News

JUST IN: Adebutu Applauds President Tinubu, Judiciary on LGs Autonomy Matters

Published

2 years ago

November 19, 2024

576 Views

The 2023 governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, has applauded President Bola Tinubu, and the judiciary for their positions on financial autonomy of local governments.

Adebutu gave the kudos after he regained freedom from the Department of State Services (DSS), early morning today.

Adebutu was invited and detained on Monday in respect of his alleged involvement in some security breaches at Iperu, Ikenne local government area of the state, during last Saturday’s local government election in the state.

In a statement Hon. Adebutu personally signed, titled “My experience and release from the DSS,” the former lawmaker stated that his resolve to see an independent local government through financial autonomy remain sacrosanct.

He said: “At about 7am, Tuesday, 19th November, 2024, I was released by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abeokuta following an invitation to answer to various spurious accusations all arising from the November 16 Local Government election in Ogun State.

“Very sadly, the allegations were so baseless that it became clear that their purpose was to silence me as a voice of the opposition.

My contention that those elections were not free and fair is my fundamental right to free speech and free thought.

My thinking that the Local Government should have financial autonomy that can only be enforced by free and fair elections is germane to our development. Mr President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, shares the same view as mine which shows it is not a partisan position but a nationalistic one.

“However, because of the particular situation of Ogun State over the last five years, which I shall publish shortly, desperation has set in to emasculate the third tier of government completely; this is the struggle for our development.

” My thinking that the Local Government should have financial autonomy that can only be enforced by free and fair elections is germane to our development.

Mr President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, shares the same view as mine which shows it is not a partisan position but a nationalistic one.

“I seize this opportunity to appreciate our institutions as they gradually continue to grow.
I must say I am pleasantly surprised at the professionalism and fairness the Department of State Services has treated this matter till date, particularly during my stay in their office.

I also acknowledge the judiciary for the forthright judgment we were able to obtain from the Ogun State High Court on Friday, 15th November, 2024, in suit AB/784/2024, a suit filed for the purpose of excluding the Peoples Democratic Party from participating in the Local Government elections.

I thank all stakeholders, well wishers and for that matter non-well wishers, because together, we must move the narration forward and arrive at good governance,” he said.

News

JUST IN: Mob Sets BRT Bus Ablaze After Motorcyclist’s Death in Lagos

Published

1 hour ago

October 16, 2026

Charles Flames

2 Views

An angry mob has set a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus on fire after it reportedly crushed a commercial motorcyclist to death at Ogolonto Bus Stop along Ikorodu Road in Lagos State.

The incident occurred on Friday, October 16, 2026. Eyewitness accounts and social media reports indicate that the motorcyclist was riding alone along the restricted BRT lane when the collision happened. He died at the scene.

Enraged residents and youths then attacked the bus driver and set the vehicle ablaze. Police officers and officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), who were nearby, intervened promptly and rescued the driver unharmed.

The identity of the deceased motorcyclist and the exact circumstances of the crash had not been officially confirmed at the time of filing this report. It was also unclear whether any arrests had been made in connection with the burning of the bus.

News

ARISE News Wins Seven Honours At Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards

The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.

Published

13 hours ago

October 16, 2026

OCHEFA

10 Views

• ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female)

ARISE News has emerged as one of the major winners at the just ended Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA).

ARISE News won seven honours across television broadcasting, news reporting, presentation and production during the ceremony.

The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.

The network’s flagship breakfast programme, The Morning Show, also won the Best TV Talk Show award, further strengthening its recognition in television broadcasting.

ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female).

Rufai Oseni was named Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Male), while Vimbai Mutinhiri-Ekpeyong received the Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Female) award.

The recognition extended to the network’s newsroom, with Ovieteme George winning Best TV News Reporter (Male) for his contributions to television news reporting.

Behind the camera, Sam Adeyemi received the Best Camera Operator/Cinematographer award, recognising his work in television production and visual storytelling.

News

Meta removes 3.7 million accounts in West Africa scam crackdown

The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.

Published

14 hours ago

October 16, 2026

OCHEFA

12 Views

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has removed more than 3.7 million Facebook and Instagram accounts, pages and groups linked to suspected scam networks operating in West Africa.

The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.

The company announced the crackdown in a statement on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. It involved 14 technology companies and law enforcement agencies from 10 countries.

The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency coordinated the operation with the US Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies. Nigerian authorities were involved.

Other countries included Ghana, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India.Tech companies that took part included Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Coinbase, Starlink and Adobe.

Meta said the partnership let participants share intelligence across digital platforms, countries and financial systems to identify criminal networks.