News
Ooni resolves issues Between Aare Afe Babalola and Dele Farotimi

The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II in company of about prominent Yoruba traditional Rulers in Ekiti state was at the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) last night to appeal to the founder of the university Aare Afe Babalola to forgive the human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi and withdraw the ongoing criminal case instituted against him.
Ooni Ogunwusi arrived Ado Ekiti at about 10:08pm last night into the waiting hands of Aare Afe Babalola himself accompanied by the Vice Chancellor Professor Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde Bursar Pastor Joseph Modupe Babalola, The school PRO, Deans of various faculties at the university and the legal team of Afe Babalola handling Farotimi’s criminal case.
The Vice chancellor in her welcome speech at the meeting acknowledged Ooni’s love for the school’s founder and the school itself which she described as one of the leading universities in Africa.
The Ooni briefed the journalists outcome of the meeting which was earlier held close door between Afe Babalola and the Ooni accompanied by Ewi of Ado, Oba Rufus Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, Ajero of Ijero, Oba Adewole Joseph Adebayo, the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Samuel Adejinmi Adu, Alaaye of Efon Alaaye, Oba Dr. Emmanuel Aladejare Agunsoye II and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti who doubles as Chairman, Ekiti Council Of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ilori Faboro that having watched the scenarios surrounding the criminal case instituted against Dele Farotimi with rapt attention, it has become very imperative to apply Alternative Dispute Resolution method which Yoruba race was known for in the past because it’s a case between father and son.
“We have come today to appeal to Aare Babalola to forgive his son; Dele Farotimi and what we want from him is to withdraw the criminal charges against Farotimi today.
“Aare Afe Babalola, you are an elderstateman, you have seen it all, you are one of the iconic voices in this country, a great man per excellence, you are a rare breed who has excelled in everything you have touched in this life, a very God fearing elderstateman, above all, you are one of the proponents of the Yoruba ethos of Omoluwabi which has been your strongest value that you hold in our country.
This what we are using to bring down the tempo in what has happened between you and your son Dele Farotimi. We have been very proud of you as a great Yoruba elderstateman.
You have done great things for this race and Nigeria such that your name can never be forgotten.”
“We’ve all come together as traditional Rulers to discuss with you on this issue and this gentleman Dele Farotimi is your son and you must forgive him and withdraw the criminal charges against him.
As a father, you have soft sons and you have tough sons, Dele Farotimi is a tough son of yours. You have indeed made a point that your name can not be be messed with”.
“I hereby withdraw the criminal charges against Farotimi” – Afe Babalola.
When given the microphone to respond to the request made by the Ooni and the traditional Rulers, Aare Afe Babalola did not hesitate to accept the request saying he grew up as a child to understand such interventions by the traditional rulers.
He declared he had not only forgiven Dele Farotimi but also will instruct his lawyers to withdraw the criminal charges against him with immediate effect, because of the honour for the Ooni and the other Obas.
“Today is a very important day for me, I’m a Yoruba man and I’m very proud to be one.
Ewi of Ado has come here to meet me on this matter, former president Obasanjo has intervened, same with Bishop Matthew Kukah and a host of other prominent Nigerians to ask for the exact thing you have come to ask for this evening., my answer to them has been “NO” but today my answer is “YES” Your coming is unquantifiable in terms of money, who Am I? When the colonialists came here in 17th century or thereabouts, they found as a fact that Yoruba land was a highly organised society with an advanced systems of government with each town headed by an Oba who was regarded as a replica of God on earth. His words were commands.
“In the middle ages, the Greeks had a saying” the meadow that grow on the bank of a river which obeys the direction of the flood remains strong forever but the meadow that grow that disobey the direction of the flood were broken asunder”.
Aare Babalola concluded his response with a an Adage in Yoruba saying ” Eni ti o ba nI nkan lati se, kii wo elegan rara” meaning “those who change the world for the better do not wait to respond to criticism”
He said he had listened to the Ooni’s advice and he certainly didn’t want to be a meadow by the riverside which disobeys the flood.
I was a lawyer who defended the EFCC law, yes I’m corrupt, I was given an oil block, when I looked at the money and saw that it was too much , I rejected it, yes I’m corrupt, I was offered ministerial appointments twice, I rejected it, yes I’m corrupt because whatever I am, I don’t want anybody to say I made it through corruption.
Look at my books, I’m Chairman, Transparency International based in Germany, I have given lectures against corruption with my papers in many universities globally.
For someone to allege me that I have won my cases through corruption, it’s an attempt to defame me, that was why I rejected all appeals earlier made to me. But when I heard that Ooni was coming, I knew I’m in a fix today.
“Nkan de o”. There is nothing I’m going to gain from his(Dele) imprisonment and there’s nothing I want from the so called damages.
I am not in quest of more wealth, I’m rather concerned on managing the one I have already. Dele Farotimi is hereby forgiven.
On this occasion, I say “YES”.Ooni departed venue of the meeting at about half past midnight for his Ojaja Park in Akure from where he is expected to make his departure to Abuja on Monday.
News
Kaduna Launches Six Months free bus service for civil servants, retirees, students
Ibrahim added that thereafter, a 60 percent transport fare subsidy will be available to the general public

The Kaduna State Government, under the Kaduna Subsidised Transport Scheme (KSTS), has commenced free transport service for civil servants, retirees, and students.
The Director General of the Kaduna State Transport Regulatory Authority (KADSTRA), Inuwa Ibrahim, disclosed this in a press statement on Sunday.
He said that civil servants, retirees, and students will enjoy free rides for the first six months.
He also explained that students of public and private schools, from primary to tertiary level, will benefit from the initiative.
Ibrahim added that thereafter, a 60 percent transport fare subsidy will be available to the general public.
News
NCS Says July Recruitments CBT is Fake
At no time did the Service issue any such announcement regarding a CBT slated to take place in July 2025.

ABDULLAHI MAIWADA Assistant Comptroller of Customs National Public Relations Officer for Comptroller-General of Customs, a Computer-Based Test (CBT) scheduled to take place in July, 2025 as part of the ongoing NCS recruitment exercise, currently circulating on social media and other messaging platforms, is fake .
In a statement on Sunday, MAIWADA categorically stated that the said press release is fraudulent, misleading, and did not emanate from the Nigeria Customs Service.
The statement reads:
At no time did the Service issue any such announcement regarding a CBT slated to take place in July 2025.
Upon close scrutiny, it is clear that the fake statement contains several discrepancies, particularly in its formatting.
The e-signature format differs from our official standard and the recruitment timeline mentioned shows a faulty structure that is not connected to any legitimate process.
The Nigeria Customs Service understands the interest of many Nigerians in its ongoing recruitment process and urges the public not to engage with, share, or act upon such unverified content.
Authentic information about NCS activities, including its ongoing recruitment exercises, will be published only on our official website, verified social media platforms, and recognised national newspapers.
The Service is taking steps to trace the origin of this false information and will take appropriate action to hold those responsible accountable.
When the Service is set to begin the next phase of the recruitment process, the public will be duly notified through appropriate channels.
The NCS deeply appreciates the vigilance of concerned Nigerians. We reaffirm our commitment to protecting the public from misinformation, ensuring all our processes uphold the highest standards of transparency and integrity.”
News
Oyo Police declares readiness to foil July 7 ‘Black Axe’ violence
In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesman, SP Adewale Osifeso, warned that intelligence reports indicate the possibility of violent reprisals and large-scale mayhem by rival cult groups during the event.

The Oyo State Police Command has issued a security alert ahead of the July 7 Founders’ Day celebration of the Neo-Black Movement of Africa (Aiye Confraternity), popularly known as the Black Axe cult group.
In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesman, SP Adewale Osifeso, warned that intelligence reports indicate the possibility of violent reprisals and large-scale mayhem by rival cult groups during the event.
The police said intelligence-led operations and community engagements have revealed that the Neo-Black Movement may use the occasion to carry out attacks, potentially triggering serious public disorder across parts of the state.
The Command urged residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and cooperate with security agencies to maintain peace and order.
“As part of our proactive security measures, the Police Command has conducted multiple sensitisation sessions with key stakeholders, including hoteliers, lounge owners, and operators of studio apartments, to emphasise the importance of refusing to make their facilities available for hosting gatherings associated with cult groups known for violent activities.
“The safety of all residents remains our highest priority.
We therefore call on parents, guardians, community leaders, and influential figures to collaborate with law enforcement in mitigating these risks.
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