Author: Iduozee Efe Paul

Edo State House of Assembly has commenced an investigation into the operations and funding of the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA), a project initiated by the immediate past administration. The ad-hoc committee leading the probe began its fact-finding hearing on Thursday in Benin City, offering stakeholders the opportunity to present evidence and clarify their roles. Appearing before the committee, MOWAA’s representative, Olayiwola Afolabi SAN, requested additional time to study documents submitted by his client. The Managing Director of EdoGIS, Tony Ikpasaja, testified that 4.6 hectares of land initially allocated for the Central Hospital were later ceded to MOWAA. He…

Luck favoured two brothers who were abducted by kidnappers along the Adughe-Imoga Road by kidnappers on November 8 have regained their freedom. The brothers, identified as Isaac and Victor Olayere, were taken into the bush as soon as they were kidnapped in Uma/Imoga, into confusion as the kidnappers demanded N22m ransom. While the community was still at a loss over how to raise the ransom, the brother called their father with an unknown number, telling him they had escaped from the kidnappers’ den. The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, revealed this to our correspondent on Monday during a…

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has said that the immediate past administration in Edo State, attempted to mortgage the heritage of the Benin Throne by secretly twisting Benin Royal Museum project into the Museum Of West African Art (MOWAA). Oba Ewuare II, who stated this while playing host to the European Union Envoys who were on a courtesy visit to the Oba on Monday in Benin, alleged that the actions of the former administration mirrored the 1897 invasion of the Benin Kingdom. According to the monarch, Obaseki’s administration allegedly collected funds from international donors, including the German Government,…

Unknown gunmen on Friday, 5 December , 2025 have killed Police Inspector during a routine stop-and-search operation along the busy Ugbowo–Lagos Road, near Ekosodin Junction. The incident, which occurred around midday, reportedly led to a brief exchange of gunfire between the assailants and other police operatives on duty in the area. According to an eyewitnesses said the attackers drove a black Lexus RX jeep from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) main gate axis and attempted to evade the routine security checks mounted by officers. The source further narrated that after passing the first checkpoint, the occupants of the vehicle allegedly…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has relieved Mr. Fred Itua of his appointment as Chief Press Secretary (CPS). Governor Okpebholo replaced Itua with Dr. Ebojele Akhere Patrick. Dr. Ebojele would take over from Fred Itua. A statement by Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, which announced Ebojele’s appointment, was silent on the next role for Itua. It described Dr. Ebojele as a renowned journalist, public administrator, researcher, and lecturer with an extensive and distinguished professional record in media practice, public affairs, and academia. The statement said the new appointment reflected commitment of the present administration to strengthen and deepen…

The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chief Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku, has summoned the Member representing Egor Constituency, Hon. Natasha Osawaru, to appear before the Standing Committee on Ethics and Privileges within one week. The summons follows a trending viral video linked to her, which the Speaker noted has brought embarrassment to the 8th Assembly. He made this announcement during Tuesday’s plenary session, directing the Committee to investigate the matter and submit its report to the House within two weeks. In a related development, the Assembly received a letter from the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA)…

Edo State government has removed Tony Ikpasaja as the Managing Director of the Edo Geographic Information Service (EDO GIS). The announcement, which was issued late Tuesday 25, November by Secretary to the State Government Umar Muhir, frames the dismissal as part of an “ongoing effort to restructure and reposition EDO GIS for optimal efficiency, improved service delivery, and enhanced institutional performance.” The move directs the agency’s most senior officer to assume acting duties pending the appointment of a substantive replacement. It happened just one day after a firestorm erupted over a purported government notice revoking the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O)…

The Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has successfully dislodged criminal hideouts, rescued kidnapped victims, and arrested 70 suspects during an intensive clearance operation at Okpella, in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. According to a statement by CSC Afolabi Babawale, National Public Relations Officer, NSCDC Headquarters, Abuja, the operation was launched following the directive of the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to neutralize criminal networks responsible for kidnappings, rape, and other violent crimes in the area. Speaking on the operation, the Commandant of the CG’s SIS,…

…Disrupt Exams Amid Ongoing Strike There was chaos at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) on Monday as members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Benin chapter, stormed various examination halls and forced an immediate halt to all ongoing examinations. The move followed the national directive of the union to commence a two-week warning strike effective immediately. Students who were in the middle of their semester examinations were left stranded and confused as lecturers abruptly stopped the process and walked out of the venues. One of the affected students who spoke to the media under condition of…

The police in Edo State have commenced investigation into the viral video in which an activist, Comrade Okhai Okhani, was shown being violently assaulted by some vigilantes in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state. The involvement of the police was confirmed by Edo State Police Public Relations officer, Moses Iyamu. The disturbing video had shown Comrade Okhani, Coordinator of Edo North Unity Worldwide, being violently assaulted by the armed vigilantes. The activist, currently in critical condition at an undisclosed hospital, has called on the police, army, Directorate of State Services, and the Edo State government to investigate…