incumbent governor belongs.

Leaders of the camps include Wike, a PDP powerbroker and two-term governor of the state from May 2015 to May 2023. Another political gladiator in the state is Amaechi, a former APC presidential hopeful and ex-transport minister who previously governed the state from May 2007 to May 2015.

There are also those loyal to Fubara and former governor Peter Odili; while former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus; Magnus Abe; and Tonye Cole; amongst others, have their die-hard followers too. For over a decade, political crises have been Siamese to the State with followers of the various camps always at loggerheads.