The Kano State Police Command, on Monday January 27, 2025, insisted on the credibility of their terror alert message, pre-2025 Tijjaniya Maulud celebration in the commercial hub of the Northern region.
The Source reports that the Kano state Government and the State Police Command had last Friday, January 24, engaged in an open disagreement over the latter’s position on the Muslim annual festival of Tijjaniya Maulud, slated for last Saturday
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the police had warned residents to avoid the Sani Abacha Stadium Kofar Mata, the venue of the event, due to an unfavourable intelligence, suggesting the high possibility of a terror attack.
The Police raised the alarm also on planned terrorist attacks on some other strategic places within the commercial city.
To this end, the police authorities had cautioned residents against crowded environments until further directives.
The Command, however, assured that it had put all necessary machineries in place to nip the terror attacks in the bud.
But the Kano State Government quickly dismissed the terror alert as a hoax, and an orchestrated plot to abort the annual Tijjaniya Maulud celebration which was to be led by the Factional Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi.
In a statement, the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Abdullahi Ibrahim Waiya, noted that the State Government was not aware of any known threat to the peace and stability of the State as being claimed by the Police.
While insisting that the terror alert was meant to scuttle the yearly religious ceremony by the police working in concert with outside forces, the State Government warned that it will not succumb to any blackmailing antics from any quarters.
“Kano has always being a beacon of peace and religious tolerance and we will not accept any form of intimidation and or undue interference in our internal affairs.
“We remain resolute in ensuring that the rights of our people to religious freedom and peaceful assembly are respected”, the Commissioner for Information stated.
Although, the ceremony later held on Saturday as earlier scheduled, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Dogo Garba, at an interactive session with the media on Monday, remained adamant over the authenticity of the earlier terror alert.
This is even as he announced the arrest of eight suspects in connection with the planned terror attacks
However, he informed that the main culprit, a Chadian, whom he said recently carried out a similar attack in his country, narrowly escaped arrest.
The CP maintained that the terror alert was borne out of credible intelligence ,and was devoid of any iota of politics.
” Politics aside, my forefathers of hundreds of years back were Muslims and Tijjaniya. So there is no way I will politicize this issue.
“We truly received terror alerts and we tracked the suspects to the Tijjaniya Maulud celebration venue.
“As we moved closer to getting him, he got the hints and escaped to Cameroon. But thank God we have gotten the person who sheltered him in Kano and he has given us credible information about the person.
“On receiving the intelligence, we combed the whole area till dawn ,and we succeeded in ensuring that the whole programme was conducted peacefully”, CP Garba stated.
A Group, Concerned Citizens Forum, CCF, has expressed support for the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, in the wake of public backlash over the recent adjustments in telecommunications tariffs by network operators.
Nigerians have continued to lambast NCC over the tariff hike, saying the NCC is inflicting more pains on Nigerians despite the economic hardship bedeviling the citizens.
At a press conference held in Abuja today, National President of the group, Opialu Fabian, described the tariff adjustments as a necessary step to sustain the telecom sector and safeguard its long-term viability.
The CCF clarified misconceptions about the NCC’s role in the tariff increase, emphasizing that the Commission acted in accordance with its statutory mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003.
It added the NCC is tasked with regulating tariffs to balance the interests of telecom operators, consumers, and the industry at large.
“The NCC’s primary obligation is to establish a sustainable telecommunications environment that encourages innovation, inclusion, and consumer protection. The tariff adjustment aligns with these goals,” the group said.
It further highlighted the economic pressures facing telecom operators, including inflation, naira devaluation, surging energy costs, and rising expenses for imported telecom equipment. The group noted that despite these challenges, telecom tariffs in Nigeria had remained unchanged since 2013.
“In light of these financial strains, the NCC approved a modest adjustment capped at 50%, significantly lower than the over 100% increment initially requested by operators,” the forum explained.
It argued that the tariff adjustment was critical to ensuring operators’ financial stability, which would enable them to improve infrastructure, enhance service quality, and expand network coverage to underserved and rural areas.
The forum stressed that the adjustments were not solely to address operators’ challenges but also to benefit consumers and support Nigeria’s digital economy. Improved service quality, greater network reliability, and increased connectivity in rural areas were cited as some of the expected outcomes.
“Consumers will enjoy better value for their money, while operators will have the resources to invest in critical infrastructure and innovation,” the CCF noted.
The group also commended the NCC’s efforts to ensure transparency by requiring operators to educate the public about the new rates and offer affordable service plans tailored to different income levels.
The CCF pointed out that tariff adjustments are a standard regulatory practice globally to reflect market realities and sustain industry growth. It lauded the NCC for aligning Nigeria’s telecom industry with international best practices, strengthening the country’s position in the global telecommunications landscape.
“The NCC’s focus on supporting local suppliers and fostering economic opportunities for Nigerians aligns with national goals of self-reliance and economic growth,” the forum added.
It furthermore commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its commitment to economic reforms and digital inclusivity, which have created an enabling environment for the telecom sector to thrive.
“The NCC’s decision to approve the tariff adjustments aligns with the administration’s broader objectives of driving economic growth and innovation,” the CCF said.
The group called on all stakeholders, including operators, consumers, and the media, to support the NCC in its efforts to build a robust and inclusive telecommunications ecosystem.
The Concerned Citizens Forum also commended the NCC for its leadership and patriotic commitment to ensuring the sustainability of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
“The recent tariff adjustments represent a balanced approach that considers the interests of operators, consumers, and the economy. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive telecommunications sector that will drive national development,” the forum concluded.
The Kano State Police Command, on Sunday January 26, 2025, informed that investigations have commenced into the abduction of a female member of a family in Kabo Area of the State.
The Source reports that some gunmen, early Sunday morning, invaded the home of a prominent business man, Auwal in Garo, Sabuwar Unguwa area, in Kabo Local Council of the State, and abducted his eldest daughter, Zainab.
Unfortunately, the kidnapping of, Zainab, a fresh secondary school leaver, by the gunmen said to be numbering over 10, came after the father had paid an instant ransom of eight million Naira.
The hoodlums, according to an eye witness accounts, arrived at the residence of the victim in the wee hours of Sunday and succeeded in gaining entry into the family house through a back door.
Thereafter, they gathered together all the family members, and demanded for immediate “settlement” in exchange for their freedom.
The Head of the family, Alhaji Auwal, immediately parted with the sum of eight million Naira to avoid any unpleasant development.
However, the gunmen still made away with his eldest daughter.
As at the time of reporting, the abductors were yet to establish any contact with the distraught family.
Spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said operatives have moved in to track down the kidnappers.
This is just as the police informed that three suspects have been apprehended in connection with the kidnap and subsequent murder of the erstwhile Chairman of the Gombe State Board of Internal Revenue, Atiku Muazu.
Late Muazu, was reportedly abducted and killed in the commercial hub of the North where he had relocated to after retiring as a Permanent Secretary in the Gombe State Civil Service .
Sadly, his abductors were said to have collected the sum of N10 million too, before snuffing out his life .
The Kano State Police spokesman who revealed the development to the media on Sunday, said the three arrested suspects will be prosecuted as soon as investigations are concluded.
“Three suspects have been apprehended in connection with the death of the Gombe retired Permanent Secretary and are now in our custody.
“As soon as investigations are completed, the suspects will be charged to court for appropriate prosecution”, Kiyawa noted.
I have sympathy for him, even without knowing his fate. I don’t even know whether he is still in detention or not. I mean the unfortunate Policeman who escorted the two sons of Billionaire Rasaq and beautiful wife, Shade, to a club or wherever.
I may have missed it, but I also have not come across his name, or rank.
Nothing much has been heard of him since Force Spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, told us of his arrest and deserved detention for engaging in conduct unbecoming of a Policeman.
So, you ask, if I agree that his behavior was unbecoming of a Policeman, why does he still have my sympathy? Why does my heart go out to him? Why do I think he is a scape goat? I mean, a good number of his colleagues are that subservient before big men/women to whom they are assigned. While on my beat one day, I stumbled on a Police Inspector who always jogged to answer his “oga” each time he called him. He never walked. Then, he would go on all fours on all fours before his “oga”. And he never looked up. He didn’t have the courage to. An Inspector for God’s sake! A look at him told me he had become a nervous wreck.
I was so scandalized I engineered his reposting as soon as I got back to Abuja.
For the records, let me, also, point out that nothing much has been heard of the Okoya sons since their escapades went viral on Social Media.
You, of course, know this story.
But for the purpose of this write-up, excuse a brief recap.
According to reports, the Policeman escorted the two Okoya sons to a fun spot or whatever. I don’t know if the young men were entitled to Police escort or not. But even if they were, he was not treated as one. In his full uniform, he was reduced to a servant. There was no respect for his uniform. In public, and being videod, he carried, for the Okaya sons, stacks of Naira notes. In 1,000 denominations, clean, crisp, as if they came straight from the Central Bank of Nigeria. The type of clean notes I hate to spend if, and when somebody “dashes me”. It is never available in banks.
It is okay for you to laugh at me, but, I once had a bundle of N500,000 with me – new, crisp, and I still borrowed money from my girl to buy bread for the house. It has to be an emergency for me to spend new notes. But these two young men had them in bundles. They ran into a few millions. It didn’t bother them. It was nothing to them. So, why bother to carry them and/or hold them by themselves? Or hide them like me. To them, “money na paper”. They simply gave the bundles to the Policeman to carry for them.
So, this Policeman, in full uniform, stood there, like Fela’s zombie, carrying the bundles of money. As he stood, the Okoya boys danced as if there will be no tomorrow. As they danced, they were taking the money from him, and spraying it as if money was going out of circulation.
Please, remind me, for I may have forgotten. But, was this not the same offence Bobrisky committed, and with lesser amount of money than the Okoyas, for which she went to jail?; for which she has proceeded on self-exile? But I digress.
I was talking about the Policeman.
I don’t know whether he felt awkward, you know, ashamed of the situation he found himself in. Perhaps. Because, in the video which made the rounds, he pulled his cap, a fez cap, so down it covered half of his face.
The video attracted two official reactions – one from the Nigerian Police Headquarters, the other from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
In a statement, the EFCC informed us that the Okoya boys have been invited to their Lagos Office over their alleged abuse of the Naira. Meaning is that, on arrival, they would be interrogated, asked questions like: “Did you or did you not?”
Initially, according to reports, one of the Okoya boys reacted by saying something like: the “hoopla” is because they are children of the rich! I found that rude. But well, he is a kid. Youthful exuberance, let me not say spoilt brat.
However, he kind of swallowed his vomit when the EFCC invited him and his brother, and when the Police reacted. He quickly apologized to Nigerians and the Police Force and the EFCC. He pleaded ignorance of the implications of what he did. But was that not exactly the same ignorance Bobrisky pleaded? That didn’t save him.
I was looking forward to the appearance of the Okoya brothers before the EFCC. Not for anything else, but the satisfaction that they could be called to order, the status of their parents notwithstanding. Perhaps, I missed it. And since then, I have not heard any “pim” again on the case.
The second reaction was from
the Police Force Headquarters. Its Spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the Police Officer in the video has been identified. The statement condemned, strongly, the behavior of the Officer. It said he behaved disgracefully. Correct. That he disrespected his uniform. Correct. That as a law officer, he should have corrected the boys? Mmmm? That he was not assigned to the Okoya sons; that he was, instead, sent on guard duties at Eleganza – a company owned by the Okoyas, the boys’ parents; and so, he had no business following the brothers out, not to talk of acting as their servant, their “money carrier”, mobile bank. True?
But let me begin by saying that what the Police Officer did was shameful. Disgraceful. Condemnable. An insult to his uniform and the Police Force. Meaning that I agree with Police Force Spokesperson, Adejobi. Now, I need to ask a couple of questions here.
What choice did the Policeman have? Who would have backed him up if he had refused to follow the brothers out?
Who would have backed him if he had refused to play the disgraceful and disgusting role assigned to him by the boys? Who would have backed him up if he had refused to carry the money for them? What if the boys report him to their parents for refusing to carry out their orders? What if one of them had slapped him in public? Yes, slap. It happens.
A number of big men and women reduce Police escorts attached to them to rags, almost. They reduce them to their domestic servants, bag carriers, shoe cleaners, and gate men.They speak to them carelessly and call them derogatory names. And worse.
Such Police escorts swallow all that because they have no choice. They have lost self esteem.
They hardly report what they go through to their bosses because they are afraid of the relationship their Principals have with their Police bosses. If they report, who will believe them? Who will speak for them? What if they are punished instead? It happens.
I was on the Board of the Police Service Commission, PSC, for 10 years, and I can testify that most times, Police hardly defend their own. Atimes, even their senior officers are not spared. It is not unusual for them to be sacrificed on the altar of sycophancy.
On, at least, four occasions the Police Service Commission, under the Chairmanship of Parry Osayande, DIG, retd, one of the best officers the NPF ever produced, intervened to save the jobs of Senior Officers when their bosses had recommended severe disciplinary actions, or even retirement to the PSC.
One State Commissioner of Police was recommended for severe disciplinary action because he did not accompany the State Governor to an official visit to one Community. It was a scandalized Osayande who threw the recommendation out and explained: “Who told them a State a Commissioner accompanies a Governor to such tours? The Commissioner accompanies the President. It is the Assistant Commissioner, Operations, who should accompany the Governor.” Drawing from that,
Osayande attributed the disrespect for State Commissioners by some Governors to such issues. For instance, he wondered why a State Governor, as happens often, would keep a Commissioner of Police waiting for hours just to see him. “CPs are busy”, he always said. “When you ask them to see you, don’t keep them waiting. They are not politicians.”
On another occasion, another State Commissioner of Police was recommended for retirement. His offence? An alleged break of protocol during President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to his State. He did not. He was innocent. His superior was guilty. But the CP was recommended for retirement just to save the job of his superior. When somebody drew the attention of President Jonathan to it, he backed the PSC, and saved the Commissioner’s job. And there are worse instances, particularly when they concern middle level officers, Inspectors and other ranks.
But back to the Okoya brothers’ Police escort. My instinct, given the way he stood there like a sacrificial lamb, is that he was ashamed of the role the brothers assigned to him to play, but he had no choice. He was helpless. And he was intimidated by the rich, the environment he found himself in and the “sheer largeness” of the amount of money he was carrying. He may not have seen such an amount of money before. And it was just to be frittered away when, perhaps, he didn’t have N100,000 to his name.
What to do?
Policemen like him need re-orientation. They need their self esteem back. They need to know that when they are in their uniform, they are the Federal Government. They are serving their fatherland, and their job is respectable and dignified. Without their presence, especially, along the road, and especially now, not a few people will be afraid to be on the road – forget they are bad-mouthed because a few bad eggs amongst them have given the Police a bad name. But which profession is free of bad eggs? Tell me.
Policemen are human beings, and live in the same environment as us. They are afflicted by the same disease, that afflicts us. Don’t you see that since Nigeria exposed soldiers to Police duties, some of them have been afflicted by same disease.
So here’s my unsolicited advice: Draw the ears of the Okoya brothers’ Police escort. Help him regain his self esteem. And send him back to his job – please, not to the Okoyas – with a warning.
Contrary to speculations that there would be a showdown at the Lagos State House of Assembly following the threat by impeached former Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, all was quiet and smooth.
Obasa on returning from the United States of America had stated that he remained the Speaker of the Assembly. He said a fake Mace was used to install Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as the new Speaker of the House.
Though the Lawmakers had rubbished the Obasa’s stance, and insisted they only recognize Meranda as the bonafide Speaker of the House, Obasa was still flexing muscles.
At the House of Assembly Chambers Monday, January 27, 2025, all was smooth and peaceful at Plenary. Security Operatives were stationed with a large numbers of Police surrounding the House with their Vehicles stationed at the front of the Chambers.
A notice signed by Omotayo Adekemi on behalf of the Acting Clerk of the House, Mr. Taiwo Ottun, stated: “Following management directives, all staff members and legislative aides must present valid identity cards to access the House premises.
“Entry will be denied anyone without a valid ID card. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.”
Meranda formally assumed Office, with a ceremony held.
She and other lawmakers posed for photographs, symbolizing their collective support for her leadership.
In a celebratory mood, the lawmakers praised the Speaker and urged her to continue her work.
“Madam, continue your work; your work is appealing to us. You are the Speaker, you are the Speaker, you are the Speaker,” they chanted.
“Speak for Lagos. Continue with your work,” they added in unison.
After the accolades, the lawmakers followed Meranda to her official office, where intense prayers were offered as she settled into her new role.
It would be recalled that Obasa was removed by the majority of House members on January 13, 2025, following allegations of misconduct and financial misappropriation. He was subsequently replaced by the Deputy Speaker, Meranda. He, however, denies all allegations.
The One Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, has held a solemn, but full military funeral for its fallen Mascot (Horse), late Sgt Dalet Akawala
A statement on Sunday January 26, 2025 by the Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Musa Yahaya, informed that the loyal Mascot was buried on Saturday January 25, 2025 at the Headquarters of the Division in Kawo area, Kaduna .
The Masco served the Division for many years .
The regimental funeral ceremony, according to the statement, was presided over by the Deputy Chief of Staff Administration, Col Akabuike, who represented the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 1 Mechanised Division, Major General Mayirenso Saraso.
In his remarks, the GOC emphasized the imperativeness of honouring the life and service of the deceased horse.
General Saraso described the Mascot as a part and parcel of the rich cultural and traditional heritage of the Division.
“Late Sgt. Dalet Akawala served the Division with loyalty and dedication embodying the spirit of courage and resilience.
“The ceremony is our way of paying the last respect to a companion who brought pride and identity. to the Division”, the GOC stated.
General Saraso, therefore, extended his condolences to the entire Stallion family, and the Nigerian Army over the demise of Sgt Akawala.
The GOC, also, thanked all the dignitaries that found time to attend the event while praying for a perfect replacement for the departed horse.
Former Governor of Osun state Rauf Aregbesola has finally left the All Progressives Congress, APC. The former governor and his numerous supporters gave the ruling party the red card on Sunday in Ilesha after a stakeholders meeting under the group Omoluabi.
According to the former governor and his supporters, they have no reason to remain in the APC where they had been unfairly treated and continually harrased.
Having left the APC, they hinted of their plan to form a party with people of like minds to ‘rescue’ the state during the next election.
The magazine reports that Aregbesola had been having it rough with the leadership of the APC before and after the 2023 general election in the country.
Recall that the former Minister of Interior worked against his party during the 2022 governorship election, which the party lost to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Aregbesola’s decision to work for the PDP stopped APC Gboyega Oyetola, then incumbent governor from returning to office after he lost to Demola Adeleke of the PDP.
Speaking after a meeting of the ‘Omoluabi’, a political group he heads, Aregbesola said he’s no longer a member of the APC because he has mover out of the party alongside his supporters.
He said the group moved out of the party in preparation of the next election, saying they are ready to take over the state to provide good governance.
He said, “The path we have toed is a smooth path, highly reassuring and full of good tides that will propel our dear state to greatness,” Aregbesola said.
“Therefore, you must show more commitment and attract genuine people who are ready to walk this path of righteousness with us.
“We are open to all regardless of political, religious, or socio-cultural leanings.
“We have the numbers, strength, and political acumen to provide a leadership that will make Osun the toast of its peers. By the grace of God, we shall succeed.”
The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,CFR, Ojaja II in company of about prominent Yoruba traditional Rulers in Ekiti state was at the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) last night to appeal to the founder of the university Aare Afe Babalola to forgive the human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi and withdraw the ongoing criminal case instituted against him.
Ooni Ogunwusi arrived Ado Ekiti at about 10:08pm last night into the waiting hands of Aare Afe Babalola himself accompanied by the Vice Chancellor Professor Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde
Bursar Pastor Joseph Modupe Babalola,
The school PRO, Deans of various faculties at the university and the legal team of Afe Babalola handling Farotimi’s criminal case.
The Vice chancellor in her welcome speech at the meeting acknowledged Ooni’s love for the school’s founder and the school itself which she described as one of the leading universities in Africa.
The Ooni briefed the journalists outcome of the meeting which was earlier held close door between Afe Babalola and the Ooni accompanied by Ewi of Ado, Oba Rufus Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, Ajero of Ijero, Oba Adewole Joseph Adebayo, the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Samuel Adejinmi Adu, Alaaye of Efon Alaaye, Oba Dr. Emmanuel Aladejare Agunsoye II and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti who doubles as Chairman, Ekiti Council Of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ilori Faboro that having watched the scenarios surrounding the criminal case instituted against Dele Farotimi with rapt attention, it has become very imperative to apply Alternative Dispute Resolution method which Yoruba race was known for in the past because it’s a case between father and son.
“We have come today to appeal to Aare Babalola to forgive his son; Dele Farotimi and what we want from him is to withdraw the criminal charges against Farotimi today.
“Aare Afe Babalola, you are an elderstateman, you have seen it all, you are one of the iconic voices in this country, a great man per excellence, you are a rare breed who has excelled in everything you have touched in this life, a very God fearing elderstateman, above all, you are one of the proponents of the Yoruba ethos of Omoluwabi which has been your strongest value that you hold in our country. This what we are using to bring down the tempo in what has happened between you and your son Dele Farotimi. We have been very proud of you as a great Yoruba elderstateman. You have done great things for this race and Nigeria such that your name can never be forgotten.”
“We’ve all come together as traditional Rulers to discuss with you on this issue and this gentleman Dele Farotimi is your son and you must forgive him and withdraw the criminal charges against him. As a father, you have soft sons and you have tough sons, Dele Farotimi is a tough son of yours. You have indeed made a point that your name can not be be messed with”.
“I hereby withdraw the criminal charges against Farotimi” – Afe Babalola.
When given the microphone to respond to the request made by the Ooni and the traditional Rulers, Aare Afe Babalola did not hesitate to accept the request saying he grew up as a child to understand such interventions by the traditional rulers. He declared he had not only forgiven Dele Farotimi but also will instruct his lawyers to withdraw the criminal charges against him with immediate effect, because of the honour for the Ooni and the other Obas.
“Today is a very important day for me, I’m a Yoruba man and I’m very proud to be one. Ewi of Ado has come here to meet me on this matter, former president Obasanjo has intervened, same with Bishop Matthew Kukah and a host of other prominent Nigerians to ask for the exact thing you have come to ask for this evening., my answer to them has been “NO” but today my answer is “YES”
Your coming is unquantifiable in terms of money, who Am I? When the colonialists came here in 17th century or thereabouts, they found as a fact that Yoruba land was a highly organised society with an advanced systems of government with each town headed by an Oba who was regarded as a replica of God on earth. His words were commands.”
In the middle ages, the Greeks had a saying”the meadow that grow on the bank of a river which obeys the direction of the flood remains strong forever but the meadow that grow that disobey the direction of the flood were broken asunder”.
Aare Babalola concluded his response with a an Adage in Yoruba saying ” Eni ti o ba nI nkan lati se, kii wo elegan rara” meaning “those who change the world for the better do not wait to respond to criticism”
He said he had listened to the Ooni’s advice and he certainly didn’t want to be a meadow by the riverside which disobeys the flood.
I was a lawyer who defended the EFCC law, yes I’m corrupt, I was given an oil block, when I looked at the money and saw that it was too much , I rejected it, yes I’m corrupt, I was offered ministerial appointments twice, I rejected it, yes I’m corrupt because whatever I am, I don’t want anybody to say I made it through corruption. Look at my books, I’m Chairman, Transparency International based in Germany, I have given lectures against corruption with my papers in many universities globally. For someone to allege me that I have won my cases through corruption, it’s an attempt to defame me, that was why I rejected all appeals earlier made to me. But when I heard that Ooni was coming, I knew I’m in a fix today. “Nkan de o”. There is nothing I’m going to gain from his(Dele) imprisonment and there’s nothing I want from the so called damages. I am not in quest of more wealth, I’m rather concerned on managing the one I have already. Dele Farotimi is hereby forgiven. On this occasion, I say “YES”.
Ooni departed venue of the meeting at about half past midnight for his Ojaja Park in Akure from where he is expected to make his departure to Abuja on Monday.
Signed:
Otunba Moses Olafare,
Director, Media & Public Affairs,
Ooni’s Palace
The Nigeria Football enclave has been thrown into mourning following the passing of a former Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Moses Effiong.
Effiong died in the United States of America following a prolonged ailment.
The late Footballer, until his death, was Akwa United Football Club Assistant Coach.
His passing came barely three months after he celebrated his 65th birthday with hopes of surviving the ailment which prompted his trip abroad for medical care.
The death of Effiong, a member of the Senior National side that won the Nation’s first ever African Cup of Nations, AFCON, title in 1980, was announced by the Chairman of the club, Paul Bassey, through a statement released by the club’s Media Director, Mfon Patrick.
Bassey described late Effiong Moses as a complete gentleman, core professional football coach and a wonderful family man who was dedicated and committed to the success of every duty assigned to him.
Said the statement: “The Management, Staff and Players of Akwa United Football Club regret to announce the sudden demise of our goalkeeper coach and a member of Nigeria 1980 Africa Cup of Nations Winner coach Effiong Moses (MON) who passed away early on Sunday 26 January, 2025 in the United States of America after a long battle with illness.
“The club received with shock the sad news of the passing of Coach Effiong Moses from his family member in America who confirmed that the Ex Green Eagles goalkeeper who also played for New Nigerian Bank died surrounded by his family.
“Late coach Effiong Moses was part of Akwa United coaching crew when the team won two FA Cup titles in 2015 and 2017 as well as the NPFL title in 2021”
Following intervention by foremost Yoruba monarchs, and Nigerian leaders, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Chief Afe Babalola, a senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has agreed to drop defamation charge against human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
Farotimi is currently facing criminal defamation charges instituted by the legal luminary.
An Ekiti Magistrate Court recently granted Dele Farotimi ₦30 million bail.
Addressing newsmen midnight on Sunday, in Ado Ekiti, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, said Yoruba leaders and stakeholders were following the event keenly and had to appeal to Aare Babalola to pardon his son, Farotimi.
He commended Aare Babalola for building his integrity over the years.
Oba Oguwusi appealed to Babalola to consider the various forces and personalities that have intervened in the matter.
The monarch hailed Babalola and commended his contribution to the development of the Yoruba race, the Nation and the world at large.
“We all came together to discuss the matter with him and he gave all the full respect to the Obas and agreed.
“We Obas can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola and how he had invested so hard to build his name and that can not be tarnished and rubbished by anyone.
“Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he cherished his name and the world has heard him loud and clear.
“Dele Farotimi is your son, we give birth to different children in this world and as elders when our children offend us as Yoruba after a little spank, we also pardon such children.”
Babalola in his response, said he had received several letters and calls on the issue, particularly from who is who in the society and had no choice than to succumb to the latest pleas by the monarchs.
He added that he had nothing to gain in the imprisonment of Farotimi.
He said that he would direct his lawyers to withdraw the case.
Other traditional rulers who accompanied the Ooni to Afe Babalola’s were the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Oba Ilori Faboro, the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Alagbado, and the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju.
The legal luminary said he has decided to drop the criminal defamation charges against the Lagos based human rights activist following the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, and other prominent traditional rulers in the country.
Aare Babalola said he had ignored interventions from different Monarchs and personalities within and outside the country, but had to yield to the appeals of the traditional institutions, adding that the statement of an Oba in Yoruba tradition from time immemorial is a command.
“I rejected an oil block and defended the EFCC law and also rejected Ministerial nominee twice, I’m wondering why any one would just wake up and try to rubbish all he had laboured for.
Recall that Farotimi had published a book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” where he alleged that the elder statesman corrupted the Judiciary.
Among those who had earlier appealed Babalola but met a rock are former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Hassan Kukah, and the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential Election, Peter Obi.
