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Gov. Akeredolu’s Widow, Betty- Anyanwu, Says Demolition Of Owo Memorial Park, “Affront To Decency”

June 23, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

“This evil is not just a political misstep, it is an insult to the victims, a disrespect to their families and a dishonour to a Governor who governed with empathy.”

To former First Lady of Ondo State, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the demolition of the Owo Memorial Park in memory of victims of terrorists attack by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is a “desecration of sacred ground and an “affront to decency.”

In a post on her official Facebook page on Monday, the widow of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, described the move as not only profoundly insensitive, but morally bankrupt.

“The monument, erected in the heart of Owo to honor the victims of the horrific June 2022 massacre at St. Francis Catholic Church, was initiated under Governor Akeredolu’s administration as a solemn tribute to lives lost and a symbol of collective mourning and healing.

“To now dismiss it as having ‘no economic value,’ and to demolish it for a so-called ‘world-class shopping complex,’ reveals a disturbing level of moral decay.

“A world-class society does not erase its pain to make way for profit. It preserves memory, honors the dead, and builds with conscience.”

Mrs. Akeredolu did not hold back in her critique of the justification given by the Aiyedatiwa administration, dismissing it as tone-deaf and inhumane.

“How daft can one be to assume that the value of life, memory, and honor must be measured by profit margins? “An honorary doctorate cannot mask a glaring absence of humanity and scholarship.”

Demolition of Owo Parks — Demolition Of Owo Memorial Park

The late Governor Akeredolu, a native of Owo, was widely regarded as a courageous and principled leader who stood firmly against injustice.

His widow emphasized that the monument was part of his legacy—a physical embodiment of empathy and leadership in the face of tragedy.

“This evil act is not just a political misstep; it is an insult to the victims, a disrespect to their families, and a dishonor to a governor who governed with empathy.

“Lucky Aiyedatiwa has shown us who he is—and history, too, will remember.”

Two Die In Pit Toilet While Recovering Mobile Phone In Kano

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 23, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Two people have lost their lives while trying to retrieve a mobile phone from a pit toilet in Bazabe area of Albasu local Council of Kano State.

The Kano State Fire Service in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Saminu Yusif Abdulahi, on Sunday June 22,2025 ,informed that the unfortunate incident occurred at about 11.16 am on Saturday, June, 21, 2025.

“The Fire Service received an emergency call around 11.16 am from Inspector Auwalu who reported that two people had fallen into pit toilet.

The Fire Service team from Takai LGA was quickly sent to the scene”, Abdullahi noted.

The statement further informed that the first victim, Usman Muhammad, 40 years old ,entered the pit toilet to recover his mobile phone.

Unfortunately after entering the toilet facility, Muhammad could not come out, a development which was said to have prompted Ibrahim Inuwa to go into the pit to assist the first victim.

“He managed to tie a rope around Usman so he could pulled him out, but also lost consciousness in the process.

“Our men rushed to the scene and rescued both men .Sadly, they were both unconscious and later confirmed dead” the Fire Service stated.

The bodies of the victims, according to the Fire Service spokesman,were immediately handed over to the Albasu police Divisional formation.

PDP Chides INEC: You Have No Powers To Stop Our NEC

James Orji

June 23, 2025

Debo Ologunagba - PDP Publicity Secretary

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says it will go ahead with it National Executive Committee, NEC meeting slated for June 30, saying the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC cannot stop the meeting.

The magazine reported that INEC had in a response to a letter from the PDP dated May 30, notifying the commission of the planned NEC meeting insisted that the party could not go ahead.

INEC had cited the fact that the PDP letter was not co-signed by the party’s National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu alongside that of the National Chairman, Umar Damagu.

Anyanwu did not sign the letter because of the ongoing tussle over the National Secretary position between him and Sunday Ude-Okoye, a former National Youth Leader of the party. The Supreme Court had affirmed Anyanwu as the party’s scribe, even though the NEC of the party had recently appointed Setonji Koshoedo as the Acting National Secretary.

The party, the magazine learned, had at its 99^th NEC meeting held on May 30 agreed to hold another NEC meeting on June 30, to resolve some of the crisis rocking the party including the tussle over the National Secretary position.

But INEC had in a letter dated June 13 , signed by Halilu Aminu, the commission’s Acting Secretary informed the party that the meeting should be cancelled.

But speaking during a press conference in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Sunday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologun Agba said the commission has no power to cancel its NEC meeting, noting that the meeting is not for the purpose of electing officials of the party.

According to him, the Supreme Court has ruled that political parties have the powers to conduct their internal affairs without external interventions. Ologunagba noted that the NEC is one of the routing meetings of the party which cannot be interrupted by any external body insisting that “If the court does not have jurisdiction over what happened with the internal affairs of the party, I wonder why INEC will have jurisdiction over it.”

The PDP spokesman stated further that it’s unconstitutional for the “Acting Secretary of INEC, Halilu Aminu,” to “unilaterally” cancel the upcoming NEC meeting saying the commission lacks the powers to do so.

The party stressed that “INEC cannot cancel our meetings.” It’s the prerogative of the party to so do, according to Ologunagba, who warned that INEC’s actions could undermine democracy and erode international confidence in its capacity to conduct credible elections in the country.

Ologunagba: “INEC has no role in the regular meetings of the NWC or NEC.

“These are internal party matters, as clearly established by the Supreme Court in numerous rulings.

“INEC cannot cancel our meetings. It is the party’s prerogative to decide such matters. INEC has no authority to do so. We are planning to hold our meeting as scheduled, if anything changes we will brief you.

“We did not state that the meeting was for electing officers, conducting primaries, or nominating candidates for elective positions.

“Yet, the Acting Secretary of INEC, Halilu Aminu, decided to unilaterally assign a purpose to our meeting.”

The PDP spokesman said the party has the power to designate anyone to sign the letter, wondering why the issue has become the headache of the commission, asking what INEC stands to gain in trying to ensure that the NEC did not hold.

According to Ologunagba, “Now, whoever signs the letter is an interrupter of the party.

“If the court does not have jurisdiction over what happened with the internal affairs of the party, I wonder why INEC will have jurisdiction over it.

“Because that is not the job of INEC. If we designate somebody to be the person to sign the letter, so be it.

“And that’s why it’s an internal affair of the party.

“Why the desperation to kill political parties? All they want is a party state, to stifle opposition.

“Which is just, like I have said earlier here, it’s wishful thinking, it’s hallucination.

“And INEC should know that this is a hallucination.”

“This country will not go into a one-party state and nobody, no matter how powerful, whether you’re a president or you’re a combination of presidents, it will not work.”

Anger As Ondo Gov Aiyedatiwa Demolishes Owo Memorial Park Built By Akeredolu

Ayodele Oni

June 23, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The demolition of a park built in memory of those killed by terrorists at Saint Andrew’s Catholic church in Owo, Ondo state three years ago by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration has sparked fresh debate on rubbishing late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s legacies.

Bulldozer was moved down last Saturday to the site of the Memorial Park at Owo town in Ondo state and in a matter of hours, a cenotaph erected to honor the victims of the June 5, 2022, St. Francis Catholic Church massacre was reduced to rubble.

Erected under the administration of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the memorial park was meant to stand as a solemn reminder of lives brutally cut short in a house of worship by terrorists.

The now-demolished memorial park was situated close to the palace of the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, which was regarded as a taboo for such an edifice to be sited close to the palace.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s government claimed that the edifice was pulled down on the request of Owo monarch, Oba Ogunoye, whose permission was sought before erection.

However, one of the ex aides of late Akeredolu, Richard Olabode, explained that “The late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, convened a meeting with the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III his chiefs, and political appointees from Owo, where he outlined his vision for the park.

“He explicitly stated that no corpses would be buried there and sought the Olowo’s approval. He also offered an alternative: if the Olowo was not comfortable with the proposed location, the park could be relocated to Ijebu-Owo or other areas in the town. The Olowo and his chiefs agreed to the chosen site.

“No bodies or corpses are buried at the memorial park. The park was constructed to celebrate the lives and memories of the departed souls. Not a single body was interred there.

“When the late Governor Akeredolu built the park, he was not playing politics. He acted solely on what he believed was necessary and appropriate.

“It is sad that some government appointees are now injecting political undertones into this matter. This is very unfortunate.

“The tragic incident of June 5, 2022, was an international tragedy. Given its sensitive nature, I believe the government should have exercised greater caution in demolishing the park. This action will undoubtedly reopen wounds in the hearts of the victims’ families.

“The late Governor Akeredolu responded to the tragedy of June 5, 2022, with courage and resolve, doing what any responsible and responsive leader would do anywhere in the world. This demolition cannot erase his gallant efforts.”

POS Cash Transactions Hit N223 trn As ATM’s Dip

James Orji

June 23, 2025

A whopping N223 trillion worth of cash transactions were handled by Point of Sale, POS, operators in 2024, according to the data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, a significant rise in the 2023 figures, The Punch reports.

According to checks, POS operators in the country handled N110 trillion cash transactions in 2023. The surge, experts insist, indicate that customers now prefer POS to Automated Teller Machines, ATM, due to some factors including convenience and accessibility.

The total number of POS transactions rose from 9.85 billion in 2023 to 13.08 billion in 2024, indicating a 32.7 per cent increase year-on-year. In contrast, ATM transaction volume remained largely flat, rising marginally from 1.012 billion to 1.022 billion transactions.

The value of ATM withdrawals in 2024 was N29.12tn, a slight increase from N28.21tn in the previous year, further confirming a slowdown in cash withdrawal growth relative to digital payment usage. Monthly data from the apex bank shows a consistent rise in POS transaction values throughout 2024.o star-studded weddings, others

In January, POS terminals processed N11.50tn, more than double the N5.28tn recorded in January 2023. ATM withdrawals fell sharply in the same month, declining from N3.24tn to N2.15tn year-on-year. In February 2024, POS transaction value rose to N12.46tn, a 69 per cent increase from N7.38tn in the corresponding month of the previous year.

The volume of POS transactions dropped slightly month-on-month but remained significantly above the 2023 figures. ATM withdrawals declined to N1.72tn from N1.77tn year-on-year. By March, POS terminals recorded N14.73tn in transaction value, up from N10.62tn in March 2023.

While POS transaction volume crossed the one billion mark, ATM usage dipped further, with withdrawals totalling N1.60tn compared to N2.16tn in the same month of the previous year.

April continued the trend with POS transaction value of N13.74tn, a rise from N8.55tn recorded in April 2023.

ATM withdrawals remained subdued at N1.81tn, lower than N2.41tn recorded the previous year. May followed with a POS transaction value of N13.91tn, a 67.3 per cent increase from N8.30tn in May 2023. ATM withdrawals stood at N2.49tn, slightly below the previous year’s N2.62tn.

June saw one of the most significant surges, with POS value hitting N19.57tn, more than double the N8.31tn recorded in June 2023. ATM usage by value remained virtually unchanged at N2.45tn despite a rise in volume to 113.17 million, suggesting a higher frequency of smaller withdrawals.

In July 2024, ATM withdrawals rose to N3.21tn, up from N2.24tn in July 2023, while POS value hit N15.24tn, reflecting an 83 per cent increase year-on-year. In August, POS transactions surged further to N18.90tn, more than double the N9.10tn recorded in August 2023. ATM withdrawals also saw a modest increase to N2.21tn, up from N2.14tn in the previous year.

September recorded N19.69 trillion in POS transaction value, compared to N9.40tn in 2023, showing a 109.6 per cent increase. ATM value increased modestly to N2.30 trillion from N1.99tn year-on-year. In October, POS usage rose to N22.27 trillion from N10.60tn in October 2023, while ATM value dropped to N1.93 trillion from N2.54 trillion, marking the lowest ATM transaction value for the year.

November posted one of the highest spikes in POS value at N29.42tn, up from N11.28 trillion in the same month of 2023, a rise of over 160 per cent. ATM withdrawals rebounded to N3.35tn, their highest for the year. In December, POS transaction value peaked at N31.84 trillion, compared to N13.20 trillion in December 2023. ATM usage also reached its highest point at N3.91 trillion, up from N2.43 trillion year-on-year.

The data reflect the continued expansion of POS terminals, which are increasingly accessible across urban and rural communities through agency banking networks. While ATM usage remains relevant, the figures suggest a diminishing reliance on physical cash withdrawals from ATMs for everyday transactions.

The increasing preference for POS reflects a shift towards convenience, speed, and broader financial access. However, the rapid growth also brings to the fore issues such as fraud and transaction charges.

The surge in POS transactions occurred despite the arbitrary increase in charges common towards the end of the year. In December 2024, POS agents hiked charges by about 100 per cent, collecting up to N200 per N5,000 withdrawal.

Many Nigerians were at the mercy of POS operators, as most banks’ ATMs were empty. Inside the banks, there was no reprieve as most of the banks turned their customers back for lack of cash, and in rare cases where the customers were able to get cash, they were limited to N10,000 or N20,00 withdrawals.

This happened despite a warning to the banks by the CBN that any bank found not dispensing cash via ATMs would be sanctioned. The CBN earlier sanctioned nine Deposit Money Banks with fines totalling N1.35bn for failing to ensure cash availability via Automated Teller Machines during the festive season.

Each of the banks was fined N150m following spot checks that revealed non-compliance with the apex bank’s cash distribution guidelines. The affected banks include Fidelity Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Keystone Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc, Globus Bank Plc, Providus Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, and Sterling Bank Plc.

The fines will be directly debited from the banks’ accounts with the CBN. Further checks by The PUNCH showed that the high POS transaction charge persists even after the festive period.

Earlier, POS operators attributed the increase to severe cash scarcity caused by banks rationing withdrawals and the implementation of the Electronic Money Transfer Levy of N50 by the Federal Inland Revenue Services, charged on any electronic inflow of N10,000 and above.

The stamp duty or electronic money transfer levy is a single, one-off charge of N50 on electronic receipt or transfer of money deposited in any commercial money bank or financial institution on any type of account on sums of N10,000 and above.

On December 1, 2024, the Federal Government began enforcing the policy across fintech platforms such as OPay, Moniepoint, Kuda, and others. The fintech operators dominate about 70 per cent of the POS agent market.

Also, with the surge in POS transactions, there have been rising cases of fraud through this payment system, among other concerns. The prevalence of fraud and forgery in Nigeria’s payment system has shown a significant shift in the first quarter of 2024, with POS transactions experiencing the highest increase in fraudulent activities.

According to the Fraud and Forgeries Report in Nigerian Banks for the first quarter of 2024 by FITC, POS fraud cases surged by 31.12 per cent in Q1 2024. In Q4 2023, there were 2,683 reported cases of fraud associated with POS terminals. However, this number escalated to 3,518 cases by Q1 2024.

POS fraud cases made up 30.67 per cent of the total fraud cases (11,472) recorded in the quarter under review. Also, fraud cases involving computers, mobile devices, and point-of-sale systems accounted for the majority of fraudulent activities recorded in Nigeria during the second quarter of 2024.

Oyo: APC Slams Makinde’s N63b ‘Reckless’ Spending On Govt House, Private Jets

James Orji

June 23, 2025

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state is spending the funds belonging to the state recklessly, he has been treating the peoples of the state with disrespect and disdain, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The party slammed the governor over his alleged decision to spend over N63 billion for the renovation of the state Government House, describing the governor’s action to be profligate and insensitive to the plight of the people of the state.

Governor Makinde had recently announced his government’s plan to renovate the Agodi Government House with N63.5 billion because the building, according to him, no longer befit the status of the state.

Reacting, the APC in a statement issued by the state’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare said the government has embarked on a spending spree that will not benefit the state, citing also the government decision to “purchase two aircrafts for him to monitor criminals from the air space.”

The party said some of the projects being executed by Governor Makinde do not serve the need of the people of the state, describing them as waste and grandiose.

On the Government House renovation, APC said the decision cannot be justified considering that the structure had already been renovated by the immediate past government of Abiola Ajimobi, wondering why Governor Makinde again allocated billions for the same project.

APC also accused the governor of “contract splitting” in the upgrade of Alakia Airport, saying funds were allocated for the project twice, adding the the financial recklessness of the governor has come to the light of the people of the state and others closely watching his government.

The statement read in part: “We watched keenly as concerned individuals and groups across the globe condemned the decision of Gov. Makinde to record another ugly stride in his penchant for financial recklessness and wasting of public funds through the payment of huge sums on white elephant projects and misplaced priorities. Interestingly, most of those who did not take us seriously when we raised the alarm on the production of 212,505 copies of exercise books for public school pupils at the rate of N2100 per copy in 2019 are now the leading voices against the same Gov. Makinde.”

“To make the matter, Gov. Makinde failed to justify the decision to expend so much billions on the renovation of structures which had been built to last decades several years ago and renovated to taste by the immediate past administration of the ever-neat and classy Senator Abiola Ajimobi in 2017. All that played out in Gov. Makinde’s official address to the state lawmakers at the Oyo State House of Assembly on Thursday was a futile attempt to cover up a case of brazen corruption and impunity.”

“At the same time, Gov. Makinde has a lot to tell the world about a criminal case of contract splitting which has been established in the ongoing upgrade of Alakia Airport because he has not explained why he had to release another N10billion and now N14.3billion for the the same project estimated to gulp N14.3billion to complete and after full payment had been made, the governor keeps making fresh budget as extra billions are being paid by the state government.”

“On the issue of aircrafts, it is another conduit through which a few individuals around the corridor of power would siphon public funds. The best thing which Gov. Makinde would do is to pay for two new airplanes from the coffers of the state and then bring one tokunboh private jet which would move him and his cronies around the world at the expense of the masses.

“Meanwhile, aircrafts are not what Oyo state needs at the moment to combat crime but synergy among stakeholders, motivation of security agents and deployment of relevant technologies as the idea of surveillance with airplane is premature.” APC said.

Presidency Says Lamido Is Envious Of Tinubu’s Democratic Credentials

Ayodele Oni

June 23, 2025

Sule Lamido and Bola Tinubu and MKO Abiola

By Ayodele Oni

The Presidency has described President Bola Tinubu as the financial pillar behind groups, individuals and organizations clamouring for the de-annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.

While replying to the claim made by Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State, on live television, where he accused President Bola Tinubu of supporting the annulment of the June 12, 1993, Presidential election, the Presidency described the claim as a distortion of history and a regrettable attempt at revisionism.

In a statement on Sunday, Special Adviser to the President on media & strategy, Bayo Onanuga stated that “It is important to remind Nigerians that Alhaji Lamido, as secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)—the party whose candidate, MKO Abiola won the June 12 election—was among those who failed to oppose the military’s injustice.

“The SDP leadership, including Lamido and chairman Tony Anenih, wrote their names in the book of infamy by surrendering the people’s mandate without resistance. To their eternal shame, Lamido and Anenih teamed up with the defeated National Republican Convention to deny Abiola his mandate.

“Thankfully, Lamido admitted that Tinubu played a significant role in NADECO. Indeed, Tinubu did more. He also backed Professor Wole Soyinka’s NALICON, offering material resources to fuel the struggle.

“It is well-known that Tinubu played a leading role in the agitation against the June 12 annulment. Many NADECO leaders and journalists in exile and at home openly admitted that Tinubu sustained them and provided them with funds for the struggle.

“With his narrative, Lamido appeared confused about the role of NADECO. It was an offshoot of the June 12 crisis. NADECO provided a platform to channel the struggle. Hitherto, all the resistance was left to civil rights groups, journalists, and a section of labour, such as NUPENG.

“It is thus disappointing that Alhaji Lamido, despite acknowledging Tinubu’s NADECO role would attempt to rewrite history for political reasons and being a member of the Coalition of the Disgruntled.

“We advise Lamido to check his facts before going on television to spread falsehoods. It does not help his image, and the coalition he belongs to engages in revisionism. Revisionism does not serve the cause of truth or our nation’s interests.

“We do not want to believe that Alhaji Lamido suffers from what psychologists call tall poppy syndrome. However, the conclusion is inevitable as it appears that Lamido is envious of Tinubu’s democratic credentials.

“The facts remain clear: President Tinubu was—and remains—a steadfast advocate for democracy, in contrast to the record of Lamido and others who capitulated in the face of military oppression and intimidation.”

Sprinter, Favour Ofili Dumps Nigeria For Turkey

Akinwale Kasali

June 22, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

Favour Ofili, World 150 Meters Record holder and Nigeria’s sprint sensation has dumped her country of origin for Turkey.

Ofili is dumping Nigeria less than three months to the 2025 World Athletics Championship to be held in Tokyo.

It was gathered that Ofili switched her athletic allegiance to Turkey having complained about the way the nation’s Athletics Federation is being run. She, also, said she was unfairly treated.

The 22-year-old’s nationality-switch was first reported by Jamaica-based journalist, Kayon Raynor, who announced on social media platform X (former Twitter) that Ofili completed the process May 31, 2025.

Citing sources at TVJ News Centre, Raynor said Ofili informed the Athletics Integrity Unit, AIU, of her growing frustration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, and the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC.

“She has switched allegiance to Turkey as of May 31. She complained to the Athletics Integrity Unit about how she was unfairly treated by Nigerian officials,” Raynor posted.

Ofili reportedly pointed to a series of administrative lapses, including her controversial omission from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to delayed doping test confirmations and her exclusion from the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

She only competed in the 200m in Paris, finishing sixth in the final.

Though she has yet to issue an official statement, Ofili is said to have clarified that her decision was not driven by financial incentives.

However, Sources noted that Turkey has recently stepped up efforts to recruit elite athletes globally, reportedly offering incentives as high as $500,000 to secure top talent.

Ofili, an LSU alumna, gained global attention in May when she shattered the 150m world record at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, clocking 15.85 seconds to break the 16.23-second record previously held by Olympic champion, Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

Despite the reported switch, Ofili still appears as a Nigerian athlete on the World Athletics database at the time of this report.

Rivers: Police Moves Against Attackers Of Ahoada Council Administrator

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 22, 2025

Goodluck Iheamnacho - Ahoada Local Government Administrator

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Rivers State Police Command on Sunday, June, 22, 2025, issued a marching order for the immediate arrest of all those behind the attack on the person and office of the Ahoada East Local Government Chairman, Goodluck Iheamnacho.

This is just as the State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, ordered the Council’s Chief Security officer CSO Hector Ekakita, the Chief of Staff to the Council chairman, and all those that participated in the attack on Iheamnacho to report immediately to the Headquarters of the Police Command in Port Harcourt.

The Source reports that a group of youths had, on Friday, June 20, 2025 stormed the Council headquarters, attacked the Chairman, and forced him to sign a resignation letter which they came along with.

In a viral video of the humiliating and despicable attack, the Council chairman was seen sitting on the floor with several people surrounding and beating him.

Speaking on a live Radio programme on Saturday June 21, 2025, Iheamnacho, while recounting his ordeal at the hands of the invading hoodlums, urged the public to disregard claims of his purported resignation from office.

According to him, the attackers, besides beating and harassing him, also carted away some valuable Council official documents, his personal belongings , a situation he said which resulted in the circulation of his fake resignation letter.

Curiously, the Council’s CSO, Ekakita had, in another Radio interview, insisted on the sanctity of the said resignation, noting that some irate youth had actually stormed the Council headquarters demanding for the exit of Iheamnacho on grounds of alleged embezzlement of funds.

However, in a statement issued by Grace Irenge-Koko, its spokesperson, the Rivers state Police Command, strongly condemned the attack on the Council Chairman, describing it as heinous, reprehensible and totally unacceptable.

According to the Police, the attack which occurred at about 1.40.pm on Friday, June 20, involved about 30 suspected hoodlums.

The attackers assaulted the Council Chairman, vandalized his office, carted away some valuable documents, and made away with his personal items including his mobile phone ,the police stated.

The police further informed that the assaulted Council Chairman is presently recuperating at a medical facility where he is being attended to for injuries sustain during the attack.

“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of, and deeply disturbed by the heinous attack on the Sole Administrator of Ahoada East Local Government Area LGA, Goodluck Iheanachor.

On June 20, 2025, at about 1340hrs, a group of hoodlums numbering about 30, led by Hector Ekakita, the Chief Security Officer CSO, and the Chief of Staff COS to the Sole Administrator, respectively, stormed the Council Secretariat and attacked him.

“The Rivers State Police Command unequivocally condemns this reprehensible act, and has taken swift action.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju after visiting the scene of the attack with Heads of other sister security agencies in the State has directed the Chief Security Officer and Chief of Staff, and all those involved in this action to report to the Police State Headquarters, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt for questioning”, the Police stated

This is just as the CP warned of severe consequences in the event of failure of the invited people to report as demanded.

Ondo Judicial Workers Strike: SDP Tasks Govt On Judicial Autonomy

Ayodele Oni

June 22, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State, Gbenga Akinbuli, has advised the State Attorney General, Olukoyede Ajulo, SAN, to resign in the face of his inability to advise Government on the autonomy of the Judiciary.

Akinbuli flayed the State Government’s continued disregard for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) granting financial autonomy to the judiciary.

Akinbuli, in a statement, expressed disappointment and dismay over the government’s actions, which he described as “authoritarian tendencies and lack of commitment to upholding the rule of law.”

He specifically criticized Ajulo for failing to advise the government accordingly and ensure that the rule of law is upheld.

Akinbuli said it is laughable that someone with his experience and stature would fail to guide the government on the importance of respecting the judiciary’s autonomy.”

He urged the Attorney General to do the needful or resign and go back to his law practice in Abuja.

“As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Ajulo should not have allowed the situation to degenerate,”

“His silence and inaction in the face of this crisis is a betrayal of the legal profession and a clear indication of complicity in the state’s anti-judiciary agenda.”

While condemning the government’s actions, Akinbuli also appealed to the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to reconsider the decision to embark on an indefinite strike, citing the potential consequences for the common man and litigants.

“The government needs to be held accountable for their actions, disregard for the judiciary’s autonomy and the rule of law is a threat to democracy.

“Judicial autonomy is a constitutional matter, not a subject of negotiation. The Ondo State Government must show respect for the rule of law. The continued closure of the courts is a direct attack on democracy and a denial of justice for ordinary citizens.

“The people of Ondo State deserve better, and it’s time for the government to prioritize the effective functioning of the judiciary.”

He called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to engage the striking workers and implement full financial autonomy for the judiciary in line with national and constitutional directives.

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