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Tag: Ondo State

  • Suspected ritualist dies in police custody

    Suspected ritualist dies in police custody

    A ritualist, Alfa Tunde Olayiwola, who was in police custody in Akure over alleged possession of a human skull slumped and died on Saturday, the police said on Sunday.

    Police spokesman, DSP Olufunmilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the death of the suspect on Sunday, denied that he was beaten or tortured to death.

    Odunlami said that the suspect was behaving strangely on Saturday evening and was rushed to a hospital where he was later confirmed dead.

    “Even in the hospital there was no sign or mark of violence on his body; he was not tortured.

    “He couldn’t have been tortured because the truth of his complicity was already in the open.

    “Those who were present when Olayiwola was paraded before newsmen would have noticed that he was not tortured,’’ Odunlami said.

    Police commissioner in Ondo State, Mr Oyeyemi Oyediran, paraded Olayiwola before newsmen on Dec. 23 in Akure alongside eight others arrested for various crimes.

    Oyediran explained then that Olayiwola was suspected to be involved in money rituals and was arrested on Dec. 23 in Oka in Ondo Township.

    “On Dec. 23 at about 9.20 a.m., police received information that a self-acclaimed cleric named Alfa Tunde Olayiwola, was about to receive a consignment suspected to be a human skull.

    “The Police immediately swung into action and the cleric was apprehended at Ajagbale Area of Oka, Ondo Town.

    “A fresh human skull was found in Olayiwola’s custody when he was arrested.

    “Olayiwola confessed that the skull found in his possession was to be used to ensure he had a better life,” Oyediran had told newsmen on Dec. 23.

  • Police arrest Alfa with fresh human head in Ondo

    Police arrest Alfa with fresh human head in Ondo

    The Police in Ondo State have arrested a cleric, Alfa Tunde Olayiwola, allegedly in possession of a fresh human head at Oka in Ondo East Local Government Area of the state.

    Suspected to be involved in money ritual, Alfa Olayiwola was arrested in possession of a fresh human head at Oka in Ondo East Local Government Area of the state.

    Mr Oyeyemi Oyediran, Commissioner of Police, made this known while parading the suspect with eight others arrested for various crimes in the state before newsmen on Thursday in Akure.

    Oyediran explained that the cleric suspected to be involved in money rituals was arrested following a tip off received from a member of the public on Thursday in Oka in Ondo township.

    “On the 23rd of December, 2021, at about 0920hrs, the Police received information that a self -acclaimed cleric named Alfa Tunde Olayiwola ‘m’, a suspected ritualist, was about to receive a consignment suspected to be a human head.

    “The Police immediately swung into action, and the cleric was apprehended at Ajagbale Area of Oka, Ondo town.

    “A fresh human head was found in Olayiwola’s custody when he was arrested.

    “He (suspect) confessed that the head found in his possession was to be used to ensure he had a better life,” Oyediran said.

    The commissioner of police said that three other suspects were arrested between Dec. 17 and Dec. 21 at various places across the state over alleged murder.

    According to him, on Dec.17, one Ayodele Bankole ‘m’, aged 26 years of Adabo Oke-aro, went to a hotel known as ‘Enjoy your life’, and a few minutes later he jumped down the stairs of the hotel and took to his heels.

    He said that suspect was pursued and brought back to the hotel room, where a young lady of about 24 years, was found in the pool of her blood with fresh injuries on her neck and chest.

    “The lady was confirmed dead at the hospital. A blood stained knife was recovered at the scene.

    “Also, on Dec. 20 about 1600hrs, one Haruna Shaibu was discovered to be missing.

    “The elder brother of the missing person contacted the Police that he suspected one Paul Samuel, aged 29 years, best friend of Haruna, to have used him for money rituals.

    “Because the deceased was seen last with Paul and Paul’s mother called him that his son was seen in Yara in Kogi State negotiating to sell a motorcycle, which was suspected to belong to the missing Haruna.

    “When Paul Samuel was arrested he confessed to have killed his friend so that he could sell his motorcycle. A TVS motorcycle was recovered from the suspect.

    Meanwhile, On Dec.21, one Ismaila Ojo, a hunter, shot a 70 years old man, who is his neighbor, while defecating in the bush at the back of his house, the CP said.

    Oyediran said that when the suspect was arrested, he claimed to have been testing his gun and mistakenly shot the deceased.

    “A Dane gun was recovered from the suspect,” the CP said.

  • Tragic! Pregnant nurse, lover, friend found dead inside toilet in Ondo State

    Tragic! Pregnant nurse, lover, friend found dead inside toilet in Ondo State

    Three persons have been found dead in a toilet at their residence at Aralusi quarters in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    The trio – two lovers and their friend – were believed to have been murdered.

    Their names were given as Ojo Akinro, his girlfriend, Mary lgwe and Lamidi Sheriff.

    Miss Igwe, a nurse, was said to be expectant.

    They were allegedly killed and their bodies locked up in the toilet.

    Their bodies were discovered after several calls to their cell phones went unanswered.

    Witnesses said their relatives broke down the door and found their bodies in the toilet.

    A witness insinuated it was probably a murder case.

    “The victims must have been silenced over a failed deal. You know all these young boys and girls are into so many shady deals.

     

  • Ondo House of Assembly clears Akintoroye as chief judge

    Ondo House of Assembly clears Akintoroye as chief judge

    The Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday in Akure cleared Justice Williams Akintoroye as the Chief Judge of the state.

    The House cleared Akintoroye following the submission of a report of its Selection Committee by the Deputy Speaker, Samuel Aderoboye, who is also vice-chairman of the screening committee.

    Aderoboye said the screening committee observed that the chief judge-designate provided excellent answers to all questions put across to him during screening.

    He also observed that Akintoroye possessed the required experiences, charisma and the much-needed exposure to function effectively as chief judge of the state.

    He added that the chief-judge designate possessed the required academic qualifications and he is physically, mentally, emotionally stable and fit to accomplish the challenges of the position of chief judge.

    He recommended that the chief judge-designate should be invited to appear at the plenary session of the assembly for clearance of his appointments.

    A lawmaker representing Ondo West Constituency 2, Tomide Akinribido, described Justice Akintoroye as someone who always adhered strictly to the rule of law.

    Akinribido said that he had enough confidence in the leadership of Justice Akintoroye to lift the judiciary to greater heights in the state.

    According to him, Justice Akintoroye is an upright judge.

    The Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, urged Justice Akintoroye to use his good office to synergise between the three arms of government in the state.

    Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu swore in Akintoroye as the acting Chief Judge in the state on Aug. 17.

  • BREAKING: Gov Akeredolu signs anti-open grazing bill into law

    BREAKING: Gov Akeredolu signs anti-open grazing bill into law

    Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, has signed into Law the Anti-Grazing Bill passed by the State House of Assembly.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo said the Governor Akeredolu signed the bill into Law in his office on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.

    “The move is in line with the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum at its last meeting in Lagos where September 1st was set as the deadline for Governors in Southern Nigeria to sign the Anti-Open Grazing Bill into law.

    “This is worthwhile and a very laudable development aimed at stemming needless instances of skirmishes, conflicts as well as infractions on the enviably peaceful disposition of the good people of Ondo State.

    “It is very pertinent to aver and indeed, reiterate that the Law shall rather, engender a more cordial, mutually benefiting relationship amongst residents of the State irrespective of ethnicity, religion or creed. For emphasis, no particular group of persons is the target.

    “While it is the hope of Government that all residents would take an ample advantage of this Law to enhance our socio-economic well being in Ondo State, compliance of same shall be given the utmost attention. Government shall pursue with vigour, through lawful means, to ensure strict compliance.

    “In this regard, details of the new Law shall be made available to the public for proper information, more depth of understanding on contents as well as other relevant areas”, the statement said.

  • Viral video: Court stops Ondo State govt from investigating CJ

    Viral video: Court stops Ondo State govt from investigating CJ

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, restrained the Ondo State government from investigating the state’s Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu over a viral video made by a citizen of the state, Olupelumi Fagboyegun.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, who gave the order while delivering a judgment in the suit brought by the CJ against Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and others, described the move to probe the embattled judge as “unconstitutional and illegal.”

    Fagboyegun, who claimed to be a stepbrother to the state’s chief judge, in the viral video, had alleged that Akeredolu instigated his detention for three years for going to their father’s house.

    The state government, through the Attorney General, had ordered for Justice Akeredolu’s investigation.

    However, the judge had filed a suit challenging the action of the state government.

    While the chief judge is the plaintiff, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the National Judicial Council (NJC), Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, the Ondo State Attorney General (AG), the state’s House of Assembly and the Inspector General of Police are 1st to 6th defendants respectively in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2016/2021.

    Since the case began, the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th defendants had not been represented in court.

  • 105 medical doctors resign in Ondo State

    105 medical doctors resign in Ondo State

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Monday said at least 105 Medical Doctors have resigned in Ondo State in the past year.

    The Association in a press statement, signed by the NMA State Chairman, Dr. Stella Adegbehingbe, and State Secretary, Dr. Olorunfemi Owa lamented the ugly trend blaming it on irregular and percentage payment of salaries by the state government.

    According to the NMA in the state, the situation is so unfortunate that medical doctors in this cadre have left the employment of the Hospital Management Board without replacement over the last few months.

    “We have it on good records that about 105 medical doctors have resigned their employment from the Teaching Hospital in the last year alone.

    “Ondo State has not been able to engage requisite numbers of House Officers since 2019. This has made our work almost impossible because this group of Doctors have a peculiar role in Health service delivery,” the statement read in part.

    They added that “It is troubling to note that only three House Officers are left in the service of the Ondo State Government across the three senatorial zones in the state.

    “There is no gainsaying that the ongoing laudable efforts at having a Contributory Health Insurance Scheme in the state can only be successful it the urgent issue of manpower need is adequately addressed.”

    Medical doctors in the service of the Ondo State government had earlier complained over the salary cut and unpaid wages by the state government.

    The doctors in a statement issued at the weekend said they received their February salary in June.

    They insisted on receiving their full salary despite the recent statement by the State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, which suggested part-payment of salaries for all categories of workers in the state.

  • Akeredolu pardons 12 prisoners

    Akeredolu pardons 12 prisoners

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has approved the pardon of 12 prisoners.

    The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Yemi Olowolabi, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Akure on Monday.

    Olowolabi said the gesture was in exercise of the power conferred on the Governor by Paragraph (d) of sub section (1) of Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

    According to him, the pardon was approved by the governor following the recommendation by the Ondo State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

    “In his letter, dated 27th December, 2017, and addressed to the Comptroller of Prisons, Governor Akeredolu advised that the affected prisoners be released.

    “All the prisoners have served portions of their various sentences.

    “The governor advised the affected prisoners to make use of the opportunity of their release to turn a new leaf and engage in legal and positive activities that will contribute to the development of the country,” the commissioner added.

  • Ondo election tribunal dismisses PDP’s petition against Gov Akeredolu

    Ondo election tribunal dismisses PDP’s petition against Gov Akeredolu

    The Ondo State Election petitions tribunal on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by the PDP against the re-election of Gov. Akeredolu for a second term in office.

    The petition was filed by Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP against Gov. Akeredolu of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Jegede challenged the victory of the ruling APC and its candidate in the Oct 10, 2020 governorship election which saw the return of Akeredolu for second term in office.

    The Justice Umar Abubakar-led three-member panel struck out the petition for lacking jurisdiction in the matter.

    “Issues raised therein in this petition are settled issue of internal affairs and management of a political party on which this tribunal has no jurisdiction,” Abubakar held.

    Abubakar, who delivered the judgment via zoom, therefore upheld the reelection of Akeredolu as governor of Ondo State in Oct. 10, 2020 governorship election.

  • Gov. Akeredolu appoints new Ondo Accountant General

    Gov. Akeredolu appoints new Ondo Accountant General

    Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, has approved the appointment of Mrs Esther Oni, as the state new Accountant-General.

    This is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary,Mr Richard Olatunde on Monday in Akure.

    Akeredolu congratulated the new Accountant-General, while urging her to discharge her duty with utmost responsibility deserving of her new office.

    Oni is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) with over 30 years progressive post-qualification experience, in both the private and public sectors.

    She also had a valuable stint with the International Public Service.

    Oni, who holds an MBA from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, was until her new appointment Director, Debt Management Office, Ondo State Ministry of Finance.

    Her appointment followed the retirement of the former state Accountant- General, Mr Laolu Akindolire, who retired from service after his 35 years of service.

    The appointment took immediate effect.