News
Ogun Assembly Impeaches Speaker Over Alleged Embezzlement
The Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, has been impeached by 18 out of 26 members of the State legislative arm.
The speaker’s impeachment was carried out yesterday during the House sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mrs Bolanle Ajayi (APC-Yewa South).
Oluomo, representing Ifo State Constituency was impeached over allegations of gross misconduct, highhandedness, lack of focus and transparency, financial misappropriation and pursuit of selfish interests.
The erstwhile speaker was reportedly at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto Abeokuta attending the swearing-in of customary court judges a few metres away to the assembly complex, Governors Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta when his colleagues moved against him.
The Assembly also elected Oludaisi Elemide (APC-Odeda) as the new speaker.
There were also reports of shootings by some security officers loyal to Oluomo who allegedly tried to stop the impeachment.
Adegoke Awoso (APC-Yewa North 1), moved the motion for the impeachment of Oluomo while it was seconded by Ademola Adeniran, another APC lawmaker representing Sagamu Constituency II.
Adeyanju, popularly called Awoso, had reportedly entered the assembly chamber with the mace in the company of other lawmakers.
Recall that the impeached speaker is standing trial over financial misappropriation of N2bn.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had in September 2022 filed an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and stealing against Oluomo, and three other staff members of the legislative arm.
The charge was filed by the EFFC’s Lagos Head of Legal Monitoring Unit, Rotimi Oyedepo, at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta.
The ex-Speaker had, however, maintained his innocence saying that he would eventually be vindicated of the fraud charges.
Speaking to newsmen after being elected as the new speaker, Elemide said the people of the state should expect the best from him.
“We are law-abiding legislators. We want the world to know that there has been a change in leadership.
“18 members signed for me to be the speaker. People should remain calm. We are in the custody of all the authorities of the house. We are saying that the new leadership will support the governor.
“The governor does not know anything about this impeachment,” he said.
Also speaking to newsmen, Mr Damilola Soneye (APC-Obafemi Owode), noted that the office of the speaker is meant to be first among equals.
“The speaker was impeached due to gross misconduct which includes high handedness, lack of focus and transparency, arrogance and poor leadership style, financial misappropriation and inciting members against themselves,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, also visited the Assembly Complex to ensure law and order.
This is just as Awoso alleged that policemen shot at the tyre of his car while claiming to be searching for guns said to be in his car.
He said “The police shot at my tyre, they said they were searching for arms which a member claimed was in my car and by the time they searched everywhere including the engine, they found nothing. I am embarrassed to have been treated with such disrespect and disdain as if one is a common criminal”.
The Commissioner for police, however, said that he was at the Assembly to ensure law and order.
Alamutu said, “We are here to ensure law and order and we also picked up the information that arms were kept inside one of the cars at the Assembly Complex but it has been searched and nothing of such was found”.
The House has adjourned sitting for a week.
The Clerk and the Deputy Clerk, Mr Deji Adeyemo and Mrs Funmilayo Adeyemi were also at the plenary.
News
COAS Tasks Troops To Dominate Battlespace, Intensify Offensive In N/Central
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
News
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
News
Navy Upgrades Training, Infrastructure To Tackle Security Threats
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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