Ogun Police arrest ‘stubborn’ the notorious cultist in Ilaro

Ogun state police command on Sunday. Arrested a wanted notorious Cultist Dare Ojugbele Also know as STUBBORN of Itawaya Ilaro in Yewa South Local Government area of the sate.

The suspect was arrested last week Thursday at about 12 noon when the DPO of Ilaro Division, CSP Olayemi Jacob was on routine patrol with his men along Idogo road and sighted the suspect who had been on the wanted list of the command for quite some time on a motorcycle.

He was intercepted and subsequently arrested. A search was conducted on him on the spot and the following items were recovered from him; one locally made pistol, one live cartridge, one 7.65 mm live ammunition, and assorted dangerous charms.

The suspect, according to a release by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi has confessed being a member of the dreaded Eiye cult group, adding that the group was responsible for series of cult clashes within Ilaro and its environs. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun has ordered the transfer of the suspect to the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for discreet investigation and prosecution.

The CP also warned that violent cult groups will not be allowed to fester in the state under his watch. He called on any of the cult members who are willing to denounce his membership to come forward, saying that such members will be given amnesty

Kidnappers kill woman, abduct nursing mother, baby in Ogun

The Ogun State-owned security outfit, So-Safe Corps said a gang of four suspected kidnappers have killed a woman while abducting a nursing mother and her baby in Ijoun, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

According to the So-Safe Corps, the kidnap suspects, who came on two motorbikes to the town, succeeded in the kidnap of the 30-year-old nursing mother, identified as Mrs Fagbohun Maria, together with the baby on her back.

Ottagistreel learned that the incident happened on Friday at about 11:45pm.

The So-Safe Corps Spokesperson, Moruf Yusuf, told Ottagistreel that the victim’s mother while crying for help and trying to alert other residents of the community, was shot dead by the suspects on the spot.

“The Ketu Division Special Squad of the Corps on routine patrol was instructed by the State Commander, Soji Ganzallo to spring into action and get the culprits apprehended,” it was said.

Yusuf disclosed that the gallantry efforts of the officers of the corps rendered the suspected kidnappers operation destabilized.

He confirmed that the victims were rescued unhurt, adding that one of the kidnap suspects, Jimoh Fayemi, was arrested “with three locally made pistols and two Bajaj Motorbikes recovered.”

He informed that efforts are ongoing to capture the fleeing members of the gang.

“The apprehended suspect along with the exhibits recovered have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Eegua Divisional Police Headquarters for further investigation and likely prosecution,” he said.

Okada rider, three others die in Ogun road crashes

No fewer than four persons died in two separate road crashes in Ogun State on Friday, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said.

In the first accident, an okada rider and his passenger were killed when a bus rammed into them, along Ore-Benin-Ijebu-Ode expressway.

The driver of the vehicle was said to have lost control due to a burst tyre.

The Ogun FRSC Sector Commander, Ahmed Umar, on Saturday, said the uncontrolled vehicle rammed into the motorcycle as it was driving against traffic.

Others who sustained injuries in the accident have been taken to the Hope Hospital, J4, while the dead have been deposited at the mortuary.

In another development, eight people were reportedly involved in a road accident in the Alafia area at J4 axis of the expressway.

Two persons died in the road crash while five others sustained injuries.

Kashamu’s death heralds another political crisis as Gbenga Daniel, Adebutu battle over Ogun PDP

It appears the death of the late Ogun East former Senator, Buruji Kashamu, is marking the beginning of another era of political infighting in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Ottagistreel reports.

After the demise of Kashamu, many might have thought an end has come to the longtime rivalry between the factions in the Ogun State chapter of the PDP.

But, there are indications that there is going to be a relaunch of the factional crises in the party with the turn of events after the death of the late politician.

Kashamu, since 2014, had the control of the Ogun PDP ‘at his beck and call’. This was the time he broke up with former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, after the duo succeeded in hijacking the PDP structure from former Governor, Gbenga Daniel; causing the then ruling party to lose the 2011 governorship election to Senator Ibikunle Amosun of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

It will be recalled that Kashamu contested and won the Ogun East Senatorial seat under the party in 2015.

In 2019, having fortified himself with court judgements against the Uche Secondus-led PDP National Working Committee, Kashamu, in spite of his purported expulsion from the party, contested the Ogun governorship election.

He became the PDP candidate, scuttling Hon. Oladimeji Adebutu’s chance of clinching the party’s ticket.

Adebutu, who was not pleased with the situation, adopted the candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Hon. Adekunle Akinlade.

The PDP came fourth in the election as political observers in the state opined that Kashamu had no plans to win, saying he directed his loyalists across the state to vote for Prince Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Few months before his death, Kashamu and Adebutu renewed their rivalry as the two groups went ahead to conduct party congresses to appoint new state executive officers of the party.

Before the congresses, the Kashamu faction suffered a setback when the former State Chairman of the PDP, Engr Bayo Dayo, deserted him alongside some other state executive members of the party, to align with Adebutu.

With the congresses held, the Ogun PDP has two parallel state executives. While Sikirulahi Ogundele is the Chairman of the Ladi Adebutu faction, enjoying the support of the NWC; Samson Bamgbose is the Chairman of late Buruji’s camp.

No sooner had he been buried than news broke out that the late Senator had asked former Governor, Gbenga Daniel to take over his political structure in Ogun.

While many are still doubting the authenticity of the information, Daniel himself confirmed that the deceased truly sent him a delegation on the matter.

It will be recalled that Daniel, in March 2019, resigned from the PDP through a letter he sent to the party’s National Chairman, Secondus. He also announced his retirement from partisan politics.

Daniel, it was gathered, told his followers to support Dapo Abiodun for the 2019 gubernatorial election in the state.

Ottagistreel reports that loyalists of Daniel, led by former Deputy Governor, Salmot Badru, have since defected to the Governor Abiodun’s faction of the APC.

In Ogun State today, many are anxiously waiting to see whether or not Daniel will agree to fill the leadership position vacated by Kashamu.

While still waiting, Sikirulahi Ogundele has said that Daniel is no longer a member of the PDP, wondering how someone who has resigned from the party could lead a faction of it.

According to Ogundele, Daniel needs to rejoin the party through his ward if he must be described as a member of same.

But, the Kashamu faction said the former Governor had accepted to lead the group, even when Daniel himself is yet to release a statement to that effect.

Olasunkanmi Oyejide, the faction’s Publicity Secretary, spoke on an Abeokuta radio station that the group met with Daniel and he had agreed to be their new leader.

Meanwhile, a video has surfaced on the social media, wherein Chief Kensington Adebutu, father of Hon. Oladimeji Adebutu, was seen receiving a call from the late Kashamu.

In the video, Kashamu was heard begging Adebutu for forgiveness over anything he might have done to offend him.

Ottagistreel reports that close associates of the former Senator confirmed that the video was made while he was on his sick bed, shortly before his death.

Speaking in Yoruba, Kashamu was heard, making a vow that he would support the Odole Odua’s son, Oladimeji Adebutu, to become governor in Ogun State.

He also promised to withdraw all cases he filed against the lotto magnate from court.

The video has been generating mixed reactions from Ogun indigenes as many wonder why Kashamu would ask Daniel to lead his faction when he has already promised to support Chief Adebutu’s son for governor.

Speaking on the video, an Ogun State indigene, Ademola Oloko said: “By now, PDP should come together and make the wish of Buruji come true. He promised to work with Adebutu and also to settle all the grievances concerning his business deals with the family.

“To me, Daniel taking over is a plus to APC because deep down in his heart, he will still want the incumbent to spend second term in office considering what transpired in the last election. His directives to PDP members to vote for APC and the nonchalant attitude of late Buruji to play active politics caused PDP to come fourth in the last election.

2023 is around the corner and OGD did not have the financial chest to bear the party expenses. Buruji has spoken to support Ladi Adebutu, his followers should do the same. The purpose of releasing the video is to counter the claim of OGD that Buruji had plans to hand over his structure to him.

“Now OGD has no evidence to prove the claim while Lado has the evidence to support the peace move between the two political gladiators of PDP.

Constable recruitment: Ogun police release guidelines for screening

The Ogun State Police Command has released guidelines for the screening of applicants who have registered online for the ongoing recruitment of constable into the Nigeria Police Force.

The command, in a statement on Friday, informed Ogun State indigenes, who have applied online that the physical and credential screening exercise will commence on Monday August 24 and end on September 6, 2020.

According to the statement signed by Abimbola Oyeyemi, the Screening exercise will take place at the POWA hall situated at the Command’s headquarters, Eleweran Abeokuta.

The exercise, according to Oyeyemi, will commence by 7am daily.

Applicants are told to appear at the venue in their clean white T-shirt and shorts, as they were also asked to come along with the originals and photocopies of all necessary documents, neatly arranged in two flat office files with recent passport photographs.

Importantly, the PPRO said candidates should report at the screening centre on the date scheduled for their local government areas as follows:

24/08/2020

1. ABEOKUTA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
2. ABEOKUTA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT

25/08/2020
3. ADO/ODO OTA LOCAL GOVERNMENT
4. EWEKORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

26/08/2020
5. IFO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
6. IJEBU EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT

27/08/2020
7. IJEBU NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
8. IJEBU NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT

28/08/2020
9. IJEBU ODE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
10. IKENNE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

29/08/2020
11. IMEKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
12. IPOKIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT

31/08/2020
13. OBAFEMI LOCAL GOVERNMENT
14. ODOGBOLU LOCAL GOVERNMENT

01/09/2020

15. ODEDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT
16. OGUN WATER SIDE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

02/09/2020
17. REMO NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
18. SAGAMU LOCAL GOVERNMENT
03/09/2020
19. YEWA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
20. YEWA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“All applicants should note that there is going to be strict compliance with the COvid-19 protocols; therefore they should all come to the venue with their facemask on,” it was said

Boy, 16, arrested for stealing woman’s 14 pants

A 16-year-old boy, (name withheld) has been arrested by men of the Ogun State Police Command for stealing woman’s 14 pants.

The suspect, according to a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, was arrested following a report by Amudalat Opaleye, a resident of Kano Street, Ayetoro.

The statement added that the victim reported at Ayetoro police station that at about 6 am of Tuesday 18th of August 2020, the suspect sneaked into her room and stole her pants, but while trying to sneak out, he was caught with the pants.

Oyeyemi said, “upon the report, the DPO Ayetoro, CSP Mobolaji Jimoh detailed his detectives to the scene, where the suspect was promptly arrested”.

He added that “a search warrant was executed in his dwelling house and another 14 used woman pants were recovered there.

“He has confessed to the crime but claimed that he was sent by somebody to get those pants for him.”

Oyeyemi added that effort was on top gear to get his so-called accomplice arrested.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Edward Awolowo Ajogun, has directed that the suspect be transferred to the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for further investigation.

20 OOUTH staff test positive to COVID-19 in Ogun

No fewer than 20 staffers of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, have tested positive to coronavirus in Ogun State.

Ottagistreel learnt that affected individuals were those working at the hospital’s medical laboratory.

It was learnt that one of the workers had infected his family of four as they contracted the virus through him.

A reliable source in the hospital told newsmen that the staff of the laboratory decided to get tested for COVID-19 on Friday after the death of a staffer of the medical laboratory section.

Of the about 70 tests conducted, results of 20 returned positive, causing panic among others in OOUTH.

It was gathered that those who tested positive for the virus have been asked to embark on self-isolation.

Staff of the teaching hospital has blamed the management of OOUTH for what they termed their failure to produce for them, Personal Protective Equipment.

Meanwhile, the OOUTH Chief Medical Director, Dr Peter Adefuye has said he is not in a position to talk on the matter.

Contacted, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker told Ottagistreel on phone that, “I am in a meeting. I am here with six other people. I can’t talk right now.”

Truck drivers protest colleague’s death in Ogun, blame TRACE

Truck drivers in Ogun State, on Tuesday, stormed the Ibara Housing Estate office of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement (TRACE) Corps to protest the death of a colleague.

Ottagistreel learnt that the angry protesters invaded the office of the traffic agency, vandalising things.

The protesting truck drivers had alleged that the colleague, a ‘motorboy,’ had fallen off a truck while being chased by operatives of TRACE; saying he was crushed to death by another vehicle coming behind.

According to them, the TRACE officials were responsible for the death of the ‘motorboy’ and many other unreported casualties.

One of the truck drivers, who simply identified himself as Soji, said, “the TRACE officials stopped the truck; they have earlier mandated a compulsory payment of N100,000 by all trucks in the state. They were chasing the truck for no reason and caused the boy to fall off.”

One of the protesters, who did not mention his name, said, “That is how the TRACE operatives do, they will stop our trucks for no reason. When you stop for them, you will be charged unnecessarily. That is why we don’t wait. Sometimes they don’t care, they will drag ‘motorboys’ and we get wounded in the process.”

Reacting, the Ogun TRACE Corps said that the dead ‘motorboy’ was crushed by a fellow truck driver.

Debunking all allegations, TRACE Spokesman, Babatunde Akinbiyi, revealed that the truck which the ‘motorboy’ boarded was arrested for flouting the Federal Government’s 10pm to 4am curfew by the task force consisting of the police, TRACE and other agencies.

He accused the truck drivers of kidnapping a TRACE official, saying that was why the vehicle was chased.

In his words, Akinbiyi disclosed that the task force was not aware of when or how the boy fell from the truck, adding that the deceased was run over by another truck while trying to escape arrest, having violated the curfew order as well.

Speaking on the protest, Akinbiyi disclosed that, “We got signals that they were going to cause violence. They barricaded Ajebo, they came here too and destroyed virtually everything here. All they are saying are lies. The police are already investigating because the police are also involved. It’s a task force issue.

Police parade 38 suspected criminals in Ogun

The police in Ogun State, on Monday, paraded no fewer than 38 suspected criminals in the state for various offenses.

Ottagistreel reports that some of the suspects were arrested for alleged armed robbery, cultism, raping, kidnapping, land grabbing and car snatching.

Among them were a man who was reported to have been arrested for being a fake lawyer and one 57-year-old Prophet of the Church of the Lord of Israel, Ebenezer Ajigbotoluwa.

Ottagistreel had earlier reported that the prophet had impregnated two sisters and duped the victim’s mother the sum of N1.5 million when he asked her to relocate to his church premises for spiritual cleansing.

Speaking, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, while parading the suspects, disclosed that the suspects were arrested across the state of between July and August.

According to him, different weapons as well as assorted charms, live cartridges and others were recovered from the suspects.

In his words, Pastor Ebenezer Ajigbotoluwa denied impregnating the two sisters, saying he only impregnated the elder sister, who he claimed to be officially married to with the consent of her parents.

He blamed the devil for his actions, saying he would embark on prison evangelism if he gets forgiveness from the God and the public

Ogun govt to empower disengaged N-Power beneficiaries

The Ogun State government said it has opened another window of opportunity for disengaged Federal Government-owned N-power beneficiaries to become entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.

This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kunle Somorin, on Monday.

Somorin stated that the disengaged Npower beneficiaries could venture into various agricultural intervention programmes of the Ogun State government.

It was gathered that the programmes are particularly designed to encourage start-up agric-businesses and promote up-scaling of smallholders’ farmers.

Some of the programmes they can participate in include Anchor Borrowers’, Central Bank of Nigeria Cocoa Development Initiative, Oil Palm Intervention Programme, Fertilizer Intervention, Ogun State Economic Transformation Programme (OGSTEP), GIZ Tomato/Chilli Pepper, Ogun State Broiler Project and the Agric-Business/Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS).

Somorin added that apart from the listed opportunities, the State Ministry of Agriculture also provides Supplementary Extension Service and Agro-Input delivery to support farmers’ activities in the State.

The state government urged all interested NPower beneficiaries, who were disengaged from the programme recently, to report to the Ogun State NPower State Office, Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Government Affairs, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta to register their interest

Pandemonium As Truck Crush Okada Rider to Dealth in Ogun

There was pandemonium on Monday as angry youths protested the death of an Okada rider, who was reportedly killed on the Ogun State portion of the Lagos-Ibadan highway.

The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement (TRACE) Corps said the okada rider was crushed to death by a truck, marked XA 539 BBJ.

TRACE Corps said the accident happened around Olowotedo, opposite Deeper Life, on the Lagos-Ibadan highway.

TRACE Spokesman, Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the incident to Ottagistreel in Abeokuta.

According to Akinbiyi, the road crash occurred around 11am.

It was gathered that a hit-and-run car had knocked down the motorcycle, marked WDE 415 VD, to the side of the moving truck, which Akinbiyi said, unknowingly crushed the rider to death.

“According to an eye witness, a hit-and-run car from behind hit the motorcyclist into the front of a moving truck, which ran over him and he died immediately,” he said.

The incident, he added, “created a pandemonium for some minutes along the express road, with area boys beating and hitting everyone in sight because the deceased Okada rider is a resident in the area.”

He spoke further that the driver of the truck had been arrested by policemen from Mowe Divisional Police Command.

The body of the deceased had been deposited at the morgue of Idera Hospital, Sagamu, Ottagistreel learnt

PDP knocks Abiodun Govt over ‘loss of lives’ on Sagamu-Abeokuta highway

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has said it is really disturbed over what it called “the consistent loss of lives”on the Sagamu-Abeokuta highway as a result of high rate of motor accidents.”

According to the PDP, “this ugly and sad development is caused by the complete closure of a full stretch of one side of the road from Sagamu interchange to Kobape junction, leaving motorists to ply only one side for both ways.”

The PDP was of the view that the only lane being used by motorists is “too narrow to easily contain both vehicles, which include articulated and heavy vehicles.”

Ottagistreel reports that the Sagamu-Abeokuta highway is being reconstructed by the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led government at the moment.

On Thursday, Gov Abiodun said he inspected the progress of work on the reconstruction project.

The Governor said he was glad to announce that engineers are already laying the first binding course of asphalt on the major road.

He disclosed that he charged the contractor to speed up work and lay the wearing course, “so that we may reduce the inconvenience faced by road users.”

But, reacting in a statement made available to Ottagistreel on Monday, the Ogun PDP, through its Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Bankole, said, “the palliative measure that is erroneously called road construction has been awarded to a contractor whose competence is doubtful going by the snail speed with which the work is being handled.”

Bankole said the contractor ought to have learnt from renowned construction companies on how to close such a stretch of road in parts.

“For us, the slow pace of work on this road readily confirms the extent of levity and insensitivity which has become an official trademark of the ruling government in the ways it handles the collective welfare and well-being of the people right from its inception,” the PDP stressed.

The PDP, priding itself as a responsive pro-people party, challenged the ruling government and its contractors to hasten up the pace of work.

This, the party said will help to check the daily occurrence of multiple car crashes resulting in “avoidable loss of lives, loss of properties and painful loss of businesses by the people.”

“Lastly, our great party is deeply sad that under the insensitive watch of the ruling government, significant public infrastructure such as this road has become a “Death Path” and if care is not taken, given the sluggish attitudes of the ruling government, works on this road may linger for another one year,” the statement read

Suspected cultists open fire on policemen in Ogun

Nigeria Police Force in Ogijo area of Ogun State, while planning to unleash terror on some communities in the area.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement on Sunday, told Ottagistreel that men of the state police command had on 11th of August, 2020 arrested two members of the dreaded Eiye cult group.

Oyeyemi said the suspected cult group were contacted by a yet-to-be identified, “notorious landgrabber to unleash terror on some communities in Ogijo area of the state.”

The suspects, who were identified as Oladayo Bello, 34 and Awobajo Muritala, 40, were reportedly apprehended, following information received by the DPO of Ogijo police division, CSP Muhammed S. Baba.

According to Oyeyemi, the DPO had been informed that a group of Eiye cult members were gathering at Kanniyi area in Shimmawa, planning to go and attack some communities, on the instruction of the unknown land grabber.

With this, the DPO reportedly led his operatives to the “already identified hideout where not less than twenty members of the group were met with various types of dangerous weapons.”

“On sighting the policemen, the hoodlums opened fire on them and ran to various directions in a bid to escape,” Oyeyemi said.

However, it was gathered that the policemen restrained from firing back to avoid killing innocent members of the public, but they chased and apprehended two among them.

Two cut to size guns, five live cartridges, two expended cartridges, one battleaxe, assorted criminal charms and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, were among things recovered from the suspects.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Edward Awolowo Ajogun, has ordered that the suspect be transferred to the state CIID with immediate effect, for further investigation.

Ajogun has also ordered that the fleeing members of the group must be hunted for and arrested.

The Commissioner of Police, warned land grabbers to stay away from Ogun, saying he would not hesitate to deal decisively with anybody trying to disturb the peace of the state under any guise

Investors relocating from Ogun under Gov Abiodun’s govt – PDP

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said some industries are relocating from Ogun under the watch of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

This, the PDP said, was in sharp contrast to claims by some media appointees of Abiodun that the state has now taken over the nation’s ‘industrial hub’ status from Lagos State.

Ottagistreel reports that during the week, some media aides of Gov Abiodun and loyalists bombarded the social media with a headline, saying, “Investors Dump Lagos As Ogun Becomes New Industrial Hub”, attributing same to Abiodun’s achievements in office.

Reacting, the Ogun PDP, in a statement by its Spokesman, Akinloye Bankole, on Saturday, said it was “amazed at the celebration of a bogus claim in some sections of the media that Ogun state has become the industrial hub under the ruling government led by Prince Dapo Abiodun.”

Bankole said the PDP is not in any way doubting or denying the potentials and the capacity of Ogun transforming into such socioe-economic glory.

According to him, the party, is however, “shocked by the unnecessary celebration going on in government quarters on a report which captured six years review based on data provided by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).”

Bankole maintained that, “It is a known fact that after 15 months in the saddle, the people’s enthusiasm was fast going down the drain as the much celebrated ‘Ogun Becoming New Industrial Hub’ was not in tandem with the objective reality across the state.”

The party noted with “grave concerns, the relocation of many industries from Ogun state, especially from the Agbara axis to other cities outside the state.”

Bankole revealed that:

“In the last few months, companies such as P & G has stopped producing; Evans Medicals has moved to Isolo, Lagos state and DIL Maltex, also in Agbara has also closed shop.”

He said, “These are apart from several others around Ota Industrial Estate at Onipanu axis that are almost set to leave.”

The relocation from Ogun state by investors, the PDP alleged, are largely owing to “lack of favourable business policy directions and amenities from the government; Lack of good roads for moving produce from the companies; lack of adequate incentives from the government and generally, the government’s consistent reputation for sluggishness in the conduct of the state’s affairs.”

As a party, PDP said it was deeply saddened to note that Ogun state has eventually become unattractive for both local and foreign investors under the watch of the Dapo Abiodun government.

Meanwhile, the PDP has challenged Gov Abiodun to promote sustainable policies that would create friendly environment for businesses to thrive in the state, instead of engaging in what it called “macabre dance of falsehood” that his government is currently doing.”

COVID-19: Gov Abiodun gives guidelines as worship centres reopen today in Ogun

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has confirmed that worship centres, which were closed since March because of the coronavirus pandemic, will be reopened today, August 14.

Abiodun said this in a statement he signed personally on Friday.

The Governor, while giving updates on the COVID-19 cases in Ogun, said, “As at Thursday, 13th August, 2020, the COVID-19 statistics in Ogun State are: 7,122 screened persons; 1,521 confirmed cases; 1,288 persons treated and discharged; 24 fatalities; while we have 206 receiving medical attention.”

Speaking on the reopening of worship centres, he disclosed that “we decided to reopen the worship centres with effect from Friday 14th August, 2020 as indicated in my last address.”

According to him, the decision was made in line with agreement reached by the committee set up to develop guidelines for reopening of the religious centres.

“Therefore, today, Friday, 14th August is hereby confirmed for the commencement of operations of the Worship Centres, subject to the guidelines,” he stressed.

However, Abiodun warned religious leaders to comply with the agreed guidelines so as to avoid being sanctioned by the state government.

Some of the guidelines, according to him, are that, all congregants must wear their face masks; there must be running water for handwashing; provision of alcohol-based hand sanitizer among others.

For Muslims, ablutions must be performed at home, and they must go to mosques with their personal praying mats.

In churches, administration of Holy Communion should be devoid of sharing of any item and must follow COVID-19 protocols.

In all worship centres, qualified Medical Practitioners or trained personnel should check the temperature of worshipers with infrared thermometer before allowing them to enter worship centres.

Services must not have more than 200 participants and it must not be more than one and a half hours, adding that social distancing must be observed.

“There should not be any handshakes/hugs by worshipers.

“Religious services and events should be recorded with digital camera for record purposes,” it was said.

Sounding a note of warning, the Governor said: “Let me say that our Task Force is already on ground and is moving about to ensure compliance. And, if perchance we discover that any of our religious centre is not complying or adhering to the laid down protocols, we will not hesitate to close down the centre.”

Speaking further, the governor said weekend lockdown has been lifted.

He disclosed that the ban on gathering above 20 participants is still in place.

On education, students who have registered for the National Examination Council (NECO), and JSS3 students who have registered for the NECO Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) are to return to school from Monday 17th August 2020.

He added that entrance examinations into Ogun State Boarding Schools will take place on Saturday, 12th September 2020.

Gov Abiodun makes 28 new appointments in Ogun

The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has once again appointed people into boards and commissions in the state.

The Governor, on Thursday, also named six Senior Special Assistants.

In a statement by its Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, Abiodun said the appointees, like in the earlier phases, were drawn from across membership of all political parties in consonance with his administration’s policy to promote inclusiveness, merit and experience.

He added that the appointment was also in its quest to build a peaceful and a more prosperous future for citizens of the Ogun.

Somorin said, “The governor had repeatedly promised a wholesome approach to governance and stressed his resolve to appoint people from diverse experience backgrounds as political appointees towards reengineering the State and to ensure poverty alleviation and wealth creation among the people.”

The 28 appointees are:

OGUN STATE TELEVISION (OGTV)

1 Commr. Tunde Oladunjoye Chairman

2 Mrs. Bola Akinyan Member

3 Lekan Adejare Member

4 Olukotun Segun Member

5 Sunday Akinyemi Matthew Member

6 Avose Johnson Member

7 G.O. Ogunfowora Member

8 Hon. Muri Awolaja Member

9 Akeem Anibi Member

10 Mr. Wale Idowu Member

OGUN STATE PRINTING CORPORATION

1 Sola Otesile – Chairman

2 Zangonde Daniel Sonayon – Member

3 Bagbuyi Segun Tai – Member

4 Dorcas Odugbesan – Member

5 Gabriel Ogunyemi – Member

6 Prince Adetona Fatai – Member

7 Barr. Tunde Ogunsola – Member

OGUN STATE WATER CORPORATION

1 Hon. Fatai Sowemimo – Chairman

2 Wale Omowunmi – Member

3 Evang. Kehinde Akinso – Member

4 Femi Ade Rasheed – Member

5 Yomi Olojeloju Member

SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANTS (SSA’s)

1 Popoola Adesina Bolaji

2 Seyi Odumuyiwa

3 Bode Edun

4 Rufai Abidemi

5 Segun Ojolowo

6 Afeez Balogun

Governor Abiodun charged the new appointees to be forward thinking in the discharge of the onerous task of moving the State to the next level.

“The Building Our Future Together is more than a mantra. It is a policy thrust that we will leave no stone unturned to actualize. Our inclusiveness is deliberate, because together, we will achieve more and at a faster pace,” the statement said

Man bags 25 years jail term for defiling minor in Ogun

One Ugochukwu Obiakor has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for defiling an 11-year-old girl in Ogun State.

The 36-year-old Obiakor was sentenced by an Ogun State High Court on Wednesday.

He had earlier pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge brought against him.

But the court said he was found guilty of the charge and convicted him for forcefully having sexual intercourse with the 11-year-old girl.

In her judgment, the Ogun Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, said evidence presented before the court by the prosecution was tenable, saying she found the convict guilty as charged.

As a result, Dipeolu sentenced the convict to 25 years jail term with hard labour.

Ottagistreel reports that the prosecution counsel and Director of Legal Drafting in Ogun, James Mafe, had earlier informed the court that the convict committed the crime on September 4, 2017 at Omu-Aleku Village in Mowe area of Ogun state.

According to Mafe, the convict forcefully had unlawful sexual intercourse with the girl.

He stated that medical results conducted proved that the victim’s hymen was broken in the process.

Obiakor was said to have dragged his victim from her mother’s shop into an uncompleted building, where he had carnal knowledge of her.

Mafe said the offence contravened Section 32 of the Child Rights Law of Ogun, 2006.

Ogun State Police Arrested Two Men Who Came From Anambra to Steal In Ogun

One Chidi Umeh and his accomplice, Obinna Onyebuchi, have been arrested for allegedly stealing motorbikes in Ogun State.

Chidi, who the police unidentified as the leader of the team; was said to have confessed coming from Nnewi in Anambra State, to steal motorcycles in Owode Yewa.

According to the police, Obinna, who corroborated everything said by Chidi, confessed that this was the first time of going out with him on a robbery operation.

A statement by the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, on Wednesday, revealed that the suspects were arrested on Monday.

Oyeyemi said they were members of a robbery gang who specialized in drugging their victims before dispossessing them of their motorcycles.

It was said that Chidi, 40 and Obinna, 28, were arrested following a distress call received by the DPO of Owode Egbado division from the residents of Alanu area of Owode, that the two, who had drugged a motorcyclist, were about to take his bike away.

The DPO, SP Olabisi Elebute, was said to have led the anti-robbery team to the scene where the duo of Chidi and Obinna were nabbed with the help of members of the public.

“On interrogation, Chidi Umeh, who came all the way from Nnewi, in Anambra State, admitted committing the crime.

“He explained that he is selling motorcycle parts in Nnewi and he used to come to Owode area to snatch motorcycles from the owners after drugging them through energy drink, which he used to give to his victims on a friendly note.

His accomplice, Obinna Onyebuchi, corroborated his confession, but he claimed that this is the first time he followed him out on robbery assignment,” the PPRO informed.

Oyeyemi disclosed that their last victim was still sleeping as of the time he sent out the statement on Wednesday evening as a result of the effect of the drug on him.

He said the suspects confessed to have snatched up to four motorcycles from the owner at different times.

While ordering that the suspects be transferred to state CIID, the Commissioner of Police CP Edward A. Ajogun warned motorcyclists to stop taking any edible from their passengers to forestall the occurrence of such heinous crime.