NEWS
Bolu Bamidele: It took us 1hour, broke four windows, burglary before we could rescue him – Witness
An eye witness identified as Gabriel Adejare who was among the rescue team of Late Bolu Bamidele nicknamed Teebam has said it took them hours before they could save him from the burning house.
Recall, Biztellers had reported that a housewife identified as Ife Akanji who is on the run had set her husband ablaze for alleged extra-marital affair.
Our correspondent during a visit to the burnt house spoke with an eye witness who revealed that it took them much strength to quench the fire while all effort to reach fire fighters proved abortive.
According to the witness the incident occurred on Sunday 17th of July around 7:30 pm at Coker area of Osogbo, Osun State.
He explained that they spent hours breaking the house burglary after Bolu was perceived in the master’s bedroom, unconscious, as the wife locked every doors leading to the house.
After he was brought out, he was taken to the Osogbo central hospital but was denied access due to the magnitude of burns sustained.
He was later taken to Lautech where he referred to University Teaching Hospital (UCH) in ibadan.
He further said that Ife was seen at the junction in their area bare footed while putting only underwear.
He noted that people were oblivious of the incident as at the time she was seen.
Gabriel said she ignored everyone trying to speak with her.
In his words: “It happened that my wife and I were coming from town when we saw victim’s wife Ife at the junction but we don’t know what happened to her.
“On getting to the side of their house we noticed fire was coming from the house and we perceived that the fire isn’t like papper burning or burning of little little substances around the environment.
“So when we look inside, we saw that there is fire coming out from the sitting room side.
“Knowing that the house is always empty most times, I went in to check what is happening and on getting there I realized the house is truly on fire.
“Again I saw the younger sister of Teebam’s wife crying outside that her sister’s husband is inside the burning house.
“So with some men around we tried to make a rescue, we started to fetch water and sand to quench the fire but unfortunately we couldn’t locate the exact room the man (victim) was.
“It was after 30-40 minutes of quenching the fire that we noticed the man was still inside, so we broke like four windows, removed the burglary to make sure we save the man.
“We tried that for like 30 minutes before we could successfully broke the window and went through it to bring his out.
“We tried giving him first aid but unfortunately what we saw was much more than our power, so we called ambulance or fire fighter but none respond to us before we took him in our car to the hospital.
READ ALSO: Wife flees after burning husband over infidelity
“Through the fire, the house was completely burnt down and till now the wife who set the house on fire is nowhere to be found. Nobody has set their eyes on her since Sunday”
When asked how she was dressed when she was seen at Shasha junction, Gabriel said “Her dressing was suspicious, she was only wearing a short tight and bra without shoes, phone, bag, wig or anything, that was suspicious on it own.
Also she didn’t reply anybody asking her what the problem was, she was just focused on where she’s was going.
“Hopefully, the victim was rushed to down to Osogbo central but he was denied access because it is an emergency and it beyond their own measure. So he was transferred to Lautech and was there till Monday morning before he was transferred again to UCH in ibadan where he gave up the ghost.”
Bamidele passed away at UCH around 4 o’clock on Tuesday, according to Yemisi Opalola, public relations officer for the Osun State Police Command, who confirmed the occurrence on Wednesday. She noted that efforts to apprehend the evading wife were in high gear.
“At about 2330hrs of 17/7/22, one Bolu Bamidele of Koka Ibokun was set ablaze by his wife, Ifeoluwa Bamidele of same address. The victim was rushed to Osogbo Central Hospital. He was later referred to UCH, Ibadan for better treatment. The victim eventually died at the UCH around 4pm yesterday (Tuesday) 19/7/2022.
“Efforts are on top gear to arrest the fleeing wife,” Opalola said.
NEWS
I’ll Remain In Custody Until The Joke Is Over – Sowore Rejects Bail
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore has rejected the bail conditions set by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) following his invitation for questioning over a viral video he posted, which highlighted alleged extortion by police officers on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Access Road in Lagos.
In a post on his X account on Monday, Sowore stated, “I have rejected a bail condition asking me to present a level 17 Permanent Secretary. Instead, I have offered to remain in police custody pending when the joke is over with.”
This came after Sowore was informed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police at the Federal Intelligence Department (FID) that bail would be granted pending the completion of the investigation into the matter.
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The police have charged Sowore with multiple offenses, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, acts intended to cause harm, cyberstalking, and refusal to assist public servants.
This follows his recording of a video in which he confronted officers allegedly setting up roadblocks for the purpose of soliciting bribes.
Sowore’s decision to reject the bail conditions stemmed from his refusal to accept terms that he deemed unreasonable and compromising.
“I have also advised the DIG that in accepting ‘bail,’ I will not agree to conditions that compromise my innocence, dignity, and integrity. If such unreasonable conditions are imposed, I will choose to remain in detention until I am charged to court,” he added.
Sowore further criticized the investigation, calling it an exercise in impunity and asserting that no crime had been defined in relation to his case.
Earlier, Sowore revealed that he had completed his “interview” with the police at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, where he was questioned about the viral video. “
The police relied on a rehashed set of information sourced mostly from the internet,” Sowore explained.
When he asked them to identify the location of the alleged crime, they provided a vague response, mentioning only the airport road. He chose not to provide a written statement, noting that in the absence of a defined crime, there was no need for such a process.
Sowore also reported that the police took a break during the session, later informing him that they were awaiting further instructions from higher authorities.
He expressed concern that the police were planning to take him to Lagos for a “kangaroo trial.” “It seems their plan is to detain me and take me to Lagos for a kangaroo trial. However, I am prepared to face any consequences,” he said.
In a direct challenge to the leadership of the Nigerian police, Sowore reiterated his stance against the current Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, whom he accused of extending his tenure illegally.
“I made it clear to the team that the matter revolves around my publicly stated view that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who is due for retirement and clearly tired, had his tenure extended illegally,” Sowore stated.
Despite the mounting pressure, Sowore remained resolute, asserting that his fight for justice would continue.
“We are entering a promising year, and our fight for justice will persist,” he concluded, with the hashtag #RevolutionNow, further solidifying his commitment to advocating for human rights and challenging the impunity within Nigeria’s police force.
NEWS
Sokoto Commences Payment Of N70,000 Minimum Wage
The Sokoto State Government, led by Governor Ahmed Aliyu, has announced the implementation of the revised N70,000 national minimum wage for all state civil servants, local government employees, and the Local Government Education Authority.
This new policy will take effect on Monday, signaling a significant step towards improving workers’ welfare in the state.
Governor Aliyu, in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Abubakar Bawa, emphasized that the new minimum wage reflects his administration’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of Sokoto’s workforce.
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He also encouraged civil servants to match the gesture with greater dedication, professionalism, and hard work.
“With the commencement of the payment of this new national minimum wage, we expect renewed commitment, hard work, punctuality, and, above all, seriousness from our civil servants,” the governor remarked.
Aliyu also reassured workers that his administration is committed to maintaining timely salary payments, with salaries to be paid between the 19th and 22nd of each month.
This consistent schedule is designed to further solidify Sokoto State’s reputation as a worker-friendly administration.
In addition to the new wage policy, the governor has placed a high priority on clearing the backlog of unpaid gratuities owed to retired workers.
A total of N500 million will be allocated monthly to offset these outstanding payments, with an additional N300 million designated for retirees who left service in 2023 and beyond.
Governor Aliyu assured the public that by the end of his tenure, no civil servant would be left owing gratuities.
“This strategic approach ensures that by the end of my administration, no civil servant will be owed gratuities,” Aliyu stated, highlighting the stark contrast with previous administrations where salary delays often stretched beyond 50 days, leaving workers facing financial uncertainty.
NEWS
‘Corruption Fighting Back’ – Kano Anti-Corruption Boss Speaks On Arrest
Muhuyi Rimingado, the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), has accused a suspect under his agency’s investigation of orchestrating his recent arrest.
Rimingado, who was detained last week, described the incident as a direct consequence of his work in tackling corruption, asserting that “corruption is fighting back.”
Appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Monday, Rimingado explained that the arrest was part of a larger attempt to undermine his efforts.
READ MORE: ‘I Won’t Back Down On Exposing Corruption On JAMB,’ – Ex-Official Tells Court
“When you fight corruption, corruption will fight back. Anti-corruption fight (is) fair but corruption fight is dirty,” he said.
Rimingado revealed that three federal agencies had been mobilized against him, alleging that “there are lots of activities going around targeted against my person.”
He connected the arrest to an investigation into a massive fraud case involving the former Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural Supply Company Limited (KASCO).
According to Rimingado, his commission uncovered that N4 billion of Kano State Government funds had been siphoned through various entities.
As part of the investigation, his commission seized assets linked to the crime in accordance with legal procedures. After charging the accused to court, Rimingado said the suspect sought to unlawfully seize the evidence.
“He came up with a series of tactics to snatch away the exhibit of the crime, and that is not allowed in law,” he explained.
To prevent tampering, Rimingado’s commission moved the seized property to a safer location.
He believes that this action prompted the police to arrest him, stating, “When they cannot wait for the court processes and they know they cannot succeed in that case, they now activate the police to arrest me.”
The police officers who detained him accused him of abuse of power, mischief, and trespass, charges Rimingado vehemently denied. “My commission is empowered by law to prosecute suspects of corrupt practices,” he stated.
As of now, the police have not issued any comment on the ongoing developments.