Crime

Pupil’s Death: Ogun Closes School, Suspends Principal

Published

1 year ago

October 29, 2024

The Ogun State Government has closed Obada Grammar School in Obada, Idi-Emi following the death of Monday Arijo, a SS2 student at the school.

This came after the instructor was arrested and suspended for allegedly being responsible for the student’s death as a result of corporal punishment on Friday of last week.

The school’s principal, Mrs. Tamrat Onaolapo was previously questioned for allowing physical punishment to be used on students in violation of state norms and regulations. She has also been suspended.

On Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Lekan Adeniran, issued a statement to journalists.

The statement partly reads, “The closure of the school was based on the directive of the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, who has also directed that a panel should be set up to investigate the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident.

“The governor has promised that those liable by the outcome of the investigation will be made to face the full wrath of the law”.

Meanwhile, it was reported that representatives from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology paid a visit to the late student’s family.

The purpose of the visit was to offer condolences to the family and express the Ministry’s sadness at their loss, as well as to gather firsthand account of the occurrence for a comprehensive inquiry.

The government delegation includes the Director of the Ministry’s Secondary and Higher Education Department, the Principals General of the Egba and Yewa Divisions, the Zonal Education Officer, Imeko Afon, ANCOPPS representatives, the Ogun State President of the Trade Union Congress, and the Ogun State Chairman of ASSUS.

The Principals General of the Egba and Yewa Divisions, as well as the Director of Education, Secondary and Higher Education, who spoke during the visit, conveyed their profound sympathies while also promising the state government’s support for the family during this difficult time.

The officials reassured the family that a comprehensive inquiry would be initiated to ascertain the facts of the situation and that accountability would be sought.

They underlined the government’s commitment to student safety, the construction of a more supportive school environment, and justice for the bereaved family following their son’s tragic death.

The DPO, Idi-Emi, told the family that the horrible occurrence would be thoroughly investigated and justice given. He promised them that their wards would be safe in school.

A condolence letter was delivered to the deceased’s family representative, along with a cash donation of N500,000.

Crime

Reps Seek Regulation of Herbal Drug Production, Use in Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the NAFDAC Act to empower the agency to regulate the production, sale, and use of herbal medicines in Nigeria.

Sponsored by Hon. Jesse Onuakalusi (Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency, Lagos), the bill aims to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of herbal products while integrating traditional medicine into the formal healthcare system.

Onuakalusi noted that many herbal products are produced under unhygienic conditions without dosage control or safety certification, posing serious health risks.

The amendment seeks to authorise NAFDAC to register and monitor all herbal products and establish a Traditional Medicine Advisory Committee and a Department for Herbal Medicine Regulation.

It also proposes penalties for producing or selling unsafe herbal products and a 12-month transition period for compliance.

The bill received unanimous support and was referred to the relevant committee for further legislative action.

Crime

EFCC Declares Former Minister Timipre Sylva Wanted

Published

5 days ago

November 10, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Our Correspondent

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has declared former Petroleum Minister and Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged $14,859,257 fraud.

Sylva is accused of conspiring to dishonestly convert funds provided by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), to Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for refinery construction.

On November 6, 2025, a Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice D.I. Dipeolu, issued a warrant for his arrest to ensure he appears before the Commission to answer the charges.

EFCC urged anyone with information on Sylva’s whereabouts to contact its zonal offices, the nearest police station, or other security agencies.

Crime

NDLEA Arrests Grandparents, Seizes 1.5 Tonnes of Cannabis in Edo, Bayelsa

Published

6 days ago

November 9, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Adenike Lawal

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested two elderly suspects in Edo and Bayelsa States and seized over 1.5 tonnes of cannabis.

In a statement on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said 73-year-old James Ugbedo was arrested inside a cannabis farm in the Igbeshi forest, Etsako East LGA of Edo State, where officers destroyed 1,459.75kg of skunk and recovered an additional 5.6kg ready for sale.

Similarly, 70-year-old Comfort Odudu was apprehended in Onopa, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, with 5kg of cannabis.

The agency also intercepted 769kg of skunk along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, 175,000 opioid pills in Abuja, and 7.6kg of “Loud” on the Okene-Lokoja road.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd.), commended the operatives for their efforts and warned drug cartels that the agency will sustain its crackdown on traffickers nationwide.