The Ogun State Police Command has arrested Odukaye Kunle, the man accused of abusing his son, Boluwatife, in Otta, Ogun State. His arrest comes after he was caught on camera kicking a young boy sparking public outrage and a swift response from law enforcement.

This development was confirmed in a statement shared on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, via X (formerly Twitter).

According to the police, Kunle has been taken into custody and will face charges in court on Monday. Meanwhile, the boy and his mother are being taken to the police medical centre in Otta for further medical evaluation and care.

The statement said, “Update on Ogun Child Abuse: Odukaye Kunle, the father who brutalised his son, Boluwatife, in Otta area, Ogun State, has just been arrested by the police.

“The mother of the boy and the boy will be taken to our police medical centre Otta for further medical assessment and attention. The OC Medical, Ogun State has been ordered to proceed to otta on this mission.

“Kunle will be charged to court on Monday. We commend the CP Ogun State, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, and his team for their commitment and ensuring that the boy gets justice. We appreciate you all for your concerns as well. Thanks.”

The arrest follows a manhunt launched by the Ogun State Police Command after a Facebook user, Adelere Rasaki, shared a video on Thursday showing Kunle viciously kicking the young boy.

The distressing footage quickly gained traction, leading to widespread condemnation and calls for justice.

The Saudi Arabian authorities have distributed 50 tonnes of dates to Kano state and other northern part of the country.

A similar donation of 50 tones have been distributed in Abuja.

The donation, according to a statement by the Embassy in Abuja, was part of its annual humanitarian relief programmes.

The initiative, facilitated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), aims to support vulnerable families across the country and strengthen the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.

The Consul General of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Kano, Khalil Admawy, conveyed the Kingdom’s dedication to humanitarian causes during the official ceremony to distribute (50 tones) of dates to Kano State Government and northern Nigerian State.

The statement reads in part: “He expressed his profound gratitude to King Salman bin Abdelaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their unwavering support in providing aid to Muslims and underserved communities worldwide.

“He emphasized that Saudi Arabia remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering Islamic solidarity and providing relief to those in need.

“He further explained that this year’s distribution includes 50 tones of dates for Abuja which took place last week and another 50 tones for Kano and some northern Nigerian States which arrangements are ongoing on to deliver it to them, continuing Saudi Arabia’s tradition of assisting Nigeria through humanitarian donations.

“He noted that the initiative represents the Kingdom’s broader mission to uplift Muslim communities, alleviate suffering, and promote unity, particularly during significant by the custodian of the two Holy Mosques to King Salman bin Abdelaziz religious periods such as Ramadan indicating that the launching of IFTAAR PROGAMME which has been scheduled to take place no dr3 Month of Ramadan in Abuja is another humanitarian gesture by Saudi king Salman bin Abdelaziz.

“The Consulate, in collaboration with local authorities and humanitarian organizations, will ensure the proper distribution of the dates so that they reach the most vulnerable families in various regions of Nigeria.

“Since the establishment of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre(KSrelief), in 2025, with the help of 175 members of the united nations, the center has completed and delivered more than 2500 projects valued at moer$7 billion, benefitting 91 countries.

“Lastly, the consul General asked the Almighty Alah’s protection for the both countries and their rulers.”

The Akwa Ibom Council of Traditional Rulers has honored President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with its most prestigious title, “Otuekong,” which translates to Commander-in-Chief of Akwa Ibom State.

The title was bestowed on the President during a ceremony on Friday at the State House in Abuja.

The event was led by Nteyin Solomon Etuk, Okuibom Ibibio III, the President General of the council, along with other prominent chiefs.

Governor Umo Eno headed the 104-member delegation that accompanied the traditional rulers to the State House for the occasion.

Tinubu while receiving the title stated that the country’s full potential can be better realised when political leaders look beyond party loyalty in serving the nation.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, February 28 partly reads: “The Akwa Ibom State Council of Traditional Rulers has conferred President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the highest traditional title: ‘Otuekong, or Commander–in–Chief of Akwa Ibom State.’
 
“The conferment was held Friday at the State House, Abuja. The President General, Nteyin Solomon Etuk, Okuibom Ibibio III, led the chiefs.
 
“The chiefs were among the 104-member delegation led to the State House by Governor Umo Eno.
 
“Other delegation members were political leaders from different parties, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his wife Ekaette, religious leaders, former ministers and lawmakers, women and youth groups.
 
” ‘I accept all the honours and the conferment. I am one of you. Going back in time, I recall staying in Eket as an auditor of Mobil. We are all friends and family with the State that has moved progressively, with development and speed,’ President Tinubu said.
 
“He said the country’s full potential can be better realised when political leaders look beyond party loyalty in serving the nation.
 
“President Tinubu attributed the progress in Akwa Ibom State to consistency of vision and commitment to the collective development goal.”

Oando Plc has emerged the preferred bidder for the lease of the Guaracara Refinery in Trinidad and Tobago.

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Peoples Gazette learnt that Oando was selected as the bidder having defeated Trinidad’s CRO Consortium and INCA Energy.

In a statement on Thursday, Trinidad and Tobago’s acting Minister of Energy, Stuart Young, said Oando won the bid primarily based on its strong financial track record, emphasising its $1.5bn acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ assets in Nigeria in 2014.

Mr Young said, “Today Cabinet agreed to inform Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Limited (TPHL) of its non-objection to the pursuit of discussions with energy company Oando to negotiate the lease of the Guaracara refinery.’’

The minister noted Oando’s proposal aligned with the government’s goals of reducing the state’s burden and creating flexibility for the future operation of the refinery.

According to the evaluation committee, Oando defeated companies such as the CRO Consortium given its ability to secure substantial financing in the upstream oil sector.

Mr Young further stressed the need to protect Paria Fuel Trading Company’s assets, stating that it was crucial to ensuring the continued supply of domestic fuel in the country.

“We have to protect the assets of Paria to always ensure that we can provide domestic fuel to our population,” Mr Young added, stressing that potential bidders must be committed to restarting the refinery and not just acquiring Paria’s assets only for bunkering purposes.

This development came weeks after Oando announced its upstream subsidiary, Oando Energy Resources (OER), secured a bid to operate an oil block in Angola.

Commercial banks in Nigeria have begun enforcing withdrawal fees on Automated Teller Machines transactions by their customers from March 1, 2025.

The implementation is in line with the direction of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Many of the Deposit Money Banks on Friday sent notices to their customers that implementation of the directive would commence today.

One of the leading commercial banks, Ecobank, in a statement, said “Dear valued customers, please be informed that effective March 1, 2025, a new ATM transaction fee will apply to all Ecobank cardholders, in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive.”

The bank further informed its customers of the various transactions that would attract charges such as offsite withdrawals and those that would be free such as onsite withdrawals as directed by the Apex bank.

Recall that the CBN’s directive was contained in a circular dated February 10, 2025, titled, “review of ATM transaction fees, scheduled for implementation from March 1, 2025.

The apex bank stated, “This review is expected to accelerate the deployment of ATMs and to ensure that appropriate charges are applied by financial institutions to consumers of the service. Withdrawals from customer’s own bank will be free while customers using ATMs of other banks will now pay a charge of N100 per withdrawal of N20,000 or less at onsite ATMs located within or directly affiliated with a bank branch.

“Off-site ATMs, which are positioned outside bank premises in locations such as shopping malls, fuel stations, and other public spaces, will attract an additional surcharge of up to N500 per transaction. For international ATM withdrawals, charges will be based on cost recovery, where customers will bear the exact fee applied by the international acquirer.’’

The development was a response by the apex bank to rising costs and the need to improve efficiency of ATMs in the banking industry.

An 18-year-old girl, Rukayat Ashiru, on Friday, appeared before the Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N4 million cash belonging to her boyfriend.

The defendant is standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, to which she pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, PC Olapeju Durodola, told the court that the defendant and others now at large committed the offences on November 30, 2024, at Mufu Lanihun, Yidi Agugu, in Ibadan.

She said the defendant allegedly added a substance to the drink of her boyfriend, Waris Olamilekan, to make him lose consciousness.

According to her, the defendant stole the money after adding the substance to the complainant’s drink.

Ms Durodola said the offences contravened sections 390(9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The chief magistrate, Olabisi Ogunkanmi, admitted the defendant to N2 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

Ms Ogunkanmi said one of the sureties must be a property owner within the court’s jurisdiction, while the second surety must be a blood relation to the defendant.

She, thereafter, adjourned the matter until May 26 for a hearing.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command, says it intercepted contraband goods with a duty paid value (DPV) of N165.3 million in February.

The area controller, Joseph Adelaja, disclosed this in Ibadan on Friday while briefing journalists on the command’s achievement for February.

Mr Adelaja, who assumed duty on February 7, said the area command intercepted and seized several high-profile smuggling consignments.

He listed the seizures to include 1,043 bags of foreign rice of 50 kg, 452 pieces of used tyres, two bales of used clothes, and 233 kegs of 25 litres each of petrol.

“The interception and seizure of these prohibited and uncustomed items have prevented the illegal inflow of products that undermine local industries, particularly rice farmers and manufacturers in the region.

“The interception of prohibited foreign parboiled rice has led to the increase in production and consumption of the local rice in Oyo and Osun States, respectively,” Mr Adelaja said.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to its core mandates of revenue collection and anti-smuggling operations.

The controller said the command recorded N2,048,487,969 as revenue for February, explaining that this reflected the efficiency of the command’s officers and men.

According to him, the area command has made significant strides in curbing smuggling activities, safeguarding the nation’s economy, and protecting local industries from the harmful effects of illicit trade.

“These remarkable achievements have been made possible through the unwavering dedication, professionalism, and cooperation of officers and men of the command,” he said.

He added that the command had significantly reduced tax evasion by adopting advanced technology, such as the deployment of improved data analytics.

Mr Adelaja said this had enabled the command to monitor trade flows and identify discrepancies effectively.

The area controller acknowledged that partnership with other security agencies facilitated the exchange of intelligence, allowing joint operations to dismantle smuggling networks in the region.

United States President Donald Trump is planning to sign an executive order today to make English the country’s official language for the first time in history, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

The United States never had an official language at the federal level, even though English is mainly used, with documents sometimes translated into other languages.

However, Mr Trump has now taken a historic decision to make English the official language of communication at the federal level by signing the latest order.

He had hinted on the move during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) during his campaign trail last year, where he decried too many languages coming into the United States.

“We have languages coming into our country,” Mr Trump said at CPAC. “These are languages — it’s the craziest thing — they have languages that nobody in this country has ever heard of. It’s a very horrible thing.”

Mr Trump’s decision is a huge victory for Republicans on Capitol Hill after political party members of Congress’ previous failures to successfully pass legislation declaring English the official language.

Many states have designated English as their official language

Saudi Arabia announced on Friday that the holy month of Ramadan will begin on Saturday, March 1, following the sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon in the Kingdom.

The month of Ramadan is the ninth of the 12 months of the Islamic calendar.

Also, countries including Qatar, Oman officially announced that Ramadan would be observed on Saturday, March 1.

Meanwhile, Nigerian Muslims are set to begin the Ramadan fast tomorrow if the President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs and leader of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, announces the sighting of the crescent moon this evening.

A former Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, and four others were on Friday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before the Abia State High Court over alleged misappropriation of N47bn.

Orji was arraigned alongside his son, Chinedum Orji, a former Commissioner of Finance for Abia State, Dr. Philip Nto, a government contractor, Obioma King, and a former Director of Finance for Abia State, Romas Madu.

They are facing 16 counts of conspiracy to steal and conversion of billions of naira meant for various government programmes preferred against them by the EFCC.

When the matter which was before the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai, was called, the EFCC’s lead prosecution counsel, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), requested that the charge be read to the defendants to allow them to enter their pleas.

The EFCC accused them of misappropriating N22.5bn allocated for security votes from 2011 to 2015.

They were also accused of allegedly stealing N13bn from a loan facility granted by the defunct Diamond Bank.

The commission alleged that they illegally converted N12bn from the Paris Club refund.

They were also accused of converting N10.5bn from a loan granted by First Bank, meant for the state government and its local governments, along with N2bn from Central Bank of Nigeria funds designated for small and medium enterprises.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

The defence team, including Bode Olanipekun (SAN) (representing the first defendant), Chikaosulu Ojukwu (SAN) (for the second defendant), K.I. Oleh, Okey Amechi (SAN), and Isaac Anya filed bail applications on behalf of their clients.

Pinheiro did not object to the bail applications.

They asked the court to use its discretion when determining the conditions of bail.

After a brief stand down, Justice Abai granted the defendants bail and adjourned till June 18 and 19, 2025, for trial.

A mild drama ensued on Friday at the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja when two lawyers laid claim to being the official counsel for the Lagos State House of Assembly during the hearing of a suit filed by Mudashiru Obasa, challenging his removal as Speaker of the Assembly.

Obasa, in suit number ID/9047GCM/2025 filed before Justice Yetunde Pinheiro, is contesting the constitutionality of the House’s sitting and proceedings during a recess, which occurred without the Speaker reconvening the House or delegating the authority to someone else.

Obasa’s lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, filed the suit on his behalf.

The case stems from the legality of the House of Assembly’s sitting and proceedings on January 13, 2025, during which Obasa was allegedly impeached as Speaker.

Obasa’s application is based on nine grounds, including the interpretation of various sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), as well as the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Obasa is seeking the court’s interpretation of Sections 36, 90, 92(2)(c), 101, and 311 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) about Order V, Rule 18(2), and Order II, Rule 9 (1) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii), (viii) of the Lagos State House of Assembly Rules and Standing Orders, which hold constitutional status.

When the matter was called, Fashanu, appeared for Obasa, while Mr. Femi Falana, appeared for the first defendant (the Lagos State House of Assembly), Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, represented Mojosola Meranda (the current Speaker of the Assembly), and Mr. Olu Daramola, represented parties seeking to be joined in the suit.

However, a mild confrontation occurred when another counsel, Abang Mkpandiok, stood up to challenge Falana’s representation of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Mkpandiok claimed that he had been briefed the previous night by the Assembly and had filed a motion for a change of counsel that morning.

He argued that the right to choose one’s counsel is a fundamental human right and asked the court to address his application first.

Mkpandiok told the court that his law firm had been briefed just the day before to represent the House of Assembly in the suit, and he had filed the necessary documents, although they had not yet been served to the parties.

In a motion brought under Order 52, Rules 2 and 3 of the Lagos State High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2019, Mkpandiok sought permission from the court to replace Femi Falana of Falana & Falana Chambers with himself, Abang Mkpandiok, of Atlantic Law Firm, as the official counsel on record.

Falana objected, stating that he had not been served with the application and remained the counsel on record for the Assembly.

Falana maintained that he was still the authorised lawyer for the first defendant and had not been informed of any decision to change counsel.

Oyetibo also pointed out that he had not been served with the application.

Mkpandiok then chose to serve the application to the other counsel in court.

After reviewing the court’s records, Justice Pinheiro noted that the application for a change of counsel was not yet ready for hearing.

The court remarked, “As counsel himself has admitted, that application has not been served on all parties. I will defer it pending compliance with the rules of court.”

The court also ruled that the application for expedited hearing would not be addressed today.

During the proceedings, Daramola informed the court of a Motion on Notice filed by 33 members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who sought to be joined as parties in the suit.

The lawmakers filed the motion under Section 361 of the Constitution and Order 15, Rules 4(1) & 16(3), and Order 43, Rule 1 of the Lagos State High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2019.

The motion sought two main reliefs: an order to add the individuals seeking to be co-defendants and an order compelling the claimant to amend the originating and other processes to include their names as defendants.

The applicants are members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, elected to represent various wards and constituencies in Lagos State.

However, Justice Pinheiro has fixed March 7, 2025, for the hearing of all pending applications.

After the proceedings, Meranda, while speaking to journalists, denied that she had resigned. She also condemned the invasion of the house on Thursday by the removed Speaker, Obasa.

Regarding her security detail, Meranda told journalists that although she was entitled to 12 police officers and four Department of State Security Service operatives, she had only been assigned four police officers so far.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday, arrested 19 suspected internet fraudsters at different locations in Benin City, Edo.

EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said this in a statement on Thursday.

According to him, their arrest follows credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent internet activities.

”Items recovered from them include seven exotic cars, laptop computers and phones.

”They have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

Vice President Kashim Shettima will on Friday, February 28, attend the graduation of the Senior Executive Course 46 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State.

As Special Guest of Honour, Shettima will supervise proceedings at the graduation of 96 participants of the institute’s Senior Executive Course drawn from the public and private sectors.

The Senior Special Assistant to the VP on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday titled ‘VP Shettima To Attend NIPSS SEC 46 Graduation in Kuru; To represent President Tinubu at burial of Namibia’s founding President in Windhoek.’

The SEC 46 participants led by the DG and top management of the Institution, had on Wednesday, presented the report of its research to President Bola Tinubu at a brief ceremony held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The report is titled “Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.”

The Vice President, upon the completion of his assignment, will depart Kuru, Plateau State for Windhoek, Namibia to represent Tinubu at a state funeral for Namibia’s founding President, Samuel Nujoma.

Shettima will join other leaders across Africa and beyond to pay their last respects to the late president who passed away at the age of 95.

The state funeral for the late Nujoma will begin with a memorial service scheduled for Friday, February 28, at the Independence Stadium, followed by the burial on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Heroes’ Acre.

Shettima will return to Nigeria at the end of the programme in Namibia.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, granted bail to a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, in the sum of ₦5 million with two sureties.

Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu, while delivering the bail terms, stated that the two sureties must provide proof of means of livelihood as well as valid identification.

She said, “Bail has been granted for a bond of ₦5 million with two sureties in like sum each. The sureties must show proof of means of livelihood, whether business or civil service. “The sureties must also provide valid means of identification, and their addresses are to be verified by the prosecution or court staff.”

Although the case was initially adjourned to April 3, the date was vacated due to the Sallah break, which falls within that period.

The court subsequently adjourned the trial to May 15, 2025.

Yusuf is facing a five-count charge of alleged fraud involving the sum of N90,439,178.00.

He is accused of abusing his office to gain undue advantages between 2016 and 2017.

The charges also include allegations of awarding contracts without following proper procurement procedures.

One of the accusations involves Yusuf authorising the purchase of a vehicle at an inflated cost of N49,197,750, far exceeding the budgeted amount of N30,000,000.

Additionally, he allegedly awarded a ₦10.1 million training contract to a foundation linked to him, with only half of the intended beneficiaries participating in the programme.

Yusuf is further accused of awarding a N17.5 million media consultancy contract to a company owned by his nephew, bypassing standard procurement guidelines.

The EFCC arraigned Yusuf on February 3, 2025.

He pleaded not guilty to all five counts when the charges were read to him.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has directed MultiChoice Nigeria, the operator of DStv and GOtv, to maintain its current subscription prices pending the conclusion of an ongoing investigation into the company’s proposed tariff adjustment.

The consumer watchdog disclosed this in a statement signed by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, on Thursday.

The directive follows MultiChoice’s request for an extension regarding its scheduled appearance before the commission over concerns surrounding its recurring price increases.

The regulator had earlier summoned MultiChoice’s Chief Executive Officer to appear before it on February 27 for an investigative hearing.

While the FCCPC granted the company’s request to postpone the session, it has now rescheduled the hearing for March 6, 2025, mandating the company’s CEO, relevant officers, and a comprehensive response to the inquiry.

“As part of this directive, MultiChoice is expressly instructed to maintain the existing price structure as of February 27, 2025, pending the commission’s review and final determination on the matter,” the statement read.

The FCCPC emphasised that the decision to freeze prices is aimed at preventing potential consumer exploitation during the investigation period.

MultiChoice had notified its customers on Monday of the impending price adjustment, citing a review of its pricing structure.

While the company stated that the changes were necessary to continue delivering world-class content, the development sparked concerns from subscribers.

Under the proposed adjustment, the DStv Compact package would be increased, while the Compact Plus and Premium bouquets would remain at N30,000 and N44,500, respectively.

In its notice titled “Price Adjustments for DStv and GOtv Packages,” the company said, “Dear Customer, please note that effective March 1, 2025, there will be a price adjustment on all DStv packages.

This is to enable us to continue offering our customers world-class homegrown and international content, delivered through the best technology.”

The FCCPC said it would provide further updates as the investigation progresses.

About six persons died when a truck carrying foodstuffs lost control and fell on the Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Enugu State on Thursday.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Enugu State Command, Franklin Agbakoba, confirmed the incident on Thursday in Enugu.

The incident occurred barely a month after 23 people lost their lives in a fuel tanker explosion on the same Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

The sector commander said that the incident happened about 8 a.m on Thursday.

Mr Agbakoba said that on receiving the distress call, the team of the corps rushed to the scene and rescued three victims who were taken to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane, Enugu for treatment.

He said that the truck, conveying vegetables and fruits with a few traders, was on speed, lost control and tumbled.

“The unfortunate accident involved nine persons comprising eight male adults and one female adult. Five male adults and one female adult were confirmed dead in the unfortunate accident while the FRSC Rescue Team took three injured male adults to ESUTH Hospital, Parklane, Enugu. The Muslim faithful in the truck carried the dead bodies of five Muslims involved in the crash for burial while relatives of the only lady that died also took her corpse,” he said.

According to him, it was a lone accident as it involved the truck only.

Mr Agbakoba said, “The accident must have been caused by speed violation and brake system failure. It is unfortunate and we pray that God console the families and friends that lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident.”

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Muslims to look for the crescent of Ramadan 1446 AH from Friday.

This directive was issued in a statement on Thursday by Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Junaidu.

It indicated, “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Friday, February 28, corresponding to the 29th day of Sha’aban 1446 AH, shall be the day to look out for the new crescent of Ramadan 1446 AH. Muslims are encouraged to look out for the moon and report any sightings to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to the Sultan,” Junaidu said.

The statement quoted the Sultan as praying for Allah’s guidance and blessings upon all the Muslims as they fulfill their religious obligations.

It noted, “For immediate reporting, the following contact numbers can be reached: 08037157100, 08066303077, 08035965322, 08099945903, and 07067146900.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a sacred period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community observed by Muslims worldwide.

An Ikeja Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced Kolawole Muyiwa, a former part-time lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (now Lagos State University of Education), to life imprisonment over rape.

Justice Rahman Oshodi ruled that the prosecution had proven the case of defilement beyond a reasonable doubt.

The crime was committed on October 11, 2021, within the premises of the college in Oto-Ijanikin, Lagos State.

Kolawole was arraigned on October 6, 2023, and pleaded not guilty. However, in delivering the judgment, Justice Oshodi found him guilty, citing the survivor’s detailed testimony and the defendant’s admission of requesting a relationship with her, which he claimed was platonic.

“Kolawole Muyiwa I have found you guilty of rape contrary to section 260 of the criminal law chapter 17 volume laws of Lagos state 2015

“I note that you are a first-time offender with no criminal record, and you are married with three children. You also served as a part time lecturer

However, the gravity of the offense committed cannot be overlooked: “As a part-time lecturer, you occupied the position of trust and authority which you abused.

The victim was a student at the institution where you taught.

“Section 260 of the criminal law describes life imprisonment punishment for your crime, and that is what I shall sentence you to. You shall also be registered as a sex offender.”

During the trial, the survivor told the court that “on October 11, 2021, she arrived early for a departmental meeting scheduled for 10 am. while waiting outside her classroom, the defendant approached and requested her to go get him food. She declined due to her pending meeting.

The court noted that the survivor followed the defendant to get a flask for the food purchase, and he led her to the office.

“When they got inside, the defendant said he no longer wanted food but needed help marking some examination scripts. She added that the defendant went outside, returned, and locked the passage gate and office door.”

She said that the defendant asked if she had a boyfriend, to which she said no.

He suddenly pushed me down the plastic chair I was sitting on, overpowered me and forcefully removed my trousers. I was menstruating at the time, and he removed my sanitary pad and had forceful sexual intercourse with me.

The survivor said that after they had sex with her, the defendant said: “What you refused to give me willingly, I have taken by force.”

The defendant, in his account, told the court that on October 11, 2021, he came to the college to record and submit a script and that he met the survivor on reaching the gate, who offered to help him carry his bag.

He asked her if she could help record scores, to which she agreed. She informed him that she had a meeting.

The defendant told the court that he asked the survivor for a relationship while inside his office, and she accepted. He explained that the relationship meant was,

“To be together, to talk, relate with one another, but not for sexual relationship. He denied rapping the survivor.

His counsel, Dr G.O. Erenta, told the court to discharge and acquit the defendant as the evidence of the survivor was fictitious and no corroborating evidence was established.

But the judge held that the testimonies of the survivor corroborated with that of the legal practitioner and that of the IPO.

One personnel member died, and an unidentified number of civilians were wounded in a clash that erupted between some civilians and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Kaduna.

NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday.

He said the clash occurred on Wednesday, February 26, at Unguwan Gangare, Barakallahu, Kaduna State, but didn’t give details of what led to the clash.

According to the NAF spokesman, the wounded civilians had been conveyed to 461 NAF Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.

AVM Akinboyewa said the NAF had begun a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident, and any personnel found culpable would face the full weight of the law “in line with our commitment to justice and accountability.”

He said: “Additionally, we deeply regret the loss of a life and have reached out to the family of the deceased to express our condolences and assure them of a thorough investigation and justice.

“The NAF remains a highly disciplined and professional force committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct in all engagements.

“A full investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident is already underway. Any personnel found culpable will face the full weight of the law in line with our commitment to justice and accountability.”

The NAF spokesman urged the public to remain calm as the service works “diligently to ascertain the facts and ensure that appropriate actions are taken.”

The National Executive Committee, NEC, of the All Progressives Congress has ratified the zoning of chairmanship of the party to the North west.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the end of the NEC meeting.

Morka said: “The NEc has ratified the zoning of national chairmanship position to the North West.”

The position was initially zoned to the North Central, which gave Senator Abdulahi Adamu the chance to emerge as the chairman of the party.

However, internal party crisis led to the resignation of Adamu and the former National Secretary of the party, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

After the duo were forced to resign, the former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdulahi Adamu emerged as the chairman and Senator Ajibola Basiru as the Secretary.

Morka also revealed that NEC constituted a-seven member committee to be chaired by the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni and was assigned with the task of bringing more members into the NEC of the party