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Tag: ondo

  • Aiyedatiwa gives lawyer 7-day ultimatum to retract certificate forgery allegations

    Aiyedatiwa gives lawyer 7-day ultimatum to retract certificate forgery allegations

    Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, on Monday, gave a legal practitioner, Oladotun Hassan, a seven-day ultimatum to retract his allegation of certificate forgery levelled against him or be sued.

    Aiyedatiwa, in a letter titled: “Defamatory Publications Against Mr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa” written by his counsel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, also demanded an apology in three national dailies.

    The letter, dated April 8, was made available to newsmen in Abuja.

    “The above matter refers. We are solicitors to His Excellency, the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa (“our Client”) on whose behalf we write this letter on the above subject matter.

    “It has come to the attention of our client that by an unsolicited letter dated June 2, 2023, you caused to be authored and submitted to the Nigeria Police Force, an unsubstantiated complaint of misrepresentation, certificate forgery, examination malpractice and perjury, against our client.

    “Whereas, you are not a registered voter in or an indigene of Ondo State to possess the requisite locus to ground your said complaint.

    “Your petition was cleverly routed through unauthorized sources within the police force and without recourse to our client, a report was purportedly submitted to you by the police dated February 19, 2024.

    “You thereafter caused the said report to be widely circulated as the basis of a malicious design to disqualify our client from participating in the governorship primary election in Ondo State.

    “You thereafter caused another letter to be written to the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the same purpose of disqualifying our client from participating in the governorship primary election of the said party fixed for April 2024.

    “You have since led a vicious campaign of calumny against our client through these and other false publications, all of which have brought our client into public ridicule and opprobrium, albeit without any justification whatsoever,” he said.

    The senior lawyer also accused Hassan of writing another letter on April 5, alleging that Aiyedatiwa, instead of clearing his name on the alleged forgery, the governor conspired with DIG Sylvester Alabi to compromise police integrity.

    Adegboruwa alleged that Hassan’s intention was to stop Aiyedatiwa from contesting in the APC primary slated for April and the November governorship election in the state.

    He, therefore, gave him seven demands, including “adequate compensation for the false and libelous publications,” against the governor within seven days of receiving the letter of face a criminal charge.

  • 15 aspirants gun for the APC gubernatorial nomination in Ondo

    15 aspirants gun for the APC gubernatorial nomination in Ondo

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has promised the 16 candidates vying for its ticket in the upcoming Ondo state governorship election on November 16, 2024 that a fair, open, and transparent primary election will be conducted on April 20.

    At the conclusion of the submission of the expression of interest and nomination forms by the 16 aspirants at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja over the weekend, Nze Chidi Duru, the APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, provided this assurance.

    “Edo has become a test case. They know that the party is resolute in determining, through a process that is free, who the candidate of the party would be. The few who felt they would need to go to court as we would always expect, there was three sixty degree turnaround.

    “They came to the negotiation table, had a handshake and now we have a very formidable team, and we believe that APC would win Edo state, and if we trust that APC would win Edo state, we have confidence that APC will win Ondo state,” he said.

  • Truck crushes 2 to death in Ondo

    Truck crushes 2 to death in Ondo

    A truck laden with sand on Saturday crushed two persons to death at Idi-Mango area along Ore-Okitipupa road in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    Mrs Yetunde Adesina, the Ore Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), confirmed the incident to NAN.

    Adesina said that the accident involved a Mark truck with registration number RBC 05 XL and a Haojue Red Suzuki motorcycle with registration number GBA 254 QA.

    She disclosed that two yet-to-be identified persons died in the accident.

    “According to eyewitness, the commercial motorcycle which the victims boarded, manoeuvred wrongly and the deceased fell off as the truck rammed on them.

    “The deceased (two males) bodies have been taken to the Ore General Hospital morgue,” she said.

    Adesina warned commercial motorcyclists against recklessness and wrongful overtaking.

    The driver of the truck fled the scene of the accident, while the truck has been taken to the Ore Divisional Police headquarters.

     

  • Ondo 2024: APC cautions governorship aspirants against unguarded utterances

    Ondo 2024: APC cautions governorship aspirants against unguarded utterances

    The Ondo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), has tasked aspirants to the party’s ticket in the April 20 primary election  to avoid utterances that could heat up the polity.

    The party in its Easter message to members on Monday in Akure issued by its state Publicity Secretary, Mr Alex Kalejaye, said its focus  remained to support conducive atmosphere for  emergence of a  popular  candidate.

    According to Kalejaye, the party is waxing stronger, intimidating to other political parties and is the  most organised and viable party in the  state.

    He commended  the loyalty and commitment of its  leaders and members thus far, assuring its  teeming members  of better days ahead.

    Kalejaye the party was optimistic that Nigeria’s economy would get better soon.

    “We rejoice with our members, and indeed, all Christians, over the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which symbolises victory. It is the essence of Easter celebration.

    “It is our wish that the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ will activate  deeper sense of patriotism, unity within our fold, and uncommon love for our dear state in the interest of all,”  he said.

  • ALARMING! Ondo State Attorney-General defends appointing 273 lawyers as aides

    ALARMING! Ondo State Attorney-General defends appointing 273 lawyers as aides

    Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo (SAN), has appointed 273 lawyers as advisers while also announcing his eight-point agenda in office.

    In a statement, Mr Ajulo said the appointment of the aides was aimed at enhancing the provision of excellent, independent, and ethical legal services to the State and protecting the rights of its people.

    “Upon assuming the position of Attorney General of Ondo State, a total of 273 lawyers, comprising both seasoned professionals and junior colleagues, eagerly presented a multitude of ideas to lend their support to me in serving the government and people of Ondo State. I have graciously appointed all the 273 lawyers, dividing them into two categories: Honorary Advisers and Technical Advisers to the Attorney General & Commissioner of Justice of Ondo State.

    “They will provide invaluable guidance to reinforce the vision of the Office of the Attorney-General of Ondo State to be the best public law office in Nigeria,” the statement read.

    Mr Ajulo disclosed that the terms of engagement of the aides, who are yet to be named officially, were remarkably innovative.

    According to the Justice Commissioner, the appointees are lawyers who have distinguished themselves in law practice, bench (retired), government, academia, and social work, among others.

    He listed an eight-point reformative agenda, AJULOKAY, which would drive his time in his office to include (A) Access To Justice, (J) Justice Sector Reform, (U) Uniform Law Enforcement Procedures, and (L) Law Officers And Lawyers’ Welfare In Ondo State Will Be Reviewed.

    Other points are (O) Obedience To Court Order And Law; (K) Knowledge Of Existing Laws (Adequate Dissemination); (A) Adherence To Executive Orders Of The Governor And Rule Of Law; and (Y) Youth, Children, Juvenile, Women And Persons With Disability Laws.

    Find below the Commissioner’s 8-point agenda:

    THE 8-POINT REFORMATIVE AGENDA OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND COMMISSIONER FOR JUSTICE

    In view of the functions of the office of the Attorney General of a State donated by sections 195 and 211 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended, together with all the stakeholders, we shall work within an 8-point performative agenda to recalibrate the law and Justice sector in Ondo State for a renewed hope and in line with the mission and vision of His Excellency, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    This agenda will inform the objectives and strategies the office of the Attorney General of Ondo State and the Ministry of Justice will pursue, as well as performance indicators to measure our progress while in office.

    A – ACCESS TO JUSTICE: We shall ensure the protection of fundamental human rights, particularly the rights of the vulnerable in the State. In this regard, we shall work towards recalibrating the human rights and legal aid institutions with the aim of capacity building for better delivery of their respective core mandates. Particularly, the Office of People Defender will be established with the mandate to safeguard the fundamental human rights and freedom of the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups through a strong, vibrant, and high-quality pro bono service in collaboration with stakeholders nationally and internationally.

    J – JUSTICE SECTOR REFORM: Bearing in my mind the importance of the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man, we shall assiduously work towards the facilitation of immediate and long-term reforms in the judiciary. The overall objective of justice sector reform in the State will include the building of a justice system that is affordable, efficient, independent, transparent, professional, and accountable to citizens and residents of the State. We shall ensure innovation in the justice delivery system in the State and ensure the speedy dispensation of justice. We shall also take maximum advantage of the existing legal framework in the State with a view to advancing more creative development for seamless criminal justice delivery in Ondo State.

    U – UNIFORM LAW ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES: We shall ensure adherence to law and order in respect of enforcement of law by security agencies and MDAs. The idea of illegal arrest, detention and enforcement of order of Court must be stopped. All security agencies in the State must comply with the laws establishing such bodies.

    L – LAW OFFICERS AND LAWYERS’ WELFARE IN ONDO STATE WILL BE REVIEWED: We shall look into all areas of existing displeasure in the practice of law in Ondo State vis a vis the need for improved welfare of law officers across the State. We shall collaborate with the Chief Judge of the State to embark on development of Court Infrastructures, eradication of touting in Courts and we shall collaborate with the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association in the State to establish a Compliant Desk to address all issues connected with lawyers and their practice across the State.

    O – OBEDIENCE TO COURT ORDER AND LAW: There must be strict compliance with Order of Courts and Law in the State by Government and all persons. We shall do everything within the perimeters of our law to prohibit flagrant abuse of Court Orders and Laws within the State.

    K – KNOWLEDGE OF EXISTING LAWS (ADEQUATE DISSEMINATION): We shall engage in strategic partnership with key stakeholders in the State to facilitate the dissemination of the existing laws in the State and constitute the Law Development Strategy Team to ensure adequate information pertaining to different sectors of the society is disseminated across the State, utilising all known communication platforms for compliance.

    A – ADHERENCE TO EXECUTIVE ORDERS OF THE GOVERNOR AND RULE OF LAW: We shall, from time to time, advise the Executive Governor in tune with the needs and yearnings of the people of Ondo State. We ensure compliance by all MDAs and other stakeholders in the State of all Executive orders issued by the Executive Governor in this regard.

    Y – YOUTH, CHILDREN, JUVENILE, WOMEN AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITY LAWS: We shall zoom, with particular attention, all laws relating to Youth, Children, Juvenile, Women and Persons with disability with a view to ensuring that these classes of people are not unlawfully abused or exploited for whatever reasons within the entire state. We shall liaise with the House of Assembly to make law for the protection of the vulnerable in the State.

  • Police arrest suspected ritualist in Ondo

    Police arrest suspected ritualist in Ondo

    The Police Command in Ondo State said it had   arrested Oluwafemi Idris, popularly known as Alfa, for unlawful possession of human parts in Akoko Area of the state.

    SP. Funmilayo Odunlami- Omisanya, the command’s  Police Public Relations Officer stated this in a statement on Sunday in Akure.

    The spokesperson  said  that the  police got an Intel from a reliable source that Alfa  kept human parts in his house and intends to use it for ritual purposes

    According to Odunlami-Omisanya,  the police swung into action and apprehended the suspect.

    “A search was conducted in his house at Akoko and the following human parts were found in his possession, human hands,three kidneys ,three hearts, spine and tongue.

    “The  suspect claimed he is an Islamic cleric and some of the human parts was supplied by his friend,  an Alhaji who is also a cleric and Samuel Kutelu.

    “While he (suspect) supplied  Babatunde Kayode (an Oluawo) three human heads.  Oluawo and Babatunde Kayode have been arrested.

    “Meanwhile, efforts are  on to arrest the other cleric who he claimed sourced the human parts for him,” she  said.

  • Ondo 2024: INEC reveals political parties that will partake in polls

    Ondo 2024: INEC reveals political parties that will partake in polls

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has revealed that 19 political parties will be participating in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.

    This was made known by the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, saying that the political parties have notified the Commission of their readiness to participate in the poll.

    Speaking during a meeting with the representatives of political parties in Akure, Babalola added that the parties have notified the Commission about the conduct of their primaries for the governorship election.

    She added that All Progressives Congress, APC, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Accord Party, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, ADC, African Democratic Party, ADP and All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

    Others are Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Action Peoples Party, Boot Party, Labour Party, LP, New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, National Rescue Movement, Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Social Democratic Party, SDP, Youth Party, Young Progressives Party, YPP and Zenith Labour Party, ZLP are the 19 political parties duly registered for the polls.

    Babalola noted that the meeting was an opportunity to engage with political parties on the upcoming party primaries, adding that the role of political parties in ensuring the success and integrity of the process cannot be overemphasized.

    She tasked all parties to adhere strictly to their guidelines, rules, and the regulations in their constitutions in the conduct of their primaries next month.

    The commissioner advised parties to entrench the principle of internal democracy in the conduct of their primaries to reduce tension, division and pre-election cases that may arise after the conduct of the primaries.

    Babalola charged them to ensure that their primaries are conducted in a peaceful, orderly, and transparent manner to ensure the credibility of the outcomes.

  • Ondo guber: PDP screens 7 aspirants

    Ondo guber: PDP screens 7 aspirants

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday, screened seven governorship aspirants for its upcoming primary election in Ondo.

    The screening exercise took place at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

    The aspirants included Adeolu Akinwumi, Chief Olusola Ebiseni, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, Kolade Akinjo, Elder Bosun Arebuwa, John Mafo and Agboola Ajayi.

    The aspirants were screened by Sen. Sam Egwu led Screening Committee with Sen. Isa Lau, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, Mrs Olivia Dazyman, ⁠Tanko Beji, Mrs Gladys Ashemuke as members.

    Others were Chief Rahman Owokoniran as Secretary and Caroline Akinsete as Administrative Secretary.

    Egwu, who is a former governor of Ebonyi, told newsmen around 3.30pm that all the aspirants presented themselves for screening.

    He, however, said some of the aspirants, whose documents were not complete, promised to come back to complete the aspect of documentation.

    He said that the committee would present its report to the party after the conclusion of the exercise.

    “We feel like everyone should have a level playing ground, with no opportunity to say they were screened out deliberately.

    “The screening is going on till 5pm pm today. PDP is the party that wants to give people opportunity provided you play by the rules of the game.

    “If a candidate tells us he forgot a document and he is going to bring his document before 5pm, Why not?

    “We don’t want to give them the impression that the party has a candidate it supports. Only few persons are involved in this case,” he said.

    However, Egwu refused to speak again with newsmen after the conclusion of the exercise by 6pm.

    Though, none of the aspirants spoke with newsmen, only two of them, Ebiseni and Ajayi displayed their clearance certificates before the camera.

  • Ondo gov, Aiyedatiwa nominates 12 new commissioners

    Ondo gov, Aiyedatiwa nominates 12 new commissioners

    Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has forwarded another list of 12 commissioner-nominees to the State House of Assembly for confirmation.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Akure.

    Aiyedatiwa had on March 1, 2024 sworn in six commissioners.

    “The letter containing the list of the nominees was addressed to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi,” Adeniyan said.

    The nominees are Pastor Segun Ayerin, Mr Olaolu Akindolire, Mr Hamidu Takuro, Dr Banji Ajaka, Mr Boye Ologbese, Mr Sunday Akinwalere, Mrs Lola Fagbemi, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye and Mr Rasheed Badmus.

    Others are Mr Olayato Aribo, Mr Adewale Akinlosotu and Mr Gbenga Olaniyi.

    Adeniyan said the governor urged the Assembly to give immediate consideration to the confirmation of the nominees.

  • Ondo to recruit 2000 teachers – Aiyedatiwa

    Ondo to recruit 2000 teachers – Aiyedatiwa

    Ondo State Government has approved the recruitment of 2000 teachers into the state civil service as part of its efforts to reposition the education sector.

    The state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, made this known on Friday at the inauguration of late Rosa Jane Pelly legacy project at Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School, Akure.

    Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Olayide Adelami, said his administration would continue to prioritise education.

    “I am glad to say that the state government’s huge investment in the education sector is yielding positive results as our students are doing well on all fronts.

    “It is a known fact that Ondo State is now a force to reckon with in the education sector, both nationally and internationally.

    “We have recently approved the recruitment of 2000 teachers into both our primary and secondary schools.

    “This is to inject new blood into our schools.

    “Recently, the state government approved N550 million registration of students in the state-owned secondary schools for the 2024 WAEC examination,” he said.

    He lauded the commitment of Miss Jane Pelly, who served as the pioneer principal of Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School between 1960 and 1973, calling on good spirited Nigerians to partner the state in achieving its educational goals.

    In her opening remarks, the Principal of Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School Akure, Mrs Temitope Ojoge, commended the state government and the donor for their immense contributions to the development of education in the state.

    She said the building did not only symbolise progress and growth but also embodied the spirit of resilience and determination that defined the school community.