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Tinubu Plots Obasa’s Return As Speaker; Sanwo Olu, GAC Kick. What Happens Next?

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Mudashiru Obasa

Will the embattled former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly return to his former position as the state’s number three man? That’s the big poser on the lips of close watchers of the politics of the Aquatic state, as the major power brokers are said to have disagreed on whether he should stage a comeback to the exalted office.

From all indications, it seems the state APC apparatchiks are currently digging the trenches, with the former speaker at the middle of their bickering.

On January 13, some lawmakers of the assembly stated a ‘coup’ to remove Obasa while he was far away in the United States of America, USA, and quickly replaced him with Mojisola Meranda, his Deputy, after they accused him of high-handedness and corruption.

But, the ascension of Meranda to the Speakership since Obasa ouster, three weeks ago, three weeks ago has been described by analysts as the thespian bird perching on a rope, because no day has passed without speculations that the former speaker was plotting a return allegedly backed by some powerful forces in the state, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This development is however contrary to earlier reports that President Tinubu was in the know of the impeachment saga, that ousted Obasa from the position he has occupied for over 10 years.

Following Obasa’s removal, some APC leaders in the state had suggested that the action was not without the seal of the president, who they revealed  had already had enough with the former Speaker, particularly his power tussle with Governor Sanwo-olu.

They cited last December meeting the president had with the governor, Obasa and GAC members in his Bourdillon Ikoyi home, where he allegedly tongue lashed the former Speaker for disrespecting Governor Sanwo-Olu during the 2025 Budget presentation to the Assembly, and his avowed ambition to succeed Sanwo-Olu.

The former Speaker was said to have kept the governor waiting for hours, an action criticised by not a few APC leaders, who said Obasa’s behavior hallmarked the tipping point of his power tussle with the state chief executive.

Also Included among those supporting Obasa, and have expressed their disapproval to his impeachment, is the First Lady Remi Tinubu , who sources said chided the lawmakers who removed Obasa. She’s rooting for his return to the position, sources close to the Presidency said on Wednesday.

Tinubu and Sanwo-olu
Tinubu, Sanwo-olu Differ On Obasa’s Return

According to those close to the levers of power in Lagos and Abuja, President Tinubu has directed Governor’s Advisory Group, GAC, the powerful advisory body in the state led by Tajudeen Olusi to ensure that the crisis in the Assembly is resolved amicably, possibly with Obasa’s return to his position.

President Tinubu was said to have conveyed his position to GAC at a meeting held recently in Abuja, attended by all the members of the group, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President including Governor Sanwo-Olu, who is believed to be unsupportive of Obasa regaining his position, amongst others.

Governor Sanwo–Olu has been fingered alongside some other GAC members to have plotted Obasa’s removal even though he had denied having a hand in the former Speaker’s predicament.

Instructively, a few members of GAC are said to have backed the president on the issue after expressing their dissatisfaction with Obasa’s ouster, saying they were not carried along.

The divison in GAC is belived to have further bostered the confidence of Obasa, who after his return from US two weeks ago insisted that he remained Speaker, describing his impeachment to be illegal and bereft of due process.

“My status in the house? I believe strongly I am still the speaker until the right thing has been done. If you want to remove me, remove me the proper way and I will not contest it,” Obasa said on January 25 when journalists asked him whether he had accepted his impeachment.

His position is said to have aligned with the president, who sources said described Obasa’s removal as a ‘coup’ after he was informed of the impeachment.

But the way the issue is turning out, sources say may pit Governor Sanwo-Olu with the president, as the governor is not really comfortable with that arrangement, including some GAC members and lawmakers who belived that the reinstatement of Obasa will lead to serious reprisal against who plotted his fall.

“The issue has become a very sensitive one particularity with the president’s involvement. Governor Sanwo-olu has become the defacto leader of the APC following Obasa’s impeachment, and a seeming peace has returned as nobody is seen to be rocking the boat with him. Tinubu is the overall leader, but as president he needs to attend to many state matters, and because of that power vacuum cannot be allowed in Lagos, that’s why naturally other power brokers see Sanwo-olu as the natural leader because of his position as the governor. If Obasa returns, there would be an upset again, as the former speaker did not accept the leadership of Governor Sanwo-Olu,” a source said.

He however noted that the governor will not want to be seen to be opposing President Tinubu, considering that they share strong relationship bit the governor also have the support of some strong politicians in the APC, particulalry some members of the powerful GAC whose opinion cannot just be wished away by Tinubu.

“The issue, for the president, is like the devil and the deep blue sea: will he sacrifice the goodwill he has with the governor and GAC to ensure that Obasa returns?

At meeting they held with Governor Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House Marina, this week, the majority of the GAC members, except three were said to have agreed that it will be impossible for Obasa to regain his position based on the current realities, such as the opposition of many lawmakers of the Assembly to the plan, and the suggestions by APC leaders that the apples’ cart will be upset, as the power struggle between the governor and the former speaker is bound to play out again. This will not be good for the party as it prepares for the 2027 general election, according to APC leaders who spoke with the magazine.

Meanwhile, different sources informed The Source that the president can actually have his way if he truly wants Obasa’s back. ‘He’s the overall APC leader in the state and nationally, so his wish on any issue can never be discarded, particularly in Lagos,” one of them said.

UNILORIN Student Commits Suicide Over Inability To Meet Up With Financial Needs

By
Akinwale Kasali
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University of Ilorin - UNILORIN

By Akinwale Kasali

A 200-level Mass Communication student of the University of Ilorin (name withheld) took his own life following his inability to meet the financial demands of his academic needs.

It was gathered that the undergraduate committed suicide after all his roommates had left home for other engagements.

He was pronounced dead by medical experts.

Sources said that the deceased had been battling with funds to cater for academic needs.

He was said to have drank poisonous substances to avoid anyone preventing him from engaging in the act around Tanke axis of the State.

He left a suicide note, stating reasons for his actions and appealed for forgiveness from friends and families.

His fellow students narrated that before his death, the student was on a Cumulative Grade Point Aggregate of 4.5 academic standing.

They added that to ensure he maintained the standard, everyone had been assisting him with their little funds and food stuff to continue his academic pursuit.

He was being sponsored by his mother a Widow.

Said a source: The deceased committed suicide “due to alleged inability to meet his financial obligations because of the current economic situation in the country.”

The source added that the unfortunate young man lost his father a few years ago, leaving his retired school teacher mother with the responsibility for his academic obligations.

However, some people have described him as wicked and selfish and asked where his cowardly behaviour would leave his poor mother. “He failed his mother said a student”, who pleaded anonymity.

Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway: FG Budgets Extra N30bn, Warns Contractors

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Dave Umahi
Dave Umahi

The minister of Works Dave Umahi has warned contractors handling the Lagos/ Ibadan expressway to complete the remaining part of the road on time.

Failure to do this, the minister said, will lead to the take-over of its construction to another contractor.

Umahi gave the warning on Tuesday, and warned that April this year has been given to contractors handling the road to complete it or face revocation.

The minister who briefed state House Correspondents in Abuja, the nation’s capital after the Federal Executive Council Meeting, FEC, said the project have been delayed for too long by the contractors.

The contractors handling the road include, German Construction giant, Julius Berger, RCC, who have already been paid N213 billion contract sum.

The minister however said the an additional N30 billion has been allocated for the completion of the road after it was ‘re-scoped, adding that the federal government is poised to commission the road soon, and that further delay is no longer acceptable.

According to him, “We are poised to take over some parts of the route if they are not completed by April because we need to commission that project.

“The contract value of what is left is about N4 billion and then the Lagos-bound is about 8.55 kilometer and this is what we re-scoped. That amount is N22 billion so you technically have about N30 billion, even though the total value of the project is N213 billion.

“But don’t forget that what is needed to complete that route is N30 billion and that’s Arab Contractors.”

Bode George To Obasa: You Deserved To Be Impeached, For Disrespecting Sanwo-Olu

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Bode George

Chief Bode George says embattled former Speaker of the Lagos state House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa disrespected the governor of the state, Babajide Sanwo-olu by making him to wait for three hours during the presentation of the 2025 Budget.

George, a former Deputy national Chairman South of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, made the remark on Tuesday during a press conference in Lagos.

The PDP chieftain’s remark is the latest in the Obasa’s impeachment saga.

The magazine reported that the former Speaker was removed by his colleagues two weeks ago, after they accused him of a slew of allegations including highhandedness and corruption.

But those deep in knowledge of the state politics said his impeachment may not be unconnected with the power tussle between him and the state helmsman.

Speaking George condemned the former Speaker for dishonoring the governor, who had come to present the 2025 Budget to the Assembly, saying the action was the highest point of disregard for the state chief executive.

According to him, there can only be one captain in the ship, there is no need for unnecessary brinkmanship among the three arms of government, he said, noting that the former speaker should have threaded softly.

Mudashiru Obasa
Embattled Ex-Speaker Obasa

For instance, the  former Military Administrator of Ondo state said Obasa would not have been happy if he was so treated, he urged him to put himself in Governor Sanwo-olu shoes.

George said  “Could he (Obasa) accept to go and read the budget and be delayed for three hours? Who is the leader?”

He said the action did not portray Obasa as a gentleman, even though his past encounter with the former Speaker was very pleasant wondering why he acted in such a manner with Governor Sanwo-Olu.

George: “The young man, former Speaker Obasa—I met him once at the airport. He came to me, greeted me with full respect, and behaved like an Omoluabi.

“I asked for his name, and he said, ‘Obasa.’ I exclaimed, ‘Ah! Speaker of the State Assembly!’ I called him Omoluabi, and he thanked me for honoring him. That’s Yoruba culture.”

He however rebuffed the governor for denying being part of the former Speaker’s predicament, saying he knwe about his impeachment.

He added, “The governor of the state is the leader of the party because they both belong to the same party. Could he accept to go and read the budget and be delayed for three hours? Who is the leader? No matter that we have three arms of government, who is the boss?

“Why is he afraid to say it? Could Obasa accept that attitude from anyone if he were the governor? If it were a different party, that would be a different matter entirely.”

On January 13, the majority members of the Assembly removed Obasa as Speaker and appointed his Deputy, Mojisola Meranda in his position.

The Impeachment, sources say,  was not without the imprimatur of the state governor and President bola Ahmed Tinubu who were said to have become fed up with Obasa’s excesses.

Obasa however insist that he remains the Speaker, saying his removal did not follow due process.

“Nobody Dares Attack Any Igbo Community while I am Around”, Nnamdi Kanu Reacts To Ebonyi Attack

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Nnamdi-Kanu - IPOB Leader

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on  Tuesday, February 4, 2025 expressed regret that some forces and antagonists of Ndigbo have capitalized on his incarceration to unleash terror on innocent citizens.

Kanu’s lamentation is coming against the backdrop of the gruesome attack on Amegu Nkalaha Community in Ishielu Local Council of Ebonyi state last Sunday.

The dawn attack, allegedly, masterminded by some suspected Fulani herdsmen, left in its trail ten persons dead and many residential buildings razed.

Writing on his official site, Kanu’s Lead Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, noted that  during his  routine meeting with his legal  team, Kanu, while reacting to the Sunday Ebonyi massacre, lamented that there have been series of coordinated attacks on  Igbo land owing to his absence.

According to him, nobody or groups would have dared attack any Igbo community were he to be a free man.

Kanu also accused the Nigeria Military and other security agencies of complicity in the alleged orchestrated attacks on South East communities .

” During our visitation with Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu yesterday, (Monday February 2025), he lamented that enemies of the Igbo race have taken advantage of his illegal detention to unleash coordinated attacks on defenceless villages.

“Because, had he been a free man, no entity would have dared carry out such an audacious attack against farming communities in Igbo land”, Ejimokor wrote .

It would be recalled that the leaders of Amegu Nkalaha community have questioned the neutrality  of Security Agencies, particularly the Military in last Sunday’s attack.

The affected community, apart from decrying the alleged dubious role of the military in the attack, also claimed that  security operatives seized their phones all in bid to prevent them from recording and circulating the horrendous incident.

“You are Trying To Appreciate Tinubu’s Selective N150b Given to You”, El-Rufai Knocks Gov Sani

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Governor Ubah Sani

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

After taking Reno  Omokri, Senator Shehu Sani,  Daniel Bwala, and other ” latter day ” apologists of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration” to the cleaners last week, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, immediate past Governor of Kaduna State ,on Tuesday ,February 4, 2025 turned his scolding stick towards his estranged ally and successor, Governor Ubah Sani.

Having struggled before now to locate the actual driving force behind the “embarrassing and sycophantic ramblings”  of the man at the helms of affairs in Kaduna State, El-Rufai said he  has been able to confirm  that the Federal Government’s  uncommon, and generous but selective  reimbursements, interventions and grants in excess of N150 billion, are    at the root of the equally ” “generous” support for the Tinubu’s administration.

Writing on his official site, the former Federal Capital Territory FCT, Minister, insisted that the good people of  Kaduna will, at the right time,  give their verdict.

El’-Rufai’s latest outing is coming on the heels of  Governor Sani’s expression of shock and disbelief over the  antagonistic posture of some people ,including his predecessor in office, who had earlier worked for the emergence of the Tinubu’s administration..

El-Rufai berated his successor for anchoring his professed support for the Tinubu Government ,only on the material benefits from the Federal Government.

According to him, Governor Sani is not genuine in his backing of the Tinubu administration.

“Every day I see this Governor’s embarrassingly ,and sycophantically rambling, I used to wonder why ?

“However, confirming that Federal Government  reimbursements, interventions and grants in excess of N150 billion have been given selectively to Kaduna by Tinubu in the last 18 months now explains everything.

“By all means, defend Asiwaju for the conditional cash transfer. Asiwaju has earned it ,coming from you.

“The people of Kaduna State will judge at the right time and place .Have a nice day ” he wrote .

The Source  reports that El-Rufai had last week dismissed pockets of  attacks on him by the media minders of the President , as simply a task they have to perform to justify their  “humongous monthly stipends from the security vote.”

“Your Continued Detention, Persecution Of Prof Yusuf Will Have Consequences” – Katsina Elders  Warn Tinubu

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Prof Usman Yusuf

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Katsina State Elders Forum has warned President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government of the consequences of the arrest and continued detention of Prof. Usman Yusuf. Prof Yusuf, an oncologist, was the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme NHIS.

The Forum  insists on the innocence of the former NHIS boss.

The Source reports that Prof Yusuf is presently being prosecuted by the Country’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crime  Commission, EFCC, on charges bordering on alleged misappropriation of funds and embezzlement.

The Court on Monday, February 3, 2025, ordered  his remand at the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja, after he was brought to Court from the EFCC custody. The Court rejected his Lawyers plea that he be still kept in the custody of the Commission pending the argument for his bail.

But at a media briefing on Tuesday, February 5, 2025, Mamman Danmusa, Chairman of the Katsina Elders Forum, maintained that the continued detention of Yusuf could lead to some unintended outcomes.

The Forum, while insisting on the  innocence of Prof Yusuf, blamed his travails on some members of an alleged cabal within Tinubu’s administration, who are uncomfortable with his outspokenness.

“For the present Government, there are people against Usman because of the way he was granting media interviews.

“The Americans still need him, and all over the world, he is needed. We don’t have his type in Nigeria.

“We are reminding Tinubu that all Nigerians are entitled to all rights and should not forget that the Northern region gave him five million votes he used to climb to power, and those five million have now multiplied because of the situation on the ground which has forced every Northerner to renew his voters card.

“I am assuring the President that all of us are going to vote. We are suffering and the President knows that we are suffering.

“The open sectionalism in his administration is so unfortunate. Some people are being accused of stealing billions and trillions ,and nobody is talking about it.

“But because Usman Yusuf has been telling Nigerians the truth, and the true position of things, he has been clamped down on and locked up by the EFCC”, the Forum lamented

Continuing, the Secretary of the Forum, Aliyu Muhammad, said Prof Yusuf, who was living comfortably in the United States of America, as a renowned hematologist, met a lot of mess at NHIS, after being pressured to come on board.

He noted that it was Prof Yusuf’s  courage in trying to fix things and his boldness in speaking truth to power that have led to his ordeal

” This man (Prof.Usman Yusuf) was working in the USA, earning handsome salary. The Federal Government of Nigeria went and pressured him to come back home and assist.

“He was asked to head the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS. He met a lot of mess and he wanted to put things right. But he was kicked out”, Muhammad stated.

While calling for his immediate and unconditional release, the Forum maintained that the former  NHIS  Boss, has not committed any offence to warrant his persecution by the Federal Government.

Court Orders INEC To Pay N1.1bn To Family Of Man Killed By INEC Driver

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Mahmood Yakubu

By Akinwale Kasali

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Sitting in Abuja in a landmark judgment, has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,  to pay the sum of  N1.12bn with 10 per cent interest per annum from the date of judgment until the final, or full payment is made to the family of one Mike Madu, killed by an INEC driver in Imo State.

In addition, the judge ordered INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, and other defendants to send a letter of condolence to the late Madu’s family.

An order is hereby made for the defendants to pay the cost of prosecuting this action. This shall be the judgment of this court,” Justice Ekwo added.

The plaintiff, Augustine Madu, filed the suit on behalf of the Umudurugwu, Umuokwe, Awo-Omamma community in Oru-East Local Government Area of Imo State.

The amended writ of summons, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1074/2019, listed INEC, its Chairman, the INEC Commissioner in Abuja, and an INEC escort driver, Hassan Abdul, as the first to fourth defendants, respectively.

Augustine filed the suit on September 18, 2019, seeking four reliefs, including an order for the defendants to pay N1.12bn in compensation to Madu’s family for the unlawful termination of his life.

In his statement of claim, Augustine described his deceased brother, Mike Madu, as a successful businessman born on June 9, 1970, to the late John and Chioma Madu in Awo-Omamma, Imo State.

He said Abdul, an INEC staff member and driver under the office of the National Commissioner, was responsible for the fatal accident that claimed Mike’s life on June 16, 2019.

On September 10, 2019, the deceased’s family resolved to take legal action against the defendants.

Augustine noted that his brother frequently travelled between China and Nigeria, often accompanying Chinese investors to facilitate business opportunities.

On one such trip, Mike was escorting two Chinese investors to explore investment prospects in the Enugu State Free Trade Zone.

During their journey on the Itobe-Anyigba Expressway in Kogi State, their Lexus car, driven by Ega Chukwudi of Auto Star Transport Company, collided with a Toyota V8 Land Cruiser Jeep driven by the fourth defendant, Hassan Abdul.

The Toyota, occupied by Abdul and a police escort, Sgt. Usman Abdullahi, lost control, swerved into the opposite lane, and crashed into the Lexus in a head-on collision.

The Land Cruiser then somersaulted into a bush and caught fire, while the Lexus sustained heavy damage.

Mike sustained severe injuries and died, along with one of the Chinese investors, Huang Hia Yan.

The victims were taken to Holley Memorial Hospital in Ochadamu Village for medical attention, while the deceased were later transferred to Kogi State Specialist Hospital Mortuary.

The surviving Chinese investor, Qu Xin Dong, was admitted to the same hospital, while Chukwudi, the Lexus driver, was treated at Enugu State Orthopaedic Hospital. Abdul and his police escort received treatment at Holley Memorial Hospital.

A police report dated July 16, 2019, concluded that Abdul’s reckless speeding was the cause of the accident.

On July 10, 2019, the Kogi State Chief Magistrate Court ordered a post-mortem examination of the deceased. The plaintiff later obtained a warrant to bury his brother and the deceased investor.

Augustine lamented that throughout this period, INEC and its officials showed no concern or remorse for causing Mike’s death.

He emphasized that his late brother was not only the breadwinner of his immediate and extended family but also provided for his Chinese wife, Xiaojuan Li, and their son.

He further stated that Mike’s untimely death had left his family in distress, especially his wife and child in China, and that INEC had willfully refused to offer any compensation.

During the trial, the plaintiff presented two witnesses, including Josephine Emumwen, an officer in the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Command.

Augustine testified as the first witness, adopting his written statement on June 14, 2023.

Although he was recalled for cross-examination on November 16, 2023, the defendants failed to appear in court.

Justice Ekwo, ruling in favor of the plaintiff, upheld the claims and awarded the compensation.

Minor Arraigned For Allegedly Stealing N4 Million

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Court and Law

By Akinwale Kasali

A 14-Year Old Minor was arraigned by the Police in Lagos, on Tuesday, before a Badagry Chief Magistrate Court for an alleged N4 Million theft.

The Minor (name withheld) is facing a two-count- charge of breach of peace and stealing, to which she pleaded not guilty.

Inspector Ayodele Adeosun, the Prosecutor told the Court that the defendant committed the offences on January 31, 2025 at 12.01.p.m at Ajara Tozunkanmeh area of Badagry, Lagos State.

Adeosun alleged that the defendant conducted herself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by entering into the house of one Hannah Oni with a spare key without her consent.

The prosecutor said that the defendant stole the sum of N4 million belonging to the complainant.

In his words, “This is not the first time the defendant will be entering the room of the complainant with a spare key to steal money.

“On that very day, Bayewunmi was caught inside the house of the complainant stealing money.

“The defendant was handed over to Police for prosecution,” he said.

Adeosun said that the offences contravened Sections 168 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

The Chief Magistrate, Patrick Adekomaiya, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N300,000 with one surety, who must be the father of the defendant.

Wicked Ogun Monarch Who Assaulted 73yrs Old Man, Disgracefully Arraigned In Court, Granted Bail

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Rogue Oba

Embattled Yoruba monarch, the Olorile of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, who, in a recent viral video, threatened to kill an elderly man of 73 years, Chief Areola Abraham after assaulting him, alongside his thugs has been arraigned and granted bail.

The Nigerian Police Force, NPF, spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi made this revelation in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday.

He explained in the statement that the monarch who has been trenchantly criticised by not a few Nigerians for his disgraceful act will now appear in court again on March , 2025 the new date for his trial.

The disgrace monarch was charged to court on three-count charge including conspiracy, assault and conduct likely to cause breach of peace, the statement said.

According to Adejobi, “The Kabiyesi Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, who assaulted one elderly man in a viral video, in Ifo Ogun State has been charged to court today February4, 2025, on three-count charge of conspiracy, assault and conduct likely to cause breach of peace..

“He was granted bail while the case was adjourned to 06/03/2025. The police will continue to uphold the rule of law and the core values of the noble profession.’’

His arraignment comes barely  a few hours after the state government suspended him for six months to conduct investigation into his very unruly behavior.

The suspension was announced by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The unruly traditional ruler was caught in a now viral video beating the elderly man, threatening to kill him, that nothing will happen because he has the Police in his pocket.

The incident attracted serious condemnation from not a few Nigerians who called for the prosecution of the monarch by the state government.

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