Ijebu Igbo born fourth Republic senator on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999. Senator Biyi Durojaye , is dead, report gathered says the former senator aged, 88.

Otunba Biyi Durojaye  reportedly died on Monday, in Lagos, after a brief illness.

Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye was once the chairman, Board of Commissioners for Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

He had represented Ogun East Constituency in the upper chamber of the National Assembly at the start of the Fourth Republic on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999.

As at time of filling this report, course of his death is sketchy,but the news has thrown his hometowm of Ijebu Igbo into mourning.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-08-24

The Cour De’appal De Cotonou, Benin Republic, has adjourned the hearing of the case of Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, till Monday, the umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, has said.

The group led by ex-Senator Banji Akintoye, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

The statement signed by the group’s Communications Manager, Maxwell Adeleye, was titled, ‘Update On Chief Sunday Adeyemo Ighoho’s Case In Republic Of Benin By Ilana Omo Oodua’

The Beninise court ruled on Thursday that Igboho’s wife, Ropo, should be released unconditionally as there were no charges against her.

The court, however, ruled that Igboho be remanded in police custody till the next date of adjournment.

The two were arrested at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou on Monday while they tried to catch a flight to Germany. Igboho was earlier declared wanted by the Department of State Services for allegedly stockpiling arms, an allegation he denied. The secret police had also raided his house, killed two of his associates and arrested about 12 of them.

In its statement, Ilana Oodua said, “Yesterday (Thursday), the court set Mrs. Adeyemo, lgboho’s wife free since it has been found that she has committed no offence and there’s no complain whatsoever against her. Consequently, her German passport was returned to her.

“The Lawyers handling the case reported after the proceedings that Chief Sunday Adeyemo lgboho cannot be extradited to Nigeria for two principal reasons:

“That contrary to insinuations, Nigeria and Benin have no Extradition Agreement.

“That Nigeria has not been able to come up with charges that could lead the court to order lgboho’s extradition to Nigeria.

“What Nigerian Government came up with were mere allegations against Ighoho such as trafficking in arms and inciting violence that could result in the social disturbance without evidence which the Government of Benin Republic considered spurious and untenable, and insufficient to warrant extradition.

“Lastly, the case has been adjourned till Monday 26th July to allow the Nigerian Government bring up whatever evidence they may have, and Mr. lgboho has been taken back to the police custody.” -Punch

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-07-23

The camp of Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo alias Igboho, on Saturday denied that he was about to soft pedal or dialogue with the federal authorities.

Reacting last night to Friday’s offer by the Oluwo of Iwo, Osun State, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, to intervene in the face-off between government and Igboho, the spokesman of the activist, Olayomi Koiki, said there had been no contact between the monarch and the agitator lately.

Koiki also denied that Igboho was about to drop the agitation for a Yoruba nation.

But the Oluwo said only Igboho “can speak for himself” on whether he is ready for talks of not.

“Nobody can speak for him,” he told The Nation on the phone last night.

The Presidency itself appeared to play down the matter when contacted on Saturday.

A source said only the Director of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, could determine Igboho’s fate.

It was the DSS that coordinated the raid in the activist’s Ibadan residence penultimate Thursday, arrested some of his aides and declared him wanted.

Igboho has since gone underground.

Koiki, his spokesman, told The Nation yesterday that he was not aware of any contact lately between Oba Akanbi and Igboho.

“Not at any time, not even a single call,” he said.

But he admitted that Igboho visited the oba way back in 2018 to reciprocate a similar one by the traditional ruler to the activist.

He said it was on that occasion at the Oluwo’s palace that the photograph of Igboho prostrating for the oba, now trending on social media, was taken.

“The news that Chief Sunday Adeyemo visited the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi is not true,” he said.

“The 2018 picture was taken during a return visit after he (Oluwo) came to chief’s house.”

He insisted that Igboho has also not dropped his agitation for a Yoruba nation.

He said any claim to the contrary is a lie.

He promised to give a comprehensive response soon by way of an audio message.

Contacted last night on the reaction from Igboho’s camp, Oba Akanbi said: “It is only Igboho that can speak for himself now. Nobody can speak for him.

“If he wants to continue fighting the way he has been fighting, let him go ahead.

“If he wants his normal life back, let him go for peace. It is either he goes for peace or continues with ‘catch me if you can,’ with the DSS.

“The option is there for Igboho, but I won’t advise him to talk or say a word until peace is made.

“To return his life back to normal is my desire.

“Anybody that wants to lead the agitation can go ahead. It is Igboho that has something to protect. He has a life.

“He is our son, we won’t allow something bad to happen to him. He has a name.

Sunday Igboho does not deal with some of those people who say they are speaking for him.

“Why didn’t you ask them when they spoke with Igboho?

“It is unfortunate that the majority of them are pushing him. They will just continue to push him until they kill him.

“To the extent that the DSS could claim responsibility that they attacked his house. They (DSS), said: ‘We went to Igboho’s house and we killed two people.’

“I think they just want to push him into trouble. Even before the current agitations, he was not poor. He was only misinformed and he has realised this.

“Did you hear anything from his mouth? Did you hear his voice disputing what I said?

“Government is beyond what they are seeing, what they are saying. Let them come out with where Igboho said this or that. Let them produce Igboho’s recording.

“I would advise Igboho not to say anything against the government. He should have his life to protect. He should keep quiet till we solve the present problem.

“Those people pushing him cannot do anything for him, rather when he gets into trouble, they will all run away and leave him to solve his problems.

“They have pushed him into trouble. He has a house, and he can’t go there.

“His wife is in trouble. His people are in a problem. His family members are in trouble.

“He is now running like a fugitive. He has been declared wanted. His passport has been seized.

“Those people pushing him, why can’t they come to the street and continue from where he stopped?

“Those who are speaking for him right now are not his closest aides.

“Some of them speaking for him are using him to make money.

“I told him that some of the people making noise were just pushing him. He did certain things that were beyond him, especially the idea of going to open the border. No government would allow that.

“Some of them are trying to justify their action by comparing Igboho with the bandits in the North. Do the bandits have a house? Do they have a name?

“Igboho has a house; he has exotic cars in his compound. He had been made a long time ago. Some of these people pushing him just want to make money.

“We will speak to the government to forgive him. This same government honoured MKO Abiola. Those who did bad things to Abiola did not honour him.

“Abiola was not on good terms with Buhari, yet it was the same Buhari that honoured him.

“The Igbo elders may not speak about Nnamdi Kanu and plead on his behalf and assure the government that they would tell him to stop some of the things he is doing.

“But we as Yoruba elders would not allow things to get worse. What we are doing right now is to find a way of getting him out of the trouble.

“He has a house, he can’t live in it. He has a car, he can’t ride it. His German passport has been seized.

“If the Igbo do not talk about the activities of Kanu, we would talk about our own before they start killing people in Yorubaland.

“Would you say how unknown gunmen have been killing people in the South East is good? Is that what we want in Yorubaland?

“We will draw his attention to it that ‘young man, where he is going is not good.

“I think the media hype entered Igboho’s head and those who are making money from the Diaspora are not telling him the truth.”

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-07-12

A prominent Islamic cleric and Chief Imam of Atiba community in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Sheikh Mushafau Bakare, who was reportedly kidnapped by unknown gunmen, has been found dead.

Relatives and close associates of the cleric had earlier raised an alarm that Bakare was abducted on Wednesday night.

However, his lifeless body was found inside his newly acquired Toyota Highlander in the early hours of Thursday around the Ikangba area in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State.

It was learnt that his lifeless body was reportedly discovered by police officers attached to Obalende Divisional Police Office, Ijebu Ode.

A source said his mobile lines kept on ringing for hours while search operations were ongoing.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, had not responded to a text message on the incident.

The cleric was laid to rest on Thursday morning, in the community, according to Islamic rites.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-08-12

Igboho was arrested Monday night after fleeing Nigeria to evade arrest by Nigeria’s secret police.

A source privy to his departure from Nigeria said he had perfected plans to secretly escape from Nigeria through Cotonou and was heading to Germany.

He was, however, nabbed by security operatives in the neighboring country.

A source privy to the incident, said: “Sunday Igboho has been arrested in Cotonou. He was arrested about an hour ago.

“He was supposed to travel to Germany through Cotonou this night. He wanted to leave Africa through Cotonou. He was arrested by security operatives in Cotonou.

“They are planning to bring him back to Nigeria.”

Attempts to reach Peter Afunanya, spokesman of the Department of State Services (DSS) over the report were unsuccessful as he neither responded to calls or text messages.

The DSS had declared Igboho wanted after a raid on his residence on July 1.

Two associates of the self-acclaimed activist were shot dead in an exchange of gunfire with the security operatives while 12 suspect were arrested during the operation.

At a press briefing at DSS headquarters, Afunanya had vowed that Igboho would be tracked.

“The gun duel which lasted for an hour offered IGBOHO the chance to escape. Sunday ADEYEMO a.k.a Sunday IGBOHO is now on the run.”

“IGBOHO may run as far as he can. He may hide as long as he wants. He might have attacked security operatives as his strength carried him. But this will be the end of his shenanigans.

“Soon, he will not have a hiding place. His strength will sure fail him. And the law will catch up with him. The law may be slow. But it will be steady.’

“Consequently, ADEYEMO/IGBOHO is advised to turn himself in to the nearest security agency. Those cheering and eulogising him may appeal to or advise him to do the needful.

“He should surrender himself to the appropriate authorities. He or anyone can never be above the law. Meanwhile, those arrested will be charged accordingly.”

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-07-20

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ruled that former Minister of Finance Mrs. Kemi Adeosun was ineligible for national service.

The court said she was not supposed to present herself for National Youth Service because under the 1979 Constitution, which was in force at the time of her graduation, she was not a Nigerian citizen either at the time of her graduation or when she turned 30.

According to the ruling, the constitution does not require her to present her first-degree certificate or any other certificate, including the NYSC certificate, to be appointed a minister.

The court, presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that the ministerial appointment of Adeosun was not illegal, neither was it unconstitutional, even without presenting the NYSC certificate.

In its ruling on a suit for constitutional interpretation filed at the court in March 2021 by the firm of Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, on behalf of Adeosun, the court said since the 1979 constitution, which was in force at the time did not recognise dual citizenship, Adeosun could not have served because she was a British citizen.

Adeosun graduated from the University of East London in 1989 at the age of 22.

The court ruled that Nigeria citizenship only reverted under extant constitution by which time Adeosun was well above 30, and by the court ruling ineligible to participate in NYSC scheme as the scheme is exclusively reserved for Nigeria.

The court granted all reliefs sought by Adeosun's counsel.

Responding to the ruling, Adeosun's lawyers said, “Today’s ruling vindicates my client. The court has made it clear that at the time she presented for public service starting from 2011 up till 2015, she was not required to perform the NYSC under the 1979 Constitution, since client graduated in 1989.

“Throughout client’s travail which lasted 69 days, client was never in doubt about her innocence.

“Client chose to resign on September 14, 2018 because client did not want the case to become a distraction to the government and the public. Client also believed it would give her the opportunity to vigorously pursue a constitutional remedy to the end, to clear her name.

“Client wishes to state, without equivocation, that in light of all that happened, she is exploring other remedies within the law and will take the appropriate steps at the right time.

“The 69 days of her travail and the years following that have taken a great toll on client’s reputation and caused client’s family deep grief and misery.

“It is, however, not only a personal victory; it’s also a victory for many Nigerians in diaspora under similar conditions who are desirous to serve their country.

“Finally, client wishes to thank her family, friends, the legal team and numerous well-wishers for their love, care and concern throughout this difficult period. Client is pleased that, at last, the cause of justice has been served.”

It would be recalled that Adeosun resigned on allegations that her NYSC certificate was forged.

There are strong suspicions that events that forced her out of office were the handiwork of some powerful and highly placed forces who had an axe to grind.

Multiple legal sources said the allegation of forgery was mere hearsay and could not stand since the authorities did not carry out any formal investigation of the allegation and no charge was brought against her.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-07-08

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state is bereaved.

The Abiodun Family of Iperu-Remo, Ogun State in statemeent  announced the passing on of their Patriach, Dr Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun, who slept in The Lord on Monday August 2, 2021 at the age of 89 after a brief illness.

Dr Abiodun, a devout Christian, is survived by his wife, Mrs Victoria Abiodun, many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and other family members, amongst them the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR.

A statement by the Family today in Iperu-Remo said the deceased, an Educationist, worked as a school teacher for many years across the old Western State and was fondly called “Baba Teacher” due to his dedication to duty imparting knowledge and inculcating the right values in his students.

The statement by  Prince Dapo Abiodun said further announcements will be made by the family in due course

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-08-02

THE Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, has approved the cancellation of the 2021 edition of the Annual Ojude Oba Festival of Ijebu Ode.

In a Press statement issued by the Coordinator of the Festival and Baagbimo of Ijebu, Chief (Dr.) Fassy Yusuf, the cancellation was attributed to the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic, its likely upsurge with the Delta variant and the negligible number of people that had taken the anti-COVID 19 vaccine.  

Rather than expose peoples who will converge on Ijebu Ode from all over the world to participate in the ancient and unique socio-cultural and religious festival of the Ijebu nation, with its parade of traditional age groups and the spectacular durbar with unsurpassable equestrian display, to avoidable and preventable health hazards, the monarch directed that the 2021 edition be cancelled.

This is the second time in its known history of more than one Century that the festival that unites Muslims, Christians, and adherents of other faiths will be cancelled. The Ojude Oba Festival is normally held two days after the Eid-el Kabir (Ileya).

In his message to the Ijebu nation on the occasion of the 2021 Eid-el Kabir (10th of Dhul-Hijja 1442 AH), the monarch thanked his subjects for the peace, progress, and tranquillity pervading Ijebuland. He prayed for additional economic and social prosperity within Ijebuland and charged his people to remain resolute and be optimistic that sooner than later, Ijebu State would become a reality.

Oba Adetona further charged his people and visitors to Ijebuland during and after the festival to ensure they wear their nose masks, wash their hands regularly with soap, keep social and physical distances at public places, get vaccinated against the pandemic, and adhere to other medical protocols as directed by the federal, state, and local government authorities.

The Awujale thanked all the sponsors of the festival for the mutually beneficial partnerships that have ensured the unparalleled success of the annual festival in the past, while also hoping that the 2022 edition would be a reality.

He further thanked his subjects for their unflinching love, affection, loyalty, and solidarity in his sixty-one years on the throne as Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

Chief Yusuf disclosed that whilst the monarch regrets that COVID-19 would not allow him to host his usual guests and visitors, he assures all that he is in high spirit and will be celebrating the Eid-el Kabir with his family and very few others as dictated by medical protocols. Oba Adetona prayed for the return of peace and prosperity to all troubled areas of our great and beloved country, Nigeria.

(Signed)
CHIEF (DR.) FASSY ADETOKUNBOH YUSUF
Baagbimo of Ijebu and Coordinator, OJUDE OBA FESTIVAL
Mobile: 08033154488, 08056158530, 08096158530
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Friday, July 15, 2021

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-07-15

Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, has sentenced a former Managing Director of defunct Bank PHB Plc, Francis Atuche, to 12 years’ imprisonment for N25.7bn fraud in the bank.

The bank’s former Chief Financial Officer, Ugo Anyanwu, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for stealing and conspiracy to steal, while Atuche’s wife, Elizabeth, was discharged and acquitted.

In sentencing the pair, the judge upheld the arguments of Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), who prosecuted the case on behalf of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with the fiat of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had in 2011 arraigned the defendants before Justice Okunnu over the N25.7bn fraud.

However, Atuche and the co-defendants approached the Lagos State Court of Appeal, after about three years, to challenge their trial by the lower court for lack of jurisdiction.

In a judgment delivered in September 2016, the Lagos State Court of Appeal ordered Justice Okunnu off the trial but did not quash the charges against the defendants.

The EFCC then approached the Supreme Court to set aside the decision of the appellate court and order  trial in the matter.

After listening to the EFCC’s counsel, the apex court directed that the case be returned to Justice Okunnu for continuation of trial.

Atuche and his wife returned to Justice Okunnu with Pinheiro opposing Atuche’s contention that the funds in dispute were loaned, not stolen.

But the judge agreed with Pinheiro and held that since the money belonged to the bank, it was capable of being stolen.

Okunnu further stated, “The first defendant confirmed the bank’s ownership of the money when he said the bank in lending money makes profit.

“I am persuaded by the statement of Pat Utomi that ‘the bank still has control over money that’s left in its coffers, no matter who uses it.

“Helen Eriyo, who is the account officer of Petosan, being unaware of the loans granted, lends credit to the testimony of Mr Ololo that he was not aware of the loan.

“Okunnu mentioned that since the alter egos and true directing mind of the companies knew nothing about the loans, the loans indeed were a hoax.

“Counts 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 have been established. The first and third defendants did not debunk the evidence of the prosecution that the loans were used to purchase shares. They rather contended that the monies granted as loan could be used for whatever purposes.”

She subsequently sentenced Atuche and Anyanwu, while Atuche’s wife was acquitted.

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Ayobami Adedeji News 2021-06-17