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Tag: Oyo

  • VAT war: Oyo approaches court, to join in Rivers’ suit against FG

    VAT war: Oyo approaches court, to join in Rivers’ suit against FG

    The Oyo State Government has asked the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for joinder in the suit instituted by the Rivers State Government against the Attorney-General of the Federation in respect to the bid by the state to take over the collection of the Value Added Tax (VAT) from the Federal Government.

    The suit, instituted by the Attorney-General of Oyo State, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, is seeking an order of the Appellate Court to enable Oyo State to join the suit as an interested party.

    This was disclosed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor, Taiwo Adisa on Wednesday.
    In the suit, the government of Oyo State is seeking two orders, viz: an order of the honourable court joining the Attorney-General of Oyo State as a respondent on the appeal with suit number FHC/PH/CS/149/2020 and appeal number CA/PH/282/2021, and any other order the Court may deem fit.

    According to the Attorney-General of Oyo State, the government of Oyo State was unaware of the suit between the Attorney-General of Rivers State and the Federal Inland Revenue Service at the Federal High Court until the judgement was delivered.

    Other grounds upon which the application was based include that the decision of the appellate court will affect the collection of VAT by the government of Oyo State, being one of the States which the judgement of the lower court recognised as entitled to collect VAT within its territorial jurisdiction.

    The Oyo State Government also indicated that the applicant (Attorney-General of the State) “represents the interest of the Oyo State government, whose interest in the collection of Value Added Tax within Oyo State will be impacted one way or another by any judgment delivered by this Honourable Court in this Appeal.”

    The grounds claimed by the Oyo State government include that: “the Applicant is a necessary party to this suit being a party who will be bound by the judgment of this Honourable Court in this Appeal.

    “The interests of the Applicant and that of the Respondent, in this case, are similar, being States within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    In a 12-paragraph affidavit in support of the motion, which was filed by the Director of Civil Litigation in the chambers of the Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ministry of Justice, Oyo State, Olatunji Sunday Thomas, the government of Oyo State said that it is in the interest of justice that the Honourable Court grants the application, adding that the joinder would not prejudice the Appellants/Respondents.

    It stated that the state, being one of the 36 states of Nigeria, will be affected by the decision of the Appellate Court, adding that joining the state to the suit already instituted by Rivers State will help to avoid multiplicity of suits by the states against the Federal Government.

    In a motion on notice also attached to the proceedings already filed before the court, Oyo State said it relied on eight grounds and declared that the state is a necessary party to be joined since it has sufficient interest in the outcome of the appeal.

    The state further argued that after going through its processes, the Appellate Court will find that the application is necessary and that it has sufficient interest in the determination of the appeal as one of the states of the Federation.

    It quoted several legal authorities and concluded thus: “we, therefore, urge the honourable court to resolve the sole issue raised in this application in favour of the applicant and hold that the applicant is a proper, desirable and necessary party to be joined in this appeal.

  • PDP Congress: Party members mobilise against Makinde in Oyo

    PDP Congress: Party members mobilise against Makinde in Oyo

    Ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress scheduled to begin on Saturday, some aggrieved members of the party in Oyo State have commenced mobilisation against Gov. Seyi Makinde.

    The aggrieved party members from the 33 local government area at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ibadan on Monday, passed a vote of no confidence on the governor, urging him to resign from the party.

    The governor and the aggrieved members had been at loggerheads since inception of the administration over allegations of neglect.

    Among those in attendance were Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, Mogaji Nureni Akanbi, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeyan, Chief Gbolarumi Hazeem and Mr Femi Babalola.

    “Against the governor’s promise before and during the election, we have been neglected. Those who were not around during the election are the ones benefiting from government.

    “We have accepted what has befallen us. We are prepared for the congress to ensure the party return to the people,” Akande-Adeola said.

    The aggrieved members who expressed their displeasure, promised to ensure that the party returned to the people after the congress.

    Akande-Adeola, a former leader of the House of Representatives, urged the party members not to engage in any violence or fight anyone, but mobilise for the congress.

    “Go to your wards, mobilise your people. Don’t fight anybody. Record whatever happens and leave us to do the remaining in Abuja, “ she urged the participants.

    Also, the PDP chieftain said that never again would they entrust their destinies in the hands of someone like the incumbent governor.

    They also vowed to ensure they do everything to prevent Makinde from picking the party’s ticket for a second term.

    But, Mr Akeem Olatunji, the state PDP spokesman, said that those calling for Makinde’s resignation are the enemies of the party.

    He alleged that the aggrieved PDP members were working for the opposition.

    “No real member of the PDP in the state will ask the governor to resign because he is the heart and soul of PDP in Oyo State.

    “95 percent of our members are with Makinde. If those aggrieved are popular, let them prepare for the congress which is coming up on Saturday,’’ he said.

  • JUST IN: Ex-Military Gov, Administrator of Oyo, Ekiti States, Gen Adetunji Olurin is dead

    JUST IN: Ex-Military Gov, Administrator of Oyo, Ekiti States, Gen Adetunji Olurin is dead

    The former military governor and administrator of Oyo and Ekiti States, General Adetunji Idowu Olurin is reportedly dead at 76.

    The septuagenarian, born on December 3, 1944, was an indigene of Ilaro, in Ogun State.

    A family source who does not want his name mentioned said Olurin died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) early Saturday morning.

    Details about his death were still sketchy at the time of filing this report.

    Olurin had his primary education at Christ Church School, Ilaro from 1951 -54; St. Paul’s School, Odo-Ona, Ibadan, 1955-57 and Local Government Authority Modern School, 1958.

    He also attended Egbado College, Ilaro, 1959-64, Technical College (now The Polytechnic), Ibadan, 1966.

    Olurin, a former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Ogun State, attended the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, 1967-70; School of Infantry, Quetta, Pakistan,1973; Army Command and Staff College, Jaji, 1977-78.

    He was also at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, 1989. He was appointed Battalion Commander, 1970-71; Brigade Major 1972-74; Instructor, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, 1974; Defence Adviser, Nigerian High Commission India, 1975-77.

    Olurin was General Staff Officer I, Operations, Army Headquarters, Lagos, 1980-82; Colonel General Staff, Nigerian School of Infantry, 1982; Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, 1983-84; Commander, I Mechanised Infantry Brigade, 1984-85; appointed Military Governor, OyoState, 1985- 88; Director of Logistics, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Lagos, August 1988 – January 1989; Passed StaffCollege (PSC), 1978; National Decoration: Forces Service Star (1155); Foreign Decoration: United Nations Peace Medal (UNIFIL), 1979.

    He was married to Kehinde Oyeleye in 1975, with two sons.

  • Protests rock Ibadan over alleged killing of 14-year-old apprentice

    Protests rock Ibadan over alleged killing of 14-year-old apprentice

    Following alleged incessant killings of youths in Ibadan area of Oyo State, by the Operatives of the State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, hundreds of aggrieved youths took to the streets of the state capital on Wednesday protesting the killings.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that they were protesting against alleged killing of a 14-year-old boy, Peter Okafor, in the early hours of Wednesday around Uncle Joe area of Mokola in Ibadan.

    NAN gathered that the victim, an apprentice with a printing press in Mokola, was allegedly shot dead.

    Similar incident was recorded in Oke-Ado area of Ibadan on July 21 where two youths were allegedly killed by Amotekun corps, while celebrating the Eid-el Kabir festival.

    A witness, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that immediately the boy sighted the Amotekun operatives in the early hours of Wednesday, patrolling the area, he started running to escape.

    “I don’t know what he did for them to warrant his running, but they shot him in the head and he died instantly,” the witness told NAN.

    NAN further reports that immediately the information got to youths in the area, they mobilised themselves and started making bonfires on the road, thus causing traffic gridlock around Mokola area.

    The protesters later moved to the state Secretariat with the corpse of the victim, and prevented both human and vehicular movements around the main gate.

    Though, Mr Sunday Odukoya, the Executive Assistant on Security to the Governor, made frantic efforts to appease the protesters, they insisted that they must see the Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde.

    When contacted, DSP Adewale Osifeso, the state Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, said he was at the scene of the incident.

    “I am at the scene of the incident at the moment now. I will reach out to you as soon as I get to the office, please,” Osifeso told NAN.

    The State Commander of Amotekun, Retired Col. Olayinka Olayanju, when contacted by NAN, declined to comment on the incident.

    Olayanju, who said he could not speak on the matter at the moment, simply told NAN, “we are on top of the incident”.

    NAN, however, reports that some anti-riot policemen had been deployed to the scene, and patrolling major roads in the town to prevent break down of law and order.

  • Oyo reports index Delta COVID-19 variant

    Oyo reports index Delta COVID-19 variant

    The Oyo State Coronavirus Task Force says it has uncovered the Delta variant of the virus in the state.
    A statement by Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Seyi Makinde, issued on behalf of the taskforce on Sunday in Ibadan, said the general public should be informed of the Delta variant of the virus in the state.
    Adisa said the State’s Incident Manager and coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre, Dr Olabode Ladipo, has confirmed the development.
    He said the general public should take extra caution and consistently apply all precautionary measures earlier released by the task force.
    The statement read: “This strain has been associated with high transmission, increase severity of infection and outcomes.
    “As such, this is to warn that the virus is still very much within the society.”
    “All in-bound travellers should always isolate for seven days and submit themselves for tests.
    “The ‘Own Your Action’ (OYA) initiative of the state government should be seriously considered by adhering to the guidelines of wearing nose masks in public gatherings, washing of hands with soap and water and use of hand sanitisers, among others.
    “The State COVID-19 TaskForce hereby appeals to the good people of Oyo State to comply with these and other advisories as they apply to individuals and organisations.
    “It would be appreciated if all in-bound travellers from abroad maintain the mandatory seven-day isolation and subsequent testing before mingling with the populace.
    “In addition, residents are enjoined to seek medical care and cease the opportunity of free testing whenever they feel unwell.
    “Vigilance on the parts of both the Government and the people will surely go a long way in stemming the transmission of this disease within the state”.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Thursday confirmed the index case of the deadly Delta variant in Nigeria.

  • Police arrest three men for killing cows while dispersing herders in Oyo forest

    Police arrest three men for killing cows while dispersing herders in Oyo forest

    Authorities of the Oyo State Police Command, on Monday, disclosed that three men have been arrested for shooting six cows dead and injuring 13 others cows at Eruwa, in Ibarapa East Local Government Area of the state.

    The suspects were apprehended, on Sunday, inside the bush at Sunbare area, along old Ibadan-Eruwa road while attempting to chase Fulani herders from the forest to graze their cattle.

    According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), “on Sunday 20th June 2021, several gunshots were reportedly fired in a bush at Sunbare Area, along old Ibadan road Eruwa, causing fear and panic in the hearts of residence.”

    “Upon receipt of the information, Police operatives attached to Eruwa Divisional Police Headquarters in a concerted effort with stakeholders in the area gathered momentum and stormed the reported scene. Upon arrival at the scene, the trio of Opeyemi Ajibodu ‘m’ aged 30yrs, Segun Dade ‘m’ 29yrs and Dare Adenle ‘m’ 25yrs, were arrested.”

    “Found in their possession were the following exhibits: three fane guns, two daggers, one cutlass, two head-lamps, charms, three I.D cards and one Access ATM card belonging to Ajibodun Opeyemi, one lighter, ten expended cartridges and two live cartridges.”

    “Conduction of an on-the-spot assessment at daybreak led to the discovery that the gunshots were from an attack launched against a group of Fulani herders, which resulted in the killing of six cows and wounding of thirteen 13) others.

    “Upon interrogation, fact gathered revealed that the attack was perpetrated to wade off the herders from grazing in the forests in Eruwa environs. Efforts to apprehend other accessories to the crime is at top gear.”

    “The Commissioner of Police, CP Ngozi Onadeko fdc, wishes to assure the general public about the Command’s unflinching commitment toward ensuring that the lot of justice is preserved as every hand involved in the perpetration of this dastardly act is brought to book.

  • Human stump discovered under bridge in Oyo

    Human stump discovered under bridge in Oyo

    A human stump was discovered on Saturday under Alapo Bridge, around Alalubosa area of Oyo Town in Oyo State.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that essential parts of the body, like the head, private part, arms and legs had been harvested by unknown persons.
    A bit that’s left beyond a healthy joint is called a residual limb, or more commonly, a stump after an amputation.
    A resident of the area, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the corpse was probably dumped in the area overnight by unsuspected people, saying that it was not there on Friday.
    The source said that a pair of bloodstained slippers, supposedly belonging to the victim, was placed beside the body.
    “The victim was wrapped in ‘Agbada’ (male native wear) made of lace materials and packed inside a big green nylon sack.
    “A closer observation revealed that the victim had a tattoo inscription, ‘Jimoh Ode Aremo’, on the abdomen, which had been opened up,” said the source.
    The source urged the state government to take measures against people dumping refuse indiscriminately under the bridge.
    When contacted, the Spokesperson, Police Command in the state, DSP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident in a text message sent to NAN in Ibadan.
    Osifeso said that investigations were ongoing to ascertain the identity of the deceased, circumstances surrounding the death, as well as to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
  • Igangan killings: North has declared war on South-West, Yorubas won’t remain silent – Gani Adams

    Igangan killings: North has declared war on South-West, Yorubas won’t remain silent – Gani Adams

    Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams on Sunday said with the killing of over 50 people in Igangan town, Ibarapa, Oke Ogun area of Oyo State, it is evident that war is imminent in the country.

    Adams, while condemning the gruesome murder of innocent residents of the town, warned Fulani herdsmen and bandits to stay away from the southwest or be ready to face stiff resistance.

    The killings in the early hours of Sunday brought the entire Igangan town and its environs to its knees with over 50 people dead, cars burnt and over 20 houses razed.

    After news of the killings and destruction filtered in, with gory videos of the massacre, Adams said the North had waged war against the Southwest.

    Makinde reacts as gunmen invade Igangan, kill scores

    He said the North had unleashed terror on the region, stressing the need for the people to rise and defend themselves “without looking back”.

    “In a situation like this, you rise and defend yourself. Where are the police when the bandits started killing our people in Igangan today?

    “Even the palace of Asigangan of Igangan land, Oba Adewuyi Olaoye, was not spared and the monarch, according to reports had been whisked away by the bandits.

    “Three days ago, the Director-General of Oyo State Southwest Security Network Amotekun, Gen. Kunle Togun(Retd) raised the alarm that herdsmen had invaded the southwest.

    “I corroborated his statements and called for urgent surveillance across the southwest. Now with the recent onslaught on Igangan people, it is evident that the Fulani herdsmen are on a predetermined mission to kill, maim and decimate the southwest.

    Insecurity: God‘ll not forgive Buhari if Nigeria goes to war – Gani Adams

    “This is one killing too many, I will not fold my arms seeing the blood of innocent people being shed like it is in Igangan.

    “Now that North had declared war on the Southwest, we will never silent or compromise on the homicide going on in the southwest. I want to charge all the governors in the Southwest, as well as the traditional rulers to rise to this occasion.”

    The Yoruba generalissimo warned criminal herders to stay away from the region, as the Southwest can no longer accommodate killers. OPC and other local security operatives will continue to ensure that the region is safe for residents.

    “Those killed in Igangan town have their families and friends, there is blood flowing in their veins and in a moment their lives were cut short by killer herdsmen and bandits in their home”.

    Adams disclosed that information at his disposal indicates that bandits and killer herdsmen have invaded the Southwest thus pushing the security outfits to the wall.

    He urged all governors to beef up the security of their respective states to provide adequate security for the people of the region.

  • Oyo LG Poll: Makinde declares Friday public holiday

    Oyo LG Poll: Makinde declares Friday public holiday

    The Governor Makinde led Oyo State Government has declared Friday, May 21, 2021, a public holiday.

    A statement by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, confirmed that the governor approved the holiday to enable the state to conduct a hitch-free local government election holding on Saturday, May 22, 2021.

    The statement urged every resident of Oyo State to go about their duties peacefully while coming out en masse to their respective voting areas and participate in the election.

    The statement read: “His Excellency, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has authorised the declaration of Friday, May 21, 2021, as a public holiday.

    “The declaration of the holiday is to enable residents of the state to participate freely in the council elections billed to hold on Saturday, May 22, 2021.

    “Every indigene and resident of the state is hereby enjoined to go about his or her business peacefully while trooping out en masse to their respective voting areas and perform the civic responsibility on Saturday.”

  • Kidnappings: Makinde pitches tent with Man O’ War to secure Oyo schools

    Kidnappings: Makinde pitches tent with Man O’ War to secure Oyo schools

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo says his administration has concluded arrangements to engage the Man O’ War Nigeria to provide security and surveillance in primary and secondary schools in the state.

    The governor made this known on Thursday in Ibadan when he received the National Executives of the Man O’ War Nigeria who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

    He decried the recent trend of kidnapping of students, among other security challenges, which he described as worrisome.

    He urged the organisation to double its efforts at the grassroots in order to contribute its quota to stem the tide of insecurity in the country.

    “Man O’ War, as an organisation, is trying its best.

    “I can testify to the role Man O’ War played during the elections that I participated in as governorship candidate in 2015 and 2019; so, I will renew my commitment in Man O’War.

    “This is a period that Man O’ War will need to double its efforts and look at programmes at the grassroots level, where we can project more on the issue of citizenship and leadership for our country.’’

    The governor said that there had been discussions with state’s Commissioner for Education on how to beef up security.

    “Some of the schools are not properly fenced.

    “The ministry recently submitted a proposal on fencing and having demarcations for all of the schools, but this idea of deployment of Man O’ War for security and surveillance is a welcome idea.

    “We will look at the proposal and we should be engaging either the national or state command team to ensure that this can see the light of day.

    “ I think it is something that we will do,’’ Makinde said.

    He further assured the Man O’ War that he would resume his sponsorship of the organisation in his personal capacity.

    The governor used the occasion to announce the donation of two utility vehicles to the Man O’War Oyo State Command and one to the National Command of the organisation.

    Earlier, the Deputy National Commandant of Man O’ War, Gbenga Adedamola, called for the re-awakening of the culture of joining voluntary organisations like the Man O’ War among Nigerian youths.

    According to him, this will build the spirit of patriotism.

    He requested for assistance from the governor to make the organisation function better.

    Adedamola stressed that the passion and commitment of the governor for youth development remained commendable.