Allafrica Post

There was chaos yesterday at Abraka, in Ethiope East local government area of Delta State, following the death of a commercial motorcyclist, who was crushed by a white MAN Diesel truck, with registration number Delta WWR 61 YQ. The accident which took place at the police station junction, in the university town, was as a result of over speeding, on the part of the utility truck, loaded with iron poles. The truck, heading towards Warri from Agbor was among motorists flagged down by a police operative, escorting a yet to be identified construction company vehicle. It however took the police at the Abraka police station several hours to restore order, as it almost snowballed into a full-blown protest by commercial motorcyclists. According to an eyewitness who narrated the incident in pigin English, "the police wen dey escort company motor wen dey come from police station road side, say make motor stop, so their own motor go pass. "And the truck dey...

The Edo state police command has postponed the earlier 'hearing' of a case, involving some operatives, attached to the state government security outfit, codenamed, 'Operation WABAIZINGA,' who allegedly extort a motorist, Tobechukwu Divine, N280,000 to a later date. The matter which was earlier scheduled for 'hearing' on Tuesday, 27th August 2019, at the state police headquarters in Benin city, would be held on a date yet to be disclosed. The police operatives' had on the 15th August 2019 allegedly extort the motorist, of the sum of N280,000, along the Benin-Auchi-Okene express way, at Agbede in Etsako-West Local Government Area of the state, while on his way from Auchi to see his sick fiancee at Warri, in Delta State. "the DCO in-charge said the officers involved weren't on seat, that one of them was ill and the other have exams to write, that means they've to rebook another day for us. "I wouldn't know shaa....

The General hospital, Abudu, seems to be the worse hit with the power problem affecting the administrative headquarters of Orhionmwon Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo state, and adjoining communities, as the Medical Director, Dr Alimasunya Emmanuel said the facility has been running without power supply from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) for 14-years. He said the hospital management spend N70,000 monthly, for the purchase of diesel (gasoline), to power its electricity generating set. Dr Alimasunya who spoke with our correspondent at Abudu, while reacting to the power situation in the area, attributed the problem to accumulated electricity bills owed BEDC, by previous management of the hospital. The amount which was put at N800,000, Alimasunya explained that, it was reduced to N500,000, after a meeting between the hospital and the company recently.  He appealed to BEDC to defer the said amount, in the interest of the mostly indi...

Some men of the Nigerian Army on Tuesday averted a major disaster at Agbor, Ika-south local government area of Delta State, as they dispersed residents, who had trooped to the Oroghodo bridge along new Abraka-Agbor road to scoop Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol, from a fallen truck. The military personnels who find it difficult to keep the jerricans and bucket-wielding residents far away from the scene, ensured there was nothing around the area that may ignite flame. Our correspondent gathered that, the fully loaded 30,000 litres white MARK truck (Registration number witheld), was heading to Asaba from NNPC depot, Warri, but failed break as it approached the bridge, adjacent the gate of College of Education, Agbor. According to an eyewitness who do not want to be named, the accident happened during the wee hours of Tuesday, adding it was only few residents that got to the scene earlier to scoop fuel. "Before the news spread, the army were ...

Police operatives attached to Edo state security outfit, codenamed 'Operation WABAIZINGA' has allegedly extort one Mr Tobechukwu Divine, of the sum of N280,000, along the Benin-Auchi-Okene express way, at Agbede in Etsako-West Local Government Area of the state , while on his way from Auchi to see his sick fiance (name witheld) at Warri, in Delta State. The operatives with operational vehicle number '012', had on 15th August 2019 flagged Mr. Divine to stop, and went through his vehicle particulars which were found to be up to date, but went ahead to demand he give them N300,000 to let him go, as they assumed he was an internet fraudster popularly known as 'yahoo yahoo'. According to a human rights activist, Comrade Bernard Osagie, who  posted the incident on his social media page, Devine was 'forced' to withdrew the N300,000 from a Point Of Sale (POS) machine at Aviele, and handed it over to the operatives, who returned N20,000 ...

The chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area(LGA), Hon. Silvester Okoro yesterday distributed relief materials to victims of the recent flood disaster which affected the three communities of Obazagbon-nugu, Evbonogbon, and Umoghun-Zuagboe in the area. The materials, donated by the Edo state government, were handed over to the flood victims, by the council chairman, at the palace of the Enogie of Umoghun-Zuagboe, HRH Kingsley Iyayomwangbe.  The materials include 20 bags of rice; 20 bags of beans; 20 gallons of red oil; 20 gallons of vegetable oil; 105 bundles of roofing sheets and 42 bags of 3-inch nails. Other materials include 42 bags of 4-inch nails and 42 packs of zinc nails. Speaking briefly during the exercise, Hon. Okoro thanked the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for providing succour to those affected by the flood disaster. The chairman who also handed over 10 bundles of zinc, bags of nails, and 1 gallon of red oil, to Mrs Okor...

There was pandemonium on Tuesday, at the State High Court in Benin city, after a corpse was discovered on the first floor of the building. The corpse was identified as that of 65-years old Moses Airiagbonkpa, of Ugiokhuen Community in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo state,  who had accompanied his kinsmen to the court for a land dispute case. It was gathered that, the deceased left other of his kinsmen at the Court 10 lobby, as they wait to for a new date for their next adjournment, to visit the restroom. He however missed the direction to the restroom and mistakenly fell from the 5 th  floor through a nonfunctional lift to the first floor. Speaking to news men, one of the community leaders, Mr. Johnson Obanor said he and other community leaders including the deceased came for a community land dispute case, and on getting to the court they discovered that the court would not sit. According to him, " We are asked to come here this morning to atte...

Edo State Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Mohammed has attributed the loss of cases in court   to “inadequate and inchoate” investigations by police prosecutors and investigators. CP Mohammed stated this on Wednesday during a 2-Day Training Workshop For Divisional Police Officers (DPO) on the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Edo state 2016, organized by Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) in Benin city, the state capital. The Edo ComPol who was represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ayo Faniyon said there is need for greater focus on the work of investigators and prosecutors to ensure convictions on cases charged to court. He added: “the Act   (Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Edo state) in broad terms has shifted the goal of criminal justice by focusing on the needs of the society, the victims, vulnerable persons and human dignity by repealing those provisions in our criminal laws that have been subjected to all forms of abuse...

The Chairman of Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State, Hon. Napoleon Agbama has promised to fix RCC Road at Ikhuenirho   and other earth roads in the Council, during   the dry season, following complaints by commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders plying   the bad Road. Hon. Agbama made this known on Tuesday, during a visit to the ‘KeKe NAPEP’ park at RCC Junction, along Benin-Agbor Road at Ikhuenirho near Benin city, the state capital. Agbama assured   the ‘KeKe’ riders of the council’s commitment to ensure revenue collected from the area are accounted for, even as the state government has abolished the control of parks as well as collection of revenue by individuals or groups. Agbama however urged commercial motorcyclists in the area to form association, so they can be in-charge of their own welfare. The Nigerian Observer gathered, the ‘KeKe’ riders had discontinued the payment of revenue to the Council, as a result of the poor st...

Following incessant vandalism of the electricity transformer installed in their area, residents of RCC Road at Ikhuenirho, in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of   Edo state have resorted   to African traditional means to protect the facility from vandals. The Transformer, which is located at Oghogho Street   Junction, it was gathered, serve almost the entire RCC Road but has been damaged severally due to the activities of vandals, thereby leaving the area in darkness. The residents, who disclosed that they purchased the transformer, electricity cables and poles to enable them have electric   power supply, said they had no choice other than bring in “Ayelala” to ward-off the criminals. According to a resident, despite the transformer being overloaded, due to the number of electricity consumers connected to the facility, it has been a situation they are used to. The Resident who identified himself as Engineer Osagie added, they decided to ...

Human Rights Lawyer, Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa Esq , has harped on the need for the 9 th National Assembly to improve on the Nation’s electoral laws and the constitution. Olu-Adegboruwa described as a “joke of the 21 st century”, were all that is needed to be President of Nigeria is a school certificate or its equivalent. The Legal Practitioner stated these in his recommendation in a paper he delivered on Monday in Benin city, on the topic of 2019 Law Week, “ ADVANCING THE NIGERIAN DEMORACTIC OUTLOOK: THE ROLE OF LAW”, organized by the Benin Branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Section 131 (d)of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides: “131. A person shall be qualified for election to the office of President if- (d)he has been educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent.” However, Olu-Adegboruwa who was represented by Barr Peter Ekavwo, called on the Nigerian Judiciary to remain bold and fearless in holding governments accountable when ...

Chief Justice (CJ) of  Edo State, Hon Esohe Ikponmwen has commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for his immense support to the state judiciary especially in the ongoing infrastructural development  at the High court  Complex. Justice Ikponmwen who gave the commendation yesterday in Benin city, while delivering her speech at the 2019 Law Week with the Theme: “ Advancing The Nigerian Democratic Outlook: Role Of The Law”,  organised by the Benin branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), charged politicians to play by the rule of law to sustain the Nation’s democracy. Ikponmwen further charged them to protect  the judicial arm of government, adding, tearing down the judiciary amounts to the tearing down of democratic foundations. The Edo CJ who was chairman of the occasion called on citizens to defend democracy, as it is the duty of everyone to respect the right of another. She however praised President Muhammadu Buhari for...

Human Rights Lawyer, Barrister Leo Osa Uwagie has described the poor sanitary condition of some detention facilities in the country as form of torture to detainees. Barr Uwagie noted that, the poor sanitary condition especially that of the police force compel detainees to pay for bail to quickly leave these facilities for health reasons, which ordinarily they know is free. Uwagie was one of the guest speakers at a One-Day Symposium to mark 2019 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, held on Wednesday in Benin city, which was organised by the Edo Civil Society Organization (EDOCSO), an umbrella body of civil society groups in Edo state. The Human Rights Lawyer charged the Ministry of Environment to ensure detention facilities across the country meets required standard for such purpose. He urged environmental officials to also visit public institutions with detention facilities for thorough monitoring, as it would go a long way to ensure they are fit to...

The Edo Civil Society Organization (EDOCSO), a network of civil society groups   on Thursday held a One-Day training for its members on the Administration of Criminal Justice in Edo state. The training which   took place at the organization’s office in Benin city, is one of series of training to equip members with relevant   knowledge of the state’s justices   system. Governor Godwin Obaseki had in March 2018 assented to the Edo State Criminal Justice Administration Bill into Law, saying, the law would strengthen the protection of the rights of citizens and ensure fair and speedy administration of justice. However, taking members through some areas in the Law, the Deputy Coordinator-General of the group, Leftist Annie Umoru admonished members on the need to be abreast with the law as it will empower them to engage relevant   authorities effectively. According to Leftist Annie, “We have to equip ourselves with the relevant laws so we can be ab...

Barely 24-Hours after the senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State, Nicholas Tofowomo declared an alleged police brutality of some youths who staged a peaceful protest to Government House in Akure as unlawful, a former Ondo State House of Assembly candidate, Ilaje Constituency II, Hon Emmanuel Lebile has joined in the condemnation of the alleged police action, describing it as malicious. The senator had on Monday condemned the alleged brutality of youths from Ilaje Local Government Area of the state who where at the governor’s office to protest against the non-development of the riverine areas by the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Commission (OSOPADEC), but were dispersed by the operatives attached to the governor’s office. However, in a chat with The Nigerian Observer on Wednesday, Hon Lebile said it was an act of patriotism for the youths to unite and peacefully demand for what rightly belong to them as people from the area. Lebile who contested on ...

Following the heavy downpour which resulted in flooding in some parts of Benin city, the Edo state capital recently, residents of the affected areas has urged the state government to enforce relevant environmental laws to check indiscriminate dumping of waste in drainages and bring down structures built on erosion channels. The residents who are from erosion prone areas of Upper Sokponmba road (St Maria Goretti area), Ikpoba slope, Ewa road, Evbotubu, Behind Court of Appeal, Ugbowo-Lagos Road by Army Barracks Isihohor, Oba Eweka street of Benin-Auchi road and environs   said, poor waste management culture and non-adherence to building laws are reasons for the flooding. Recall last week, flooding from   heavy downpour   in parts of the state capital took over some houses, destroying properties worth   millions of   Naira, following which the state government cautioned residents to ensure that drains and water channels are not blocked from hindering ...

Despite a new directive by Edo State Government against indiscriminate parking on major roads and highways, commercial motorists still park, pick and drop passengers at unauthorized areas in Benin city, the state capital. The directive which also affect private motorists has been mostly violated by commercial bus and taxi drivers who undermine the presence of traffic officials stationed at ‘No Parking’ zones to carry out these acts of indiscipline. At Sapele, Sokponmba, Mission, Airport, Akpakpava and other major roads in the metropolis, these motorists are observed going about their day-to-day business in areas with ‘NO PARKING’ signs. Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq had recently in a statement, warned motorists in the state to obey the new directive, after an earlier directive showed a list of roads where parking of vehicles were ban in Benin City. According to the Edo SSG, “The State Government warns that commercial buses and other motorists c...

A 30-year old man, identified as Nathaniel, on Wednesday defiled a  5-year old girl at Ikhueniro in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo state. Nathaniel, a member of Oudua People’s Congress (OPC) was said to have lured the minor from her house to a nearby bush where he carried out the act. It was gathered, Nathaniel, who was a friend to the girl’s family came to the house when they were away. According to sources, the said Nathaniel had earlier on the same day attempted to rape a 15-year old sister of the victim at their home, but was resisted by her before he went ahead to defile the 5-year old. It was gathered, the 30-year old OPC member had been  indulging in the act with the minor, and had threatened to harm her if she ever told anyone about it. Luck however ran out for him that fateful day, when the minor who was discovered to be coming out from the bush after an initial search, opened up and told the search party what Nathaniel has be...

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of his inauguration for second term in office, urging him to “publicly commit to making every day of your stay in Aso Rock a 'Rule of Law' Day, including by ensuring that every segment of your government’s daily operations is lawful and rule-of-law compliant, for the sake of fairness, justice, your legacy, and the success of your anti-corruption agenda, which has remained stuck in limbo.” The organization expressed: “serious concerns  that the results of the ‘rule of law MOT’ in the past four years are uniquely damaging to your government’s fight against corruption and to the country.” In a letter dated 29 May 2019 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “ Making a public commitment to dedicate every day of your second term as a ‘Rule of Law’ day will help to ensure that decisions of our courts are fully obeyed,...

In a bid to update electricity consumers in Edo state, on the Electricity Theft Bill, passed recently by the Kabiru Adjoto-led State House of Assembly, Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) has come out to state its position on the controversial law. Edo CSOs, a network of civil society groups in the state said, it has always advocate against electricity theft, as its position is for the inclusion of estimated billing, non provision of meters, irresponsibility of power company in the procurement of transformers, poles in the law. According to a statement issued by the activists on Monday, "The issues under contention are simple, it should be on record that Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) is not in support of electricity thievery of any kind, howbeit, the position canvassed is that, the issues of criminal estimated billing, deliberate non provision of meters, irresponsibility of power company in the procurement of transformers, poles and other ancillaries...

Edo State government has reaffirmed it stance on the performance of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in the state. The Head of Service,   Mr. Isaac Ehiozuwa made this known yesterday while addressing members   of Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) who protested   to   Government House over   the passage of a Bill on Electricity Theft by Edo State House of Assembly. Mr. Ehiozuwa spoke on behalf of the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and assured that, the Governor will always be on the side of the people. According to the HOS, “the Governor’s position on electricity situation in the state still stands”. The House of Assembly had on Monday passed a law to prohibit electricity theft and other related offences as well as to establish a special court to try violators which the activists say does not address the criminalization of estimated billings, none provision of metres, transformers, and   poles. Governor Obas...