Crime & Court
Oyo: Controversy Deepens Over Alakufo Stool, As Eji-Ogbe Challenges Gov. Makinde’s Choice of Chief Adefisoye
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The lingering controversy surrounding the vacant stool of Alakufo in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State continues to generate tension, as two former friends, Chief Lamidi Taoreed Ayankojo Ololade Adefisoye and Alhaji Olajide Abideen Abimbola, popularly known as Eji Ogbe, remain at loggerheads over who should ascend the throne.
The dispute began in October 2023 when Chief Ololade Adefisoye was announced as the Alakufo-designate through a letter from the Oyo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
The letter, with reference number CB.141/152/40/92A, conveyed the approval of Governor Seyi Makinde for his appointment. It stated: “I wish to refer to the above subject and inform you with pleasure that His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has graciously approved your appointment as the new Baale of Akufo, in Ido Local Government Area with effect from 20th October, 2023.”
However, in a dramatic twist, Alhaji Abideen Abimbola was installed as Alakufo by the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, on December 18, 2023. This development escalated tensions, with both men laying claim to the throne.
Eji Ogbe subsequently filed a lawsuit at the Oyo State High Court 6, Ibadan, challenging Governor Makinde’s decision to appoint Chief Adefisoye as the Alakufo-designate. The suit also joined several other parties, including the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, the Chairman of Ido Local Government, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, and Chief Adefisoye.
Over the weekend, Chief Ololade Adefisoye issued a stern warning to Eji Ogbe, urging him to desist from parading himself as the Alakufo of Akufo.
According to him, the stool was not vacant in November 2023 when Eji Ogbe allegedly manipulated his way to the Olubadan’s palace for installation.
“There is a due process to appoint a part two Oba in Oyo State. It is the State government that appoints part two Obas. I am the one recognised by the Oyo State government. I am the one with documents from the state government,” Chief Adefisoye declared.
He also called on Eji Ogbe to await the court’s verdict, saying, “Alhaji Abideen Abimbola had gone to court to challenge Governor Seyi Makinde and the Oyo State Government. He should patiently wait for the outcome of his legal action.”
Crime & Court
EFCC Chair Warns Greedy Politicians Against Looting LG Funds
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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has issued a stern warning to politicians embezzling local government funds, vowing that they will not be spared by the anti-graft agency.
Olukoyede made this declaration on Wednesday while addressing activists, traditional rulers, and local government officials at the Gombe State Local Government Summit in the North-East state.
His remarks come on the heels of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that granted full financial autonomy to local governments, ensuring direct allocation of funds to the third tier of government. He urged the 774 local government chairmen across Nigeria to utilize the increased financial inflow for strategic developmental projects that will benefit their communities.
“Even though you may have financial autonomy, you must also remember that you don’t have constitutional immunity,” Olukoyede stated. “The application of your resources will be strictly monitored, not only by anti-corruption agencies but also by the state government. It is in the interest of the state government to ensure that local government funds are responsibly and judiciously utilized for developmental projects.”
The EFCC chairman emphasized the need for local government officials to embrace transparency and accountability, noting that effective governance at the grassroots level depends on adherence to financial regulations and public finance management principles.
He further called for the proper functioning of the legislative arm of local governments, lamenting that many council lawmakers fail to carry out their duties. “We have observed that in several areas, the legislative units of the local governments neither sit nor work as required,” he said.
Olukoyede stressed that without a proper system of checks and balances, local government chairmen would continue to act as sole administrators, a situation he described as detrimental to due process and accountability.
“You are not sole administrators; you are local government chairmen,” he reminded them. “To build an accountable system at the local level, we must start with ensuring that council leaders are in tune with laws governing public finance and that they comply fully.”
Crime & Court
Suspended Orile Ifo Monarch Remanded Over Assault Allegations
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The suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, has been remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre following his arraignment before the Ifo Magistrate Court on charges of assault, conspiracy, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The embattled monarch appeared before the court on Tuesday to face a three-count charge filed against him by the Nigeria Police Force, stemming from a viral video that allegedly captured him verbally and physically assaulting an elderly chief in his community, Areola Abraham.
In the widely circulated footage, Oba Ogunjobi was seen berating Chief Abraham, accusing him of conspiracy and issuing threats. The disturbing nature of the video sparked public outrage, prompting law enforcement agencies to take legal action against the suspended ruler.
During the court proceedings, Oba Ogunjobi pleaded not guilty to all charges. However, the presiding magistrate set his bail at ₦5 million, with stringent conditions requiring two sureties, each expected to deposit an additional ₦5 million.
Unable to meet the bail conditions, the traditional ruler was subsequently remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre pending further court hearings.
The case has been adjourned to March 6, allowing both the prosecution and defence time to prepare their arguments.
Legal Reactions and Community Tensions
The remand of the traditional ruler has generated mixed reactions within the Orile Ifo community. While some residents have expressed support for the legal process, others believe the incident should have been resolved through traditional channels.
Meanwhile, legal analysts suggest that the stringent bail conditions reflect the seriousness of the charges against Oba Ogunjobi, emphasizing that the judiciary is keen on ensuring justice is served without interference.
Crime & Court
Businessman Undergoes Surgery to Remove 57 Cocaine Pellets Stuck in Stomach
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A Nigerian businessman, Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe, has undergone an exploratory laparotomy to remove 57 out of 81 cocaine pellets that had been lodged in his stomach for seven days after ingesting them in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, the spokesperson of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Igbokwe was arrested on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos during the inward clearance of passengers arriving on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
A body scan conducted by NDLEA operatives confirmed the presence of illicit substances in his system, leading to his immediate detention for excretion observation.
Failed Beirut Trip Exposed Drug Trafficking Attempt
Investigations revealed that Igbokwe, who claimed to be a clothing trader at Arena Market, Oshodi, Lagos, traveled from Lagos to Addis Ababa on January 22. On January 23, he ingested 81 wraps of cocaine before boarding a flight to Beirut, Lebanon, where he was expected to deliver the consignment in exchange for $3,000.
However, upon arrival in Beirut, Lebanese authorities denied him entry for failing to meet the minimum cash requirement of $2,000, leading to his deportation back to Addis Ababa. While in Ethiopia, he attempted to excrete the illicit drugs but was unsuccessful.
Medical Emergency Leads to Surgery
On January 25, Igbokwe flew back to Lagos with the drugs still inside him but was apprehended by NDLEA officers upon arrival the following day.
After five days in custody, he only expelled 24 pellets, prompting medical intervention at the NDLEA’s medical facility and later at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.
With time running out and worsening health conditions, Igbokwe was admitted for exploratory laparotomy on January 30, following consent from his wife and brother. The surgery successfully removed the remaining 57 pellets of cocaine.
Babafemi confirmed that NDLEA operatives recovered all 81 pellets, weighing 1.943 kilograms, from the suspect.
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