Author: Iduozee Efe Paul

A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Ogbia Local Government Council area has sentenced a dead man, Believe Leisure and three other kidnappers of the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon. Federal Otokito in 2022 to 40 years’ imprisonment. The Court, presided over by Justice S.W. Amaduobogha, declared that Kingsley Obhesi, 24, Joshua Abi, 32, Gift Damene, 38 and Powell Inegite, 36y were guilty as charged on conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms. The convicted persons were arrested by operatives of the Operation Puff Adder Unit, Bayelsa Police Command led by Supol Chris Nwaogbo. They were believed to…

The Federal Government in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is conducting a joint supervision mission for the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project in Ondo State. This initiative, aimed at creating employment opportunities for youths and women in the Niger Delta, has made significant strides in the agricultural sector over the past five years. The LIFE-ND Project employs an incubation model, where unemployed youths interested in agriculture are trained by experienced master trainers who are experts in various agricultural commodity value chains. The project focuses on…

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) has asked Governor Godwin Obaseki to explain what the state government wants to do with the Central Hospital, Benin City. The CSO made the demand in a statement it issued after its General Assembly in Benin City over the weekend. The demand was made against speculations that the Obaseki administration planned to shut down the hospital. Obaseki had a few years ago demolished the Edo Central Hospital located in the centre of Benin City and relocated various units of the hospital to different hospitals and sister agencies, and thereafter started construction of a museum on…

Some aggrieved Students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma recently took to the streets to protest what they described as some obnoxious policies of the authorities. During the protest which started as early as 6am, academic and administrative activities were disrupted at the Edo State-owned institution. The main gate of the university along the Benin-Auchi Road was locked by the protesting students against the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sonnie Adagbonyin and other staff. Both staff and visitors were stranded as a result. Academic and administrative activities were also grounded a day earlier at the institution’s College of Medicine following a…

The Edo State Government has said that the ban on the activities of Okaigheles (youth leaders) in the Edo South Senatorial District has not been revoked. The government said the Okaigheles were cultists who posed serious threat to the security and stability of the state. The Palace of the Oba of Benin had rejected the decision of Edo State Government to ban the youth leaders in the seven local government areas that make up the Edo South Senatorial District. A statement by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said that the government is not rescinding the ban on…

Edo State Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Mr. Olumide Akpata, has alleged that Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and Edo Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were behind the destruction of his campaign billboards in the Benin metropolis. At a press conference in Benin City, Akpata said you cannot rule out the fact that some persons in the state are taking advantage of the impasse rocking the party to perpetrate what he tagged as “heinous crime,” saying, “We (LP) are being targeted, and we must resist it.” Akpata alleged that the Obaseki-led PDP in the state colluded with some LGA chairmen…

Traders under the umbrella of Ekiosa Market Traders Association, have protested the price hike of food produces, and called on governments and relevant authorities to come to their rescue. The protesters complained against the activities of ‘evil middlemen and women’, which they said were causing price hike and artificial scarcity in Benin markets. They also protested against the neglect of their market (Ekiosa Market) by concerned authorities, which got burnt in 2019. The protesters’ placards had the inscriptions: ‘evil union in Edo market are responsible for hike in food;’ ‘Edo people say no to evil union in our market;’ Edo…

Federation Cup defending champions Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin have bowed out of the 2024 President Federation Cup after losing 2-0 to NNL side Wikki Tourists of Bauchi. Second half goals from Promise Damala (68) and Owolabi Aremu’s 94th minute dresser made it a convincing win for the Tourists and end of the road for the Benin Arsenals. Damala struck with a clinical free-kick that went straight into the net to give the Bauchi side the lead. It was when the coach Monday Odigie-led Benin Arsenals attempted to get an equalizer that Owolabi Aremu got the second goal to…

The Benin Monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of encouraging crime and criminality. The Oba stated this when he received the newly deployed Benin Zonal Director of EFCC, Mr. Effa Okim, in his Palace in Benin City, Edo State. In a statement signed by Osaigbovo Iguobnaro, Chief Press Secretary to the Oba and made available to newsmen, the monarch cited a particular criminal case involving unnamed former palace officials who were arrested for alleged fraud and handed over to EFCC in Benin City for investigation and prosecution. According…

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has assured party leaders and security agencies in Edo State that the outcome of the September 21 governorship election would reflect the people’s choice. Yakubu who gave the assurance at a stakeholders meeting in Benin City, however, said the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) will not be extended beyond the 10 days allocated to it despite calls for its extension. The meeting had in attendance leaders of various political parties and heads of the Police, Army, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Yakubu said that…