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January 29, 2025 Court Dismisses Defamation Suit Against Farotimi

Court Dismisses Defamation Suit Against Farotimi

The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti has struck out the defamation suit filed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, against activist lawyer Dele Farotimi over alleged cybercrime.

The case, which arose from comments made by Farotimi during an interview about his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, particularly regarding the founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, was formally withdrawn in court on Wednesday.

During the hearing, counsel for the complainant, Samson Osobu, informed the court of a notice of discontinuance filed earlier that morning. Citing Section 108(1)(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Osobu requested the court’s leave to withdraw the charge, emphasizing that the decision followed interventions by respected Nigerians and a request from the nominal complainant, Afe Babalola, to discontinue the case.

The defendant’s counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), did not oppose the withdrawal. As a result, Justice Babs Kuewumi ruled, “This case is hereby struck out.”

Speaking after the ruling, Olumide-Fusika confirmed the conclusion of the case in Ado Ekiti but refrained from commenting on related cases still pending in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti. He also advised Farotimi against granting press interviews on the matter.

The withdrawal of the suit follows the diligent efforts of prominent traditional rulers, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. On Monday, Afe Babalola announced that he had instructed his lawyers to withdraw the defamation charges against Farotimi.

RELATED: Afe Babalola Drops Lawsuits Against Farotimi Following Ooni and Monarchs’ Mediation

January 29, 2025 Edo Governor Signs Secret Cult Prohibition Bill into Law, Approves 21-Year Jail Term for Offenders

Edo Governor Signs Secret Cult Prohibition Bill into Law, Approves 21-Year Jail Term for Offenders

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has officially signed the Secret Cult Prohibition Bill into law, imposing strict penalties, including a 21-year jail term for cultists and their sponsors.

In a statement, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Ikhilor, announced that the previous law had been repealed to introduce tougher measures against cult-related activities. He urged residents to avoid any involvement in secret cults to ensure the peace, growth, and development of the state.

“The Edo State Secret Cult (Prohibition Law) 2018 has been repealed and replaced with the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2025,” Ikhilor stated. “The new law, effective from January 24, 2025, provides for stricter penalties, including a 21-year jail term for financial and material sponsors of secret cults under Section 5.”

Additionally, Section 6 of the law prescribes a 10-year imprisonment for individuals who knowingly shelter cult members or allow secret cult meetings to take place on their property. Such properties will be confiscated and demolished by the state government.

The law also includes harsher punishments for violent cult-related crimes. Under Section 12, any cultist found guilty of assault, injury, or property destruction in furtherance of cult activities faces 21 years in prison without the option of a fine. In cases resulting in fatalities, perpetrators will be sentenced to death, and their properties will be seized and demolished.

Edo State has been plagued by violent cult clashes, particularly among youths, leading to loss of lives and destruction of valuable properties. This new legislation aims to curb the menace and restore peace across the state.

January 29, 2025 Two Dead, Several Injured as Lagos Building Collapses

Two Dead, Several Injured as Lagos Building Collapses

A tragic building collapse in the Ikota area of Lekki, Ajah, Lagos State, has claimed the lives of two people, with several others injured and more feared trapped under the rubble.

The two-storey building, which was under construction, collapsed on Tuesday, leaving five workers seriously injured. According to Ibrahim Farinloye, spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the injured victims have been rushed to the hospital, while the remains of the deceased—an adult male and a young boy—have been recovered.

“Rescue teams have so far pulled out five adult males with severe injuries, and search operations continue as more people are believed to be trapped,” Farinloye said. He added that the cause of the collapse remains unknown, pending further investigation.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) also confirmed the incident, reporting one fatality and four injured victims. LASEMA’s Director-General, Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, assured that emergency responders, alongside heavy-duty rescue equipment, were actively working to locate any remaining survivors.

Rescue efforts remain ongoing, with authorities promising to provide further updates as investigations continue.

January 28, 2025 Lagos Assembly to Investigate Obasa for Alleged Fraud Upon Resumption

Lagos Assembly to Investigate Obasa for Alleged Fraud Upon Resumption

The Lagos State House of Assembly has announced that it will wait for former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa's return before deciding on the next course of action, including a potential probe into various allegations against him. This was revealed by the House spokesperson, Olukayode Ogundipe, during an exclusive interview at the Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday.

Ogundipe stated that the allegations against Obasa, including accusations of financial mismanagement, would be addressed when he is present at the Assembly. "When he is physically present, those issues will be taken care of," he said, referring to the claims of large sums of money being misappropriated. While the House is unsure of how such records were obtained, they assured that the matter would be thoroughly examined once Obasa returns to his seat.

Regarding the possibility of submitting a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation, Ogundipe clarified that decisions would be made after Obasa's return. He hinted that a committee may be set up to look into the matter, but emphasized that the proper procedures would be followed, with the House reacting accordingly at the appropriate time.

The lawmakers had removed Obasa last week, citing corruption allegations. However, Obasa publicly dismissed these claims and insisted his removal was unprocedural, asserting that he remains the legitimate Speaker. "If you want to claim that I’m corrupt, please prove it," he challenged his accusers during a gathering of his supporters on Saturday.

Ogundipe, however, reaffirmed that the removal process was constitutional, stating that the procedure to change the leadership was followed as per the constitution. He also reiterated that Obasa remains part of the Assembly, even after his removal.

Reports indicate that the Assembly did not hold its plenary session on Monday as scheduled. Increased security measures were seen around the Assembly complex, with personnel screening individuals and journalists attempting to enter. The security measures were put in place following Obasa’s comments on Saturday, where he insisted that he remains the Speaker unless the proper process is followed for his removal.

Obasa was removed by a majority of lawmakers on January 13, 2025, due to allegations of misconduct and financial mismanagement. He was succeeded by Mojisola Meranda, the former deputy speaker, who officially took over the Speaker’s office on Monday. Despite the change in leadership, Obasa did not appear at the Assembly on Monday, though Ogundipe emphasized that the situation within the House remains calm and peaceful, unaffected by external noise.

The rescheduling of the plenary session was reportedly to allow the Assembly members time to settle in and demonstrate a sense of unity and tranquility.

RELATED: Lagos Assembly Impeaches Speaker Mudashiru Obasa

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