TheNewsGuru

Tag: Edo State

  • Edo govt reacts as UNIBEN SUG clashes with Labour Party candidate, Akpata

    Edo govt reacts as UNIBEN SUG clashes with Labour Party candidate, Akpata

    The Edo State Government has condemned in the strongest terms the violence associated with the visit of Labour Party candidate, Mr. Olumide Akpata to University of Benin (UNIBEN) on Friday, April 12, 2024.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the State government condemned that violence in a statement released by Chris Osa Nehikhare, the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation.

    Claims and counterclaims have been made by Mr. Akpata and the Student Union Government (SUG) of UNIBEN in statements issued by both parties on April 13, and according to the State government, active investigation is ongoing on the issue.

    “The Edo State Government, however, warns in the strongest terms that it will not tolerate violence or this sort of irresponsible behaviour which was associated with the visit of Mr. Akpata to the institution.

    “Government has the primary responsibility to ensure the security of lives and property in the State and will spare no effort to ensure that anyone who breaches the peace, no matter how highly placed, will face the full weight of the law.

    “We hereby call on all Edo people to go about their lawful businesses without let as relevant agencies progress with their investigation into the said matter,” the statement reads.

  • AAC candidate condemns impeachment of Shaibu

    AAC candidate condemns impeachment of Shaibu

    Dr. Udoh Oberaifo, the Gubernatorial Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), on Monday, condemned in strong terms the impeachment of deputy governor Philip Shaibu by the Edo House of Assembly.

    Shaibu was impeached on Monday for “revealing government secrets”. He has been replaced by Marvellous Godwins Omobayo as the new deputy governor.

    In a statement in Benin, Oberaifo said regardless of the charges levelled against Shaibu, due process was not followed.

    Oberaifo who noted that Shaibu was not given a fair hearing and described the impeachment as a blatant disregard of the principles of justice.

    “Of particular concern is the fact that the impeachment proceeded despite a pending case filed by the deputy governor at the Federal High court.

    “This legal action should have warranted a status quo, yet the impeachment was carried out regardless, casting doubts on the motives behind the hurried proceedings,” he said .

    The AAC candidate raised the alarm over the connection between the Labour Party (LP) and the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state .

    He alleged that the new deputy governor was a card-carrying member of LP, and was yet to resign his membership as at the time he was sworn in.

    “This action is in clear violation of the Electoral Act 2022 and it underscores the connivance between the LP and PDP to consolidate power,” he added.

    He condemned the display of political maneuvering and warned against  godfatherism that has permeated Edo politics.

    He urges the people of Edo state to reject the PDP and LP at the polls, come September 2024, and embrace the AAC as a viable alternative.

    Oberaifo called on all Edo people to rally behind the AAC, embrace its programmes, visions, and manifestos, and cast their votes for him as the next governor of the state in September.

  • With my new Deputy, my admin will finish strong – Obaseki

    With my new Deputy, my admin will finish strong – Obaseki

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has expressed confidence that his administration will finish strong, especially will the swearing in of his new Deputy, Omobayo Marvellous Godwins.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Omobayo was sworn in on Monday as the new Deputy Governor of Edo State following the impeachment of Philip Shaibu as Deputy Governor.

    “Over the past few weeks, the Edo State House of Assembly carried out its constitutional role by providing checks and balances in our democracy, and today, they impeached the former deputy governor.

    “At no point in this journey did I envisage that I would be having to work with two deputy governors before the end of my eight-year run in office. As there cannot be a vacuum in government, we have, by consensus, selected Omobayo Marvellous Godwins to take over the baton as the new Deputy Governor of Edo State.

    “At 38 years old, my new deputy, Omobayo, is a symbol of our undying belief in the power of our youth to transform our dear State, bringing vigour and renewed energy to the drive to place young people at the centre of our politics and developmental agenda. He is a man for this season.

    “Together, we will be working in these last few months of my administration as we make progress on our promise to finish strong for the benefit of our dear people,” Obaseki stated.

    38-year-old Omobayo was sworn in as the new Deputy Governor of Edo, by Chief Judge of Edo, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to replace his predecessor, Philip Shaibu.

    Shaibu had earlier on Monday been impeached by the State House of Assembly, having been found guilty of revealing government secrets.

    Omobayo, appointed by Gov. Godwin Obaseki, hails from Akoko-Edo Local Government Area in the same Edo North senatorial district with the impeached Shaibu.

    The new deputy governor, born on July 19, 1986, is an engineer with a professional experience in the oil and gas sector.

    He had his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Public Administration, both from the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

    He is a registered member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

    His profile revealed he served as a Senior Maintenance Engineer at Dresser Wayne West Africa Limited.

    In his acceptance speech, Omobayo expressed his gratitude to Obaseki for finding him worthy to serve as his deputy.

    He also pledged allegiance to the governor and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said, “In the few critical months left to tidy up the work of this administration, my job as the deputy governor is clear and well cut out. I understand it very clearly.

    “In line with the oath of office to which I have just subscribed, I make a solemn pledge to do all in my power, with God’s guidance, to live up to expectations.

    “I will give all it takes to meet the expectations of my principal, the party, and above all, the good people of Edo State.”

  • VIDEO: Watch Philip Shaibu reacts to his impeachment

    VIDEO: Watch Philip Shaibu reacts to his impeachment

    Philip Shaibu has reacted following his impeachment from the position of the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Edo House of Assembly impeached Shaibu on Monday.

    The impeachment followed the adoption of the recommendation of a seven-man judicial panel led by retired Justice Stephen Omonua.

    Reacting, Shaibu said the impeachment was illegal.

    Watch video below:

    Meanwhile, at plenary in Benin, the Majority leader of the house, Charity Aiguobarueghian had said the report of the 7-man panel presented to the house found Shaibu culpable of disclosure of government secrets.

    Aiguobarueghian further disclosed that though the panel was unable to establish the case of perjury against the deputy governor, it made two findings and one recommendation upon which the decision to impeach the deputy governor was anchored.

    According to him, “the seven-man judicial panel of inquiry recommended that the deputy governor be impeached on ground of disclosure of government secrets.’’

    During voting on the motion, 18 out of 19 members present at plenary voted for the impeachment of the deputy governor while one abstained from the head count and voting process.

    The Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai conducted a head count of the lawmakers who voted for and against the impeachment of Shaibu.

    The clerk said with the figure, the house stated that it met 2/3 (16 members of the House was needed to carry out the impeachment).

    The assembly thereafter upheld and approved the recommendation of the seven-man panel and thereafter impeached the deputy governor.

    The speaker, Blessing Agbebaku directed the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai to forward copies of the impeachment to Gov. Godwin Obaseki for assent.

  • BREAKING! Edo state Deputy Gov-nominee; Engr. Omobayo Godwin about to be sworn-in

    BREAKING! Edo state Deputy Gov-nominee; Engr. Omobayo Godwin about to be sworn-in

    Any moment from a new deputy Governor would be sworn-in to replace impeached Phillip Shaibu

    He is 38 years old
    Graduate of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

    He has over one decade post-graduation working experience in the oil and gas sector.

    He is from Edo North Senatorial District.

    Details shortly…

  • Edo: BEDC links power outage to low generation

    Edo: BEDC links power outage to low generation

    The Management of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc, on Friday linked power outage in its franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti to low generation of power by the power generating companies (Gencos).

    The Chief Technical Officer (CTO), BEDC, Eng. Jonathan Lawani, while giving an overview of BEDC operations at a Media parley in Benin, said the power problem currently being experienced in the state was not peculiar to BEDC alone but affecting all Discos.

    Lawani stated that Nigeria was heavily dependent on gas for power generation, adding that the gas suppliers had refused to supply gas to generating companies because they were yet to settle their outstanding debts.

    “Gas suppliers are saying Gencos are owing, Gencos are saying TCN is owing, TCN is saying Discos are owing and Discos are saying that customers are not paying their bills.

    “So if power supply must improve, customers have a role to play by paying for electricity consumed through BEDC accredited billing agents,” he said.

    He also attributed the non availability of power to the increased energy theft and vandalism currently ongoing in its network.

    He disclosed that out of every 10 meters installed, six were tempered with either at the point of installation or after installation resulting in loss of revenue.

    “This is a major problem in all the Discos not only in BEDC. And you will agree with us that we need this revenue to purchase energy for distribution.

    “We are working with the various state governments where we operate to come up with regulations to curb the menace,” he added.

    Speaking further, he said the Minister of Power was working round the clock to resolve the low generation problem, adding that BEDC had resulted in load shedding of the power allocated to it.

    According to him, BEDC has concluded the upgrade of its network and now has over 75 33KVA voltage lines covering over 5,000Km in terms of length and over 3,022 11KVA feeders that provide service to customers.

    He noted that with the upgrade, “BEDC now has more capacity to take power when power generation improves.”

    The CTO appealed to the media to join in the fight against vandals, adding that the company records more than 10 cases of vandalism on a daily basis.

    He called on the various communities across BEDC operational areas to take responsibility of the network lines in their domains.

  • Philip Shaibu: Seven-man impeachment panel rounds off sitting, set to give reports

    Philip Shaibu: Seven-man impeachment panel rounds off sitting, set to give reports

    A seven-man panel headed by Justice S.A. Omonua (rtd) investigating the impeachment petition against the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu has rounded off its sitting.

    The panel will be releasing their findings any moment from now.

    The panel commenced sitting on Wednesday, April 3, and ended on Friday, April 5, 2024.

    At the Friday sitting, the chairman of the panel, retired Justice Omonua said the sitting was adjourned to Friday (today) to give more opportunity to the respondent to present its defence.

    “This is the position of the panel. The panel adjourned sitting to today (Friday) for the last time for the respondent to present its defence, and the respondent is still not before the panel.

    “The panel is therefore closing its sitting to retire to consider its report as provided by the constitution,” he said.

    TheNewsGuru reports  that the panel was constituted by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, on March 22, 2024, in line with the resolution of the State House of Assembly to investigate the impeachment petition against the deputy governor which bothered on allegations of gross misconduct and perjury.

    Other members of the panel are Professor Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Surveyor Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen, President Aigbokhian and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare.

    It would be recalled  that at the commencement of the panel sitting, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale, SAN, counsel to the deputy governor, withdrew from participating in the proceedings after the panel had ruled against his motion.

    Awoyale, had in his submission, urged the panel to comply with a Federal High Court, Abuja, order by J.E. Ekwo that ordered the panel to show cause on why an interlocutory injunction to maintain status quo on the proceeding of the petition pending the determination of the case should not be granted to the plaintiff (Philip Shaibu).

    He prayed the panel to wait for the decision of the Federal High Court on the matter slated for April 8, 2024.

    In its ruling, the panel said the J.E. Ekwo order does not stop its proceedings but only asked it to appear before it on April 8, 2024.

  • Missing 200-level DELSU student unsettles Edo community

    Missing 200-level DELSU student unsettles Edo community

    The community of Iru Egbede in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo is disturbed over the alleged disappearance of a 200-level undergraduate of Delta State University (DELSU), Faith Omodon.

    Faith, studying Business Administration at the university, was last seen on Saturday after leaving home for the farm.

    Faith’s father, Mr Edward Omodon, told NAN on Thursday that the news of his missing daughter reached him while he was at a community gathering.

    “We usually have Iru National Conference at this time of the year. We were seated inside the community hall when we heard loud wailing outside that my daughter was missing.

    “She had left for the farm earlier that morning with a motorbike, taking her breakfast flask with her,” he said.

    Corroborating Omodon’s story, Ikpoba Johnbull, head of the village vigilance group, said soon after the news of her disappearance broke that evening, they followed the girl’s mother to the farm.

    “We immediately mobilised and combed the area up to Izighiri and Uwumuwe; two neighbouring villages but could not find any trace of her.

    “We only found the leftover of her lunch flask,” he said.

    Johnbull said they had to inform neighbouring vigilance groups after spending the night inside the bush but without result.

    According to the vigilance group leader, after all was said and done, the girl’s father was advised to formally report the case of a missing person at the Abudu Police Division.

    The National Youth Chairman of the community, Mr Donald Egboko, who said his people were depressed and devastated over the incident, appealed to security agencies to assist in tracking Faith’s whereabouts.

    When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer, Mr Iyayi Kenneth, confirmed that the incident was reported at the station.

    According to Kenneth, the case has been transferred to the state police command for further investigation.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, however, promised to get back after his findings from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

  • Impeachment: Shaibu’s lawyer pulls out as panel vow to go on with investigation

    Impeachment: Shaibu’s lawyer pulls out as panel vow to go on with investigation

    The retired Justice S.A. Omonuwa’s seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, on Wednesday ruled that the panel will continue its investigation as there was no court order stopping it.

    The ruling came after Shaibu’s counsel, Prof Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), raised an objection to the continuation of the investigation in view of the order of an Abuja Federal High Court which adjourned the case filed before it by Shaibu till April 8, 2024, for parties in the matter to come and show cause why the court should grant or refuse the prayers for interlocutory injunction against the impeachment processes.

    Justice Omonuwa (retd.), while giving his ruling, said the Federal High Court in Abuja only asked parties to come and show cause.

    Deputy Clerk, Legal, Edo State House of Assembly, Ohaifa Joe, who is the counsel for the House of Assembly had, while arguing his position, said that by virtue of the provisions of the Constitution, Section 188 (10), no court has the right to prevent the House of Assembly, or the panel so set up, from performing its constitutional responsibilities.

    Ohiafi further argued that Awoyale (SAN), must convince the panel that the provision of the constitution had been altered for the panel to sustain his argument.

    In his ruling, the chairman of the panel, Justice Omonuwa (retd.), said that the panel would continue and asked the House of Assembly to state its case.

    Responding to the ruling, Awoyale told the panel that his client would not be able to continue to participate in the investigation and sought the panel’s permission to be excused.

    When asked whether he was waving his right to defend his client, the SAN answered in the negative, stressing that parties must obey the court decision that they should appear before it to show cause.

    Probed further if he was “arresting the ruling of the panel”, Awoyale (SAN) answered again in the negative and reiterated the need to obey the court which would be sitting on Monday, April 8, 2024.

  • (UPDATE) Impeachment: Edo Deputy Gov, Shaibu, walks out of panel

    (UPDATE) Impeachment: Edo Deputy Gov, Shaibu, walks out of panel

    The embattled Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, on Wednesday, walked out of the seven-man panel set up to probe an alleged misconduct levelled against him by the state House of Assembly.

    Shaibu, who was represented by Professor Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), had prayed the panel to obey an interlocutory injunction by the Federal High Court, Abuja, billed for hearing April 8, 2024.

    He said participating in the proceedings of the seven-man panel would amount to fait accompli.

    However, counsel to the House of Assembly and Deputy Clerk, Legal Department, Joe Oaifi, argued that the panel’s sitting was supported by Section 188 (10) of the constitution which forecloses any court from preventing the House of Assembly and the panel from discharging their constitutional responsibilities.

    In its ruling, the panel, headed by retired Justice S. A. Omonuwa said the respondent suit at the Federal High was neither here nor there as regards the panel sitting, citing Section 188(10) of the Constitution.

    He said this section empowers and protects the panel from any external interference, hence declared continuation of the panel’s sitting.

    Shaibu’s lead counsel thereafter walked our if the panel, saying will amounts to contempt of the court.

    The lead counsel, however, declined interview.

    Shaibu’s trial continues in absential.

    Details soon…