Court Orders Socialite, Aisha Achimugu To Submit Self To EFCC

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April 28, 2025

Justice I.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered Abuja Aisha Achimugu to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to answer questions for alleged money laundry and criminal conspiracy.

The judge also directed Achumugu to appear before the court on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

The order was made in a ruling delivered on Monday, April 28, 2025, in respect of a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025, filed by Achimugu against several law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, the Department of State Services, DSS, the EFCC, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ,NSCDC, and the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS.

Recall that the EFCC had on March 28, 2025 in a circular declared the popular socialite wanted, after she failed to make herself available to the agency, having earlier reported to the agency office on February 12, where she made a statement. Since then she had failed to honor the EFCC invitation.

She would later filed a fundamental right enforcement suit against the EFCC and law enforcement agencies to stop her arrest.

The Legal Battle

In its response to Achimugu’s application for the court to enforce her fundamental right, EFCC’s Counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court of a counter-affidavit deposed to by one of its investigators, Chris Odofin, outlining the circumstances leading to her invitation. In the affidavit, Odofin disclosed that Achimugu is under investigation for alleged conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, corruption and possession of property reasonably suspected to have been acquired through unlawful means.

Achimugu had initially honoured the Commission’s invitation on February 12, 2024, during which she made a written statement and was subsequently granted administrative bail through her lawyer and surety, Darlington N. Ozurumba.

However, she allegedly failed to report back as agreed, choosing instead to file a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Commission. The affidavit further revealed that Achimugu, in her statement, explained the inflow of N8.71 billion into her corporate bank accounts as an ” investment fund” for the acquisition of an oil block. She claimed the funds were transferred to the Federal Government’s account through her company, Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, referencing documentation from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC.

Further investigation in the affidavit however, indicated that Achimugu’s company actually acquired two oil blocks, Shallow Water PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore PPL 302-DO at the cost of $25.3 million. Investigations showed that the payments were allegedly made in cash via bureau de change operators and that the ultimate sources of the funds could not be traced to any legitimate business income or partnerships.

The Commission also alleged that the acquisition process was fraught with corruption. Despite the acquisition, neither of the two oil blocks had commenced exploration or production as of the time of investigation. The EFCC stressed that Achimugu’s current suit is a calculated attempt to frustrate the ongoing investigation, despite a previous court decision in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2024 dismissing her claim of fundamental rights violations.

Following the dismissal of the earlier suit, the EFCC continued its investigation by dispatching inquiry letters to various banks and the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, the Federal Inland Revenue Services, Land Authorities, Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, Central Bank of Nigeria to gather more evidence. As more responses were received, the team analysed them while further responses are being awaited.

The affidavit also shows the applicant operates a total of one hundred and thirty-six (136) bank accounts across ten different banks both in her personal and corporate names.

The case continues on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 with Achimugu expected to report to the EFCC on Tuesday as directed by the court.

Sanwo-olu To Peter Obi: You Are Unpatriotic, Lacks Moral Rights To Criticize Tinubu

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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April 28, 2025

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has slammed the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter for de-marketing Nigeria. The Lagos governor who cited Obi’s time as governor of Anambra state said he has no moral rights to criticised the federal government.

Obi, a member of the Labour Party has recently criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC-led federal government which he blamed for the povertyin the country.

The former Anambra helmsman had last week claimed that the ruling APC led federal government has mismanaged the country’s economy so much so that poor people in Nigeria is now more than the combined figure in China, Indonesia and Vietnam.

According to him, the three countries once categorised alonside Nigeria in the area of Human Development index, HDI, have changed their story while Nigeria’s situation has gone from bad to worse.

The former presidential candidate spoke at the John Hopkins University in the United State, recently his remark is vied in government quarters to be very antagonistic, as some administration’s officials have taken time to rebuff him.

“In the area of poverty, Nigeria with about 50 million poor people, had the least number of people in poverty in 1990 than any of the three countries. While China had about 750 million people living in poverty, Indonesia and Vietnam had 85 million and 60 million poor people, respectively. China alone had about 15 times the number of poor people than Nigeria. Today, however, Nigeria has more poor people than these 3 countries combined,” Obi said.

Reacting, Governor Sanwo-olu said the former Anambra state governor, as governor, did not leave any legacy in the area of education and health, wondering why he has the audacity to criticised the federal government, noting that the current administration has performed well in these areas, citing the tertiary institution loan to studenst and dozens of school build by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Lagos governor.

President Tinubu and Sanwo-olu are in the same APC, the ruling party at the centre.

The Lagos helmsman also accused Obi of being unpatriotic, saying he should be marketing the country abroad, to attract investment into the country instead of speaking ill of her, adding that “we all owe a duty to market Nigeria on the global stage rather than demarketing her. That is what true patriotism is about,”

He urged Obi to stop making “alarming claims” about the country, blaming the former governor for contributing to the “poverty’ in the country.

Sanwo-Olu titled his reaction, “Factually Addressing Mr. Peter Obi’s Criticism of Nigeria at Johns Hopkins University. ”

Obi “made unflattering remarks not just about the incumbent Nigerian government but also about Nigeria. I also find Mr Obi’s pattern of behaviour disturbing. When prominent Nigerians go overseas, they ought to project Nigeria positively,’ Sanwo-olu said.

“They do not have to do that for the government. But we all owe a duty to market Nigeria on the global stage rather than demarket her. That is what true patriotism is about.”

Adding that, “I find it somewhat ironic that a man like Mr Obi, who did not build a single school or a stand-alone hospital throughout his eight-year tenure as governor of Anambra or sustainably provide credit facilities, would criticise the government of Nigeria, which is actively doing that.

“I say this because the president of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is my predecessor, and as governor of Lagos and now President of Nigeria, has built over 200 schools and provided student loans to more than 200,000 undergraduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions.

“In less than two years, he has provided over half a billion dollars in credit facilities to small and medium-scale enterprises.”

“Under Peter Obi, a two-term Anambra Governor, poverty in Anambra increased. It did not reduce. Before Peter Obi became Anambra Governor on Thursday, June 14, 2007, the poverty rate in Anambra was 41.4 per cent.

“But after only two years in office, the poverty rate in Anambra jumped to 53.7 per cent. But the interesting thing is that five years after Peter Obi left office, his successor, Willie Obiano, reduced the poverty rate in Anambra from almost 60 per cent to 14.8 per cent.

“As such, I am not sure that Mr. Obi is morally well placed to make the alarming claims he made about Nigeria at Johns Hopkins. Mr Obi contributed to the increase in poverty in Nigeria,” the Lagos governor said.

The magazine reported that the International Monetary Fund, IMF, had in its latest report asserted that the poverty level in the country will continue to get worse up to 2027 when the Tinubu administration is expected to wind down its first term in office. The president, according to him, will seek a re-election.

APC Issues 7-Day Ultimatum To VeryDarkman

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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April 28, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Martin Vincent Otse, popular in social media circles as VeryDarkman, has until the next sevendays to tender an unreserved apology to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, or face legal action, the All Progressive Congress, APC, has threatened.

The popular social media influencer and critic, was on Sunday, April 27, 2025, accused by the APC of slandering and disparaging the person and office of the Senate President in his three-minute viral video trending online.

In a statement issued by its South South Organizing Secretary, Blessing Agbomhere, the APC, while calling on VeryDarkman to draw a line of demarcation between activism and slander, also cautioned against any further attempt at impugning the image and office of the number three citizen of Nigeria.

The Source reports that the APC cautionary note and threat of a legal action are coming against the backdrop of a viral video in which VDM scathingly criticized Akpabio’s selection to lead the country’s delegation to the burial of late Pope Francis in the Vatican.

In the video, he insisted that the Senate President lacks the moral and religious authority to lead the country’s delegation to such a solemn gathering as the burial of a globally acknowledged moral compass-Pope Francis.

Apparently, referencing the festering Senator Natasha alleged sexual abuse scandal, the social media activist described the presence of Akpabio in Rome as the Head of Nigeria’s delegation as shameful.

According to him, the Senate President could have been more meaningfully engaged staying back in the country, and visiting several trouble spots such as Plateau, Benue, Kwara, Ogun, Enugu, and other States, rather than wasting tax payers money to go to the Vatican.

However, Agbomhere, on Sunday, expressed serious concern that VDM has gradually descended, of late, into the abyss of blackmail, slander, and character assassination under the guise of activism.

“VeryDarkman is becoming notorious for blackmail, slander, and character assassination, while pretending to be an advocate for the masses and a social crusader.

“This unwarranted verbal attack was on the number three citizen of Nigeria who did not send himself to Rome, but was duly nominated by the President to lead a delegation to represent Nigeria. What exactly is wrong with that?

“Being a devout Catholic and family man with unblemished character, President Tinubu saw in Akpabio a worthy Ambassador of Nigeria to such an event as the Pope’s funeral and wasted no time in thrusting that responsibility on him. Again, what is wrong with that?

“I am with this statement, issuing VeryDarkman a week’s ultimatum to immediately tender an unreserved apology to the Senate President for the slanderous comments, and to desist from further bringing the integrity of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration into disrepute in the eyes of the. global community” Agbomhere stated.

The South-south APC Organizing Secretary, therefore called on Nigerians to ignore the “the rantings of the social media influencer as mere blackmailing antics.”

Pro-Wike Rally: Church Not Aware Of Use Of Its Premises

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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April 28, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

State Govt. asks IGP to urgently investigate the resultant violence

The Bayelsa State Government has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun to urgently institute an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the shootings ,and security breaches that occurred during a controversial political rally organized by associates of Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister on Saturday April 26, 2025 in Yenagoa the State capital.

This is just as the leadership of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Church of God Mission International, accused the organizers of the said rally of hoodwinking it into leasing out its premises for the said political gathering.

The Source reports that Governor Douye Diri had earlier refused to grant the George Turnah-led pro-Wike group access to the Yenagoa stadium or any of the State’s facilities for a proposed mega rally to drum support for the FCT minister .

The State Government had cited the need to preserve the fragile peace of Bayelsa State in the face of the volatile political situation in the neighbouring Rivers State as a major reason for banning all forms of rallies in the State.

However, despite the State’s subsisting ban on open rallies, Turnah, a well known ally of Wike, in conjunction with his New Associates Group,went ahead to hold the said rally on Saturday, using the premises of the Church of God Mission as venue.

But the rally was marred by sporadic gun shots from yet-to-be determined quarters, with two people believed to be dead and several others injured.

In a statement issued Saturday night by the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Obiuwou Koku-Obiyai, the Bayelsa State Government urged the Police to urgently track down those behind the reported shootings and the fracas at the rally ground l.

According to the state authorities ,the incident cannot be dismissed with the wave of the hand,noting that the organizers had earlier threatened that ” the good ,the bad and the ugly would be attending the rally ” .

The state Government expressed concern about how a supposedly peaceful rally could turn violent ,with many said to be seriously injured.

The Commissioner for Information called on the Police to commence a full scale investigation into the incident with a view to apprehending and prosecuting those found wanting.

The authorities emphasized the imperativeness of the probe, particularly in the face of the said rally violating extant rules and regulations guiding political activities.

The State Government maintained that the rally was against the provisions of the Electoral Act and political guidelines as stipulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, more so when it was held on the Camp ground of a Religious body.

Instructively, the leadership of the host Church, in a statement from its State Coordinator, Rev Dr Alexander Inegbese, noted that the said permission granted to one Dr Pabara Newton Igwele for the use of its ground by the organizers of the rally was strange to the Church authorities.

According to him, the Church as a matter of policy, does not get involved in political matters, emphasising its neutrality and commitment towards maintaining an environment devoid of political influence and endorsement.

The Church’s position comes against the backdrop of the Bayelsa State Government announcement of its commitment towards investigating how the Church granted the rally organizers its premises.

State Of The Nation: Expect Noting Good From Tinubu – Lukman

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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April 27, 2025

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A former Vice Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Salihu Lukman says Nigerians who are still hopeful that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can transform the country are doing so at their own peril.

The former APC chieftain made the remark on Sunday while featuring in Inside Source, a programme anchored by Laolu Akande, a former presidential spokesman.

Lukman, a staunch critic of the president said he has completely lost hopes in the Tinubu administration, citing for instance, that he no longer believe in Tinubu’s progressives credentials.

He said he had expected Tinubu to transform the country like he did in Lagos while he was governor in the state, saying he has been left disappointed, noting that it took him a long time to realise that Tinubu has nothing to offer the country.

He added that he has now joined the coalition of opposition parties in the country planning to wrest power from President Tinubu in the next election.

Tinubu was Governor of Lagos state between 1999 and 2007, and has been credited with the milestone transformations of the state. Though his critics insist that much transformation in the state were experienced under his predecessors.

According to Lukman, “For you to even expect something very wonderful to happen before May 2027, I will say you are a dreamer, I will wish you luck in your dream, but if it happens, it will be a pleasant surprise.

“For me, I have reached the conclusion that I don’t think anything good is going to come out and which is why we have to start organising. I have said so, this country can be fixed in our lifetime, and I pray to God to give us the strength and courage to engage our leaders.”

Tinubu Can’t Be Blamed For Gov Oborevwori, OKowa Defection; Its Their Right- Presidency

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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April 27, 2025

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has denied complicity in the spate of defections that have hit some opposition parties in the country, saying he’s not to blame for it, noting that it’s not his job to meddle in the affairs of the opposing parties.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special adviser to the President on Publicity and Strategy made this known in a statement on Sunday amidst the gale of recent defections among key opposition parties in the country.

The most recent defections affected the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta state where the governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, the 2023 PDP Vice Presidential Candidate and other key party leaders defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Not a few including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar however insisted that some of the defectors were forced to do so, for instance, some critics of the administration claimed that former Governor Okowa, who is current battling a multi-billion corruption case with the anti-graft agency, EFCC did so to get a soft landing from the administration.

This is not true, according to Onanuga who said people are free to move from one party to the other, as they are permitted by the law to express their freedom of “association”.

The presidential spokesman noted that opposition parties are blaming their predicament on President Tinubu instead of settling their internal crisis. Tinubu can only be responsible for the APC that he belongs, what happened in other parties is not his business.

He said, “The opposition cannot blame President Tinubu and the governing APC for their poor organisation, indiscipline, and gross incompetence in managing their affairs. It is certainly not part of President Tinubu’s job to organise or strengthen opposition parties.

“We find it curious that those who celebrated the defection of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the formation of a regional grand coalition with the sole aim of defeating President Tinubu in the 2027 election are the same people shedding crocodile tears over Nigeria’s so-called drift to a one-party state and authoritarianism.

“While the latter-day defenders of democracy raised no anxious voice against the disgruntled politicians cobbling an anti-Tinubu, anti-APC coalition along dangerous regional lines, even before INEC blows the whistle for party politicking, they are quick to ascribe the political shifts in some states to “bribery, blackmail, and coercion” without any shred of evidence.

“Without any equivocation, freedom of association, freedom of speech and freedom of choice are part of the cherished ideals of democracy. When politicians and citizens cannot freely join any association or political party of their choice or cannot openly express their views, democracy is imperilled.”

He said the opposition is only unhappy that despite all their attack on Tinubu his administration has continued to thrive, adding that democracy is really at work in the country.

He explained that as an astute democrat, President Tinubu will continue to defend the country’s democracy based on his oath of office.

Onanuga: “Those opposed to the Tinubu administration should understand that they can issue diatribes, without fear, against the government because we practice a thriving democracy.

“It is hypocrisy writ large when opposition politicians and their collaborators in the ‘human rights’ movement desire that the party of the President should implode so they can gain electoral advantage and cry wolf when their wish does not materialise.

“We want to state that democracy is not threatened or undermined simply because politicians exercise their rights to freedom of association.

“His administration remains resolutely committed to upholding and strengthening the democratic foundations upon which our Fourth Republic has stood since 1999. Politicians changing party affiliation is not new or peculiar to Nigeria.

“In more advanced democracies, there are ready examples of notable politicians, statesmen and women who changed their parties.

“President Tinubu is an avowed democrat and a firm believer in multiparty democracy. His political activism and democratic credentials in galvanising and strengthening opposition platforms as a force that defeated a sitting President and the then ruling party attest to his credibility as a tested defender of multiparty democracy.”

Depositors To Receive N46bn From Defunct Heritage Bank

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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April 27, 2025

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The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, says it has commenced the process of paying ₦46.6 billion in liquidation dividends to depositors of the defunct Heritage Bank.

The Commission has also assured the shareholders and creditors of the collapsed bank that they will also be paid, after all legitimate depositors have been fully settled.

The commercial bank seized to operate last year after the Central bank of Nigeria, CBN withdrew its bank’s license, laving many frustrated depositors getting their money trapped.

Hawwau Gambo, the Acting Head of Communication and Public Affairs of the Commission who made this known said the funds realised from selling the assets and funds recovered from those who owed the defunct bank will be used to pay depositors.

According to her, “A liquidaion dividend is paid to depositors of a closed bank, beyond the maximum insured limit, using proceeds from asset sales and debt recovery.

Recall that following the revocation of the defunct bank license by the Central bank of Nigeria, CBN, in June last year, the apex bank paid up to N5 million as insured deposit to depositors.

NANS Urges JAMB To Reschedule Time For UTME Examination

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Ayodele Oni

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April 27, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

The National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) has pleaded with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB) to look into rescheduling time for ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations, (UTME), in view of insecurity in the country.

A statement on Sunday signed by NANS President, Olushola Oladoja and PRO,

Samson Ajasa Adeyemi condemned the insensitive scheduling of the UTME examination to as early as 6 a.m.

“This decision, given the prevailing security challenges in the country, is both inconsiderate and dangerous.

“It is deeply troubling that students are expected to commute to examination centres in the early hours of the morning, often navigating unsafe routes and facing transportation difficulties.

“Reports indicate that some candidates have had to travel long distances, exposing them to unnecessary risks.

“The current security climate in Nigeria demands that authorities prioritise the safety and well-being of students rather than subjecting them to undue hardship.

“NANS calls on JAMB to immediately review and adjust the examination schedule to ensure that no student is required to sit for an exam before 9 a.m.

“We urge the Honourable Minister for Education, Tunji Alausa, to intervene and ensure that students are not placed in harm’s way due to poor planning.

“We hereby issue a 72-hour ultimatum to JAMB to revise the UTME schedule and adopt a more student-friendly approach.

“Failure to comply will leave NANS with no choice but to mobilise students nationwide for peaceful protests to demand immediate action. The welfare and security of Nigerian students must never be compromised.

“NANS remains committed to advocating for policies that protect students and ensure their academic pursuits are not hindered by avoidable challenges.”

80 Communities Taken Over By Terrorists In Benue, Plateau – Group

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Ayodele Oni

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April 27, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

The Christian Rights Agenda, (CRA), has raised an alarm that over 80 communities have been taken over by the Fulani terrorists, as attacks ravage three states of Benue, and Plateau.

The Christian body said on Sunday, that it is watching events in Benue, Plateau and other troubled spots in Nigeria in the renewed terror attacks where the lives of Christians and other innocent Nigerians have become endangered with keen interest.

“There has been renewed attacks in Benue and Plateau in the last three weeks which has claimed several lives, properties, and rendered several people homeless.”

These attacks, according to CRA, appear to be well coordinated and has the trappings of a terrorism by insurgents who are bent on fostering a regime of violence, religious intolerance and total anarchy. This is unacceptable.

In a statement, Rev Kallamu Musa Dikwa, Secretary-General of CRA disclosed that, already officials of the organization have been sent on field operations to Benue, Plateau and Borno states to gather first-hand information on the extent of devastation suffered by Christians in the affected areas.

“Preliminary report from the field indicates that over 80 communities have been taken over by the Fulani terrorists.”

The statement added that CRA is in the process of collating information to have an up-to-date data of the persecution Nigerian Christians are facing, especially in Northern Nigeria.

While commending the new matching order given to security operatives by President Bola Tinubu to step up their game, CRA cautioned that such orders should go beyond its optics and ensure that they are followed and defaulters are sanctioned as deterrent to other saboteurs.

The statement also cautioned state governors not to politicize the renewed killings, but should be honourable enough to call a spade by its real name.

Ekiti: Rainstorm Destroys Fmr Gov Fayemi’s House, Several Properties Ravaged

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Ayodele Oni

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April 27, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Deputy Governor of Ekiti state, Monisade Afuye, on Sunday led a delegation comprising officials from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other government functionaries to inspect, assess, and sympathize with victims of Saturday’s heavy rainstorm in Ado-Ekiti.

Among properties damaged is the residence of immediate past governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi along Ilawe road, on whose house fell a long tower.

The delegation is moving from affected areas to directly engage residents, evaluate the level of damage, and fast-track necessary government interventions.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji sympathized with the people of the state over the havoc wreaked by the rainstorm in some parts of the state.

The storm affected many private and public buildings, as well as facilities across the state. However, no life was lost.

Moved by the development, the Governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to immediately commence an assessment of properties that were affected with a view to assisting the victims.

While assuring the people of the state that they would not be left alone at this critical period, Governor Oyebanji urged the people to remain calm and go about their daily activities without any fear, while Government takes inventory of the damaged properties and facilities with a view to responding appropriately.

“We are in it together”, the Governor assured the people in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, and made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday.

“The Biodun Oyebanji administration is committed to the welfare and wellbeing of the people of the state and will not leave any stone unturned in providing timely succor to the victims of the rainstorm.”