Breaking: Otun Balogun says Olubadan-designate Olakulehin isn't fit to lead at this time.

Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin

 Oba Abimbola Ajibola, the Otun Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, said on Tuesday that Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Olubadan-designate, is still unwell and not yet physically capable of ruling.

According to Original Kel TV, Oba Lekan Balogun, the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, who ruled for two years before passing away at the age of 81, left the Olubadan seat empty.

Speaking to reporters at his Sanyo private home in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, Oba Ajibola said, "What is the need for hurry? We haven't seen Olakulehin before. We have not heard from him. He hasn't communicated with the Ibadan people.

"As his lieutenant, I serve as his second in command. Not once has he called to tell me, "My Otun, I'm back." Tell your folks, then. When do you plan to see me? All they are doing is pressuring him out of self-interest.

Speaking about the Monday meeting in Chief Bode Amoo's private home in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, at the Agodi Government Reserved Area, Oba Ajibola stated, "They said we called a meeting and we have endorsed him (Olakulehin)." That's not me in that. They already know that I won't participate in such criminal activity. Although Baba Olakulehin is undoubtedly the future Olubadan, we should give him time to recover.

Has he been seen by anyone since last Friday? It was impossible for anyone who visited after Friday to see him. This man is being forced. We ought to let him recover.

Details to follow.

FG extends the Eid-el-Fitr holiday to Thursday, just in time.

In honor of Eid-el-Fitr, the Federal Government has designated Thursday, April 11, 2024, as an extra public holiday.

The commencement of Eid al-Fitr celebrations was delayed since the moon sighting was not confirmed, therefore it follows the previously stated vacations of Tuesday, April 9, and Wednesday, April 10.

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Interior Minister, declared that Thursday would now be included in the list of authorized public holidays in honor of the event.

The following is said in a statement by the Ministry of Interior's Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aishetu Gogo Ndayako:

"To commemorate Eid-El-Fitr this year, the Federal Government has authorized Thursday, April 11, 2024, as an extra public holiday.

"The Honorable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, affirms President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's (GCFR) unwavering commitment to creating a safe and prosperous Nigeria for everyone to thrive, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah on a successful completion of a month of spiritual rejuvenation."

OFFICE ABUSE: Emefiele Enters Not Guilty Plea in Lagos Court

Godwin Emefiele, the troubled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has entered a not guilty plea to charges of misusing his position and allocating billions of dollars from the United States.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Emefiele on Monday before the Ikeja State High Court in Lagos.
Before Justice Rahman Oshodi, Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Isioma Omole, were charged on 26 charges.

Marked ID/23787c/2024 and dated April 3, 2024, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) filed the charge on behalf of the EFCC.

Emefiele was accused by the commission of carrying out an arbitrary act in Lagos between 2020 and 2021, which was detrimental to Nigerian rights, by abusing his authority as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Specifically, the act involved allocating foreign exchange in the amount of $291,945,785.59 without any bids.

According to the EFCC, the former governor of the highest bank in Nigeria was directed to carry out an arbitrary act in 2021 in Lagos that was "prejudicial to the rights of Nigerians" and was "directed to be done in abuse of your office, as the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria."

But when Emefiele appeared in court, he requested to be released on bond on the condition that he attend for the hearing and have his case decided.

"Judge Muazu granted Emefiele bail, and he has been appearing at the FCT High Court for his trial. He has never missed a hearing since that bail was granted, and the prosecution is practically finished building its case. Attorney Lebi Lawal stated, "The defendant has always obediently shown up in court to address the accusations made against him.

"The EFCC called him on Thursday of last week to inform him that two charges had been brought against him. He has already re-appeared in court to address the charges against him. He poses no risk to flight.

  

Legislators and attorneys dispute on legislation pertaining to abuse of rights

The necessity for comprehensive legal changes to protect Nigerians' rights has set federal legislator Oluwole Oke against Abuja-based attorney Mike Ozekhome, SAN.

The chair of the judiciary committee is Oke, a member of the House of Representatives who represents the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in Osun State.

In a phone interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, Oke stated that the laws of the country sufficiently protect human rights, adding that the only things left to do are enforce such rights and impose penalties in situations where violations are established.

"We have sufficient laws to safeguard and protect human rights," he declared. All that's required is that these rules be followed and that those who break them face consequences.

Ozekhome, on the other hand, responded negatively, stating that "reforms are urgently required in all ramifications." All aspects of Nigeria's judicial system, including arrest, imprisonment, investigation, charging, prosecution, filing of civil suits, hearing/trial, adjournments, delays, verdict, and case resolution, require significant changes, reorganization, and retooling.

The only way to stop judicial process abuse and corruption is to do this. It is necessary to completely reform the whole investigation and prosecution apparatus that flagrantly violates the fundamental rights of individuals. According to him, only these can stop human rights violations throughout Nigeria.

In a similar spirit, human rights advocate and constitutional attorney Abdul Mahmud declared, "Comprehensive legal reforms aimed at strengthening protections for individuals and the nation-state against individuals intent on destroying it, and holding perpetrators accountable, are necessary to address human rights abuses in Nigeria."

AN ADOLESCENT GIRL DIED AT A BAYELSA HOTEL; POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING

Lucky Okubo, 17, has been taken into custody by the Bayelsa State police on suspicion of killing Shallon Ebitare, 14, at an undisclosed hotel.

The suspect was apprehended by police from the Ekeki division, according to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, on Friday. Commissioner of Police Alonyenu Idu has directed a covert inquiry into the incident.

According to the police, the suspect stated that he brought the underage girl to the hotel with the intention of having sex with her.

Operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command detained a suspect in relation to the alleged murder of Shallon Ebitare, a 14-year-old resident of the Akaibiri village in the Yenagoa Local Government Area, after acting on reliable intelligence.

The statement claimed, "After being questioned, the suspect, one Lucky Okubo,'m,' 17, who was detained by police officers affiliated with the Ekeki Divisional Police Headquarters, stated he took the deceased to a hotel, where he intended to have carnal knowledge with her."

The deceased, according to the suspect, went to the bathroom to take a bath but collapsed and was hurt. Following this, he extended an invitation to the hotel management, who helped transport the corpse to the FMC, Yenagoa, where an on-duty physician pronounced her dead.

The suspect is being held in the SCID, Yenagoa, in the interim as the inquiry into the cause of death is ongoing.

It also stated, "A discreet investigation into the circumstances leading to the 14-year-old girl's death in a Yenagoa hotel has been ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Alonyenu Francis Idu."