Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Category: South West

  • DSS apprehends alleged vote buyer in Ondo

    DSS apprehends alleged vote buyer in Ondo

    The Department of State Security (DSS) has apprehended an alleged vote buyer in possession of two “Ghana must go bags” believed to contain stacks of cash.

    The unidentified man has been taken into custody by the DSS officers on site.

    This was contained in a video on Channel’s X handle on Saturday, November 16.

    The suspect was apprehended with two bags of cash believed to be intended for bribing voters during the election. 

    He was arrested at Ward 4, Polling Unit 007, near St. Stephen’s Primary School in Akure, Ondo State on election day.

  • EFCC Rejects Sanwo-Olu’s Legal Challenge Over Alleged Arrest Plans

    EFCC Rejects Sanwo-Olu’s Legal Challenge Over Alleged Arrest Plans

    The guilty is always afraid. That explains the current judicial play being simulated by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against any future trial in the event that any evidence of stealing is found against him.

    According to the Nigerian constitution state governors and the president of the country are immune from criminal prosecution while in office.

    Further to this however, Mr. Sanwo-Olu has sued the EFCC to insist that even if evidences of stealing are found against him, he should not be tried for the theft after his term of office.

    Miffed by this affront on the performance of its duties, the EFCC has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss the case filed by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which challenges potential investigations and arrest plans after his tenure. 

    The anti-corruption body described the governor’s claims as speculative, arguing that they lack legal merit.

    Sanwo-Olu, in his lawsuit, sought several declarations to protect his fundamental rights. 

    Among his requests, he asked the court to affirm his right to privacy and prevent any perceived harassment or intimidation by the EFCC during or after his term as governor. 

    He alleged that political opponents might use the agency to orchestrate his arrest based on unfounded corruption allegations.

    In its response, the EFCC maintained that no investigation or arrest threats had been made against Sanwo-Olu. 

    The agency clarified that it follows due process in all cases, using official channels for communication and investigation. The EFCC further argued that Sanwo-Olu’s concerns are hypothetical and intended to mislead the court.

    The case, initially filed in June, was updated on October 31. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik has scheduled the next hearing for November 26. 

    There are indications that the suit may be withdrawn before the adjourned date.

  • INEC Prepares for Ondo Governorship Poll with Mock Accreditation  

    INEC Prepares for Ondo Governorship Poll with Mock Accreditation  

    Embarking on the same hollow ritual, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified preparations for the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State by conducting a mock accreditation exercise. 

    The exercise, held on Wednesday, aimed to test the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).  

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, alongside the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, led the monitoring team across several local government areas, including Akure South, Akure North, and Idanre.  

    During the exercise, BVAS machines were deployed to polling units where eligible voters underwent facial recognition and other verification processes. 

    The test was conducted to ensure that the machines would function efficiently on election day.  

    With sensitive materials expected to arrive on November 14, INEC reassured the public of its readiness to conduct a smooth and transparent election. 

    The commission urged stakeholders, including political parties and candidates, to maintain peace and cooperate fully.  

    The mock accreditation exercise has been widely regarded as a critical step toward ensuring a seamless voting experience in Ondo State.

  • Ondo Guber: Police cautions against fake news

    Ondo Guber: Police cautions against fake news

    The police in Ondo have warned fake news purveyors and other mischief makers ahead of the state’s November 16 off-cycle governorship election.

    The police stated that such action could cause a breakdown of law and order as the state prepared for the gubernatorial election.

    “The police command emphasises the importance of verifying information before sharing or reposting, as constructive engagement is essential for fostering a peaceful environment during this pivotal time in the history of the state,” the police said in a statement by its spokesperson Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya.

    The police said it had observed two trending old videos and misleading content being shared with intent to incite unrest and violence.

    While explaining that one of the videos depicting flooding in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, was “irresponsibly circulated”, the police added that the action also threatened the integrity of democracy and could deprive the political parties of a level-playing field in the forthcoming election.

    “Such actions are not only misleading but pose significant risks, especially during this crucial electoral period, as the spread of misinformation can undermine public trust, incite violence, jeopardise public safety, and threaten the integrity of our democracy—ultimately depriving the people of a level playing field for the exercise of their civic rights and responsibilities.

    “In a similar event, a story alleging the amputation of fingers from a corpse at a mortuary in Ajowa-Akoko was found to be false, as confirmed by the divisional police officer who visited the morgue,” the police said.

    The police urged the electorate to remain critical of the information they encounter and distance themselves from those who seek to exploit the current situation for personal gain.

    “Finally, while assuring the citizens of the force’s readiness, in collaboration with sister security and safety agencies, to ensure free, fair, and safe elections, the commissioner of police, CP Abayomi Oladipo Peter, wishes to state that the command under his watch will not stand idly by while agents of calumny operate,” it added.

    The police stressed that they would not hesitate to respond appropriately and within the law to threats to the peace of the election.

    Eighteen political parties have fielded gubernatorial candidates for the upcoming election.

  • Minimum Wage: Lagos Approves N85,000

    Minimum Wage: Lagos Approves N85,000

    The governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwoolu has approved N85,000 as minimum wage for civil servants in the state.

    This is in line with the federal government’s approval of N70,000 as minimum wage in Nigeria.

    Governor Sanwoolu made this announcement on Channels TV last night in an interview session.

    This move comes as a great relief to workers with the Lagos state government as it goes a long way to ameliorate the current spiraling inflation and cost of living crisis.

    While announcing the new wage, the governor cautioned that this should not be misconstrued as competing with any state government but a reflection of the socioeconomic realities of Lagos state.

  • Ijesa Development Council to Empower Youths with Vocational & Entrepreneurship Skills.

    Ijesa Development Council to Empower Youths with Vocational & Entrepreneurship Skills.

    Relief may soon come to the youth of Ijesha, Osun State as Ijesa Development Council, the umbrella development organization for Ijesaland launches an empowerment programme.

    Touted as the multimillion naira Ijesa Vocational & Entrepreneurship Training Pogram ( IVETP) is designed to benefit the youth and Ijesha-affiliated organisations.

    In a release, Mr. Supo Shadiya, the President of the Ijesha Development Council organization Mr. Supo Shadiya invites interested and eligible Ijesa-affiliated organizations to submit expressions of interest in form of a three page pre-proposal for grant fund under the IVETP.

    The IVETP is a culmination of extensive analysis by a committee of experts, of the skill gaps in the core components of the local Ijesaland economy, of the institutional capacity to deliver training in the identified domains and of the challenges facing youths in Ijesaland.

    The IVETP will be implemented via a block grant model to eligible institutions with the capacity to deliver training in the identified core vocational and entrepreneurship domains.

    The call for preproposal was launched about a month ago and has now been extended for an additional month with a new date of October 31st, 2024, notes Dr. Adewale Alonge, a member of the IVETP planning and steering committee.

    Eligible entities for the IVETP Grant award comprise post-secondary educational institutions, training providers, trade organizations, non-profit entities, socio-cultural associations, community development clubs, and local chambers of commerce.

    Pre-proposals must be concise (maximum three double-spaced pages) and demonstrate a compelling rationale for IVETP funding.

    Graphic Illustration of Preproposal

    Evaluation criteria include demonstrated organizational capacity and resources (cost -sharing), post-training job placement and enterprise start-up support, focus on IDC identified vocational domains, and spread of training locations across the six Ijesa LGAs.

    The pre-proposals will be evaluated by a team of experts and professors on the basis of capability and willingness to participate in the training partnership, the relevance of proposed training types, the location of training and the resource profile of the organization.

    Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit full proposals for grant consideration.

  • Floods Ravage University of Ibadan, Destroys Students’ Properties 

    Floods Ravage University of Ibadan, Destroys Students’ Properties 

    Flood wreaks havoc at the University of Ibadan, leaving several hostels submerged, destroying students’ belongings. 

    The Awo Hostel, particularly the underground rooms, is most severely impacted, with about 16 rooms completely submerged. 

    Personal items such as documents, books, and foodstuffs were lost as the floodwaters surged through the students’ living spaces. 

    Some students, who were away for exams, returned to find their properties destroyed, including valuable electronics like laptops.

    The affected students have made attempts to salvage what they can, but videos from the scene reveal the extent of the damage, showing items floating in the water and entire rooms, toilets, and kitchens inundated. 

    The flooding has not only caused significant property loss but also left students stranded and struggling to find basic necessities. 

    This marks the third occurrence of flooding at the institution, but it is the first time students’ rooms have been affected to this degree.

  • 10 Killed In Lagos Road Accident As Commercial Bus Crashes Into Stationary Truck

    10 Killed In Lagos Road Accident As Commercial Bus Crashes Into Stationary Truck

    Tragedy struck in the early hours of Wednesday along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway when a commercial bus ran into a stationary truck, killing 10 passengers, including three children.
    The accident occurred near Abule-Osun, heading towards Iyana-Iba.
    Three passengers miraculously survived the crash and were immediately rushed to the hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.
    The incident reportedly took place at around 2:15 a.m. on October 2, 2024.
    An eyewitness, Anthony Ogah, recounted the heartbreaking event, explaining that the bus, a Toyota Sienna with registration number BDG 342 FS, was fully loaded with passengers travelling from the eastern part of Nigeria.
    The bus, allegedly speeding, rammed into the back of a parked SHACMAN truck that had no visible registration number.
    The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, confirmed that excessive speeding was a primary factor in the fatal accident.
    “Further investigations revealed that the truck, which was laden with granite, was parked on the road shutting down about half of the carriageway, while the Toyota Sienna on top speed, unknowingly crashed into the parked truck from behind.
    “Unfortunately,10 passengers lost their lives to the unfortunate incident, while three were critically injured.
    “One out of the two initial surviving female adults of the crash later died. The dead passengers include; three male adults, four female adults, two female children and one male child.
    “The female adult, and the two rescued children, fortunately, survived the crash after receiving immediate medical attention from Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS at the incident scene before they were subsequently, taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja for further treatment.
    “Emergency responders, including LASEMA and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, promptly rescued the injured passengers,” Oke-Osanyitolu stated.
    Emergency responders, including personnel from LASEMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Nigerian Police, and the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), quickly arrived at the scene to manage the situation.
    SEHMU officials evacuated the bodies of the victims to the mortuary.
  • Nigerian soldier allegedly kills NSCDC officer in Oyo nightclub fight

    Nigerian soldier allegedly kills NSCDC officer in Oyo nightclub fight

    A Nigerian Army personnel identified as Abubakar has reportedly killed Olapade Segun, an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
    The incident occurred, after an altercation had ensued between the two men at a nightclub in the Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
    The incident occurred on Sunday after a confrontation between the two men, who had met at the same venue days earlier.
    According to eyewitness accounts, the dispute escalated when Abubakar brandished a dagger and fatally stabbed Segun.
    The NSCDC officer succumbed to severe blood loss before medical help could reach him.
    Following the incident, an angry mob attempted to deliver justice by severely beating the soldier as he tried to flee the scene.
    However, he was eventually rescued by fellow soldiers who arrived to disperse the crowd.
  • Sanwo-Olu reopens rehabilitated Ojota-Maryland link bridge

    Sanwo-Olu reopens rehabilitated Ojota-Maryland link bridge

    Governo Babajide Sanwo-Olu reopened the rehabilitated Odo Iya Alaro (Ojota-Maryland link) bridge on Monday, marking a significant step toward easing persistent gridlocks in the area.
    Mr Sanwo-Olu said the rehabilitation aligned with the administration’s commitment to ensuring adequate traffic management and ease of transportation.
    The governor urged citizens to take responsibility for protecting the infrastructure.
    Mr Sanwo-Olu warned against removing newly installed manhole covers, threatening prosecution for those caught doing so. He explained that the new manholes were made of fibre.
    “The newly replaced manholes are now made of fibres and not metals, so this makes them useless to whoever takes them. Let the manholes be. They are there to protect human beings so that they do not fall off the bridge.
    “They are there for safety. Anyone caught removing the manholes from the bridge will be prosecuted,” said the governor.
    The governor commended stakeholders involved in the project’s early completion, which took 54 days instead of the planned 90 days.
    Olufemi Daramola, the governor’s special adviser on infrastructure, explained that the rehabilitation included installing new expansion joints and remedial works, making the bridge motorable and ready for use.
    “The project was completed ahead of schedule to ease the suffering of road users in the corridor,” stated Mr Daramola. “The rehabilitation of the Odo Iya Alaro Bridge is a significant step towards improving traffic management and transportation in Lagos state.”