CRIME
LG ELECTIONS:WOMEN GROUP APPLAUDS OGSIEC FOR GRANTING WAIVER
Kunle Idowu,Abeokuta
A Non-Governmental Organisation, 100 Women Lobby Group has applauded the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), for granting waiver to female candidates in the forthcoming Local Government elections
The group gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the State Electoral body,Barrister Babatunde Osibodu.
It would be recalled that state electoral body had excempted female candidates wishing to contest in coming local government from paying the N200,000 and N100,000 non-refundable Nomination Fee deposit for Chairmanship and Councillorship aspirants.
Speaking on behalf of the Group, the State Coordinator, Prof. (Mrs.) Olubunmi Ashimolowo, who gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the Commission, said the move would no doubt lessen financial burden and encourage women to actively participate in the 2021 Local Government elections in the State, noting that OGSIEC has displayed high sense of regard for the female gender.
“As a women advocacy organisation, we have been carefully monitoring events and agencies that consider women substantially in their programmes, and we cannot but commend OGSIEC for this laudable step”, Dr. Ashimolowo said.
She stated that OGSIEC has helped in ensuring that the organisation’s dream of engendering a society where equity, equal opportunity for all, gender justice, access to health, quality education, as well as good governance were entrenched, adding that the group canvasses for participatory resolution to solve socio-political and economic challenges and inclusion in the 2021 Local Council electoral process as observers, to help ensure transparency and accountability.
Responding, the OGSIEC Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Osibodu reiterated that the Commission’s decision to waive payment of non-refundable nomination fee was not just because it is a gender-sensitive body, but also to help women folk overcome the many challenges in the society.
“We want to encourage participation of women in the elections, in order to take part in governance, and be at the forefront of leading our nation. However, the Commission will strengthen mechanisms for the inclusion of women as observers, and we are ready to carry you along in all our stakeholder’s meetings”, Osibodu assured.
The OGSIEC’s boss who restated the Commission’s commitment to ensure robust monitoring and evaluation, to achieve a free, fair and credible election process, appreciated them for their interest in ensuring that women’s right is protected, advising that they should further lobby political parties, to consider more women participation in politics, as OGSIEC does not meddle in intra-party matters.
Earlier speaking, a Commissioner in the Commission, Mrs. Gbemi Onasanya maintained that the present administration is gender-friendly, assuring that OGSIEC would accord the group the much-needed support, in its quest to expand the horizons of its members.
CRIME
Police Detain 2 Suspects, Recover 25 Stolen Phones in Borno
The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.
10 while riding a tricycle.He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.
He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.
“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.
“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)
CRIME
Niger Police Command Arrests Three Suspects over Assault on Council Boss
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlami Abdullahi Saku was assaulted and seriously injured over his inability to settle a campaign loan he obtained, the State Police Command said three suspects were now in their custody over the incident.
Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun in a release on Wednesday said On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.
Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.
He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.
The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.
The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.
“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.
“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”
The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.
However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.
CRIME
Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.