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Dele Giwa assassination: Investigation was marred by interferences from`high places’ – Ex-DIG

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Twenty-nine years after the murder of renowned journalist, Dele Giwa, a retired police chief, Chris Omeben, who conducted the investigation says the unresolved assassination is the most frustrating case he handled in his career. Giwa, the founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch Magazine, was killed through a parcel bomb at his Ikeja, Lagos residence on Oct. 19, 1986.
Omeben, a former Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), who turns 80 on Oct. 27, told NAN on Monday that the high profile investigation was marred by interferences from “high places’’. The DIG explained that even when he had narrowed in on the principal suspect, who could have thrown more light on the riddle, the suspect was allowed to escape from Nigeria.
“They said somebody brought a parcel and his son Billy received the parcel and took it to his father (Dele Giwa), who was having his breakfast that morning. “On the breakfast table was a man called Kayode Soyinka, he was there; Dele was there and then the son Billy handed over the parcel. “And as he did so, I heard Soyinka left the table and went to the adjacent room.
“It was while he was there that the parcel detonated. Dele was injured and eventually died. The metal partition separating the dining room and the kitchen was destroyed. “Beyond that, everything in the kitchen was destroyed. If metal could be mangled this way by the bomb, what of human flesh, what happened to Soyinka? Nobody could give me an answer.
“My conclusion was that Soyinka knew what was coming and he left the room to hide behind the wall. “I took note of all these, went back to conduct an identification parade. We had an identification parade and got people of different physical attributes to be identified by the day watch. “Eventually, when one of those paraded was said to bear a resemblance to the person that delivered the bomb, in spite of my insistence to have the man quizzed, we could not.
“Because interference now came from high places to protect the man. “The man was said to be related to the wife of a governor at that time and as a result of his connection we came to a dead end on that lead,’’ the former police chief, who was in charge of the research department of the police CID, when Giwa was killed, said.
Omeben told NAN that the setback did not in any way deter him from using the evidence he had to follow the lead on Soyinka, and that he called on the Newswatch authorities to produce Soyinka. “I have enough evidence to quiz Soyinka now. Please, Ray Ekpu can I have Soyinka now?
“They resisted up till today. Up till today Soyinka never appeared before the police. “They started to insinuate that the assassination was masterminded by Babangida, Akilu etc. “They said that Akilu ought to have been investigated. “As a matter of fact, I had interrogated Akilu and he told me that yes they had invited Dele Giwa some few days before the assassination over a negative statement he made about Nigeria in a New York newspaper.
“He said that they had to invite him to tell him that he was wrong for portraying the country in bad light in the international press. “Akilu insisted that the invitation was not enough to accuse the government of complicity in the assassination of Dele Giwa.
“He satisfied me with his explanation. “Togun also absolved himself with his own explanation. “The parcel bomb was said to have the Federal Government logo on it, which to me was not enough evidence. “It was more of a circumstantial evidence. I can prove it!
“Go to any printing press if you are a “good’’ criminal and you are planning well, they can print it for you and place it on the parcel, and it will look as if it came from the government. “But for me to satisfy myself, I said please gentlemen, can I have Soyinka?
“Nobody! Soyinka ran away to London that was my principal suspect! “He did not appear until eventually I left the CID. I was retired from the police in 1989 and what happened after that I don’t know,’’ Omeben, now an Archbishop of the Jesus Families Ministries at Iyana Ipaja, near Lagos added. He said that Giwa was also careless in maintaining a relationship with his estranged wife.

source: vanguard

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Prophet Ikuru felicitates Tinubu at 73, reassures Nigerians of his ability to fix and transform Nigeria

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By Collins Nkwocha

The prophet of the nation, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry has congratulated the president of the federal Republic of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu as he celebrated his 73rd birthday on Saturday.

Prophet Ikuru used the privilege to reassure Nigerians of the president’s profound and genuine intentions to work assiduously in order to make the nation great “my prognostications about the president has always been with 100% precision,I prognosticated that he was going to win and he won the election,when the rumour was going round that he was sick,I told everyone that the President was healthy, everyone can see that now,i want to use this opportunity to appeal to Nigerians to be patient with Mr.president because numerous things had gone wrong before he became the president and fixing them can’t be instantaneous,it will be done gradually and that’s exactly what the president is doing,I want all the ministers do discharge their duties assiduously so that they can equally complement the marvelous and magnificent work of Mr.president”.

The prophet implored the CBN do control the exchange rate so that our Naira can gain relevance globally, as he urged the National Assembly to pass a bill that would prohibit Nigerians and expatriates from spending any other currency in Nigeria apart from our Naira,any expatriate coming to Nigeria would convert his Dollars,Pounds or any currency he’s coming with to Naira,it will help stabilise our Naira and help our economy ”

He enunciated that Tinubu is a father and a great Icon that is worth celebrating”I want to congratulate him officially and pray that God will protect and guide him as he navigates the nation through this difficult times,I love him,my entire family loves him,we pray for God’s blessings upon his life

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Let Peace And Unity Reigns in Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo aide Daniel Eromosele plead with PDP

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Let Peace And Unity Reigns in Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo aide Daniel Eromosele plead with PDP

Let Peace And Unity Reigns in Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo aide Daniel Eromosele plead with PDP

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That The desperation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State is alarming, to say the least. Despite their decisive loss in the September 21 election, they seem determined to inflict pain and suffering on the good people of Edo. Their strategy? To create chaos and violence across the state, thereby disrupting the peace and progress that the current administration is working hard to establish. With the intention to render the State ungovernable and create room for the declaration of State of emergency in Edo.

 

Let Peace And Unity Reigns in Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo aide Daniel Eromosele plead with PDP

 

The recent gruesome killings of Muslims traveling through the state are a stark manifestation and reminder of the PDP’s wicked and bizzare intentions. What’s even more disturbing, however, is the fact that instead of condemning these heinous acts, some senior PDP officials are trying to downplay the severity of ugly incidents. They’re using these senseless killings to call on the Federal Government to declare a State of emergency in Edo State. Nothing can be more far from the truth that these same people are the perpetrators of these wicked and barbaric acts of criminality in the State. Its so sad that, their desperation has lost regard to sanctity of human life.

 

 

 

Let’s be clear: there’s no justification for these acts of criminality clothed in violence no matter the political leanings of the perpetrators or their victims. Every life is precious, and every killing is a tragedy that diminishes us all. Let it be known that those that orchestrated these acts of wickedness and criminality and those that defend them are guilty of the same offence and shall be so rewarded.

 

 

 

The hard truth is that whatever goes around comes around. The PDP and their failed candidate should let Edo enjoy the peace and progress that Governor Monday Okpebholo is working hard to achieve. They should wait for 2028 to try their luck again, instead of trying to disrupt the state’s progress through violence and chaos.

 

 

 

To the good people of Edo, let’s stand together these political Buccaneers and Vampires that are out to unleash violence against the good people. Violence has never been and will never be our culture.We deserve better, and we will not be swayed by the PDP’s antics. The good people of Edo State are solidly behind their ever performing Governor AKPAKO WONDER.

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LAGOS DESERVES ITS 37 NEW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: JUSTICE DELAYED, JUSTICE DENIED

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By Prince Adeyemi Aseperi-Shonibare

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

For over two decades, Lagos State has been unjustly denied the recognition of 37 additional local governments, which were legally created under the Nigerian Constitution. This is not a political maneuver—it is a legitimate demand for fairness, equity, and justice. The continuous refusal of the Federal Government and the National Assembly to rectify this anomaly is a clear case of injustice, and as the saying goes, justice delayed is justice denied.

THE CREATION OF 37 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT DENIED

In 2003, then-Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in strict adherence to constitutional provisions, initiated the process of creating new local governments in Lagos. A referendum was conducted, all necessary legal procedures were followed, and the Lagos State House of Assembly passed the law establishing these local governments in accordance with the 1999 Constitution.

This legal process was supervised by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, the then-Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, who later became Nigeria’s Vice President. These local governments were not created arbitrarily; they were established to bring governance closer to the people, ensure equitable development, and address administrative and infrastructural challenges in a state with an exploding population of over 20 million people.

However, despite Lagos following due process, the National Assembly failed to complete its constitutional duty of amending the Constitution to formally recognize these local governments. Instead of supporting Lagos in this democratic exercise, the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo unlawfully withheld federal allocations meant for the existing local governments, crippling development efforts and punishing millions of Lagosians.

Even when the Supreme Court ruled in Lagos’ favor, declaring the withholding of funds unconstitutional, the Obasanjo administration blatantly ignored the ruling, further deepening the injustice against Lagos.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF FEDERAL INJUSTICE AGAINST LAGOS

1 WITHHOLDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ALLOCATIONS
In 2004, President Obasanjo unilaterally withheld local government allocations to Lagos State, citing the state’s creation of new local councils as unconstitutional. This action deprived Lagos of crucial funds needed for development.

2.FRUSTRATION OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
The Obasanjo administration was notorious for obstructing Lagos’ initiatives aimed at urban development, transportation, and infrastructure.

3.BLOCKING THE RIGHT OF WAY FOR LAGOS’ BRT PROJECT
The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, designed to ease transportation congestion, was actively obstructed by the Federal Government under Obasanjo. Despite the state government’s efforts to develop an efficient mass transit system, the administration refused to grant Lagos State the right of way on federal roads within Lagos.

4.THE LAGOS INDEPENDENT POWER PROJECT AND ENRON SABOTAGE
Lagos, being Nigeria’s economic hub, sought energy independence to ensure stable electricity for its industries and residents. However, the Federal Government, through the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), blocked Lagos from operating its own power grid, frustrating industrial growth and economic development.

LAGOS: THE ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE OF NIGERIA

Lagos is not just a Nigerian state—it is a global city with unique economic, commercial, and strategic significance. It is Nigeria’s primary gateway to the international market, yet it is treated unfairly in federal allocations.

DISPARITY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ALLOCATIONS: THE LAGOS-KANO-JIGAWA PARADOX

Kano State, with a lower population, has 44 local governments.

Jigawa, which was created out of Kano, has 27 local governments.

Katsina has 34 local governments, even though its population is far lower than Lagos.

This imbalance is an insult to the principle of fairness. Local governments should not be created based on landmass but on population and administrative responsibilities.

LANDMARK SUPREME COURT CASES WON BY LAGOS AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

1.CONTROL OVER PHYSICAL PLANNING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation (2003)

Lagos State won its right to control urban planning without federal interference.

2.ALLOCATION OF REVENUE FROM NATURAL RESOURCES
Attorney-General of the Federation v. Attorney-General of Abia State & 35 Ors (2002)

Supreme Court ruled in favor of Lagos and other littoral states for revenue allocation.

3.WITHHOLDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ALLOCATIONS
Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation (2004)

The Supreme Court ruled that the Federal Government had no right to withhold Lagos’ funds.

10 BENEFITS OF THE NEW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

1 Closer governance to the grassroots

2.More efficient delivery of public services

3.Increased job creation and economic opportunities

4. Improved security and law enforcement

5.Better infrastructural development

6.Enhanced healthcare and primary education services

7.More equitable allocation of resources

8.Strengthened political representation for residents

9 Increased internally generated revenue (IGR) for Lagos

10 A model for other Nigerian states to emulate for balanced governance

CURRENT RESPONSIBILITIES OF LAGOS STATE

SECURITY: Lagos State has its own security network, including the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and partnerships with federal agencies.

INFRASTRUCTURE: It has the largest number of roads, bridges, and transportation systems in Nigeria.

EDUCATION: Lagos has the highest number of primary schools and primary health centers in the country.

EMPLOYMENT: The state is the largest employer of labor in Nigeria.

TRANSPORTATION: Lagos has the largest car ownership and human population in West Africa to cater to.

A CALL FOR JUSTICE: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST RECOGNIZE LAGOS’ 37 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Lagos has been treated unfairly for too long. The refusal to recognize its additional local governments is an injustice that must be corrected immediately.

The National Assembly must amend the Constitution to recognize Lagos’ 57 local governments.

The Federal Government must release allocations meant for Lagos’ local governments.

Lagosians must unite to demand their rightful share of governance, resources, and representation.

Lagos is the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy and the face of Africa’s global competitiveness.

THE TIME FOR JUSTICE IS NOW.

#giveusour37lgs

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