Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command on Monday have arrested the driver of a Bus Rapid Transit who drove murdered 22-year-old Oluwabamise Ayanwole, The PUNCH has learnt.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Adekunle Ajisebutu, made this known in a chat, even as he confirmed that the dead body of the lady has been found.
“The driver of the BRT has been arrested,” Ajisebutu stated.
He also said the killers of Ayanwole, who got missing in transit while onboard the bus, would face justice.
According to the PPRO, the abductors dumped the remains of the lady on the Carter Bridge by Ogogoro Community.
The PUNCH learnt that Ayanwola got missing while returning to Ota from Ajah on February 26 when she boarded a BRT bus with number 240257 going to Oshodi at about 7pm at Chevron Bus-Stop.
It was gathered that the victim worked as a Fashion Designer at Chevron Estate, Ajah spent her weekends in Ota, Ogun State, with her sister.
Sensing danger as the bus did not pick any other passenger at subsequent bus stops, Oluwabamise had engaged a friend using voice notes on her phone.
The voice notes showed that the bus driver said he liked Oluwabamise and asked for her name and other details.
She told her friend to pray for her as she became suspicious of the bus driver and in response, the friend told her to alight at Oworonsoki bus stop — before Oshodi bus stop.
Oluwabamise had also sent a video to her friend showing how dark it was in the bus and said, “There are three men and one woman in the bus. The woman is sitting at the back. That’s the number of the bus in case. Please pray for me.’
In his statement titled, ‘Oluwabamise Ayanwole, Missing BRT Passenger Found Dead In Lagos’, the PPRO said, “The corpse of (Ayanwole) has been deposited at the morgue of the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, for autopsy.”
The statement added, “The bereaved family has been contacted and family members have identified the corpse as that of Oluwabamise Ayanwole, the lady earlier declared missing.
The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, fdc, mnim, psc, is saddened by this incident and, therefore, expresses, on behalf of the management, officers and men of the command, his heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family.
“Notwithstanding the death of Oluwabamise, the detectives handling the case would not rest on their oars until her killers are found.
“We, therefore, assure the concerned public and the bereaved family that we are closing on on the culprits and we are sure that soon the suspects would be arrested and made to face justice for this murderous act.
“While soliciting the cooperation of all and sundry, we once again appeal to anyone with additional information that could help the police in arresting the suspects to kindly oblige us. Such information, we assure, will be treated with utmost confidentiality.”
“The Command is ever determined and committed to protection of lives and properties of residents in the state; and has strengthened its security apparatus to prevent a recurrence of this ugly, disturbing incident.”
Journalists in Anambra have decried the spate of killings and continued existence of criminal activities in different communities in the State.
The feelings were expressed during March 2022 ‘Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra state Council’ sponsored by Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone FAS at the Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, Awka.
Journalists at the event expressed concern over the relative ease with which crimes and killings are perpetrated in the state, noting that there had never been à case where the perpetrators of the dastardly acts were apprehended for prosecution by security forces in the State.
The media practitioners recalled that no fewer than 16 lives were lost penultimate week at a burial ceremony in Ebenebe, Awka North, which came on the heels of killings and shootings at Oko, Ekwulobia and other suburb towns in the state.
They however called for proactive approach rather than reactionary approach from the security agencies in the state and tasked residents to wake up in their various capacities to help tame the monstrous threat to the society.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng urged journalists to live for one another as well as see the police as partner in the service to humanity.
Echeng who was represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Tochukwu Ikenga, maintained that the police in the state remained resolute in its fight against crime and criminality in the state. He stressed that the police will not rest until the perpetrators of crimes in the state are arrested and prosecuted.
Speaking at the brainstorming session, the Sponsor of the 2022 March Congress of the NUJ and Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone, FAS, described journalists as important components of the society, noting that the UNIZIK’s partnership with the men of the fourth estate of the realm has had a veritable influence in the success of his administration.
A Trump appointee on Friday accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of being a “puppet” and said Russia has been too gentle in their attack on Ukraine.
In an interview with Fox Business’ Stuart Varney, retired Col. Douglas Macgregor who former President Donald Trump appointed as a senior advisor to the Secretary of Defense said that there was nothing “heroic” about Zelensky, who has led his country’s resistance against invading Russian forces.
The first five days Russian forces I think frankly were too gentle,” he said. “They’ve now corrected that. So, I would say another ten days this should be completely over.”
MacGregor – who was also tapped by Trump to serve as ambassador to Germany in July 2020 before the nomination stalled in the Senate – said that the war could have “ended days ago” if Zelensky had accepted what the Russians have sought, which he said is a “neutral Ukraine.”
I think Zelensky is a puppet and he is putting huge numbers of his own population in unnecessary risk,” Macgregor expressed.
Macgregor then laughed when Varney was asked if he thought Zelensky was a hero for standing up and fighting.
“I don’t see anything heroic about the man,” Macgregor said. “I think the most heroic thing he could do right now is come to terms with reality. Neutralize Ukraine.”
He continued: “This is not a bad thing. A neutral Ukraine would be good for us and Russia. It would create the buffer that frankly both sides want but he’s I think being told I think to hold on and trying to drag this out, which is tragic for the people that have to live through this.”
Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, Anambra State Governor-elect has left no one in doubt that the in-coming government under his watch will be radically different
Soludo, a former Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) Governor is coming into office as the next Governor of Anambra State after Governor Willie Obiano. He is coming into this office with a sound pedigree and unassailable intergrity having distinguished himself in his previous performances in public service.
This include being the Chief Economic Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo, becoming afterwards, Deputy Chairman/ Chief Executive of National Planning Commission (a position equal to a ministerial appointment) and eventually topping it up as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
In all these sensitive public offices, Soludo showed an uncommon brilliance and indepth understanding of the roles the offices were required to play in driving the growth and development of the nation
As he sets forth at dawn on March 17, 2022 to be sworn in as the Governor of Anambra, Soludo, obviously will be setting out to replicate those stellar attributes that have genuinely distinguished him as a high performer.
His style of governance judging from what he has shown already, will surely be simple, trendy and nimble.
By being simple, it means things will be done in an uncomplicated and straight forward way. It is not going to be business as usual
By being trendy, it means the government will be focused in delivering the best and latest world class infrastructural development as obtained across the globe especially in the developed world
And by being nimble, it simply means things will be done quickly and swiftly without the usual “officialdom” that slows down growth and development
These processes will drive Soludo’s government with a viewing to fast-tracking unprecedented development in Anambra State
Undoubtedly, Charlie Mwa-mgbafor is in a hurry to bring development to the good people of Anambra. He is gifted with the uncanny ability to see ahead of time. He is an incurable optimist and he knows how to achieve success.
From his childhood to this very day, he has been an enigma, a phenomenal, a dreamer, a thinker, an idealist, a reformer, an uncommon achiever and a performer
All these positive attributes will come to play in full circle when Cee Cee Soludo takes over the mantle of leadership come March 17, 2022 as the People’s Governor. Be part of it!!!
A Russian businessman, Alex Konanykhin, has placed a $1 million bounty for any one who will arrest Vladimir Putin.
Konanykhin made this known in a post on Facebook and LinkedIn.
He wrote on the Facebook post, calling on Russian military officers to arrest Putin as a war criminal.
I promise to pay $1,000,000 to the officer(s) who, complying with their constitutional duty, arrest(s) Putin as a war criminal under Russian and international laws,” Konanykhin says.
Putin is not the Russian president as he came to power as the result of a special operation of blowing up apartment buildings in Russia, then violated the Constitution by eliminating free elections and murdering his opponents.
As an ethnic Russian and a Russia citizen, I see it as my moral duty to facilitate the denazification of Russia. I will continue my assistance to Ukraine in its heroic efforts to withstand the onslaught of Putin’s Orda”.
The business man later denied placing the bounty on Putin’s life. He said all he wanted was justice.
Some reports suggest that I promised to pay for the assassination of Putin. It is NOT correct. While such an outcome would be cheered by millions of people around the world, I believe that Putin must be brought to justice” he said.
Senator Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour, has said that the federal government does not have the money to meet the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Ngige stated this on Thursday night while speaking on channels Television.
He explained that the N1.3 trillion ASUU is demanding for was promised by the Jonathan’s administration and not the Buhari’s administration.
Ngige said: “The N1.3trillion you are talking about was promised by the (Goodluck) Jonathan government. Oil was selling between $100 to $120 per barrel then and the revenue of the federation was rich.
It was promised by that administration and they promised to kickstart the payment. They paid N200 billion which they borrowed from TETFund. They did not take it from the federation account. That payment spiralled even into 2016 — to our regime.
A committee was set up with ASUU as members. Government said ‘we are going to drop N25billion for you to show you in good faith that we are not talking nonsense.’
That one was dropped. Again, another money was paid last year because the committee couldn’t come up with anything that will generate funds”.
He further explained that the present government cannot honour the previous agreement but promised to seek other options to fund the universities.
We don’t have it. The government didn’t say we are going to pay N1.1trillion that is remaining. They said we don’t have this money and under the principle of capacity and ability to pay, let us renegotiate it because TETFund is still there.
“Unless you want us to take money from TETFund and deceive you like it was done in that period.”
A bill seeking to regulate international studies for the children of public officials and strengthen educational institutions in Nigeria has been rejected by members of the House of Representatives.
The members said the bill was an affront to their fundamental human rights.
But the bill sponsored by Hon. Serguis Ogun representing Esan North-East federal constituency of Edo was ultimately seeking to stop public officials from diverting public funds to their children’s education abroad.
Titled “A Bill for an Act to Regulate International Studies for Wards and Children of Nigerians Public Officers, So as to Strengthen Indigenous Institutions to Provide Efficient Educational Service for National Development”, it was roundly debated although it was eventually rejected when put to voice vote.
In his lead debate on the general principle of the bill, Ogun said the objectives of the bill included strengthening indigenous educational institutions to meet global standards; boosting the economy by reducing cash flight and foreign exchange; reducing brain drain and instituting good welfare conditions for indigenous academics, experts and professionals based abroad to come back home and develop their country with their skills and expertise; building a better society by developing formidable educational institutions and facilitating the realization of the fundamental objectives and policies of state enshrined in Chapter two of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended).
He said: “The bill does not prevent public officers or private citizens from sending their children/wards for studies abroad, it only seeks to ensure that a public officer who desires to send his/her child/ward abroad, does not divert public funds to so do. Thus, such a public servant must first show that he/she has the legitimate means to sponsor his/her child/ward on such foreign education trips.
The bill will help in fostering the development of our educational institutions as it will instill accountability and seriousness into public servants at all levels who are saddled with the responsibility of implementing the policies and programmes of government.
“The bill when enacted will help to redirect the huge funds that fly out to other countries, into the relevant sectors of our economy. It will bring about better facilities in our national life.
Policy Implementation: This bill when passed into law will foster the fight against corruption which is one of the cardinal policies of this current administration.
“This bill when passed into law will engender the actualization of the provisions of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a party. Article 5 of the Convention provides that; “Each State Party shall, in accordance with the fundamental principles of its legal system, develop and implement or maintain effective, coordinated anti-corruption policies that promote the participation of society and reflect the principles of the rule of law, proper management of public affairs and public property, integrity, transparency, and accountability”.
This bill when passed into law will foster the realization of the directive principle of state policy contained in chapter two of the Constitution which provides that;
“(1) Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels. (2) Government shall promote science and technology (3) Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this end Government shall as and when practicable provide:
(a) free, compulsory and universal primary education; (b) free secondary education; (c) free university education; and (d) free adult literacy programme”
This bill does not infringe on the right to family and private life as well as other fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. The bill only seeks to regulate the practice of public servants sending their children/wards abroad for studies, while neglecting the development of our indigenous educational institutions.
“The fact that there are no similar legislation in other jurisdictions does not obviate us (Lawmakers) of the duty to make laws to address peculiar challenges that bedevil us as a nation and correct ills when they exist, as required of us, by section 88(2) of the Constitution (Supra). For instance, the Republic of China introduced the “one-child birth” policy in late 1970, so as to reduce the massive growth rate in China’s population, which the Chinese government thought to be too high. The policy helped to cut down the population. In a report credited to the Chinese government, it was stated that an estimated 400 million births were prevented by the policy. This bill is an example of such drastic policies required to tackle national problems. Also, the absence of similar legislation in other climes, only shows that they have built their educational institutions to a point of global admiration and have thus become educational tourism destinations for underdeveloped nations.
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, as I speak now, students of Nigerian Universities are sitting at home doing nothing, due to the strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), in protest against poor remuneration, poor infrastructure, and poor conditions of service, under-funding of universities, delay in the payment of the elongated salary structure amongst others. These and other sundry issues will be addressed when this bill is passed into law and its provisions properly implemented. We may not be able to quantify the worth of quality education in terms of its impact on the individual, family, and nation. But there is no gainsaying the fact that without quality education, a nation has no future.”
But speaking against the bill, some lawmakers said they had the right to train their children anywhere without using public funds.
One of the lawmakers was Hon. Chinyere Igwe (PDP, Rivers).
He said “It offends fundamental human rights which guarantees freedom of movement. Most public officers that send their children to school abroad don’t do that with public funds. I also don’t agree that is the reason the educational system in Nigeria is failing. I urge him to withdraw the Bill”.
Corroborating Igwe’s position, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta), said it was against the constitution.
“It’s against the constitution in terms of discrimination. My children have the right to be educated anywhere in the world. The bill should not see the light of the day. He should just step it down”, he said.
The bill when put to voice was killed by the majority of the House members who shouted no to its passage for second reading.
Bruce Fein, the American lawyer of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, (IPOB) has asked Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a member of Kanu’s legal team, to immediately refrain from representing the agitator.
According to the letter obtained by SaharaReporter, Fein noted that Ejiofor was not eligible to defend Kanu against the Federal Government’s amended charges in the court.
He cited a pending lawsuit instituted by a businessman against Ejiofor over an alleged fraud of N5.6 million.
Fein pointed out that Ejiofor had a case to answer and that the allegations were not concocted by the Nigerian government to preempt his representation of Nnamdi Kanu.
The American lawyer, therefore, urged Ejiofor to immediately withdraw from Kanu’s legal team.
The letter reads, “How can you be blind to what all the world can see and understand?
“According to the public record, you have a blatant conflict of interest in representing Nnamdi Kanu to defend against the Federal Government of Nigeria’s amended charges in the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division Holden in Abuja, Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 in violation of Rule 10 of the Nigerian Rules of Professional Conduct.
“The public record shows you have a conflicting interest to sabotage Nnamdi Kanu’s defense in exchange for leniency or a pardon in the pending fraud prosecution against you in FRN v. IFEANYI EJIOFOR & 2 ORS, CHARGE NO. CR/950/2020, Court No. 3, FCT High Court, Maitama, before Honourable Justice M.E. Anenih.
The next hearing in your prosecution is scheduled for March 30, 2022.
The public record establishes that the fraud charges were not concocted by the FGN to preempt your representation of Nnamdi Kanu.
The record shows the charges were triggered by a complaint from a private businessman with no political or other ulterior motive to defame or handicap you: Okpala Comas Ikechukwu.
“Among other things, he stated in a complaint to the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission that you defrauded him of N5,600,000.00 by conspiring to represent forged land or title documents as authentic.
“Nothing in the public domain demonstrates that you shared your conflict of interest with Nnamdi Kanu and received his knowing and voluntary written consent to represent him notwithstanding the conflict.
“You are saddled with a professional and personal duty to recuse yourself immediately from further representation of Nnamdi Kanu and to apologize for your neglect to do so earlier.
“As the Bible preaches (Matthew 6: 24): ‘No one can serve two masters.’ I expect you to do the right thing.”
Former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has blamed the rising cases on insecurity in the country on civil servants that steal funds meant for developing the country.
He made this known while speaking at the closing ceremony of the AIG Public Leadership Programme Class of 2021, in Abuja, on Wednesday.
The former Emir of Kano decried the manner at which civil servants have sold their conscience for personal gains.
Sanusi said; “Today, you see civil servants stealing millions and billions of naira meant to build roads, provide power, water, education, food and transportation, to the detriment of the majority of Nigerians. All of these have given birth to Boko Haram, killer herdsmen, bandits and numerous arms struggles, especially among the youths, which resulted in the worst threats to human lives all over Nigeria.”
Speaking earlier during the program, he attributed his unrepentant attitude of speaking truth as the reason why he lost his positions as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor and Emir of Kano.
I always stood to speak the truth to power, reason I was removed as CBN governor and Emir of Kano, but that did not stop me from doing what I see as the right thing,” Sanusi said.
Three men have been burnt to death by an irate mob on Thursday morning after they stole from a victim, his phone and tried to escape with a Tricycle.
The incident which happened at the popular Upper Iweka in Onitsha, Anambra state, has caused panic among the people in the area.
A source revealed to DAILYPOST that the men had already succeeded in disposing the victim of his belonging and tried escaping with the keke when it developed a fault.
The source said; “The incident happened at Upper Iweka motor park, almost in front of Star Sunny motor park, here in Onitsha.
The men who were operating with a tricycle stopped and dispossessed a man of his phone. As they went back into the tricycle and made to drive off, the tricycle malfunctioned and refused to start.
They became panicky, and in the process, some boys who are loading vehicles in the motor park quickly descended on them, beating them up.
