Tag: Ibadan

Buhari congratulates new Olubadan of Ibadan

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Sen. Lekan Balogun on his appointment as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The President, in a statement by his Spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, on Monday in Abuja believes that the dedication of High Chief Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, in diligently serving his people has rightly earned him the new position.

According to him, the appointment of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, which validates the noble and cherished tradition of Ibadan people in selecting a traditional leader, will bring peace and prosperity to the land and continued honour to the crown.

The President extended best wishes of good health, wisdom and longevity to the traditional ruler.

February 14, 2022
EFCC arrests 26 suspected internet fraudsters in Ibadan

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Office has arrested 26 suspected internet fraudsters in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

This is contained in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, and made available to newsmen on Monday, in Ibadan.

The suspects were arrested at Soka area of Ibadan, over alleged internet-related fraud activities.

Among those arrested was a suspect who introduced himself as an aide to Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state.

Uwujaren said that the suspects were arrested following verified intelligence on their alleged cybercrime activities.

He said the suspects had admitted that they were involved in internet fraud activities.

Uwujaren said that an identity card recovered from one of the suspects introduced him as a personal assistant on media matters to Gov. Seyi Makinde.

He said that among the items recovered from the suspects included seven exotic cars, several laptops, mobile phones and other incriminating documents.

Uwujaren added that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

February 14, 2022
Oyo gov, Makinde to name new Olubadan on Monday

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, says he will on Monday, officially announce the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Makinde made this known on Saturday, at the grand finale of the burial ceremony of late Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.

He said all issues hindering the announcement and installation of the new Olubadan had been resolved.

“This is another victory for Ibadan traditional institution, the process and the system was never broken, so we have reverted to the age long system.

The governor said he had received a letter from Olubadan in Council in respect of the announcement of the new Olubadan.

According to him, Ibadanland has a unique procedural steps as regards enthronement of new Oba and this has been in existence for ages.

Makinde thanked all Ibadan indigenes and well-wishers that came to witnessed the final burial ceremony.

He prayed that Ibadanland would continue to witness more developments.

The late Oba Adetunji, who was the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, died on Jan. 2, at the age of 93.

In a tributes to the late Olubadan, President Muhammadu Buhari described Oba Adetunji as a visionary and compassionate leader who used the spheres of his influence to advance the progress of his people.

“We trust that the process of selecting his successor will be guided by wisdom, understanding and good judgment that exemplified the life he lived,” the president said.

February 12, 2022
Robbers attack bullion van, kill 2 police officers, 2 civilians in Ibadan

Armed robbers numbering about seven on Thursday at about 1.00 p.m. attacked a bullion van around Idi Ape area of Ibadan, killed two police officers, two civilians and made away with unspecified amount of money.

the bullion van was coming from Iwo Road Area when it was attacked by the robbers who shot sporadically into the air to scare the passersby.

An eyewitness who preferred anonymity said that the robbers drove in a white Sienna space bus from where they engaged the police officers escorting the van in a gun duel.

The witness said that two police officers lost their lives while others got injured during the cross fire and stray bullet also killed two other civilians that included a motorcyclist.

The witness said that the robbers later forced the bullion van open with a gun and carted away unspecified amount of money.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ngozi Onadeko, who visited the scene of the crime confirmed the death of two police officers, saying they were shot in the neck.

Onadeko also said that the officers killed one of the robbers but the corpse was taken away by the robbery gang.

She said that the state had been locked down to prevent the robbers from escaping from the state.

The CP said that the police in conjunction with other security agencies in the state were collaborating to arrest the robbers, adding that more details would be provided to the public on the matter.

February 10, 2022
Oyo govt seals IBEDC offices in Ibadan, gives reason

Offices of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, have been sealed on the order of the state government over outstanding tax debts.

It was gathered that the organisation had earlier disconnected electricity supply to the State Secretariat due to huge amount of money owed by the state government.

In its swift reactions, the Oyo State Government, through Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, said the state government, confirmed the closure of IBEDC offices due to debts owed by the company.

An official of IBEDC, who pleaded anonymity said:

“Yes, IBEDC owes some tax, but the amount is not as huge as the electricity bill the state government is owning.

“So, now we are saying that if they pay their electricity bill, we will pay the tax also,” the official said.

The IBEDC Chief Operating Officer, Mr John Ayodele, had in a statement intimated the customers on the development.

Ayodele said: “We appealed to the state government to look into the matter so as not to exacerbate the situation.

“The management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc hereby informs its esteemed customers of the retaliatory and illegal action of the state government over the issue of its huge indebtedness.

“The Oyo State Government on Wednesday Feb.9, 2022, commenced the sealing of our offices within the state over some suddenly contrived debts labelled revenue bills and personal income without due notification.

“This issue of revenue bills and personal income arising now is quite suspicious.

“He said the Oyo State Government is owing IBEDC a whopping consumption outstanding of N450 million for over a period of three years.”

He said that the company, as part of efforts to get the outstanding pay initiated, several engagements, through correspondences and physical meetings, took place, but all these efforts yielded no result.

“No business in this country can run successfully with such a huge outstanding balance, the power we distribute to customers must be accounted for and paid for, we have no choice, but to disconnect the Oyo State Secretariat.

“So, it is worrisome to see that the government has sealed off our offices with this underhand and arm twisting tactics, instead of paying the debts owed.

“This was not done in good faith and it would have a damaging effect on the business and service delivery to our customers.

“The IBEDC Chief Operating appealed to the State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, to look into the matter in the interest of all concerned, as this would further exacerbate the power challenges and pressure on residents and commercial activities within the state.

“IBEDC engages in essential services to the public and the effect of this arm twisting tactics can at best be imagined, if not quickly arrested,” Ayodele said.

Olatubosun said that there was no truth in the news making the rounds that the state government sealed off the IBEDC offices in Ibadan, because the company disconnected the government office.

He said that the company had been owing revenues, totalling over N400 million in the last two years.

Olatubosun said that the state government had approached the High Court of Justice in Ibadan to seek an order to seal off the premises of IBEDC.

He said that this was because the company had been ignoring bills served it by the State Board of Internal Revenue Service for the past two years.

February 9, 2022
Nigerians would be trekking from Lagos to Ibadan if I didn’t borrow – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigerians would be trekking from Lagos State to Ibadan, capital of Oyo state if he didn’t borrow.

President Buhari said this to justify several loans his administration took from China.

Speaking during an exclusive interview on Channels TV, Mr Buhari reasoned that it was impossible for his regime to reject Chinese loans without alternative sources of funds.

“We got the Chinese to help us in the rail and the roads. How can we turn that down? If we had turned that down, maybe between Lagos to Ibadan, you will have to walk,” the president argued.

Mr Buhari’s regime has come under severe criticisms for repeatedly borrowing to finance some projects in the country, particularly the railway projects.

As of March 2021, Nigeria’s debt profile from China had risen to $3.40 billion, according to data from the Debt Management Office.

A report by the Nigerian Domestic and Foreign Debt Report, published last year by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), estimated that the country’s total public debt as of September 2020 was N32.2 trillion ($84.57 billion).

Despite the criticisms on the borrowings, the Nigerian president reiterated that his regime would continue to borrow.

“We take that (loans) where it is necessary. I told you now of something, what it is used to be between Lagos and Ibadan alone not to talk of the rest of the country,” he maintained.

“So the Chinese are welcome,” the president who had vowed to go to jail to keep borrowing asserted. He added that Nigerians willing to support his regime in funding projects are also welcome.

“Anybody that is prepared to come and help us and our infrastructure to do the roads, the rail, and power will be welcomed,” Mr Buhari stated.

Finance minister Zainab Ahmed in September 2021, explained that the regime’s constant reliance on loans was within healthy limits.

“Government has been borrowing before this administration and continues to borrow, and it is important that we borrow to provide developmental projects in the form of roads, rails, bridges, power, and water for sustainable development in this country,” said Ms Ahmed.

In August 2021, the World Bank listed Nigeria among the 10 countries with high debt risk exposure.

Nigeria ranked number five with $11.7 billion debt stock according to a financial statement the World Bank released on behalf of the International Development Association (IDA).

January 8, 2022
Ladoja reacts to controversy around Olubadan stool

High Chief Rasheed Ladoja, the Osi-Olubadan of Ibadan, says High Chief Lekan Balogun, the Otun-Olubadan of Ibadanland, is the next in line to ascend the throne of Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Ladoja, also a former Governor of Oyo State, made the declaration on Thursday at his Bodija residence in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ladoja was reacting to the controversy trailing who becomes the next Olubadan since the demise of Oba Saliu Adetunji on Jan. 2.

Ladoja said Balogun, as the most senior, is the next in line to the throne.

“There is no controversy about it. Egbon Lekan Balogun is the most senior in our line and so he is the next in line to the throne.

“For those asking, my ‘body and mouth language’ is that Egbon Lekan is my senior and he is next in line to the Olubadan stool,” the former governor said.

Expressing his displeasure at the unwarranted tension the issue had generated, Ladoja said that he does not have power to make anyone the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

He explained that it was the High Chiefs who instituted two pending suits now generating the unwarranted tension, urging them to withdraw suits.

“In 2017, we instituted a case to challenge the needless reform that Abiola Ajimobi as the Governor wanted to do.

“Almost all of us as High Chiefs and members of the Olubadan-in-Council agreed to the filing of a suit to challenge him and we gave the task to Michael Lana.

“Lana later called me to say some of the High Chiefs told him to remove their names from the suit, leaving only my elder brother Balogun and myself.

“I asked Lana if I could do it alone and he told me ‘yes’ and we continued. We won the case at the state High Court and Ajimobi appealed.

“In the judgment, the Appeal Court, a few days to the exit of Ajimobi from government, sent the case back to the High Court for a retrial.

“They, Judges of the Appellate Court, said the case was brought under writ of summons instead of originating summons,” he said.

January 6, 2022
2021 EFCC Convictions: Lagos, Ibadan record highest number across Nigeria

…as EFCC hits all time record convictions since inception

…secures 2220 convictions

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured a total of 2220 (Two Thousand Two Hundred and Twenty) convictions across all its Commands in 2021.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Lagos and Ibadan top as both record 805 convictions in 2021 alone.

The figure which emerged from a review of the Commission’s performance in the outgone year, shows that the Lagos Command of the Agency recorded the most convictions-481, closely followed by the Ibadan Command with 324 convictions, while the Port Harcourt Zonal Command had 230 convictions.

The conviction secured by the Commission in 2021 is the highest by the EFCC Since inception. Before 2021, the highest record of conviction by the Commission was secured in 2019 with 1280 convictions. The 2220 record of 2021 is a 127.5 % improvement over the 2019 record.

Interestingly too, the 2220 record represents a 98.49% success rate in prosecution as the Commission lost only 34 cases during this period.

Commenting on the performance, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, commended the personnel of the Commission for their industry and dedication despite the challenges of criminal prosecution in court. He assured that the EFCC will continue to motivate all categories of staff for greater efficiency through capacity development and other incentives.

See the attached infographic:

January 6, 2022
BREAKING: Lekan Balogun emerges new Olubadan of Ibadan

Dr. Lekan Balogun has been declared the next Olubadan of Ibadan by members of the Olubadan-in-Council.

His emergence follows the endorsement of his nomination by the Council.

This was disclosed during a press briefing by the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Ajibola said that the decision by the kingmakers to make Dr Balogun the new Olubadan was in accordance with the tradition.

Details soon….

January 5, 2022
Olubadan stool: Legal fireworks may stall installation of a new Oba

Legal fireworks may stall the installation of a new Olubadan of Ibadan as a pending case of elevation of some titled chiefs to obas by a demised former Governor has been reignited.

TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls it’s barely 48hours ago that the Olubadan of Ibadan passed on but a reminder by solicitors to those involved was sent to Governor Seyi Makinde on Monday to look before leaping into the installation of a new Oba.

In a letter addressed, dated and jointly signed by Michael F. Lana Esq, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewa, SAN, in clear words advised the sitting Governor to thread softly.

Read full letter below:

RE: INSTALLATION OF A NEW OLUBADAN OF IBADANLAND.

May I firstly, commiserate with you on the demise of His Royal Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji. Aje Ogunguniso 1. the Olubadan of Ibadanland. May his soul rest in peace.

Secondly, may I humbly draw your attention to a traditional aberration and illegality that may occur in an attempt to install another Olubadan of Ibadanland, in view of the existence of Suit No.!/22/2020-HRM OBA (SENATOR) LEKAN BALOGUN & ORS V GOVERNOR OF OYO STATE & ORS

Kindly note, Your Excellency, that your predecessor in office, without thinking of the legal effects of his actions on the future of Ibadan traditional institution, conferred the title of Obaship on some High Chiefs and Baales and gave them the right to wear beaded Crowns and coronets, in 2017. This action was challenged in Suit No. M317/2017-HIGH CHIEF RASHIDI LADOJA V THE GOVERNOR OF OYO STATE. The High Court per Aiki 1, nullified the said conferment, which was actually a total contravention of both the Chiefs Law and the Ibadan chieftaincy customary law.

However, the Court of Appeal, in Appeal No.CA/IB/99/2018 set aside the said judgment of Aiki J on technical grounds without touching on the merit of the case and sent the case back for retrial.

Upon your Excellency’s assumption of office, it was resolved that the matter be settled amicably and same was settled through the instrumentality of a Terms of Settlement which became the judgment of the Court. The said Terms of Settlement, recognised the illegality of the said actions and therefore set aside the Gazettes by which the said Chiefs became Obas with a right to wear beaded Crowns and coronets.

These High Chiefs and Baales, were dissatisfied with this Consent Judgment and therefore instituted two separate suits to set aside the Consent Judgment while at the same time clinging to the title of Obas(which actually is in contempt of court). On of these cases is Suit No: Suit No.1/22/2020-HRM OBA (SENATOR) LEKAN BALOGUN & ORS V GOVERNOR OF OYO STATE & ORS

Now, may I draw your Excellency’s attention to the fact that in committing this aberration which changed the Ibadan Chieftaincy customary law, the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957 was not amended and therefore remians extant. Under that Declaration and all relevant laws, no Oba can ascend to the throne of Olubadan. In other words, as long as the High Chiefs still cling to the title of Oba, they cannot ascend to that throne and any installation of any of them during the pendency of that suit, is illegal, null and void.

In the entire history of Ibadanland, we have never had such a situation where the legality or otherwise of the installation of the Olubadan would be an issue and this was what your predecessor did not take into consideration before venturing into an illegal journey. Ibadan Chieftaincy elevation had always been smooth and without any rancour to the envy of all other towns.

It is in line with this legal situation that I advice, most humbly, that you should withhold any approval of any High Chief to become the Olubadan so that you will not also join in the desecration of Ibadan Chieftaincy Customary law.

There are only two ways to deal with this situation: one is for the High Chiefs to withdraw the aforementioned cases and the other is to wait for the Court to pronounce on it before any step is taken to instal an Olubadan. If the court holds that they havce the right to be Obas and entitled to wear beaded crowns, then they are perpetually barred from becoming another Oba. Nowhere in the customary law of any Yoruba town is an Oba elevated to become another Oba.

If, on the other hand, the Court holds that the Terms of Settlement stands, and their obaship title is illegal, then they are free to be elevated to the post of Olubadan. The ball, your Excellency, is in their court.

I wish you well as you consider, as an Ibadan man and as Governor, your place in history.

Yours faithfully.

Michael F. Lana Esq

Prof. Oyelowo Oyewa, SAN

Hon. Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice,

Ministry of Justice,

Secretariat,

Ibadan

January 3, 2022