Edo Govt Dislodge Land Grabbers On Irhirhi-Obazagbon-Ogheghe Communities

By The9JaTREND

The Edo State Government has dislodged land-grabbers along the Irhirhi-Obazagbon-Ogheghe axis of GRA., Benin City to make room for the development of a new town project.

The affected area is a land measuring 1229 hectares along the Irhirhi-Obazagbon-Ogheghe Road, Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo State.

The land was acquired in 2017 for the new town project but had been encroached upon by land speculators. The area repossessed used to be the Ogba Forest Reserve at the time of the acquisition.

The repossession exercise is part of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s renewed campaign against land-grabbing in the state, aimed at restoring sanity in land administration in the state.

You will recall that a curfew was declared in the area for 24 hours starting from 12am, September 29 to 12am September 30, 2022 in the Obazagbon-Ogheghe axis of the Irhirhi-Obazagbon-Ogheghe Road to make way for this exercise.

On the operation in the communities, government officials entered the area at about 3.00am this morning with the full complement of security personnel. The area was repossessed with no casualty. The exercise is going on peacefully.

The government has taken over all the buildings within the Ogba River Forest Reserve and is removing all buildings, except for those it may use as offices. We thank all security agencies, members of the affected communities, the general public and the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved with the exercise for their cooperation.

For the records, the land was acquired in July, 2017 was duly gazetted. The government had tried severally to engage the four communities involved but they have always rebuffed the government. The hostilities and widespread encroachment have made it difficult to enumerate and commence compensation assessments.

Once the repossession is completed, enumeration will commence and payment will be made to the rightful occupants who were there prior to the acquisitions.

Total structures marked today are 106 and 24 will not be demolished. The others are being demolished and the perimeter of the site is being trenched.

This is an ongoing operation and we will continue to provide you updates as the days go by.

NFF Election: Paul Yusuf Demands Explanation For Disqualification

                      Paul Yusuf

By The9JTREND

As the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) election holds tomorrow (Friday, September 30, 2022 in Benin City, one of the presidential aspirants Paul Yusuf, from Plateau State (North Central Zone) has demanded an explanation from the NFF Electoral Committee over his disqualification from the electoral process.

The NFF Electoral Committee was reported to have disqualified Paul Yusuf for what they called invalid nomination from his constituent Football Association (Plateau State FA).

Speaking to Sports Reporters at the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State capital, the aggrieved aspirant, Canadian based Ex-International said, he was surprised that his name was omitted from the cleared list of aspirants without any correspondence regarding the NFF Electoral Committee decision.

According to him: "I am in Benin City for the NFF election which is expected to hold tomorrow, (30^th September,) and my name is not on the cleared candidate list. If I am disqualified, the reason for it should be made known to me. Up till now, no body in the NFF Electoral Committee has called to tell me why I was disqualified and I need an explanation. They can't knock me out of the contest without given reasons for it.

“I paid to enter the contest and I feel it is natural reasons for disqualification is given. As a matter of fact, I followed the process as contained in the booklet they gave to me. I want an explanation to why I was disqualified so as not to make similar mistake in the future” he reacted, adding that his visit to the NFF electoral committee secretariat to get explanation did not yield any results as the place was deserted.

The former goalkeeper of Bendel Insurance FC, El-Kanemi Warriors, Enyimba FC and Rangers International vowed to drag the Aikhunegire Anthony Malik NFF electoral Committee to any length in seeking redress.

All efforts by our reporter to reach the chairman of the NFF Electoral Committee Aikhunegire Anthony  Mark and his committee members proved abortive as at the time of filing in this report.

I Will Negotiate With Agitators As President, Not Bandits, Says Peter Obi

Mr. Peter Obi

Labour Party Presidential Candidate

The9JaTREND

Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi has ruled out dialogue with bandits and other criminal elements terrorizing Nigeria.

Obi who appeared on Arise TV’s ‘Prime Time’ monitored by The9JaTREND said he will only dialogue with agitators when he takes on the nation’s top job come 2023.

 

“For those who are agitating, and disagreeing, you first start by dialogue. No matter who they are, I will chat with everybody so that you will know when to pitch a line and say we’ve tried this and it’s not working,” he said.

According to Labour Party Presidential candidate, when asked if he would dialogue with bandits, he said “they are not among people I will discuss with”.

“Bandits are bandits, criminals are criminals. I’m going to deal with it decisively,” he said.

 “Those who want to be discussed with will be discussed with. Those who are agitating, those who feel unhappy, my job is to bring them to the table.”

Speaking further on the issue on insecurity and his broader plan of restructuring Nigeria, Mr. Obi said there is a need to restructure the country but added that constitutional restructuring will take time.

“We need to restructure the country; it is for the good of the country. It will be constitutional restructuring but that will take time. There’s one you need to deal with. You don’t need to wait for that kind of restructure before pulling people out of poverty,” he said.

“To deal with issues of security, you don’t need to wait for constitutional restructuring. Those ones will happen and it for the interests of the whole nation,” he added.

Political parties officially kicked off their campaigns on Wednesday, September 28^th, 2022, ahead of the 2023 General Election.

Members of the LP kick started their campaign activities with a Mega Rally in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Edos In Diaspora Hail Edo Govt Support For MSMEs At Webinar Programme

...Extol Hon. Braimoh for transforming status of local MSMEs

              Hon. Afie Braimoh

        Edo State Commissioner of 

  Business, Trade  and Cooperatives

By The9JaTREND

Edo State Commissioner of Business, Trade  and Cooperatives, Hon. Afie Braimoh shone like a million stars as participants at a Webinar Programme poured encomium on her on the dexterity exhibited so far in the promotion of the local MSME's.

Hon. Afie, as she's fondly called, was the special guest at the 9th session of the Talk to the People webinar series, with the theme: "MSME Development: A Vehicle for Achieving Economic Revolution in Edo State".

Hon. Afie had used the platform provided by the webinar series to give an account of her stewardship as well as the detailed analysis of the giant strides recorded by her ministry in the drive to promote and reposition the local MSME's for improved productivity, citing as an example, the series of training conducted in collaboration with its development partners like the German GIZ, on financial re-engineering, modern management techniques, packaging, branding, and product promotions.

She also shared some insights on the state government's success story in its collaborative efforts with local partners such as the Bank of Industry, BOI, which she noted has contributed significantly to the self-sustenance of the local SME's. 

The participants in the zoom webinar session, the majority of whom were owners of local MSME's, and Edos in diaspora thrilled by her presentations, hailed the hard-working commissioner on her "foresight as well as tenacity" in translating the government's vision into reality.  

A look at some of the messages posted on the social media wall of the programme organizers showed that most of the participants were in total agreement with the submissions. 

A post by one of the participants at the webinar programme reads: "Now I see the importance of building a technology hub as we previously discussed at our very first meeting with you, and I'm optimistic it is feasible in due time with you at the helm of affairs". 

Another of the posts reads: " I admire your humility and simplicity which some think they can take for granted but always end up failing because they do not know that you are like a sturdy engine built to succeed". 

Still another of the posts reads: " Keep up the good work, ma. They will surely be written on the sands of time". 

There were also those that were a bit more direct and blunt. For instance, one of them wrote: "Not mincing words, I can vehemently and categorically assert that Edo State will undoubtedly be grateful to have you on board, having heard from diverse contributors about the successes recorded within the three months of your engagement in the office". 

Then came this particular post that sounded a lot more subtle, personal, and emotional. The post reads: " Kudos, ma! You rock! May God reward your passionate efforts with multiple gains and satisfactions to your soul. 

 Hon Braimoh from reports  has done exceedingly well in office especially with the "feminine touch and firmness" she has brought to bear in the discharge of her responsibilities as a commissioner. 

The public sees her as a perfect fit for the job of transforming the status of local MSME's in the state.

Retract N30 Million Bribery Allegation Against LP Chairman Or We Meet In Court - Comr Kelly Ogbaloi Advises Ms Blessing Agho

By Simeon Osajie

The Edo State Labour Party (LP) Chairman, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi has issued a 7 days ultimatum to one Ms. Blessing Agho who allegedly accused the National Chairman of Labour Party, Barrister Abure Julius of collecting N30 million from Hon. Elizabeth Ativie, former speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.

Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi stated this in a statement signed and made available to Newsmen in Benin City.

According to him, it became necessary to issue the ultimatum after the leadership have carried out their internal investigations to be sure nothing of such took place.

"The write up was maliciously designed and sponsored by opposition parties to drag the party into the mud because of the party popularity in recent times ahead of the 2023 general election," he claimed.

He described the allegations as baseless and unfounded orchestrated by malicious individuals just to gain cheap political points.

"Ms. Blessing Agho has been maligning the name of ourNational Chairman, Barrister Abure Julius of collecting N30 Million from Hon. Elizabeth Ativie. But as a party that believe in the vision of a new Nigeria, we carried out our internal investigations and our  findings revealed the write up was coming from someone who was never a card carrying member of Labour Party.  She now felt that the best way to gain the sympathy of the general public is to chunk out unfounded reports and circulate it on social media."

Mr. Ogbaloi further emphasized that unless she withdraw such statement and tender an apology to the leadership of the  party, she would have multiple litigations bothering on defamation of character to battle with.

He however affirmed the party's position that Hon. Ativie Elizabeth as published by Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) remain the candidate of Labour Party in Orionmwon/Uhunmwonde federal constituency in the forthcoming 2023 National Assembly election.

He furthered called on Mr. Murphy Imasuen to remain a committed member of the party and place the party's interest above personal interest.

In a telephone call by The9JaTREND and her Facebook wall, Ms. Blessing Agho revealed that she no nothing about the alleged N30 Million bribery allegation against the Labour Party National Chairman.

According to her, "They are all over the place explaining the 30million allegations, they should ask Ikponmwosa Ogbonmwan where he got the information from. 

"I expect them by this time to come up with claims to back up their fraudulent act. 

"This is just the beginning. I have not started yet. Goan ask Oshiomhole about Blessing Agho. 

"Nonsense"

BSM Calls For Resignation of LP National/State Chairmen Over Abuse Of Office

…Replacement of Non Party Member with duly elected House of Reps member will be highly resisted

 

By The9JaTREND

The Benin Solidarity Movement, ( BSM), a non-governmental, apolitical and socio cultural group with headquarters in Edo Satate has called for the resignation of the National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure and Edo State Chairman, Comrade Lucky Ogbaloi of Labour Party (LP), over what the group called “Abuse of Office” by imposition Hon. Elizabeth Ativie, former speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly against Hon. Murphy Imasuen  who was duly elected during the substitution primaries, held in Abudu on the 13^th day of July, 2022.

It would be recalled that Hon. Murphy Imasuen was duly given the ticket to run for Orihionmwon/Uhunmwode federal constituency during the substitution primaries, held in Abudu on the 13th, of July, 2022.

The group in a press statement signed by the President-General, Ambassador Curtis Eghosa Ugbo and Secretary, Esohe Adun condemned the decision of the Labour Party National President and the Edo State Chairman, to steal Hon. Murphy Imasuen’s candidacy of the party who emerged victorious during the substitution primaries held in Abuja on the 13^th of July, 2022.

According to Comrade Curtis Eghosa, President of the group and also  a bona-fide member and card carrying member of party, make bold to say that “we do not recognize Hon. Ativie yet as a member of the Labour Party in Edo State chapter talk more of being the House of Representatives candidate for Orihionmwon/Uhunmwode federal constituency. This is laughable, and a mere propaganda.

"We will not allow or tolerate any attempt made by Hon. Elizabelth Ativie to repeat her fraudulent act in Labour Party, as seen in the press statement signed by the APC State Publicity Secretary; Barr. Peter Igbinigie, which reads, in the primary for the Orihionmwon/Uhunmwode federal constituency, Hon Elizabelth Ativie participated, and came a distant third and last in the same election, ably won by Dr. Billy Osawaru."

Part of the statement signed by the APC State Publicity Secretary; Barr. Peter Igbinigie reads, "Our party was thrown into political consternation and aghast, when it was discovered that sooner than the result of the APC primary was released. Hon. Ativie in connivance with her political co-travellers futilely attempted to change the submitted name of Billy Osawaru duly recognized by our party and INEC that monitored the primary with her name.

"An act that is not only an electoral fraud, which is an infraction on the party Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and the Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria1999 as amended, but also a desperate and calculated attempt to bring our chapter of the party to disrepute.

 

"Upon the discovery of this humongous, disturbing and embarrassing acts, which would have earned her a disgraceful political cum criminal trial with its attendance consequences. She quickly embarked on this more destructive political adventure. We boldly say without fear or favour, we will not accept any other candidate except the candidate who participated in the process and guidelines recognized by INEC," he alleged.

With the above submission, the Benin Solidarity Movement, (BSM) opined that the group will resist any attempt to substitute Hon. Murphy Imasuen who was duly given the ticket to run for Orihionmwon/Uhunmwode federal constituency during the substitution primaries, held in Abudu on the 13th, of July 2022 with Hon. Elizabeth Ativie who is not even a card carrying member of labour party, both in the state, local government and at ward levels.

“Any attempt to replace Hon. Imasuen’s name with  Hon. Elizabeth Ativie will be vehemently resisted. You cannot rob Peter to pay Paul.

“Is this how Labour Party wants to change Nigeria? This is not the dream of the national leadership of the party.

“We therefore call on the Presidential Candidate of the party, Mr. Peter Obi, as a matter of urgency do the needful to the rescue of Labour Party from those who do not mean well for Nigerians. This is not the dream of Peter Obi who is well respected by all Nigerians. Enough is enough. The National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure and Edo State chairman, Comrade Lucky Ogbaloi must resign their positions and give way to credible personalities who can pilot the affairs of the party both at the national and state levels.

“It is therefore  unacceptable for a well-organized Labour Party primary in Edo State duly monitored by INEC and at the end of the process, Hon. Murphy Imasuen emerged winner to represent Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde federal constituency in the forthcoming 2023 election. Labour Party is not party with highest bidder. It is not done, we will resist this abnormally. We will take the national chairman and state chairman of the party to court if they refuse to do the needful and obey the decision of the good people of Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde local government areas of Edo State,” the group warned.

The group therefore urged Hon. Elizabeth Ativie to desist from the barbaric act, which the group described would destroy the labour party in Nigeria and Edo state in particular. The group warned the former speaker of the Edo state House of Assembly to stop parading herself as the candidate of labour party.

  

Court Quashes Case Of Conspiracy, Forgery Against Mercy Sheidun, Other

By Simeon Osajie

An Oredo Magistrate court sitting in Benin City on the 16th day of September 2022, has discharged and acquitted one Barrister Mrs. Mercy Sheidun and another following a charge of conspiracy  and forgery brought against them by the Commissioner of Police, Edo state.  

The nominal complainant in the case, one Mr. Ekundayo Sheidun,  while testifying in court by himself and through his witnesses, alleged that the Will of his late father, Engineer Kolawole Sheidun, was forged by Barrister (Mrs) Mercy Sheidun and the 2nd Defendants. 

In a two hours, thirty minutes judgment delivered  by the presiding Magistrate, F.E.N. Igbinosa Esq., (Senior Magistrate, Special Grade) the court, after painstakingly reviewing the evidence on both sides, resolved that the complainant failed to prove the allegations against the defendants in the case and accordingly discharged and acquitted all the Defendants of the offence of conspiracy and forgery of a Will brought against them. 

The case lasted for almost 9 years having been filed in 2013.

Nigerian Man Seeks Justice Over Sudden Wife's Disappearance In Gabon

By Editor

A Nigerian residing in Gabon, Njoku Edmond Uzoma, has accused the Consular Officer, Mr. Godwin Ogbole Okoloho in Nigeria Embassy, Gabon of allegedly holding his wife hostage for a reason best known to him.

This was contained in a statement titled "Complaint Against the Consular Officer Mr. Godwin Ogbole Okoloho in Nigeria Embassy Gabon" for gross human right violation and unprofessional conduct against citizen Njoku Edmond Uzoma, written by Kingsley Akpoguma and made available to newsmen in Benin City.

The letter, addressed to the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission by Akpoguma said Edmond asked his wife to travel to Nigeria so that he can cope in Gabon due to the economy hardship occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic but his wife, in order to stay back in Gabon, met with the Consular who also supported his wife that she cannot travel against her wish.

Akpoguma said that Edmond was later invited by the Consular who told him that his wife needed urgent medical attention which he (Edmond) denied maintaining that his wife was in a perfect health condition.

He said his wife should follow him home but the Consular insisted that she cannot go home with him based on security reason.

He added that his wife was later admitted against his wish.

Akpoguma said Edmond's wife was billed to travel on the 4th of July, 2022 but that as at the moment, he cannot tell where his wife is being kept.

Akpoguma said the Consular has allegedly threatened Edmond that if he doesn't forget about his wife, something bad would happen him.

Reacting via the phone, the Consular Officer, Mr. Godwin Ogbole Okoloho said  that the reporter should write to the Embassy formally hence he seeks for a clarification on allegation of gross misconduct.

52,013 Registered For CVRs In Edo In Eight Months, Says INEC

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Edo State, yesterday, said a total of 52,013 persons registered for the just concluded Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise that took place between the month of June 2021and January 2022 in the state while 32, 465 were successful, 19,548 was dropped due to double registrations amounting to 37 percent of the entire exercise.

Mr. Timidi Wariowei, in charge of Voter's Education, disclosed this during a Media and Stakeholders Summit with the theme: Roadmap to Credible, Transparent and Peaceful Election in Edo State, organized by the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

He said the number dropped after being subjected to Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) where it was discovered that some individuals registered twice.

Wariowei said the figure was one of the least compared to other states where similar thing was done.

Wariowei also said that INEC through their own determine efforts to make elections seamless in the state has created more polling units, increasing it from 2,627 to 4,519.

He further appealed to Journalists in the state to cooperate with the commission to ensure peaceful and credible elections in the state just as he asked them to desist from the temptation of being the ones to announce election results while on election monitoring exercise.

He said a Journalist can quote a figure being displayed by INEC officials at the polling units but cannot declare any candidates winner noting that it is the sole responsibility of INEC to do that.

Speaking also, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro, represented by ACP, Head of Operations of the Command, James Chu, said citizens of the state must check their excesses as they plan towards the forthcoming elections adding that the country belongs us and thus must not set it on fire by their actions.

Earlier, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Festus Alenkhe urged Journalists to be guided by the Electoral Acts and avoid any acts that will jeopardize the country.

He also called on the law enforcement agencies to see Journalists as partners in progress and should not brutalize them while doing their job as the union has an internal mechanism in handling any Journalists that is found wanting.

Alleged Subversion of Justice: Ikhuen- Obo Community Sends SOS To IGP, EDSG, Others

By The9JaTREND

 

The people of Ikhuen-Obo Community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State have cried out seeking quick intervention of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Edo State Government and all other relevant authorities in alleged subversion of Justice.

Chief Priest Efosa Aighobahi and Peter Eze Omorowa on behalf of Ikhuen-Obo Community in a petition through their Solicitors, Trinity Chambers’ made series of criminal allegations, including murder against one ‘Clement Guobadia and his gang’.

According to the petition, Clement Guobadia and two members of his gang were arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police Command.

“The confession of the suspects to the Police implicated some other persons who are providing the dangerous weapons including AK47 with which they carry out their criminal operations”.

On reliable information that the suspects’ cronies were trying to influence outcome of investigation, the people wrote another petition to Force CID, Alagbon, Lagos (Homicide Section) took over the investigation on 29 July, 2022 and were making appreciable progress, it was said.

But bent on obstructing the wheel of Justice, the suspects’ cronies again influenced transfer of the investigation to Force CID, Abuja, on August 29, 2022 and ever since, progress on the investigation has been stalled without any appreciable progress.

“It appears that the obnoxious intention of the allies of the suspects is to hinder and subvert the smooth investigation of the matter at Force CID (Alagbon).”

“Though, the suspects confessed to be in possession of dangerous weapons, no attempt has been made to recover these arms,” the petitioners laments.

“Ever since, attempt has not been made to arrest cronies of the suspects implicated by their confessional statements and reliable evidence against them, they added.

The petitioners noted, that the prevailing situation is a sharp contrast to when Lagos was handling the investigation making appreciable progress  and were already at the verge of going to recover the arms and ammunition including AK47, or arrest those persons implicated in the confessional statements of the suspects.

Expressing more worries, the petitioners pointed out that there was no basis from the beginning to had transferred the investigation  from CID (Alagbon) to Force CID, Abuja as both are of equal status.

 

“The reason for the mischievous efforts of the cronies of the suspects in manipulating the transfer of the case from Force CID, Alagbon to Abuja is to prevent their arrest having been implicated, the petitioners noted.

Hence, the petitioners say they have no faith in Force CID, Abuja to do justice in investigation of the matter.

They therefore passionately appeal, that the Inspector General of Police, (IGP), Edo State Government, and all other relevant authorities should quickly intervene to get the right justice the matter deserves.

“We therefore on behalf of our clients urge the IGP, Edo State Government, to use their good offices to prevail on this matter, so as to attain the appropriate Justice that this matter deserves.

“Our Clients have suffered a lot of damages and calamity as a result of the criminal activities of the suspects,” the petition stated.

The Petition dated 16th September, 22 was signed by Emmanuel C. Okonkwo Esq. and copied: The Hon. Minister of Interior, and Chairman, Police Service Commission, Abuja.