TheNewsGuru

Tag: Edo State

  • Gunmen kill 1 at Benin nightclub

    Gunmen kill 1 at Benin nightclub

    The police in Edo have confirmed the killing of a guest at the popular Raptor Club and Lounge, Stadium Road, Benin.

    The victim was shot dead by gunmen in the early hours of Friday, while his female passenger sustained gunshot injuries.

    SP Moses Yamu, Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Edo, told NAN that investigations into the incident were ongoing.

    According to him, the police received a distress call at 3 a.m. that there were gunshots at Raptop Club.

    He said the operatives of the command on reaching the scene went after the hoodlums, who escaped and abandoned a pump action gun and two expended empty shells.

    Yamu explained that efforts were ongoing to arrest the perpetrators.

    The incident, which occurred at about 2 a.m., has left the management and patrons of the nightclub in shock.

    A source told NAN that the deceased, whose identity has not been disclosed, was shot inside his white Lexus Jeep vehicle, while the female passenger was hit by stray bullets on her lap.

    The incident left the club with some damages, including shattered show glasses and a destroyed glass door.

    Policemen were seen at the scene of the incident, as the deceased’s vehicle was towed away.

  • Why I couldn’t stop Okphebolo from appointing my son as Commissioner – Oshiomhole

    Why I couldn’t stop Okphebolo from appointing my son as Commissioner – Oshiomhole

    Former Governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has revealed he expressed concerns when Governor Monday Okpebholo picked his son, Cyril for appointment as Commissioner in the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Oshiomhole to have said he could not stopped him, like he stopped him when he wanted to go for the House of Reps when he was governor, because his son is already of adult age.

    Recall that Governor Okpebholo in November appointed Cyril as Health Commissioner hours after he was sworn in as governor. The appointment generated criticisms from persons who described it as state capture and a reward for Oshiomhole’s support for the governor’s election.

    However, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, the lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District insisted that his son is qualified to be the Commissioner for Health in Edo State.

    Oshiomhole, when asked if he was grooming his son for the future with the appointment, said: “He doesn’t work under me. Maybe Governor Monday is grooming him.

    “When I was in Edo, I stopped him when he wanted to go for the House of Reps. I said no and supported another guy. The second time he wanted to try, I said no.

    “This time the governor decided to pick him. He is qualified. I did express my concerns when I heard. I called him and expressed my concerns.

    “I expressed those concerns to the governor that people might say this and that. Those were the reasons why I stopped him from contesting elections when I was in office.

    “But then I have to accept that in the world that we live in, you can only do so much to control your son but not when he is already of adult age.

    “The point must be made: I invested in my children’s education. I didn’t want them to go through what I went through.

    “So, Dr Cyril is not just a medical doctor from ABU (Ahmadu Bello University), he went to do post-graduate in two universities in the US, including Harvard and another university in Louisiana. He does something about public health.

    “So, he is not having it because he is Oshiomhole; I will say he is having it in spite of being Oshiomhole,” he said.

  • Senate asks INEC to conduct fresh election in Edo

    Senate asks INEC to conduct fresh election in Edo

    The Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) has been called upon to conduct a fresh election to fill the vacant seat of Edo Central Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Edo Central Senatorial District seat became vacant after Senator Monday Okpebholo was elected and sworn in as the Governor of Edo State.

    Okpebholo was a member of the 10th Senate, until his election as Governor of Edo, on September 21, 2024.

    Calling on INEC to conduct a fresh election to fill the vacant seat in the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio earlier declared the Edo Central senatorial seat vacant.

    Senator Akpabio declared the Edo Central senatorial seat vacant at a valedictory session held for Senator Okpebholo.

    “In line with the Constitution, the seat of Edo Central Senatorial District is, hereby, declared vacant and INEC is, accordingly, invited to conduct fresh election to fill the seat left by Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo,” Akpabio said.

    The Senate President went on to urge Senator Okpebholo to keep up with his legacy of good works as he carried out his duties as the Governor of Edo State.

    Speaking at the valedictory session, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo) described Okpebholo as a humble, resourceful, committed and intelligent man.

    “We’re happy that in 30 days, Edo people are aware that there is a new governor in town,humble, resourceful, committed, intelligent, few words but maximum action,” he said.

    Senator Danjuma Goje (APC-Gombe) described Okpebholo as a man of good character, honest and a committed Nigerian.

    Goje advised the Edo governor to continue with his good traits, adding that his good disposition was a great asset for the state.

    Reacting, Okpebholo said his involvements in the legislative session was to drive good governance, especially in infrastructure development, security, education, health,among others.

    The Governor, who described the plenary as emotional one for him, expressed his gratitude to his colleagues, especially those who stood by him during his campaign period.

    “Distinguished colleagues, this is quite emotional for me. From the moment I joined the 10th Senate in June, 2023.

    ”Every moment at the red Chamber has remained memorable. We saw ourselves as forerunners of democracy and we wanted the best for the nation. Thank you for standing by me through out the campaign exercise,” he said.

  • Edo Deputy Governor’s seat in House of Reps declared vacant

    Edo Deputy Governor’s seat in House of Reps declared vacant

    The Ovia North-East/Ovia South-West federal constituency seat of Edo State in the Nigerian House of Representatives has been declared vacant, formally.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the seat was previously occupied by Dennis Idahosa before his election and inauguration as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

    The Ovia North-East/Ovia South-West federal constituency seat was declared vacant on Wednesday by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abass.

    The House Majority Leader, Hon. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere had written to the House of Representatives stating that now that the “member representing Ovia North-East/Ovia South-West federal constituency of Edo State has been elected and sworn in as the Deputy Governor of the State, his seat should be declared vacant”.

    This Ihonvbere said is to enable the process of by-election to commence towards having a new representative for the people of Ovia North-East/Ovia South-West federal constituency.

    After the reading the communication during plenary, Abass declared: “Honourable colleagues, with this announcement, it is my pleasure to announce that the seat of Ovia North-East/Ovia South-West federal constituency is, hereby, declared vacant”.

  • VIDEO: Drama as Gov Okpebholo struggles with Edo 2025 budget figures

    VIDEO: Drama as Gov Okpebholo struggles with Edo 2025 budget figures

    Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Tuesday presented N605.7 billion budget estimates to the Edo State House of Assembly for the 2025 fiscal year, representing 25 per cent increase from the 2024 budget.

    Presenting the budget christened “Budget of Renewed hope for a Rising Edo” to the Assembly in Benin, Okpebholo said capital expenditure would take N381 billion, representing 63 per cent while recurrent had N223 billion, representing 37 per cent.

    Okpebholo noted that his administration planned to make huge difference in the road sector with the appropriation of N162 billion to road construction across the state.

    He appropriated N48 billion for Education, while N500 million was appropriated to Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma as monthly subvention to ensure its revival.

    The governor also appropriated N63.9 billion to the health sector, N1.8 billion was set aside for the Health Insurance scheme, with N4.5 billion budgeted for Agriculture sector.

    He further stated that his administration recently purchased 20 patrol vehicles to assist the security personnel in their work and planned to purchase more in the coming year.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports presentation of the Edo State 2025 budget did not come without any drama as Governor Okpebholo struggled to reel out the budget figures during his speech.

    Meanwhile, receiving the budget estimates, Speaker of the Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku assured the governor of the house expeditious passage of  the budget.

    Agbebaku also assured of the house’s resolve to work with the governor for the good of Edo people.

  • Tribunal begins sitting on petitions filed against Okpebholo

    Tribunal begins sitting on petitions filed against Okpebholo

    The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has began sitting in Benin and will hear seven (7) petitions challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the September 21 poll.

    The petitions were submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and six other political parties. The other parties according to the cause list are the Accord Party, Action Alliance, Social Democratic Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Democratic Party, and Zenith Labour Party.

    In his inaugural address, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, Chairman of the three-member panel canvassed for the cooperation of all parties in the case, particularly the legal representations.

    Kpochi lauded the calmness in the courtroom, but raised concerns on the influx of parties supporters into the premises.

    “We will like to crave for your cooperation. I can see this place is calm and hope it will continue like this However, I saw many people outside and wondered what it was all about.

    “On my part, we will say we will cooperate with you. You are senior lawyers. Do not shout at us and we will not shout at you either. If you notice any issue, draw our attention and we will listen,” he said.

    Other members of the tribunal are Justices K. B. Yusuf and A. A. Adewole

    Responding, Ken Mozia, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), leading the PDP legal team, and Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, leading the Okpebholo’s team, promised that the parties would be professional in their trade before the tribunal.

    They assured the tribunal that the supporters would be engaged so as to ensure the place was not rowdy or create commotion throughout the judicial exercise.

    Subsequently, the PDP case against the governor went into pre-hearing, where all parties adopted their exchanged written responses.

    The tribunal adjourned until Dec. 18 for hearing of preliminary motions in this case as well as adoption of addresses of the six others.

  • Ex-NLC chairman slumps, dies in Edo

    Ex-NLC chairman slumps, dies in Edo

    The police command in Edo has ordered an investigation into the circumstances that caused the death of Comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin, a former Chairman of NLC at a police checkpoint in Benin City.

    The command Spokesman, SP Moses Yamu, said the Commissioner of Police, Umoru P. Ozigi gave the order on Wednesday.

    Sources said the incident occurred when Eboigbodin was driving with his spouse through Upper Sakponba Road on Monday in Benin City.

    According to a source, the police stopped Eboigbodin and demanded his vehicle particulars, which he provided.

    The source said, however, that a discrepancy in the documents sparked a heated argument, as the police were said to have accused him of driving a stolen vehicle.

    The source said the policemen allegedly ordered him to drive to their station, which Eboigbodin refused, demanding to know his offence.

    The situation degenerated into arguments and Eboigbodin, who had became infuriated, slumped on the spot.

    It was gathered that the police officers fled the scene, leaving Eboigbodin’s wife to rush him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

    The command spokesman said the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Police received with great concern, news of the death of Eboigbodin, former Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo.

    Yamu quoted CP Ozigi as saying the police would investigate issues of unprofessional conduct in the incident.

    According Iyamu, the CP wishes to use this medium to commiserate with the widow, family, friends and associates of the deceased over the loss and prays for the repose of his soul.

    “The CP noted the cordial working relationship existing between the Police, Civil Society Organisations, NLC and all critical stakeholders in the state and has, therefore, directed the immediate investigation into the incident.

    “The Command remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice prevails in every situation,” Yamu said.

  • One shot as N94m sparks violence among internet fraudsters in Edo

    One shot as N94m sparks violence among internet fraudsters in Edo

    Suspected internet fraudsters have allegedly shot a collaborator over a disagreement arising from the sharing of N94 million proceeds from an online scam.

    The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday at Okhoro road in Egor Local Government of Edo.

    The victim was said to have been driving in his Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), when the gunmen who drove in another vehicle accosted him.

    A source said the gunmen ordered him out of his car and shot him at close range.

    The source described the victim as “Aza Man”, a code name by internet fraudsters for a person, who provides bank account for receiving proceeds of Internet fraud.

    According to the source, the Aza man ran into the trouble after he reneged on agreement with other members of the syndicate on the sharing formula for the N94 million realised from a scam.

    “While the Aza man was promised a certain percentage of the amount upon the payment, he refused and instead retained the fund to himself. He refused to share with the group,” the source said.

    When contacted, SP Moses Yamu, the Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Edo on Tuesday confirmed the shooting.

    He noted, however, that investigation had commenced, with the aim of arresting the perpetrators. Yamu added that the victim was undergoing treatment at a medical facility in the state.

  • Gov Okpebholo gives Edo LG Chairmen ultimatum to submit financial statements

    Gov Okpebholo gives Edo LG Chairmen ultimatum to submit financial statements

    Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Tuesday directed the 18 local government chairmen in the state to submit their statements of account from September 2023 to date within 48 hours.

    A statement by Fred Itua, the chief Press Secretary to the governor, instructed that the documents should be submitted to the Assets Verification Committee through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

    At a meeting with the chairmen, the governor emphasized the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

    Okpebholo, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, assured the council chairmen of collaborative governance for the betterment of the state.

    The governor reiterated that the directive would enhance the committee’s ability to verify assets efficiently.

    According to the governor, I have listened keenly to the ALGON Chairman, I’m a leader of all and we are one family.

    The governor urged the chairmen to comply with the directive promptly to support the committee’s work.

  • Okpebholo swears in 3 judges ignored by Obaseki

    Okpebholo swears in 3 judges ignored by Obaseki

    Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Monday swore in three High Court judges recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC), but ignored by Godwin Obaseki’s administration.

    Recall that Obaseki ignored the three judges when he swore in five out of the eight recommended judges by NJC in May. The immediate past governor advanced no reason for his action.

    Okpebholo, in his address at the event in Benin, said the exercise was in fulfillment of the pledges made during his inaugural speech to look into the case and right the wrong of yesterday.

    “Eleven months after the recommendation of the NJC, only five of those recommended were sworn-in as judges by the immediate-past administration, leaving out three, even when they had all been cleared and recommended by the same NJC.

    “No one should be discriminated against, marginalised or hated for personal reasons, or on account of not having a godfather.

    “As judges of the state High Court, they are expected to uphold high standard of conduct, ensure fair dispute resolution, uphold rights of citizens, and bring culprits to justice.

    “During my swearing-in ceremony as Governor of Edo State on November 12, 2024, I acknowledged the critical role of the judiciary under the doctrine of separation of powers.

    “Today we are gathered here to strengthen that role for the judiciary. The National Judicial Council in June 2023 recommended eight persons for appointment as Judges of the Edo State High Court,” he said.

    The three judges are Maureen Osa, Okundamiya Godwin Jeff and Edoghogho Eboigbe. Responding on behalf of the trio, Osa applauded the governor for the opportunity given them to serve as judges in Edo. She applauded the governor for making their swearing-in a reality, just three weeks into office.

    The new judge prayed for a successful tenure for the governor. “We assure you that we will dispense justice without fear or favour,” she said.