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I await court action over comments on Ige’s murder – Soyinka

Published

4 years ago

April 8, 2022

Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka

Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, on Thursday expressed enthusiasm to be involved in legal proceedings to unravel killers of a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige.

Soyinka on Saturday in a statement said resumption of investigation into Ige’s murder was already hamstrung and disrobed of credibility with the emergence of a prime suspect in the case as the National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

A former deputy governor of Osun State, Chief Iyiola Omisore, emerged the party’s national secretary at the 2022 national convention of the APC held from March 26 to 27, where 77 national officers emerged.

In 2002, he was arraigned for Ige’s murder but later acquitted alongside 10 others tried for the case.

Omisore, who replied Soyinka’s position in a statement, also instructed his lawyer to write the elder statesman demanding a retraction of the comments.

Ige, also an ex-governor of old Oyo State, was assassinated by suspected gunmen at his Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State, home on December, 23, 2001.

The playwright spoke at a media briefing in Lagos titled, “Forget the past, forfeit the future: A nation seceding from humanity.”

He decried the rising insecurity in the country leading to killings, kidnappings and violence in several states.

The elder statesman noted, “When I make a statement that someone implicated in a certain crime and that the degree of that implication is such that the person should not even aspire for a certain kind of office in this society, I am talking about justice. It has nothing to do with records in court.

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“I want to assure this man who feels that his civic right has been trampled upon by the statement that even if he was guilty, it does not mean that he is not qualified to do anything for humanity.

“We are just saying that once you have been involved in certain forms of activity such that lead eventually to the extinction of a good man, you should not be seen in certain positions in society. “If Buhari and the APC leadership want to reward somebody like Omisore, please give him an embassy somewhere, maybe in Ukraine as an ambassador. But don’t make him the national secretary of a ruling party. That is where we are concerned. What happens to the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) is no business of mine. We are talking about governance, we are talking about those who are in charge of the health and the wellbeing and the instrument of justice of this society.

“We are saying somebody who was capable of attacking a minister of justice, taking off his cap in the palace of a spiritual head of a large group of people, that person is not fit to be seen as the national secretary of a ruling party. There is no bargain for that position.’’

The elder statesman said he read where Omisore’s supporters described him as a man of great erudition, adding that he had no doubt to talk about that because the politician knew what it meant in Yoruba culture to take the cap off the head of a man.

He stated, “When you decaped a man publicly and toss it to thugs to play around with, that means sooner or the other. Let me repeat this. That does not mean that you were responsible directly for the person’s death. But certain actions lead to the other and certain actions follow.

“ Even the English language helps us a bit along with it; when you decaped somebody, it might lead to decapitation. Wherever you look at the action of disgracing and humiliating a traditional chief and minister of justice who was a guest in a revered environment, that leads to something sooner or later. We have seen that the action alone and the consequence disqualify whoever initiates that action from aspiring to position.

“We are saying to the leadership of the APC and I am not talking about Buhari alone. It’s a collective guilt. What has happened to your sensibilities? Are you so short of material in your party that you have to unleash scorpion on our memory?’’

He said that he was not the one who provoked the situation but those who were so insensitive, so callous and insulted the people’s memory.

The playwright added, “Those who said they want to go to court because Wole Soyinka said this, I am waiting. I will be delighted and then we will really go into details. Perhaps, what we need is a judicial enquiry. The court has done its work. We accept the verdict of the court but there is a lot to unearth which are of enormous value for civic education and democracy. I ask APC leadership to have a rethink because this issue will not go away.’’

In his reaction, human rights lawyer, Chief Femi Falana, SAN, who said the killers of Ige must be found, noted that Soyinka had reminded the President, Major General, Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), of his pledge to open an enquiry into the country’s spate of political murders.

Falana noted, “If you are sued, we will defend you free of charge because you are taking on a public issue. We therefore want all of us to rise up and challenge the government to stop dancing on the graves of our people. “Until the killers of Chief Bola Ige are found, the search must continue. There is no apology about it. If you mention that you have been tried, discharged and acquitted but the state has a duty to look for the actual killers, you may help that from the information available to me, can you look at this area. It’s the duty of all of us. Prof Soyinka has helped to perform a civic duty.’’

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How Nigerians Can Get Federal High Court Affidavit Online Without Visiting Court

Published

4 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Federal High Court in Abuja

How Nigerians Can Get Federal High Court Affidavit Online Without Visiting Court

Nigerians can now apply for and obtain eligible Federal High Court affidavits online without necessarily visiting a court premises, through the court’s Electronic Court Management System (ECMS) e-Affidavit Portal.

The digital service allows applicants to create an account, complete an affidavit application, upload required documents, make payment and, after the application has been processed, download the completed electronic affidavit.

The Federal High Court of Nigeria introduced the e-Affidavit service as part of its efforts to make access to court services easier and reduce the need for physical visits for eligible affidavit applications.

The service covers several common affidavit needs, including change of name, correction of name, declaration of age, correction of date of birth, loss of documents, change of signature, next of kin, marriage-related declarations, banking matters and general-purpose affidavits.

However, applicants should note that the exact requirements and oath-taking procedure can vary depending on the type of affidavit and the relevant Federal High Court division.

How to Get a Federal High Court Affidavit Online

Applicants can follow these steps:

1. Create an account

Visit the official Federal High Court e-Affidavit portal and create an account.

Applicants will be required to provide basic personal information, including their name, telephone number, date of birth and email address, and create a password.

The email address and other details supplied should be accurate because they may be used for communication about the application.

2. Log in and complete your profile

After registration, log into the portal and complete the required applicant profile.

The system may request information including residential address, occupation, town, state and country of origin, gender, religion and date of birth.

Applicants should ensure that the information supplied is accurate and consistent with their identification documents.

3. Select the type of affidavit

Select the e-Affidavit option and choose the type of affidavit required.

Depending on the available categories, applicants may apply for documents relating to change of name, declaration of age, correction of date of birth, loss of documents, change of signature, next of kin, marriage, banking and other general declarations.

4. Select the Federal High Court division

Choose the appropriate Federal High Court division for the application.

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Applicants should take care when selecting the division because the relevant court location may affect how the application is processed and whether additional steps are required.

5. Complete the affidavit form

Fill in the electronic form with the information required for the particular affidavit.

For example, someone applying for an affidavit concerning correction of date of birth may be asked to provide the incorrect date, the correct date and the reason for the correction.

Applicants should ensure that names, dates and other details are correctly entered before moving to the next stage.

6. Upload the required documents

Upload the documents requested by the portal.

These may include a recent passport photograph, valid means of identification and signature, depending on the type of affidavit.

Acceptable identification may include documents such as a National Identification Number (NIN) document, international passport, driver’s licence or voter’s card, subject to the requirements displayed on the portal.

Applicants should ensure that uploaded files meet the portal’s size and format requirements.

7. Preview and check the application

Before submitting the application, use the preview function to carefully review all the information supplied.

Check the spelling of names, dates of birth, addresses, identification details, selected affidavit type and court division.

This stage is important because an error submitted on an affidavit application could affect the final document.

8. Accept the terms and submit

After reviewing the application, accept the relevant terms and conditions and provide the required consent for processing of personal information.

The application can then be submitted through the portal.

9. Pay the applicable fee

Proceed to payment after submitting the application.

The portal provides electronic payment options, including Paystack and Remita.

The applicable fee depends on the affidavit or service selected. Applicants should therefore rely on the amount displayed on the official portal at the time of application rather than unofficial fee figures circulating online.

The court’s portal states that payments are final, non-refundable and non-transferable.

10. Complete the oath-taking requirement

After payment, the application goes through the court’s processing and verification procedure.

Depending on the affidavit and the relevant court division, the applicant may be required to complete an oath-taking process.

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The Federal High Court’s information on the e-Affidavit system indicates that oath-taking arrangements can vary by division and may involve a virtual or physical process.

Applicants should therefore follow any specific instruction issued for their application rather than assume that every affidavit can be completed entirely online.

11. Monitor the application

Applicants should regularly check their account and registered email address for updates.

The court may query an application and request additional information or documents.

Where an application is queried, applicants are required to respond within the stipulated period. The portal indicates a 72-hour period for responding to queries.

Failure to respond or complete a required payment within the prescribed period may result in the application being deleted, requiring the applicant to start the process again.

12. Download the completed affidavit

Once the application has been approved and the affidavit completed, the applicant can download the electronic affidavit through the portal.

A copy is also sent to the applicant’s registered email address.

The electronically issued affidavit contains verification features, including a unique barcode and reference number, which can be used to confirm its authenticity.

Important Things Applicants Should Know

Applicants should carefully check their information before making payment because the court states that payments are not refundable or transferable.

They should also keep their application reference details and the electronic copy of the completed affidavit in a secure location.

An affidavit should not be altered after it has been issued. The court warns that falsifying, altering or misusing an affidavit is a criminal offence and may have legal consequences.

Applicants should also understand that an e-Affidavit does not automatically replace every affidavit required in a legal proceeding. Where an affidavit is being prepared for a specific court case or legal transaction, the applicant may need additional legal guidance.

Anyone uncertain about the appropriate affidavit, wording, supporting documents or court division should consider consulting a qualified legal practitioner before submitting the application.

The Federal High Court’s e-Affidavit platform is designed to make the process of obtaining eligible affidavits more convenient by allowing applicants to complete significant parts of the process electronically.

For applicants whose particular affidavit qualifies for the online service, the process can therefore be handled through the portal from registration and application to payment, processing and electronic retrieval, subject to any oath-taking or other requirement imposed by the relevant court division.

How Nigerians Can Get Federal High Court Affidavit Online Without Visiting Court

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Plateau Violence: Several Killed as Fresh Attacks Trigger Mass Exodus

Published

5 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang

Plateau Violence: Several Killed as Fresh Attacks Trigger Mass Exodus

Fresh violence in Plateau State has left several people dead in separate attacks across Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Riyom, with renewed gunfire forcing women and children to leave parts of Barkin Ladi for safer locations.

The latest wave of violence began with an attack on a vegetable market in Mangu Local Government Area, where gunmen opened fire on a vehicle leaving the market on Friday night.

The attack, which occurred at about 8 p.m. as traders and buyers were preparing to close for the day, triggered panic and a stampede as people fled in different directions.

Three people — two women and a young man — were reportedly killed, while several others sustained injuries. Those with serious injuries were taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for treatment.

However, another report put the death toll from the market attack at five, leaving some uncertainty over the final casualty figure.

The attack came amid heightened security concerns in Mangu, where several communities have experienced deadly attacks in recent weeks.

The situation worsened in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where residents of Dorowa Bubuje reported hearing sustained gunfire from the direction of Kantoma.

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The gunfire created panic and prompted the evacuation of women and children from vulnerable parts of the community.

Residents reportedly began moving away from areas considered exposed to possible attacks, while security personnel were deployed to the community.

The fresh tension followed another series of deadly attacks reported in Barkin Ladi and neighbouring Riyom between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Five passengers travelling to Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi were reportedly attacked on Saturday night. The victims were said to be travelling as labourers, with five bodies later recovered from the area.

Two other people, including a pastor, were reportedly killed while travelling to church at Dorowa Babuje on Sunday morning.

A woman was also reportedly killed at Baten Wereng in Riyom Local Government Area, while another person was killed at Ratyidi in Fan District.

Several cattle were also reportedly killed or stolen around Dorowa Maranba and the Kantoma axis, further increasing tensions in the affected communities.

The latest incidents came against the background of a series of attacks in Plateau in which both farmers and herders have suffered casualties.

Earlier in September, community leaders reported that three herders were killed and about 50 cattle were shot dead during an attack on a grazing area in Aloghom, Mangu LGA.

Another herder and 18 cattle were reportedly killed in a separate incident around Nyerwe in Barkin Ladi.

Security forces have continued operations in the affected areas.

The Nigerian Army previously reported the arrest of three suspects following the killing of 17-year-old Peter Gyang at Kafi-Abu village in Barkin Ladi.

The suspects were arrested during a military operation in an area believed to have been used by the attackers. Their alleged involvement, however, remained subject to investigation.

The Army’s General Officer Commanding, 3 Division, Maj. Gen. Williams Dangana, also visited communities affected by the violence and appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid retaliatory attacks.

Another separate attack was reported around Kassa in Barkin Ladi, where five Fulani men were reportedly killed after their vehicle came under attack while they were travelling towards a cattle market in Jos South.

The victims were identified as Buhari Yusuf, Aminu Ahmad, Nasiru Abdullahi, Gambo Abubakar and Muhammad Abdul Rahman.

A Fulani association alleged that the vehicle was ambushed by people it described as Berom militias and called for an investigation by the Federal Government, Plateau State Government and security agencies.

The association also appealed to members of the Fulani community to remain calm and avoid retaliation.

The allegation concerning the identity of the attackers in the Kassa incident has not been independently established by security authorities.

The separate attacks have highlighted the continuing cycle of communal violence in Plateau State, where longstanding tensions involving land, farming, grazing, communal disputes and reprisals have repeatedly resulted in deaths and displacement.

Community representatives have called for stronger and sustained security deployments, while security agencies have urged residents to provide credible information and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

With residents fleeing some affected areas, the immediate concern remains the protection of civilians and prevention of further attacks or retaliatory violence.

Authorities are expected to investigate the separate incidents, identify those responsible and strengthen security around communities considered vulnerable to further violence in Plateau State.

Plateau Violence: Several Killed as Fresh Attacks Trigger Mass Exodus

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Lagos Mechanic Lured With Mercedes Repair Job, Hacked to Death in Bush

Published

5 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai

Lagos Mechanic Lured With Mercedes Repair Job, Hacked to Death in Bush

A mechanic identified as Samson has allegedly been lured to his death in the Abijo area of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, after receiving a request to repair a Mercedes-Benz.

The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, September 15, after Samson, who operated a mechanic workshop around Warike Estate, left his workshop to attend to the vehicle repair request.

According to reports, the mechanic was contacted by people who claimed they needed his services to fix a Mercedes-Benz. He reportedly travelled to the location expecting to carry out a routine repair job.

However, he was allegedly taken into a nearby bush after arriving at the location, where he was reportedly hacked to death.

The circumstances surrounding the incident have raised concerns because Samson was said to have left his regular workplace in response to what appeared to be an ordinary request for his professional services.

The Lagos State Police Command confirmed that the matter had been reported and said an investigation was underway.

Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said Samson’s family initially reported that they could no longer account for his whereabouts.

Following the report, detectives visited his apartment as part of efforts to establish his movements and determine what happened to him.

The police also began efforts to track Samson’s mobile phone, hoping that the location data and other evidence could help investigators reconstruct his movements after he left for the supposed repair job.

A police source said the investigation was aimed at establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident and identifying those responsible.

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The source also indicated that suspected cult members were believed to be connected with the attack.

However, the alleged cult connection and the motive for the killing have not been conclusively established by the police.

An anti-cultism advocacy platform separately alleged that Samson’s death could have been linked to an earlier cult-related killing in the Ibeju-Lekki area.

The platform claimed that a man identified as Ola Sheu, whom it described as a member of the Eiye confraternity, was killed around Adeba Bus Stop in Lakowe, Ibeju-Lekki, on September 9.

It further alleged that Sheu was killed by members of the NBM, also known as Aye, and that Samson was subsequently targeted in what may have been a retaliatory attack.

According to the advocacy platform, a graduation photograph allegedly showing Samson wearing a beret associated with the Aye group was circulated and may have exposed him to people involved in the alleged cult rivalry.

The claim remains an allegation and has not been independently established as the motive for Samson’s disappearance or reported death.

Police investigators are expected to establish whether the Mercedes-Benz repair request was genuine, who contacted Samson, where he was taken after arriving at the location and who was responsible for the alleged attack.

They are also expected to determine whether the incident was connected to the alleged cult dispute or resulted from another motive.

The case has also drawn attention to the security risks faced by mechanics, artisans and other service providers who respond to jobs at unfamiliar locations.

Such workers often travel alone to customers’ homes, workshops, roadside locations or other places to provide services, making it difficult for relatives or colleagues to immediately know where they are when something goes wrong.

For now, no suspect has been publicly identified by the police in connection with the incident.

The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to establish the full circumstances surrounding Samson’s disappearance and reported killing and determine who was behind the attack.

Further information from the police is expected as the investigation progresses.