OAU Student’s Murder: Falana Writes IGP, Seeks Transfer Of Case File To Osun State

 

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana,  has asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to hand over to the Attorney General of Osun State, the case file in the murder trial of the late Timothy Adegoke, the postgraduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) killed at Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Falana made the request via a letter dated February 4 and addressed to the IGP with the heading, “Request to Charge Suspects in Timothy Adegoke’s at the Osun State High Court.”

The human rights lawyer, who has been briefed by the Adegoke family to help them get justice in the matter, noted that the police arrested some of the suspects while others, who are currently at large, have been declared wanted.

He further says that, to the dismay of the family, the police arraigned the suspects at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory instead of Ile-Ife where the crimes allegedly occurred.

Falana is, therefore, seeking the transfer of the case to Osun State so the relevant charges can be filed in the state high court. He warns that the police may face legal action if it fails to accede to his request. He has also indicated that his law firm will handle the matter pro bono (free) on behalf of the Adegoke family.

Timothy, an Abuja-based student, had travelled to Ife on November 5 to take an examination at the school’s distance learning center in Moro, Osun State.

According to the police, a case of a missing person was reported two days later at the Edun Abon Police Station and later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.

His body was subsequently found buried by the hotel management in a shallow grave without the knowledge of A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana,  has asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to hand over to the Attorney General of Osun State, the case file in the murder trial of the late Timothy Adegoke, the postgraduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) killed at Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

See the full details of the letter below…

 

4th February 2022

The Inspector-General of Police,

Force Headquarters,

Louis Edet House,

Garki,

Abuja.

 

REQUEST TO CHARGE SUSPECTS IN TIMOTHY ADEGOKE’S CASE AT THE OSUN STATE HIGH COURT

We are Solicitors to the aged parents of the Late Timothy Adegoke (hereinafter referred to as “our clients”) on whose behalf we write this letter.

Our client’s instructions are briefly summarised and stated as follows:

 

The son of our clients, Timothy Adegoke, was a 37-year-old Master of Business Administration student at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State.

 

Timothy had lodged at the Hilton Honours Hotel, Ile Ife on November 6, 2021 while preparing for his examinations in the University. He was abducted in his room later in the night and taken to the bush where he was brutally killed by a group of suspected assassins.

 

Having killed Timothy in a gruesome manner the assassins mutilated his body and proceed to bury it in an unmarked grave. The police investigation has since exhumed the mutilated body of the deceased.

 

Based on the complaint of our clients the Nigeria Police Force arrested some of the suspects while others who are currently at large had been declared wanted.

To our utter dismay, the arrested suspects have been arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on a 7- count charge of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, conspiracy to commit improper or indecent interference with the body of the deceased, uttering and intent to destroy evidence under the Penal Code.

 

However, as all the aforesaid criminal offences were said to have been committed at Ile-Ife you will agree with us that the suspects ought to have been charged before a court of competent jurisdiction in Osun state. Consequently, we are compelled to request you to use your good offices to ensure that the case file is handed over to the Attorney-General of Osun State to enable him to study same with a view to filing relevant charges against the suspects at the High Court of Osun State.

Having demonstrated professionalism and unusual courage in the handling of the investigation of the case we are confident that you will not hesitate to accede to our request in the interest of justice. Otherwise, we shall not hesitate to institute legal proceedings to compel you to ensure that the criminal proceedings are instituted pursuant to the Criminal Code (34) Laws of Osun State.

While awaiting your reply to this letter please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.

Yours faithfully,

FEMI FALANA, SAN, FCI Arb.

JAMB Introduces Self-Registration In Lagos, Abuja, Adopts New USSD Code

 Self-registration outlets will be introduced in Abuja and Lagos for the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) examinations.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) announced this in its weekly bulletin released on Monday by its Head of Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin.

It explained that the development was in its bid to leverage the digital competency of the increasing number of computer-savvy candidates. JAMB is hopeful that the newly introduced system would, in the long run, reduce the crowds at the Computer Based Test (CBT) in the two cities.

“The conception of this noble idea is to, besides advancing the digital competence of candidates who feel they can do the registration on their own, expand the registration access points in line with COVID-19 protocols,” it said.

“The service provider, Bankfort, expressed optimism about the immense potential of the seamless registration mode, stating that it is the norm rather than the exception in more developed climes.”

New Code

The board also announced the adoption of ‘66019’ as an additional and optional USSD code besides the ‘55019’ code that had been in operation since 2018, for UTME/DE registration and other essential services.

It explained that the initiative was to facilitate a hitch-free 2022 UTME/DE registration exercise by ensuring that was no difficulty whatsoever in the creation of profiles by candidates, especially in a situation whereby many of them would send requests via one USSD code.

According to JAMB, prospective candidates for the 2022/23 UTME/DE are to use both codes to create their profiles for registration.

“As usual, candidates are required to send their National Identification Number (NIN) via either of these USSD codes for their details to be pulled from the NIMC database before they proceed to any accredited centre for biometric capturing,” it said.

The board had hinted that it was perfecting arrangements aimed at adopting an additional USSD code, in its efforts to eliminate all bottlenecks associated with the creation of profiles.

NFF Retains Eguavoen As Eagles Technical Adviser, Names Amuneke Chief Coach

 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has retained Austine Eguavoen as the interim technical adviser of the Super Eagles.

This was confirmed in a statement issued by the football body on Monday evening.

“The NFF Board has approved a recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee retaining Augustine Eguavoen as Technical Director/Technical Adviser (interim) while Emmanuel Amuneke becomes the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles. Salisu Yusuf will be the 2nd Assistant Coach/Chief Coach of the CHAN team and Joseph Yobo will be 3rd Assistant while Aloysius Agu remains the Goalkeepers’ Trainer,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi announced.

The latest move comes on the heels of Nigeria’s outing at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations where the Super Eagles were stunned by Tunisia in a round of 16 game after an outstanding showing in the group stage. Nigeria’s next assignment is the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff against Ghana billed for March.

Earlier, the NFF had said Portuguese coach, Jose Peseiro, will be in charge of the team after the AFCON following the dismissal of Gernot Rohr. Peseiro was expected to be an observer at the just-concluded continental showpiece.

But Monday’s development means the former Al Ahly manager will have to look elsewhere. However, the football body is not ruling out the possibility of Peseiro coaching Nigeria in the future.

“We acknowledge and appreciate the interest that Mr Jose Peseiro has shown in Nigeria Football during our very cordial discussions and have absolutely no doubt about his capacity. We believe that perhaps in the future, there could be an opportunity to work with him,” the NFF statement explained.

“However, in view of the positive performance of the Super Eagles at the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations which has given hope to Nigerians and boosted our confidence in the present coaching crew to qualify us for the World Cup in Qatar, we have decided to accept the recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee to retain the Eguavoen-led coaching crew and strengthen it with the addition of Emmanuel Amuneke.”

Petrol Supply With Excess Methanol Cause Of Fuel Scarcity, Says FG

 The Federal Government says it has identified and subsequently dealt with what may have caused panic buying of petrol in some parts of Lagos and Abuja.

Responding to the resurgence of fuel queues in Lagos and Abuja, the CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency, Mr. Farouk Ahmed said methanol quantity above Nigeria’s specification was discovered in a supply chain, which as since been isolated.

Mr Ahmed said while the quality control agencies of the government have swung into the action, NNPC Limited and oil marketers have been directed to ensure robust supply of petroleum products.

"Methanol is a regular additive in petrol and is usually blended to acceptable quantity,” Mr Ahmed said at a press briefing in Abuja.

“To ensure vehicular and equipment safety, the limited quantity of the impacted product has been isolated from the market, including those loaded in trucks.

“Our technical team, in conjunction with NNPC and other industry stakeholders will continue to monitor and ensure quality products are adequately supplied and distributed nationwide. So there is no need to panic.

"The sole supplier has been identified and further commercial and appropriate actions shall be taken by the authorities and the NNPC.

“The NNPC Limited and all marketing companies have been directed to sustain sufficient distribution of petrol products in all retail outlets nationwide to avoid any scarcity.

“Meanwhile, the NNPC has intensified efforts at increasing the supply of petroleum products in the market in order to bridge any unforeseen supply gap.”

Fuel anxiety

Fuel queues had emerged on Tuesday morning in Lagos. This caused gridlock in major parts of the state affecting traffic movement.

Some fuel stations were locked while a few open ones had long queues of motorists waiting to buy fuel.

The situation was not different in the capital city, Abuja, and surrounding states where the majority of filling stations were shut and motorists spent hours in the sun struggling to buy from the few that were open.

The queues surfaced as the conversation over fuel subsidies continues to generate reactions.

The Federal Government had earlier hinted a removal of the subsidies in June but later walked back its decision amid pressure from labour unions.

Nigeria is one of the world’s largest producers of crude oil but struggles to refine the product locally.

A key refinery built by Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote is expected to ease the the demand for fuel imports when it begins operations later this year.

ASUU Threatens Strike Over Failure Of FG To Implement 2009 Agreement

 The Imo State University Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has called on the Federal Government to expedite action in signing and implementing the renegotiated 2009 ASUU/Federal Government agreement or face a total and indefinite strike action in the coming days.

Addressing a press conference at the Imo State University premises in Owerri the state capital, the Chairperson of the union, Augustine Ejiogu said the union will no longer tolerate MOUs, MOAs or agreements until the existing ones are fully implemented.

According to him, the failure of the Federal Government to fully implement the agreement has led to series of strikes.

Ejiogu, therefore, implored parents, students and the masses to join hands with ASUU in the struggle to rescue public universities.

ASUU and the Federal Government have been at loggerheads over welfare issues of members and the condition of universities across the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on February 1 said that the Federal Government will honour promises made to the union to prevent disruptive strikes, encourage uninterrupted academic programmes and improve funding of educational institutions.

The President also commended the leadership of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) for intervening in the year-long strike by ASUU and holding consultations with the parties, saying no society which wishes itself well neglects its educational system and all its component parts.

He urged the council to tell ASUU that his administration regards them and the service they provide to the nation very highly.

But following unmet needs, the association on Monday began a nationwide mobilisation of its members to update them on the discussions between the union and the Federal Government, before deciding its next line of action.

Why Yemi Osinbajo Will Not Run For President – Bwala

 

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Daniel Bwala, has said that contrary to popular opinion, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will not be contesting for presidency in 2023.

Mr Bwala who was a guest on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Tuesday said this while addressing concerns about the APC and the PDP’s chances in the coming elections, as well as a ‘third force’ and the overall new leadership agenda for the country.

When listed among those who are going to run under the APC, Mr Bwala emphatically said: “Yemi Osinbajo is not running for President”.

“He is not interested,” he added.

"I think I know the wisdom behind why VP Osinbajo is not running and he is shooting down every attempt to point towards that”.

Bwala explained that Osinbajo would rather throw his weight behind his principal, who had supported him over the past eight years.

“He may have understood that the general principle of equity and fairness is that one good turn deserves another. He had a principal who supported him for eight years and because Asiwaju (Bola Tinubu) has indicated interest, morally, not legally, it would be injurious for the Vice President to express interest.

“Secondly, there’s an idea that if someone has helped you and indicated interest, your best bet is to go about supporting him with the hope that he doesn’t get it, he will now throw his weight behind you but you will not challenge him and I think that since the Vice President is not interested, it is important that he comes out and downplay his supporters and support Asiwaju, because if you continue to leave people in limbo, there is going to be a crisis between your supporters and his supporters,” he said.

Although there have been series of speculations that the Vice President has plans to run for President, he has not outrightly declared his intentions.

On Monday, there were reports that he would announce his “presidential bid” for 2023 after the APC’s convention slated for February 26, 2021.

But his media aide, Laolu Akande, in a statement, immediately debunked the claims, stating that the report is false and speculative.

Aviation Workers Shelve Planned Strike, Sign Agreement With FG Bukola Oketunmbi and Ronke Idowu

Aviation workers have suspended their planned industrial action following an agreement reached with the Federal Government.

The strike was planned to commence on Tuesday but the workers made a u-turn on their plan after a Memorandum of Settlement reached by them and the Federal Ministry of Aviation in the early hours of Tuesday.

Both parties signed the agreement at the end of the meeting which was held at the instance of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employments

The meeting which was presided over by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, discussed the non-implementation of the Minimum Wage consequential adjustment in the aviation parastatals since 2019 and the non-approval/release of the reviewed conditions of service in the parastatals.

At the meeting between the union leaders, the Minister of Aviation and the Minister of Labour, it was agreed that by March 31, the Ministry of Aviation must ensure the approval, release and implementation of the reviewed CoS for all the workers in the agencies under the aviation ministry.

GOLD FM FRCN ILESA