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Osun crisis: NASS caucus urges Tinubu, NSA to intervene

Published

1 month ago

February 17, 2025

Osun crisis: NASS caucus urges Tinubu, NSA to intervene

The Osun State Caucus of the 10th National Assembly has called for urgent intervention from President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the Attorney General to address the ongoing crisis in Osun State.

The caucus also condemned the forceful takeover of Local Government Secretariats across the state following a contentious court ruling tied to the 2022 local government elections.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, the caucus—comprising three Senators and nine House of Representatives members—urged President Tinubu to instruct the Inspector General of Police to restore law and order in the state. They also called for the involvement of national security agencies to resolve the escalating violence.

According to the caucus, the crisis stemmed from sacked APC officials, who, reportedly aided by thugs and some security personnel, forcefully returned to office despite a court ruling upholding their removal. However, another conflicting judgment allowed them to claim their position.

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Rep. Bamidele Salam (Osun-PDP), speaking on behalf of the caucus, condemned the violent actions, stating, “The people of Osun woke up to a criminal takeover of the Local Government Secretariats, with these sacked officials wreaking havoc on the people.” He added that the violence had escalated with the support of certain security personnel, defying a Court of Appeal decision that upheld the removal of these officials.

The Osun State Government, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, had already appealed for presidential intervention in a press conference on Sunday. The Osun chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) also instructed local government employees to withdraw their services in protest.

The caucus condemned the violent actions, accusing Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, of orchestrating the illegal takeovers in collaboration with local security heads. “These acts are carried out under the directives of Gboyega Oyetola and other APC leaders, in active collaboration with the heads of security agencies in the state, including the Commissioner of Police, Director of State Security Service, and the State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps,” the caucus said.

The group warned that these actions threatened to destabilize the state, causing chaos and violence that had already resulted in multiple injuries and deaths. According to reports, three PDP members were killed by APC thugs in Isokan Local Government, and another PDP member was shot dead in Ayedaade Local Government.

Despite ongoing local government elections scheduled for February 22, the caucus expressed concern over the APC’s efforts to instigate unrest. “It baffles any right-thinking mind how the same party that is actively participating in upcoming elections would insist on reinstating sacked officials from over two years ago,” the caucus stated.

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We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde

Published

2 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Trends Admin

Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde

We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured Muslims in the state that he has no objections to the operation of Sharia panels, emphasizing that individuals are free to seek dispute resolution through them if they so wish.

Speaking at the 2025 Iftar event organized by the state government at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde clarified that he has no plans to challenge the legality of Sharia courts in the state. His comments were conveyed in a statement on Thursday by his media aide, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.

Earlier in the week, Dr. Rafiu Bello, Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo Land, had confirmed that a Sharia panel had already been established in Oyo town and had begun sittings. This led to renewed discussions regarding the panel’s constitutionality.

In response, Makinde reiterated his stance that the Constitution remains the supreme authority in all legal matters while acknowledging the role of Sharia panels in alternative dispute resolution.

“I read in the newspaper that I would go to court for interpretation on the Sharia panel, which is ongoing in Oyo. That is not my position,” the governor stated. “My position is that we will support anything that is in our Constitution.”

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Makinde explained that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Sharia panel, could ease the burden on the courts, provided they do not conflict with constitutional provisions.

He further emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining religious harmony and unity in the state, cautioning against attempts to use religion for political gains.

“As we move towards the next election, there will be elements that only think about the next election. But what we have done in this administration is to think about the next generation,” he said.

The governor also used the occasion to appreciate the Muslim community for their support and prayers, acknowledging the contributions of religious leaders, lawmakers, and security agencies in fostering peace and development in Oyo State.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin (represented by Deputy Speaker Mohammed Fadeyi), and other key figures from the judiciary and legislative arms of government.

We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde

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EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud

Published

3 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Trends Admin

EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud

Mamman Nasir Ali, the son of former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and one Christian Taylor were on Thursday rearraigned for an alleged N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud before Justice Mojisola Dadap of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

They were re-arraigned alongside Nasaman Oil Services Limited on an amended 57-count charge, following new findings in the case.

The defendants had initially been arraigned on a 49-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and the use of false documents.

At the scheduled trial for the adoption of final written addresses on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Seiduh Atteh, informed the court of the amended charges and requested that the defendants take a fresh plea.

There was no objection from the defence counsel, Obafemi Kolade, SAN.

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Consequently, the court granted the request.

The defendants, thereafter, pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charges preferred against them.

In the amended charge, the defendants, as well as Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul Afeez, who are both at large, allegedly “fraudulently obtained money from the Federal Government on or about September 9, 2011.”

The defendants also allegedly forged a document titled: “ GASOLINE ANALYSIS” on board MT Overseas Limar, purportedly issued by Saybolt Concremat on the said date.

Following the re-arraignment, Kolade requested time for the defence to amend its written address in response to the new charges.

Justice Dada directed the prosecution to file a response before the next hearing.

The case was adjourned till April 15, 2025 for the adoption of final written addresses.

EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud

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Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy

Published

3 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Trends Admin

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy

The Campaign for Democracy, a civil society organisation, on Thursday said the recall of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi Central) by her constituents would deepen democracy in Nigeria.

The pro-democracy group also said that such action by her concerned constituents would help put lawmakers on their toes to serve them well.

The group made this known in a statement issued in Lokoja by its President, Mr Ifeanyi Odili.

It expressed worry over what it described as “avoidable” crisis between embattled suspended Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio a few weeks ago.

According to the group, the incident has put Nigeria’s image on trial before the global community.

The CSO said it was worried that, rather than addressing the core issues surrounding her (Akpoti-Uduaghan) suspension within the framework of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, she chose to “engage in a campaign of calumny against the Senate as an institution.”

“It’s unfortunate that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s activities within and outside the country since the beginning of the controversy have cast an unfortunate dent on the image of Nigeria, for which she must apologise.

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“This is nothing but gross misconduct against Nigeria,” it said.

It advised respected Nigerian leaders to always identify when not to play opposition politics with delicate national issues, in the best interest of the nation.

“More worrisome is the fact that she has distorted the facts preceding her suspension and curiously held on to her sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President as the reason for the initial actions taken against her.

“Taking such misrepresentation to the world stage and representing Nigeria illegally at the Inter Parliamentary Union to air such views can be described as nothing but gross misconduct against the country.