Billionaire kidnapper: Court jails Evans’ gang members for 41 years

An Ikeja High court sitting in Lagos State on Monday, sentenced two former gang members of billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans to 41 years in prison.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo sentenced the convicts, 32-year-old Kelvin Emenike Ukoh and Emeka Obasi, 33 over the abduction of one Ugoje Jude, a shipping agent, and his staff, Miss Piriye Gogo on August 3, 2012.

The convicts were arraigned in 2013 alongside three others: Uche Igbani, 28, Chibuzor Osuagwu, 33 and a 36-year-old woman, Onowu Ngozi, on a 14 count-charge bothering on conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery and murder.

The gang had kidnapped Ugoje and another staff, Piriye Gogo who were taken to an unknown destination by their leader, Evans.

Narrating her ordeal before the court, Miss Gogo said that the three men accosted them with rifles on their way home and that she was almost raped inside the car, but was saved by her monthly menstrual period.

While being led in evidence before the court, Gogo disclosed that during the abduction, one of the kidnappers, Obasi, came into the car, after dragging her boss out for negotiation at an undisclosed location, and started fondling with her breast.

Gogo said, “He came into the car, tore my clothes, pulled down a side of my bra and began caressing my breast. He thereafter started dragging down my shirt and I began begging him. I begged him until I had nothing else I could plead with. I begged him intensely for mercy and even told him that I was menstruating.

“It was as though all my pleas fail on deaf ears, I had to insert my hand into my vagina just to show him. The blood I showed him prevented him from raping me. It was a terrible experience.

“He, thereafter, asked whether Mr. Jude was the owner of the company. And I replied that we were just clearing agents. They also seized our mobile phones, jewellery and money.

“They blindfolded Mr. Jude, brought him back into the car, asked me to face down with my eyes closed, and then drove off to another location. They spoke Igbo almost all the time so I could barely understand what they were saying or taking us to.

“While driving off to the other location, they asked if I could drive, I said no. So they dropped down from the car and took Mr Jude with them. They ordered me to face down and not look at their faces or I will be shot dead. They abandoned me and the Honda pilot car at 2nd bridge alongside expressway, where I waited until I saw a police patrol and flagged them.

Also testifying, Jude said his abductors initially ordered him to pay N10m for his release but after negotiations, they collected N5m.

After listening to them, the trial judge, Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced Ukoh and Obasi to 5, 15 and 21 years for conspiracy, kidnapping and armed robbery respectively, while the other three were discharged and acquitted by court.

The judge held that the prosecution could not prove that those acquitted Igbani, Osuagwu and Ngozi were linked to the alleged charges of murder, conspiracy, kidnapping and armed robbery. - Daily Post

UNICEF: More Nigerians have access to phones than toilets

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) says more Nigerians have access to mobile phones than those with access to toilets.

Zaid Jurji, chief of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), UNICEF, said this on Monday, while speaking at a workshop on European Union Niger Delta water project, in Rivers state.
He said while 140 million Nigerians have mobile phones, only 97million have access to improved sanitation.
Nigeria’s health sector has suffered serious neglect over the years, with grossly inadequate funding from government.

In the 2018 budget, N352 billion was allocated to the sector out of the budget of N9.1 trillion.
The resultant effect of this neglect has been various health challenges as well as poor sanitation, with children mostly affected.
Jurji also said only 37 percent of health facilities in the country have at least one usable toilets available to patients while just 39 percent of Nigerians use an improved toilet that is not shared by more than one household.

According to him, “without toilets, people are forced to defecate in the open leading to exposure to disease such as diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid.
“One hundred and twenty-two Nigerians, including 87,000 children under the age of five, die each year from diarrhoea, with the country losing N455 billion annually due to poor sanitation.”
TheCable had reported how Abuja, the nation’s capital is suffering from poor sanitation and open defecation.

As of 2016, 28.7 percent of the Nigerian population still practise open defecation.
At the global stage, 2.4 billion persons around the world still don’t have access to a functioning toilet, with 1.1 billion of that number defecating in the open. - TheCable

CL News : Thomas Tuchel confirms that Neymar will start at Anfield

Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Brazilian star Neymar will start at Anfield in tomorrow evening’s Champions League clash against Liverpool.

It will come as no surprise that the world’s most expensive player will start the game for a PSG side who are desperate to win the Champions League, but Tuchel would not be drawn on which role the Brazilian would be used in.

Speaking at his press conference, when asked where Neymar will play, Tuchel said:

“I will not tell, of course. What is sure is that he will play, but in which role, I will not tell!”

The PSG boss, who lost 4-3 on his last trip to Liverpool, when in charge of Borussia Dortmund, was also asked if Angel Di Maria could be played as a midfielder, with Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe set to play as a front three.

He replied:

“It’s never a risk to trust Di Maria. In which role though, same as Neymar – I cannot tell you. It would make it very easy for Liverpool to prepare!” - Read Sports

Nigerian govt releases N86.7bn to 275,172 sacked workers

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) said it had released N86.7 billion to sacked workers of various companies who had been into Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

PenCom Acting Director-General, Mrs Aisha Dahir-Umar, who disclosed this on Monday in Lagos, said the amount was for the settlement of 275,172 disengaged workers.

She said the figure represented the total paid from 2004, when the CPS came into effect, to June 2018.

Dahir-Umar also said the amount was about one per cent of the N8.23 trillion pension assets.

She said: “The lean prospect of finding a new job after the loss of an earlier job was responsible for increase in demand to access 25 per cent of pension contributions.

“The PRA 2014 allows contributors, under the age of 50 years, who were disengaged from work and were unable to secure another job within four months of disengagement, to access 25 per cent of their respective Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs)

“The commission also recently reduced the assessment time after disengagement to four months from six months,” Dahir-Umar said.

The Acting Director-General said in the second quarter of 2018 about 12,854 workers were disengaged.

She, however, said the disengaged workers have been able to access N5.6 billion from the pension assets within the timeframe. - Daily Post

Group to EFCC: Why place Fayose on watch-list and allow Adeosun go unpunished?

Change Nigeria Movement (CNM), a socio-political group, has condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for placing Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, on security watch-list.

The anti-graft agency had written a letter to the Nigeria Customs Service, asking it to be on the lookout for Fayose.
But CNM described the commission’s action as an open display of partisanship, wondering why Kemi Adeosun, former minister of finance, was allowed to leave the country after resigning.

Adeosun had resigned her appointment following report that her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate was forged.
In a statement on Monday, Abubakar Usman, the group’s spokesman, gave Ibrahim Magu, chairman of EFCC, and Hamid Alli, comptroller-general of custom, hours to withdraw the memo that placed Fayose on security watch-list.

“Our position is that Governor Ayo Fayose is still a sitting Governor who enjoy immunity from arrest and prosecution as prescribed in section 308 (i) of 1999 constitution as amended, so, we wonder if the EFCC, Customs, Immigration Services, Police and other security agencies would say the offence(s) of the governor is or are to warrant his arrest at airport, seaport or land boarder as pettily stated in their memo that was apparently leaked to the press to embarrass the governor unknown to them that they are embarrassing the sovereignty of Nigeria before the international community and also creating bad precedent for generation yet unborn,” the statement read.

“Also, just like other well-meaning Nigerians, we are embarrassed that the Ibrahim Magu led EFCC could not differentiate between the constitutional functions of the Nigerian Customs and that of the Nigerian Immigration Services, so, we are forced to ask from Mr. Ibrahim Magu if it is the function of the Customs to checkmate the movement of goods in and outside the shores of Nigeria or the movement of people in or outside the nation of Nigeria.

“We say very expressly that this is not about Fayose, the governor should face the full wrath of the law if he has stolen the commonwealth of his people; this is about safeguarding our law; an injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere. We call on the Nigerian Governors Forum to speak against this tyranny; it is Fayose today, it may be another person tomorrow. Thus, we consider the actions of EFCC and NCS as a declaration of war against the constitution and sovereignty of Nigeria.

“We wish to ask what the EFCC, Nigerian Police, Nigerian Immigration Service and Nigeria Customs Service were looking at when Mrs Kemi Adeosun who confessed to have forged her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate left the country to prevent arrest and prosecution that could land her a 14-year jail term?. Was Adesoun allowed to leave Nigeria because she’s a member of the ruling APC and was Fayose placed on security watch-list because he’s a member of the opposition PDP?” - TheCable 

NEMA declares flooding as national disaster in four states

Mustapha Maihaja, director general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has declared the flooding in four states as national disasters.

The affected states are Kogi, Niger, Delta and Anambra.

The agency has also placed eight other states on its watch list.

Addressing journalists on Monday, Yahya Bello, Kogi state governor, said 33 camps have been opened for internally displaced persons (IDPs) as the state is the worst hit.

“In 2012, we were worst hit, we are praying that the situation will not exceed that this year. We are normally proactive to sensitize the people and evacuate them to high ground,” he said.

“We have created over 33 camps in Kogi State. As I speak with you, between nine to ten local governments are underwater, you can imagine the pressure on our resources.

“So, we are doing our best in collaboration with federal agencies and security agencies to make sure that we evacuate them to high grounds, IDP camps and provide security to them and relief materials including medicals.”

Also, President Muhammadu Buhari had directed NEMA to declare flooding in Kogi a national disaster after a warning by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency that Rivers Benue and Niger had almost reached levels that resulted in flooding in 2012.

The letter, which was signed by Abba Kyari, chief of staff to the president, had also directed that the disaster response unit of the military be activated for possible search and rescue victims. - TheCable

35-year-old man allegedly rape 67-year-old woman in Lagos

A Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court has remanded a 35-year-old man, Samuel Gbodogbe for allegedly raping a 67-year-old woman identified as Mrs Ayinke Ogunad.

The Prosecutor, ASP Akpan Ikem, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 9, at about 3:00 pm at Okuju Ilado, Badagry.

Akpan stated that the accused had sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent.

He said, “The accused sexually penetrated with his penis the vagina of the 67-year-old woman without her consent.

“The accused did sexually touch the complainant and also conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace.’’

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Lazarus Hotepo, ordered that the accused be remanded in Badagry prison and adjourned the case until Oct. 15 for further hearing.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The offences contravened Sections 166(1), 168, 258 and 259 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. - Daily Post

CBN says banks will pay N10,000 fine if money transfer exceeds four minutes

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says banks will pay a fine of N10,000 for every money transfer that exceeds four minutes.

The apex bank made this known in a circular, ‘Circular on the regulation on instant inter-bank electronic funds transfer services in Nigeria’ issued to all deposit money banks, microfinance banks, other financial institutions, mobile money operators, development finance institutions, payment service providers and other stakeholders.

The bank said any failed instant payment transaction not reversed into the customer’s account within 24 hours, based on the complaint of the sender and/or beneficiary will attract a fine of N10,000.

According to the letter signed by ‘Dipo Fatokun, CBN’s director, banking and payments system department, the regulation will be effective from October 2, 2019.

According to the apex bank, electronic funds transfer or a NIP happens between two distinct entities when the delivery from the sending entity to the receiving entity takes place within one minute (60 seconds), while a payments system where delivery to the receiving entity occurs beyond one minute is considered to be an ACH system.

According to the document, on an occasion where a sending entity erroneously sends value contrary to the customer’s instructions due to wrong account number, wrong amount, duplication among others to a receiving entity and requested the reversal in writing within 14 working days of the transaction, the receiving entity should oblige within one business day without recourse to the customer (beneficiary) of the receiving entity provided funds are available.

An automatic indemnity would be inferred against the sending entity making the reversal request. - TheCable

Offa robbery: IGP directs service of summons on Saraki

The Inspector General of Police ( IGP ), Ibrahim Idris has directed that court summons and other processes issued by a court in Abuja in relation to a criminal complaint brought against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki be served on him.

To this end, the IGP has detailed a unit within the Nigeria Police Force’s Legal Department, Force headquarters, Abuja to ensure the prompt delivery of the court processes on Saraki before the next date, October 3 this year.

A lawyer, E. S. Marcus, disclosed this development on Monday at the resumed proceedings in a criminal complaint made against Saraki by an Abuja-based lawyer and rights activist, Oluwatosin Ojaomo, in relation to the ongoing investigation by the police into the April 5, 2018 bank robbery incident in Offa, Kwara State.

In the complaint marked: CR/196/2018, filed under Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, Ojaomo argued that Saraki’s alleged refusal to honour an invitation allegedly sent to him by the police, in relation to the Offa robbery investigation, amounted to the offences of “obstructing a criminal investigation and disobeying a public officer carrying out a lawful responsibility.”

The judge handling the case at the Grade 1 Area Court, Aco Estate, Lugbe, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Justice Abdullahi Garuba Ogbede had, on September 10 this year, ordered the issuance of summons on the IGP following Saraki’s absence in court when the case, in which he (Saraki) is listed as the sole defendant, was called.

The judge had summoned the IGP to attend court on September 17 to show cause why Saraki was absent in court and what efforts he had made to ensure his appearance.

On Monday, Marcus, who is Ojaomo’s lawyer, told the court that although the IGP and Saraki were absent in court, he was informed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, identified as Mahmoud that the IGP has directed a unit to ensure the delivery of all processes in relation to the case on Saraki.

He said: “The defendant is not in court. At the last date, the court issued a witness summons on the IGP to come and show cause why the police failed to effect service of the criminal summons, warrant of arrest and other processes on the defendant.

“The witness summons was served on the Nigeria Police Force by the court’s registry.

“However, we received a call from DSP Mahmoud of the Legal Department of the Nigeria Police Force headquarters, that the matter has been assigned by the IGP to a particular unit of the NPF to effect the service of the summons on the defendant and arrest him.”

Marcus urged the court to grant a short adjournment to enable the police effect service of the processes on the defendant.

Justice Ogbede acceded to Marcus’ request and adjourned the case to October 3.

The criminal complaint by Ojaomo reads: “Criminal complaint brought pursuant to Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. Please, cause a summons for a direct criminal complaint on the defendant on the following terms:

“That you, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on or about the 24th day of July 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did refuse to honour the invitation of the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force to report at the police headquarters in FCT, Abuja to answer to an allegation involving the investigation of some criminal suspects involved in a case which the Nigeria Police Force is currently investigating, thereby obstructing a criminal investigation and disobeying a public officer carrying out a lawful responsibility .

“You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 136 and 149 of the Penal Code Law. Whereas, the complainant is praying the court to charge the defendant accordingly.”

Ordinarily, the service of the processes on Saraki ought to be effected by the complainant, but Marcus explained that when his client could not serve the defendant as ordered by the court, he applied, under Section 122 of the ACJA, to the IGP to help effect service on the defendant.

He said the IGP was required, under the law, to either produce the defendant in court or attend court to explain why the defendant was absent, a position that informed the court’s September 10 order on the IGP. - The Nation

Federal high court to conclude political cases before end of October

Adamu Abdu- Kafarati, chief judge of the federal high court, has directed that all political cases that are pending before the judges in courts across the country be concluded before the end of October 2018.

He gave the directive at a special court session to mark the commencement of the 2018/2019 legal year.

He said he has issued a circular that interim orders ex parte should not granted in any political cases brought before the court.

“It is also extremely important that all political cases may affect any of the parties which are still pending in any of our courts be concluded without further waste of time to afford all candidates the opportunity to pursue their political ambitions,” he said.

“Hon. Judges before whom such cases are still pending must endeavour to conclude them before the end of October 2018.”

He urged judges to be careful in handling political parties cases and cases relating to the upcoming election.

“We should again use this court and the constitution to regulate our society for the good of our children and mankind,” he said.

“I still believe that the judiciary remains the hope of all people whether common or uncommon. It is therefore your duty to ensure that the society is moulded in accordance with the rule of law and the constitution.  You must therefore administer justice without fear or favour.”

He assured the judges and staff of better welfare package and necessary attention, adding that in spite of “inclement financial position” of the court, judges and staff must undergo their annual workshop and medical check-up as and when due. - TheCable 

Court dissolves 25-year-old marriage

A Kaduna Sharia Court, sitting in Magajin Gari, on Monday dissolved the marriage between Nuhu Usman and Rashida Aminu, over Nuhu’s failure to cater for the family.

The judge, Malam Musa Saad, dissolved the union after listening to both parties and their guardians.

Saad ordered Usman, the respondent, to give N10, 000 monthly allowances and a sack of corn monthly to Rashida, the petitioner.

“Based on the proof presented to court and the respondent not denying the allegations against him, I hereby dissolve the union between Nuhu Usman and Rashida Aminu,” he said.

Rashida had on Sept. 5 told the court that her husband had abandoned her and their nine children for more than a year.

She said her parents had been the ones taking care of her and the children.

“I want this honourable court to dissolve our marriage because of his irresponsible behaviour,’’ she said.

In his response, the respondent said he was a driver that travels inter-states to make ends meet, adding that he sends money at intervals

“I sent N30, 000 to her within the period she filed the case,’’ he said.

Usman who said he still loved his wife, prayed the court to give him more time to reconcile with her.

The judge had earlier requested the presence of the parties’ guardians, while only the petitioner’s guardian, Magaji Audu showed up.

Audu, who stated that he was the one that gave the petitioner out to marriage, explained that Usman had been irresponsible since after the marriage?

” Rashida’s father had given him a car to drive so that he could provide food for his family, but he lost the car”, he said.

According to Audu, Usman in 2003 in writing, agreed to be of good behavior  and a responsible husband, after a misunderstanding he had with his wife.

He presented the written agreement to the court, which was shown to Usman. 

Delta court jails kidnapper of journalist for 17 years

A Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba has sentenced a kidnapper of a Warri based Journalist, James Okporua Otobrise to seventeen years imprison.

DAILY POST reports that the court presided over by Hon. Justice F.N. Azinge(Mrs.) handed down the judgement after the prosecution counsel, a Deputy Director, T.P.I, Urai and E.S.Ifedora, dragged the case to court.

Delivering judgment, the Court said,”I have considered the submissions of the learned Defence Counsel in urging the Court to ameliorate the sentence.

“It is common knowledge that the spate of kidnapping is on the increase in Nigeria, particularly Delta State.

” The sentence is to act as a deterrent to others who believe that kidnapping is a lucrative enterprise or business and to rid the society of people like the defendant who live on crime.

“Therefore, I will pronounce the sentence as is provided under the law.

“You, James Okporua Otobrise is hereby sentenced as follows: Count I, 7 years imprisonment.

Count II, 10 years imprisonment. To run consecutively. This is the judgement of the Court. ”

The kidnapper was arraigned by the Delta State Government on two counts charges bordering on conspiracy to wit: Kidnapping but he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The offence is punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C21, Volume 1, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006 and Section 364(2) of the Criminal Code, Cap C21, Volume 1, laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

It would be recalled that Otobrise allegedly kidnapped the Warri based journalist, Prince Monday Whiskey on the 19th of March, 2012 at Orhunwhorhun in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

They held the Journalist captive in an uncompleted building belonging to him (kidnapper), blindfolded and chained his hands and legs.

However, the journalist managed to escape through a window with chains in his hands from the kidnapper’s den on the 20th of March 2012.

In a chat with DAILY POST, Prince Monday Whiskey hailed members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council for their support.

“I thank members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel and the Delta State Council for standing by me while the incident lasted.

” I also commend the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man for vindicating me from the allegation of crime as perpetuated by some powerful forces within the Delta State Government. - Daily Post

You keep favouring North, Muslims, your Islamic agenda clear – CAN carpets Buhari

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of projecting an Islamic agenda.

The body said the President has made three key appointments in the last few days, but that none is from the South or a Christian.

Buhari recently appointed Yusuf Magaji Bichi, a Muslim, from Kano State to replace Matthew Seiyefa, a Christian from Bayelsa who had been operating in an acting capacity since Lawal Daura was sacked.

Mr Abbas Umar Masanawa was also named the Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, just as Hajiya Zainab Ahmed was appointed the acting Finance Minister to replace Mrs Kemi Adeosun who resigned.

CAN spokesman, Bayo Oladeji, in a statement on Monday alleged that the marginalisation of the Christians is deliberate to heighten the tension in the land for whatever reasons.

He said: “CAN notes with disappointments, shocks and surprises that despite our appeal to President Buhari to break the domination of the country’ security council by people of the same religion and language in a multi-religious and multi-ethnic groups that make up Nigeria, he still derives pleasure in turning a deaf ear to the Voice of Wisdom and Reason as manifested in the three appointments.

“The President, who at his inauguration three years ago promised to be fair to all, has been consistently and persistently discriminating against Christians and Southerners in all his appointments and policies.

“CAN is also disappointed with the justification of the illegalities being perpetrated by Buhari in the lopsided appointments by the Presidency including a handful Christians in his government who are doing so primarily to keep their jobs, at the expense of the majority.

“For anyone to be asking all well-meaning Nigerians, including some media houses, to stop complaining of the lopsided appointments in the security apparatus of the country is reprehensible, insensitive, and wicked.

“Perhaps, if there was no undeclared systematic ethnic cleansing and genocide in the predominantly Christian communities in the country, as rightly observed by the likes of Prof Wole Soyinka and General T. Y. Danjuma of recent, we would have turned a blind eye to the unlawful action of the President.

“The notorious Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has been threatening those who condemn their nefarious activities in the Middle belt where thousands of our members are being killed with impunity, yet the association that has a lot of things in common with terrorist organisations are not only being treated with kid gloves by the security agencies, but their aggressive attacks on the innocent people are being justified by the President, the Defence Minister, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Information and the Inspector General of Police.

“The Boko Haram Islamic terrorist organisation has not ceased attacking and killing our people, they are abducting our members on a daily basis and despite all our hues and cries, the Federal Government and the security agencies have refused to liberate Leah Sharibu and others in the enclave of this blood-sucking terrorist group because of their faith.

“CAN is fully persuaded beyond any reasonable doubt that it is the lopsided appointments in the security agencies that is largely responsible why Christians have become endangered species in their Fatherland under the leadership of Buhari.
CAN also wishes to observe that the lopsided appointments is a hallmark of the Federal Government in other key ministries like Interior, Defence, Education and Information.

“We challenge the Federal Ministry of Information and the Presidency to contradict this fact with evidences by publishing names of all heads of the parastatals and agencies including their states of origins and religions.

“These are all parts of the gradual and subtle islamisation agenda, but we are sad that those who are benefitting from the existing order, Christians inclusive, have been dismissing this alert with a wave of hands.” - Daily Post

Osun Guber – Why APC govt. is guilty of financial recklessness, fiscal indiscipline – Omisore

The gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in Osun State of financial recklessness and fiscal indiscipline, saying such infractions were responsible for economic woes.

He said the absence of fiscal sustainability in the state has put its balance sheet on deficit consistently, without a conscious move to jack up the Internally Generated Revenue and boost the economy.

Omisore made this known at the Governorship debate organised by Channels TV, in conjunction with National Democratic Institute in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Sunday.

“The APC government in Osun lacks fiscal discipline, and it is financially reckless, which is solely responsible for the economic mess in the state”.

The former Chairman of Appropriation Committee of the Senate opined that the state could generate over N30 billion Naira in agriculture if properly harnessed in the way the sector was made the mainstay of the economy of the pre-independence and early Independence era.

He dismissed the agitation for zoning of the governorship seat to the West senatorial district in some parts of the state, saying such agitation was a fallout of myopic tendencies, and spirit of laziness.

“Government at this stage is beyond zoning, the state is in a serious mess, which needs to be rescued from the decadence.

“To me, the agitation for zoning is nothing but a product of myopic thinking, laziness and outright mediocrity, ” Omisore declared.

The SDP standard bearer also described the education policy of the Aregbesola-led administration as counterproductive, and in shambles.

He further said the widely publicised learning tablet, known as, “Opon Imo,” was a total scam, saying the tablet is not really in circulation and never served the essence in which it was originally conceived.

Omisore, however, called on the Federal government to investigate the killers of the late Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige, and many others who were murdered in the fourth republic and bring them to book. - Daily Post