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Jimoh Ibrahim bows to pressure, withdraws suit against Aiyedatiwa

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The Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Jimoh Ibrahim has announced the formal withdrawal of a lawsuit filed to seek nullification of the primary election that produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

From the April 20 primary election, Aiyedatiwa emerged as the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for the forthcoming election in Ondo State.

The situation didn’t go well with the senator which made him approach a Federal High Court in Abuja, citing irregularities.

Ibrahim, in a Tuesday statement, said this decision was a result of a personal intervention by President Bola Tinubu who reached out to him and had a productive meeting.

According to him, he noted that Tinubu assured him of his commitment to enhancing internal democracy within our party.

“Based on his assurances and leadership, I have decided to withdraw the case to support his efforts to pave a new way forward for our party,” he said.

The senator also noted Aiyedatiwa’s effort and urged the general public to see the withdrawn suit as a gift to mark Tinubu’s one year in office.

These were disclosed in the statement titled, “Presidential intervention and notice of withdrawal suit No
FHC/ABJ/CS/588/2024.”

He acknowledged his “absolute” respect for Tinubu saying that he can never disobey him.

It read, “The suit is now withdrawn due to the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. The President called me and had a meeting with me.

“He assured me that he would as the leader of the party improve on internal democracy within our party, and I would need to withdraw the case to enable him to chart a way forward.

“The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa earlier visited my Asokoro residence for several hours after another unsuccessful visit to my hotel room in Akure.

“I cannot disobey the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because the issue I am fighting for is not personal.

“It is simply to improve internal democracy to which the President has promised improvement. My respect for the President is absolute!

“Let me use this opportunity to thank Mr. President for the words of wisdom and encouragement during my meeting with him which lasted over one hour and his various interactions with me on the telephone during which he emphasized his commitment to internal democracy over and over again. Thank you, Mr. President.”

According to the statement, the withdrawal of this “legendary suit” is concise with the first anniversary of Mr President’s incredible performance in office, and this is my gift of the “cake” of the first anniversary! Thank you all for your support.

Meanwhile, the APC in Igbotako Ward II, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State suspended Ibrahim, whom they alleged was involved in anti-party party activities.

However, the action was immediately countered.

In a swift reaction, another group of 55 members of the party, who identified themselves as members of the same Igbotako Ward II executive and in Okitipupa Local Government, disagreed with the purported suspension of Ibrahim as they passed a vote of confidence in the senator.

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EFCC Arrests Edo Accountant General, Julius Anelu, Two Others Over Huge Withdrawals At Close Of Obaseki’s Administration

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As the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki drags to an end in Edo State, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Accountant General of Edo State, Julius Anelu, and two other government officials.

 

The arrested officials were said to be in custody for alleged huge withdrawals from the State’s derivation account.

 

The development comes as Senator Monday Okpebholo, had accused the Obaseki administration “of last-minute borrowings and looting.”

Quoting an impeccable source in the EFCC, PUNCH reports that of N24.6billion paid into the government’s account, but N14billion was left within one week after the money was deposited some weeks back.

 

“We made some arrests of about two to three persons, including the Accountant General of the state. We have been investigating the governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, since 2022 but this latest arrest was as a result of some withdrawals from the state’s derivation account.

 

“The amounts withdrawn were huge sums. For instance, about some weeks ago, N24.6bn was paid into that account. But in less than one week, about N14bn was remaining in the account. To save the state, we had to quickly move. We are not in any way doing that to ground the state activities”, said the source.

 

The EFCC is yet to officially react to the development as of the time of this report.

 

SaharaReporters reported in October that the reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu raised the alarm over alleged plans by his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki to steal money from the state treasury.

 

Shaibu had made this disclosure in a press briefing in Benin City, saying he had an offer of a financial reward to the tune of N1million to anyone who has information concerning alleged looting of government property as the administration winds down.

 

He had added that he had evidence to back the alleged looting in some quarters and last-minute borrowing from financial institutions.

 

He had also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies to look into the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for projects in the ministry of roads and bridges, ongoing Radisson Hotel project and last-minute appointments by the outgoing administration.

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NAFDAC raises alarm over circulation of fake condom

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm on the circulation of an unregistered condom called Foula condoms.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the agency said the product, which is usually packed in 3s, was discovered in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital and in Zango, Kastina State.

NAFDAC said the discovery was made by the officials of the post-marketing Surveillance Directorate (PMS) while carrying out a Risk-Based Post Marketing Surveillance study on registered condoms in Nigeria.

It said unregistered condoms pose significant public health risks to users.

RISK

NAFDAC said the condoms are likely to lack the necessary quality and safety checks, leading to a higher likelihood of breakage or leakage, which can increase the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, and contribute to unintended pregnancies.

It said one primary concern is that unregistered condoms may not meet the strict standards for material durability and effectiveness enforced to ensure the condoms’ material strength and integrity, essential for providing reliable protection.

The Foula product is not registered by NAFDAC for use in Nigeria, and according to the agency, it is not labelled in English.

According to NAFDAC, the condom is “a dual-purpose method for both prevention of unintended pregnancy and protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).”

It said: “To be most effective, any barrier method used for contraception or preventing infection must be used correctly.”

“The illegal distribution or sale of unregistered condoms poses a risk as the safety, quality, and efficacy of the products are not guaranteed.”

The agency also said the purchase and use of poor-quality condoms will affect every aspect of condom promotion for the prevention of unintended pregnancy and protection against HIV and other”

“If condoms leak or break, they cannot offer adequate protection,” it said.

DIRECTIVE

NAFDAC said its zonal directors and state coordinators have been instructed to conduct thorough surveillance and remove unregistered products from circulation within their respective zones and states.

The agency also urged traders, healthcare professionals, and consumers to be cautious to prevent the importation, distribution, sale, and use of unauthorised products.

The agency urged that medical products and devices should be sourced exclusively from authorised or licensed suppliers, with careful attention given to verifying each product’s authenticity and physical condition.

“Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the e-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website.

“Furthermore, note that this notice will be uploaded to the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS),” the statement read.

 

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Olufemi Oluyede assumes office as acting Chief of Army Staff

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Major General Olufemi Oluyede has formally taken over as the Acting Chief of Army Staff in a handover ceremony held at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

The Defence Headquarters revealed this in photos from the ceremony shared on X.com.

The caption read, “Formal Taking Over Ceremony of the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Major General OO Oluyede.”

We had earlier reported that Oluyede would assume duties today (Friday).

He was appointed in an acting capacity by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, pending the return of the indisposed substantive COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

Until his appointment, Oluyede reportedly served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course.

Oluyede’s appointment came a few days after the Defence Headquarters stated that the appointment of an acting COAS was not recognised under the Harmonised Armed Forces Act.

However, a notice on Thursday, signed by Group Captain Chris Erondu on behalf of the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, stated that the handover ceremony would be held at the Defence Headquarters conference room at 10 am.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, was among those in attendance at the handover ceremony.

See photos below:

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