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Oyebode charges Ekiti Journalists on Developmental Journalism

…..Unveils Oyebanji’s ambitious Projects for Ekiti in 2024

The administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji has reaffirmed its commitment to continue to involve various stakeholders, including the citizens , unions, civil society organizations, community leaders, and critical sectors in the governance of the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Mr. Yinka Oyebode made the declaration during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State council.

Expressing gratitude to the union for its crucial role in disseminating information about government programs and policies, Oyebode seized the opportunity to announce the administration’s plans for 2024, noting that government was committed to executing projects with a direct impact on citizens, citing examples from the administration’s performance in the last fifteen months.

He said the administration is set to achieve double of what it achieved last year in the areas of infrastructure upgrade, socio economic development, general welfare, wellbeing and safety of the people, having successfully laid a solid foundation for its shared prosperity agenda.

Highlighting the importance of journalism as the fourth estate of the realm, the Special Adviser urged journalists in Ekiti State to embrace developmental journalism.

He called for a collective effort to maintain the integrity of the profession and urged the new NUJ executives to passionately defend the rights of their members.

Oyebode assured the union of the government’s continuous support, urging journalists not to relent in their fundamental roles of educating and enlightening the citizens as well as offering constructive criticism.

Responding, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, lauded the various initiatives and ongoing support for the union and its members from the government.

He acknowledged the Special Adviser’s significant contributions to the media industry, emphasizing his role in building, mentoring, and creating opportunities for journalists and young media professionals, hence the union’s decision to name a legacy project after Mr. Oyebode.

Commending Governor Oyebanji’s efforts in ensuring the welfare of journalists, Babatuyi pledged that the union will continue projecting the activities and policies of the government while maintaining a vigilant stance to keep the administration accountable.

The NUJ chairman assured that the union would play its part in contributing to the overall development and success of Ekiti State.

News

Court denies Yayaha Bello bail

Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has dismissed the bail application filed by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who is being tried for an alleged N110 billion fraud.

In her ruling, the judge held that Bello’s bail application was premature and incompetent as he filed it when he had not yet surrendered himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The however, admitted Bello’s alleged co-accomplice Umar Oricha, to bail in the sum of N300million with two sureties in the like sum.

In her ruling on Bello’s application, the judge said the former Kogi governor was only making an attempt to invoke the jurisdiction of the court too early.

She said, “Consequently, the instant application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused.”

The 16-count charge preferred against Bello has to do with conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and possession of unlawfully obtained property.

He is alleged have used state funds to illegally acquire properties, at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja , No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja, among many others.

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Man arraigned for unlawful possession of human skull

A 52-year-old man, Akeem Rasheed, has appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, for alleged unlawful possession of a human skull.

The defendant who resides at Jegede area, Ibadan, was charged with two counts of improper interference with dead body and unlawful possession of human skull.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him by the police.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. David Adepoju, told the court that on Oct. 11, at 1.00 a.m., at Jegede Estate, Odeyale area, Ibadan, Rasheed improperly interfered with a dead human body.

He said that the defendant allegedly exhumed a corpse from its grave, removed the skull and burnt it.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendant burnt the human skull into ashes for spiritual purposes.

He said the offences contravened Section 242 (1) (b) and 352(A) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Ogunkanmi said one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant.

She , thereafter, adjourned the case until May 5, 2025 for hearing.

NAN

News

EFCC Arrests 22 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Abia State

Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC, have arrested twenty-two suspected (22) internet fraudsters.

They were arrested on Friday, December 6, 2024 at Umuagu and Olokoro in Abia state in a sting operation.

Items recovered from them include six exotic cars, eight laptops and 36 mobile phones.

They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.