NEWS
Osun Govt Engaging NJC On CJ
. . . Says Gov Adeleke Did Not Defy Court Order
The Osun State Government (OSG) has opened up on the leadership issue in the state’s judiciary.
A statement on the issued made available to Biztellers on Friday. under the signature of Hon Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Osun State, Hon Kolapo Alimi, revealed that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has been apprised of the matter.
According to Hon Alimi, the petition and preliminary actions on the state’s Chief Judge (CJ) have been forwarded to the NJC.
The information commissioner asserted that Governor Ademola Adeleke has not defied any court order.
The OSG maintained that the Osun State House of Assembly (OSHA) which confirmed the appointment of Adepele Ojo and asked her to step aside was not a party to any ongoing litigation, so cannot be acting against any court injunction.
According to Hon Alimi, “It is safe to assert that all that are being posted online are mere stunt as the Government is not aware of any pending case at this material moment.
“We also call the attention of the public that the misappropriated money over which investigation is being carried out were appropriated by the State House of Assembly and the body has constitutional right to inquire how money it appropriated was applied.
“The staff of Osun State Judiciary, who are being denied their right by the Chief Judge and some of who joined in the petition are employees of the Osun State Government, under the authority of OSHA.
“We re-assure the public that appropriate representation has been made to National Judicial Council, over the development and we affirm that the Chief Judge was not suspended by the Governor, as being mischievously represented by some sections of the media.
“Rather it is the State Assembly on the premise that an official cannot be on the seat whilst investigation is ongoing, that asked the Chief Judge to step aside.
“The Governor only acted on the Resolution of the House.”
Hon Alimi added that the appointment of an acting CJ was to ensure that there was no vacuum and to ensure the smooth running of the state.
“To ensure there is no vacuum, the Governor appointed an Acting Chief Judge, as prescribed by the Constitution in a situation like this,” he added.
In his thoughts, the OSHA has a duty to clear the air and keep the public well informed of what is going.
Hon Alimi stated, “It is therefore the responsibility of the State Assembly to inform the public, NJC and the Governor about its findings, on conclusion of its investigation, and also make resolutions on the next line of action.
“We want to put it on record that the Governor is a law abiding person, and will not do anything to compromise the rule of law.”
He noted that sued in the matter would take appropriate steps as demanded by law, upon being served the necessary court documents.
“Whenever the court processes are served on the persons listed as Defendants in the alleged suit (if any), they would take appropriate steps to react,” he said.
A tragic crash involving a small plane near Copake, New York, has claimed the lives of all six people aboard.
The aircraft, a Mitsubishi MU2B40, went down in a field approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Columbia County Airport on Saturday afternoon, authorities confirmed.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash, with spokesperson Todd Inman stating that the incident is classified as a “fatal crash.”
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While Inman did not specify the number of deaths, the New York Times, citing a family member, reported that all six occupants perished.
The victims were identified as pilot Michael Groff, a neurosurgeon, his wife Joy Saini, a surgeon, their two children, and the children’s partners.
According to the Times, the family was traveling to a 25th birthday party and a Passover celebration.
Inman described the plane’s descent, saying it was “intact as it came down” before the impact caused it to “compress, buckle, and embed into the terrain.”
Before the crash, Groff, an experienced pilot, had reported a missed approach to the airport and requested guidance for another landing attempt, Inman explained.
He added that visibility had worsened before the crash occurred.
The plane’s cockpit had been recently updated, and the aircraft was in good condition prior to the crash.
This incident follows a string of other aviation tragedies.
Just last week, a helicopter crash in the Hudson River resulted in six fatalities.
In January, 67 people were killed in a collision between a military helicopter and a passenger jet in Washington state.
A light aircraft crash in Florida on Friday also claimed three lives when the plane developed mechanical issues shortly after takeoff.
The NTSB continues its investigation into the cause of the crash near Copake.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has raised the alarm over unapproved visits to the state, warning that his administration cannot guarantee the safety of any individual or group who enters the state without prior notice.
The warning was contained in a statement released on Monday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, under the heading: “Notice Regarding Unscheduled Visit to Benue State.”
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In the statement, Governor Alia stressed that he was not expecting any “August visitor” and disclosed that his schedule was currently occupied with “high-profile meetings with key state actors to discuss critical issues affecting our state.”
The governor advised that any person or group planning to visit Benue, especially those whose presence could spark political gatherings, should obtain official clearance before making such trips.
“For anyone considering a visit to Benue State without the Governor’s knowledge, it is imperative to reconsider such plans, as the safety and security of individuals in this regard cannot be guaranteed,” the statement warned.
Governor Alia also addressed those intending to visit Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state, stating that prior approval must be sought and obtained from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA).
The statement further urged both security operatives and members of the public to remain vigilant and uphold peace across the state.
The wave of deadly attacks in Plateau State has continued unabated, with at least 40 people confirmed dead following a fresh assault on Zike community in Kimakpa, Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area.
The attack, which took place in the early hours of Monday, left dozens of residents dead and several others with gunshot wounds. .According to local sources, gunmen stormed the community and opened fire indiscriminately on people fleeing for safety.
A community leader, Wakili Tongwe, confirmed the incident in a phone interview with Channels Television.
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He explained that he, along with a team of vigilantes and some security operatives, had been patrolling another area when the attackers struck.
“The attackers invaded the village in the early hours of Monday and shot sporadically at residents who were scampering for safety after hearing gunshots,” Tongwe said.
He added that although security personnel and vigilantes engaged the assailants and eventually repelled them, the attackers had already caused significant loss of life.
“About thirty-six persons were shot dead and four others died later,” he said.
Several other victims who sustained gunshot wounds are currently receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.
Monday’s attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have rocked Plateau State in recent months.
Less than two weeks ago, a similar assault in communities across Bokkos Local Government Area left 52 people dead.
For years, Plateau State has struggled with violence rooted in land and resource disputes, often between farmers and herders. However, authorities believe the recent pattern of attacks points to something far more coordinated.
Governor Caleb Muftwang, reacting to the rising spate of killings, described the violence as an act of terrorism targeting the state’s population.
“I can tell you in all honesty that I cannot find any explanation other than genocide sponsored by terrorists,” the governor said during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“The question is, who are the persons behind the organisers of this terrorism? This is what the security agencies must help us to unravel.”
The governor also raised concerns over the growing occupation of communities by armed groups.
“As I am talking to you, there are not less than 64 communities that have been taken over by bandits on the Plateau between Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local governments,” Muftwang said.
“They have been taken over, renamed, and people are living there conveniently on lands they pushed people away to occupy.”
In response to the growing insecurity, the Federal Government has vowed to clamp down on the perpetrators.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical units to the affected areas to restore peace.
Despite repeated government pledges, the cycle of violence in Plateau shows no sign of ending.
Over 200 people were killed during a Christmas Day attack in December 2023, while at least 40 others lost their lives in a similar incident in Wase last May.
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