Author: Iduozee Efe Paul

The immediate-past Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has denied leaving behind a debt of N600 billion and has asked the Monday Okpehbolo-led administration to crosscheck with the Debt Management Office (DMO) before coming out with unfounded information.” The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, had in Benin claimed that the immediate past administration in the state left a whooping ₦600 billion debt. Reacting to Afegbua’s claim via video call, Obaseki’s Media Adviser, Crusoe Osagie, challenged the current administration in the state to visit the DMO to see whether Edo drew such debt. Crusoe, who said no…

Suspected cannabis (Indian Hemp) farmers and traffickers have attacked a team of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Nigerian Army personnel in Ukpuje town, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, a community notorious for cannabis cultivation. According to a statement issued by Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the team came under heavy attack from the local cultivators who ambushed them, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. Ofoyeju who commended the bravery of his officers and the army personnel involved, noted that the operation in Ukpuje underscores the ongoing collaboration between law enforcement agencies to…

The Benin High Court presided over by Justice Rita Irele-Ifijeh has adjourned the cyberstalking case against Paul Okungbowa, the Young People’s Party (YPP) governorship candidate in the last governorship election in Edo State after he and his lawyer failed to appear in court. When the matter was called, E.E. Ageloisa announced appearance as watching the brief of the nominal complainant, while Paul Okungbowa was absent and unrepresented. He applied that hearing notice be served on the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the defendant to enable the substantive state counsel to make the necessary application on the…

The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the proposed salary increment by the federal government, describing it as a mere drop in the ocean. The Benin Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen, stated that poor pay for lecturers was hindering the desired reversal of the brain drain syndrome currently bedevilling the university education in Nigeria. Igbafen said in a press statement issued in Benin that it was sad that the federal government has demonstrated a clear unwillingness to quickly and holistically resolve all the outstanding issues. He said the federal government should…

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)…