TheNewsGuru

Tag: Edo State

  • BITTER experience: Edo PDP chairman, Aziegbemi narrates ordeal with kidnappers

    BITTER experience: Edo PDP chairman, Aziegbemi narrates ordeal with kidnappers

    …says I don’t wish my worst enemies to experience it

    Barely a week after he regained freedom from his abductors, Edo State chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi weekend in Benin City recounted his sordid ordeal in the den of his kidnappers.

    Dr. Aziegbemi who spoke during a visit to his Benin City residence by Edo State deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu shared his sad experiences while in captivity for eleven days, recounting the difficult moments he faced in the hands of his abductors.

    Still shell shocked as a result of the ordeal, he emphasized that he would not wish anyone, even his worst enemies, to go through the ordeal he had in the kidnappers den, even as he recounted the trauma and fears he endured during his captivity.

    He said: “I don’t wish anyone, even my worst enemies, to go through the ordeal I went through in the kidnappers’ den.”

    Dr. Aziegbemi was kidnapped on March 15 at about 11 pm on his way home in the Government Reserved Area of the Edo State capital after a meeting in Government House.

    The PDP chairman, who was set free by his abductors in the early hours of today. Tuesday, March 26 got to his Benin City residence at about 3 am to the waiting arms of family and close friends, who have kept vigil and engaged in all night long prayers ever since he was taken away by the armed daredevil goons.

    It was an atmosphere of joy and celebration at Dr. Aziegbemi’s palatial uptown residence during the visit by Comrade Shaibu who was accompanied by friends and political associates.

    The deputy governor who disclosed that he had a personal bond with the Aziegbemis, was full of excitement, while expressing joy on his safe return, saying:

    “Don’t forget I am the godfather to Aziegbemi’s twin-babies. We came to celebrate Easter with our chairman and also thank God for his safe return home from the den of kidnappers.”

    Comrade Shaibu, who is presently battling impeachment proceedings orchestrated against him by Governor Godwin Obaseki, used the occasion to wish well-meaning Nigerians, particularly Edo Christian faithful, peaceful Easter celebrations, adding that the season could only be meaningful if Nigerians manifest the virtues of love, sacrifice and compassion.

  • Philip Shaibu: Seven-man panel to begin impeachment process April 3

    Philip Shaibu: Seven-man panel to begin impeachment process April 3

    The seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Daniel Okungbowa has picked April 3 to commence the sitting to probe the impeachment petition against the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.

    This was made known by the administrative secretary of the panel, George Odidi, via a statement dated March 28, 2024 and made available to newsmen in Benin City.

    According to him, the panel would hold its sittings at Judges Conference Room, New High Court Complex, Benin City at 10: 00 am prompt.

    He said parties or their counsel are expected to be present while the complainant is expected to be ready to present its case.

    The statement reads, “Take notice that consequent upon the inauguration of the above panel by His Lordship the Hon. Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice D.I. Okungbowa in line with section 188 subsection 5 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the said Panel shall commence sitting at Judges Conference room, New High Court Complex, Benin City on Wednesday 3″day of April, 2024 at 10:00Am prompt.

    “Parties and /or their counsel are expected to be present on that day while the complainant is expected to be ready to present it’s case on that day.”

    It would be recalled  that the Chief Judge of Edo State, Daniel Okungbowa, had on Friday, March 22, 2024, constituted a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations in the impeachment notice served on the deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, in line with the resolution of the State House of Assembly.

    The State House of Assembly had on March 6, 2024 served impeachment notice on the deputy governor over alleged misconduct and perjury.

    Members of the panel are Justice S.A. Omonua (rtd), Professor Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Surveyor Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen, President Aigbokhian and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare.

  • 17 parties to feature in Edo governorship election – INEC

    17 parties to feature in Edo governorship election – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 17 political parties have fielded candidates for the Sept.21 Edo governorship election.

    INEC stated this in a statement by Mr Sam Olumekun, its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Olumekun said that the 17 parties had successfully uploaded their candidates’ nomination forms for the election on the INEC portal before the 6p.m., deadline of March 24 when the dedicated portal automatically shut down.

    He said that the personal particulars of the candidates and their running mates would be published by the commission on March 30 in line with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    “The commission shall publish the personal particulars by displaying copies of Form EC9 along with all academic credentials and other documents submitted by each candidate at the State headquaters and the 18 local government offices across Edo,” he said.

    Olumekun appealed to Nigerians to scrutinise the documents when published.

    He said that any aspirant who participated in his/her party primaries with reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by the candidate was false could challenge the nomination.

    He added that such could be changed in a Federal High Court as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

  • BREAKING: After eleven days in captivity, abductors release Edo PDP Chairman

    BREAKING: After eleven days in captivity, abductors release Edo PDP Chairman

    Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Dr Tony Aziegbemi has been released by his abductors.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dr Aziegbemi was abducted on March 15 in Benin, but has now regained his freedom.

    It was gathered that Aziegbemi joined his family at about 3 am on Tuesday after spending 11 days in captivity.

    Mr. Clem Aziegbemi, on behalf of the family, said the PDP leader was released unhurt.

    “As a member of the Aziegbemi family, we say thank you all for your great show of love and solidarity with us all through the period of the adoption of our beloved son, brother, cousin, and leader, Dr Tony Aziegbemi.

    “Thank you, all…. We are most grateful for all your valuable contributions through prayers and steadfastness. God bless,” he said.

    Dr Aziegbemi was ambushed at the Bishop Edokpolor Boulevard Junction, Off Country Home, GRA Benin City, while returning from Government House where held a meeting with Gov Godwin Obaseki.

    His abduction came less than a month after his party conducted a primary election for the Sept 21 off-cycle governorship election in the state.

    When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Edo, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said an official statement would soon be issued on the development.

  • Impeachment: Edo CJ reviews panel probing Shaibu

    Impeachment: Edo CJ reviews panel probing Shaibu

    The Chief Judge of Edo, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has reviewed the panel constituted to investigate the allegations levelled against the state deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.

    This is part of the processes initiated by the assembly to impeach the deputy governor.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Registrar of thestate High Court,Mr Benson Osawaru on Monday in Benin.

    In the new list, two members, Prof Violet Aigbokhaebo and Prof Boniface Edegbai, were dropped.

    The list was earlier released on Friday.

    Other members are Prof. Theresa Akpoghome, Mr Oghogho Oviasu,. Dr Andrew Oliha, Mr Idris Abdulkareen, Mr President Aigbokhian and Mariam Ilavbare.

    The new members are President Aigbokhian and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare.

    According to the statement, retired Justice Steve Omonua is chairman of the panel.

    This, the CJ, said was in line with Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

  • Police rescue priest from kidnappers in Edo

    Police rescue priest from kidnappers in Edo

    Operatives of the Police Command in Edo have rescued one Rev. Tony Mukoro, from the den of suspected kidnappers in the state.

    The victim was reportedly abducted by suspected gunmen at Isihor community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state while returning home in his car.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Tuesday in Benin.

    According to the police, the Divisional Police Office in Ugbowo, Benin, received information that hoodlums accosted and kidnapped Mukoro in his Toyota Highlander car.

    “Operatives of the division immediately swung into action and intercepted the vehicle.

    “They engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel. The hoodlums fled during the cross fire and the victim was rescued unhurt,” he said.

    Nwabuzor stated that one AK 47 rifle, one expended AK 47 shell, two pump action gun, 14 live cartridges, one cap and a bag were recovered from the suspects.

    He said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.

  • Edo deputy governor, Philip Shaibu loses bid to stop impeachment process against him

    Edo deputy governor, Philip Shaibu loses bid to stop impeachment process against him

    Edo state Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu has lost his bid to stop impeachment process against him after a federal High Court in Abuja  refused to grant an ex-parte motion filed by him

    Shaibu had approached the court seeking  an interim order to stop the impeachment process by the state’s House of Assembly.

    The outcome of the Federal High Court negate reports by other news platforms saying that his order to stop the impeachment process was granted by the court.

    However, in the ruling dated March 13, sighted by pressmen on Tuesday, the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, declined the deputy governor’s prayers.

    It reads: “That the motion ex-parte for interim injunction dated and filed 8th day of March 2024 is hereby refused.”

    Meanwhile, at the proceedings on Tuesday, the judge fixed Wednesday for hearing in another motion ex-parte brought by the plaintiff seeking substituted service on the defendants due to his inability to serve them.

    In the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024, the Edo State Government, Edo State Governor, Edo State House of Assembly, Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, the Clerk of the Assembly, the Chief Judge of Edo State, Inspector General of Police and Director General of the Department of State Services were listed as the first to eighth defendants.

    Shaibu, in the suit, sought an order of the court restricting the third to fifth defendants from commencing any process by issuing a notice of allegation, holding proceedings, or setting up any panel of investigation for his removal pending the hearing of a motion on notice.

    He also sought an interim injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves or their agents, from interfering with the subject matter of the originating summons filed in the suit either by way of taking any adverse actions in relation to any attempt or process targeted at his removal from office as the deputy governor of Edo State pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

    Other reliefs sought are: “An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st to 8th defendants, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, officials, representatives, and or any other person or authority acting through them, from preventing the plaintiff either by threat of removal from office or adverse actions capable of hindering the plaintiff from performing his official duties and discharging his responsibilities as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, including attending State Executive Council meetings, functions and other duties.

    “An order of interim injunction directing the defendants herein jointly, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, officials, representatives, or any other person or authority acting through them, to maintain status quo ante bellum prevailing before the issuance of the purported notice or petition to commence removal of the Plaintiff from office pending the hearing and the final determination of the motion on notice. ”

     

     

  • Impeachment plot against Shaibu: Court restrains Edo Assembly, others

    Impeachment plot against Shaibu: Court restrains Edo Assembly, others

    A Federal High Court, Abuja has given an order setting aside any purported process or notice of any allegation of gross misconduct against the Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu on the ground that such process or notice is a violation of Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    An injunction restraining the Defendants and their agents, privies and representatives from interfering with, restricting, disempowering and/or preventing the Plaintiff from discharging his constitutional duties and functions as the duly elected Deputy Governor of Edo State in a joint and equal ticket with the 2nd Defendant the Governor of the Edo State.

    In the suit case No FHC/ ABJ/ CS/ 321/ 2024 further seeked AN ORDER forthwith reinstating/restoring the full and total rights and privileges attached or accruing to the office of the Plaintiff as duly elected Deputy Governor of Edo State which include, but not limited to the restoration of all media team, press crew attached to the office of the Plaintiff as Deputy Governor of Edo State and relocating the Plaintiff back to his Office within the Government House of the 1st Defendant.

    The summons was taken out by Prof. Oladoyin Awoyale, SAN of Doyin Awoyale SAN & Co. on behalf of the Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu.

    The restraining order is against the Edo State Government, the Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, the State House of Assembly, the Speaker, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, the Clerk of the House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of the State, the Inspector General of Police(IGP), and Director General of State Security Service(SSS).

    The originating summons brought pursuant to ,”ORDER 3 RULE 9 OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT (CIVIL PROCEDURE) RULES, 2019

    “SECTION 6(6)(b); SECTION 36, SECTION 39 AND 188 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 (AS AMENDED)

    QUESTIONS FOR DETERMINATION

    Whether as a democratically elected Deputy Governor of Edo State in a joint ticket with the 2nd Defendant, the Plaintiff is not entitled to remain in office as such; freely exercise his rights, privileges and discharge his constitutional duties to the people of Edo State as Deputy Governor of Edo State within the full time allocated to the Office by the Constitution, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended), without intimidation, threats of coerced resignation and/or illegal removal from Office by the 3rd, 4th, 5th Defendants at the instigation and support of the 1st and 2nd Defendants.

    Whether under and by virtue of section 36(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended, the Plaintiff is not entitled to fair hearing from the Defendants in the determination of his civil rights and obligations in relation to his office as Deputy Governor of Edo State either generally or in the cause of the process of his removal from office.

    “Whether by the combined provisions of Sections 36 and 188 of the Constitution, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended), any process for the removal of a Deputy Governor of a State can be contemplated, construed and/or carried out without regard and adherence to the principles of fair hearing, due processes and express procedures as stipulated by the Constitution.

  • Police, Edo govt break silence over abduction of PDP Chairman

    Police, Edo govt break silence over abduction of PDP Chairman

    Edo Government says it is on top of the kidnapping of the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Tony Aziegbemi.

    The State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, disclosed this in a statement issued in Benin on Saturday.

    Aziegbemi was kidnapped close to his GRA residence on Friday night while returning from a meeting with Gov. Godwin Obaseki at the Government House.

    The commissioner said the state government had stepped up surveillance and was collaborating with security agencies for the safe release of the kidnapped victim.

    “We have also increased surveillance and beefed-up security measures across the state to ensure that these criminal activities are quelled and culprits are brought to justice.

    “We encourage residents to go about their lawful businesses without fear and urge them to call the state emergency numbers 112 or 739 to report all suspicious persons or activities within their environs,” he said.

    Nehikhare reassured the public of the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of Edo residents.

    He said the government would spare no resource in ensuring that the perpetrators of this dastardly act were apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.

    Similarly, the Police Command in Edo said its operatives were collaborating with the local security network to rescue the victim unhurt.

    The command in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Funsho Adegboye, received the report of the incident with shock.

    Nwabuzor, however, noted that the CP immediately gave a marching order to the tactical team leaders to conduct a rescue party in collaboration with local vigilance groups and hunters.

    The command’s spokesman said the CP solicited the cooperation of Edo citizens, urging them to give information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators and the rescue of the victim.

    Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo condemned the abduction in a statement issued by its state acting chairman, Jarret Tenabe.

    In the statement, APC attributed the development to the lack of strong security architecture in the state.

    “The kidnap is a wake-up call on the Governor Obaseki-led administration that all is not well in terms of securing the state, which is the primary responsibility of government.

    “The APC, Edo State Chapter, uses this medium to demand the immediate and unconditional release of the PDP chairman,” it read.

    The party, however, called on state security agencies to leave no stone unturned in the quest to ensure his release unhurt.

    ICYMI: How gunmen whisked away Edo PDP Chairman in GRA

    Gunmen kidnapped the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, Mr Tony Aziegbemi on Friday.

    Aziegbemi was kidnapped at a spot close to his residence at the Government Reservation Area in Benin City.

    His abduction happened less than a month after the party’s primary election was held ahead of the Sept. 21 governorship election in the state.

    A source disclosed that the abductors, operating in two Toyota Corolla cars, double-crossed the PDP chairman’s jeep at a speed bump in the area to effect the abduction.

    Aziegbemi was returning from a meeting with Gov. Godwin Obaseki when the incident took place, the source said.

    Narrating the ordeal, the driver to Aziegbemi said: “when we left Government House and heading home at about 11p.m, I noticed the cars trailing us, so I decided to take a diversion. We never knew they were kidnappers.

    “Few minutes later, the same cars appeared behind us at a speed breaker and blocked our car in the front.

    “Gunmen came out of the cars, pointed guns at us and ordered the chairman to enter their car and they took him away,’’ he said.

    He added that other gang members took over the chairman’s jeep and abandoned it on Sapele Road.

    Police spokesman in Edo, SP Chidi Nwabuzor confirmed the abduction.

    “It is confirmed; it happened in the jurisdiction of New Etete Police Division, also known as Godwin Abbe Police Station; that is where it happened.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Mr Funsdo Adegboye, has ordered tactical teams to go after the hoodlums and we pray that by the grace of God we will rescue him unhurt,’’ he said.

  • BREAKING: Edo PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi kidnapped

    BREAKING: Edo PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi kidnapped

    Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Dr Tony Aizegbemi has been kidnapped.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Aizegbemi was kidnapped as confirmed by the party on Saturday.

    It was gathered that the Edo PDP Chairman was kidnapped as he was taking a routine walk outside his residence.

    As of the time of filing this report, neither the family nor the State chapter of PDP  has received any communication from the abductors.

    Details shortly…