Crime
Suspended Oba Ogunjobi Remanded In Custody Over Viral Assault Incident
The suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, has been remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre after failing to meet his bail conditions.
Yinka Odukoya, spokesperson for the correctional facility, confirmed on Wednesday that the monarch remained in custody because he had yet to fulfill the bail requirements set by the court.
“Yes, he is in our custody, which means he has been unable to meet the bail conditions granted by the court yesterday. However, as soon as he does, he will be released,” Odukoya said
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Oba Ogunjobi was arraigned by the Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday in connection with a viral video showing him assaulting Abraham Areola, a 73-year-old man.
According to the charge sheet (MH2b8c/2025), the suspended monarch faces charges of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The charge reads:
“That Abdul-Semiu ‘m’ and others at large, on 21st January 2025, at about 11:00 hrs at Sojuolu Street, Ifo, did conspire to commit a misdemeanour, to wit: assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.”
“That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others now at large, on the same date, time, and place, did unlawfully assault one Areola Abraham by slapping him on the face and ear, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 351 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.”
“That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others at large, on the same date, time, and place, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by forcing one Areola Abraham to kneel down and assaulting him in public, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.”
The accused monarch pleaded not guilty to all charges when he appeared before Magistrate F. A. Iroko, who granted him bail with two sureties in the sum of ₦5 million each, with the sureties required to reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
The case has been adjourned to March 6, 2025 for further hearing.
Recall that a viral video showing Ogunjobi assaulting Areola sparked outrage across social media.
In the two-minute footage, Areola is seen kneeling on the road as Ogunjobi berates him with insults, accusing him of conspiring against him and his family.
The monarch, a retired police officer, also boasted about his connections in law enforcement, threatening to have Areola imprisoned.
At one point, Ogunjobi’s aide was seen striking the elderly man and ordering him to prostrate before the monarch.
Following the incident, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Ogun State commended the state government for swiftly suspending Ogunjobi.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Solomon Bankole, the CSOs condemned the assault and called for the full prosecution of the monarch.
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Ogun State also praised the government and the police for their prompt action.
PCRC Chairman, Samson Kunle Popoola, called for the arrest of the aide who struck Areola and reassured the public of the committee’s impartial stance on human rights issues.
Oba Ogunjobi remains at the Ilaro Correctional Centre, awaiting the fulfillment of his bail conditions.
Crime
Edo Police Probe Officer Seen Firing Rifle During Clash With Traffic Officials
The Edo State Police Command has launched an investigation into an altercation involving officers of the Police Intelligence Response Team and officials of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency.
The development followed the emergence of a video on social media showing personnel from the two agencies involved in a confrontation.
In the footage, an officer identified as a member of the Intelligence Response Team was seen firing his rifle into the air during the incident.
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Reacting to the development on Thursday, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor, ordered a discreet investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed in a statement that the commissioner had already interviewed representatives of both parties as part of efforts to establish what transpired.
The command also ordered that the conduct of the officer captured firing the rifle be subjected to an appropriate disciplinary review.
The police authorities said they would not tolerate indiscipline, unprofessional conduct or abuse of police powers by any of their personnel.
The command stated that any officer or official found culpable after the investigation would be appropriately sanctioned in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The Edo Police Command also emphasised the importance of inter-agency cooperation and mutual respect among security and government agencies.
According to the command, effective public safety depends on agencies working together professionally towards a common objective.
“The incident is therefore being treated with the seriousness it deserves,” the command said, while noting that the development would not prejudice its established working relationship with the Edo State Traffic Management Agency.
The police further urged members of the public not to take the law into their own hands, advising anyone with complaints about police misconduct to use the appropriate complaint channels, including the Police Complaint Response Unit.
Crime
₦432bn Debt Scandal: Reps Summon NNPCL, 146 Oil Companies
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has launched a probe into billions of naira in outstanding regulatory debts owed to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and oil companies.
The liabilities under investigation have risen to ₦432.07bn, according to findings contained in reports by the Auditor-General of the Federation.
The committee’s investigation follows concerns over petroleum-related obligations that have remained unpaid for several years, with some debts reportedly dating back to 2017.
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The Auditor-General’s 2023 report had put the combined indebtedness of NNPCL and oil companies at ₦392.73bn. NNPCL accounted for ₦162.46bn, while oil companies operating under industry associations including DAPPMAN, MEMAN and MOMAN were responsible for ₦230.27bn.
Further submissions by the NMDPRA revealed that 146 oil companies owed the authority ₦327.53bn as of 2025.
The outstanding liabilities are linked to various petroleum-sector obligations, including Balancing Allowance, National Transport Average and the one per cent Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund. Some legacy debts are also connected to petroleum importation, coastal transactions and credit arrangements.
Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Bamidele Salam, said the lawmakers were determined to establish how the debts accumulated, what amounts had been recovered and how much remained outstanding.
Salam warned companies summoned by the committee to appear with the appropriate representatives and provide all relevant documents.
He stressed that the investigation was not intended to witch-hunt any company but to ensure that government revenue was properly accounted for and recovered.
The committee is expected to examine the basis for the assessments, the periods covered by the debts, payments made by the affected companies and the enforcement actions taken by the NMDPRA against defaulting entities.
Lawmakers will also investigate why some liabilities have remained outstanding for years and whether the regulatory authority deployed sufficient measures to recover the funds.
The probe comes amid growing scrutiny of revenue collection and accountability in Nigeria’s petroleum industry following the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act.
The NMDPRA, established under the PIA, regulates Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations, including petroleum processing, transportation, distribution, domestic gas activities and related infrastructure.
The committee said the investigation forms part of the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight responsibility and would require both the affected companies and the regulatory authority to provide documents needed to establish the true position of the outstanding debts.
Crime
How Police Used Intelligence To Foil Kidnap Operation In Akwa Ibom
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have foiled a planned kidnapping operation in Oron Local Government Area of the state, recovering a pump-action gun, cartridges, a rope, speedboats and outboard engines.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Uyo on Tuesday.
According to John, the operation followed credible intelligence provided by members of the public concerning a suspected plan to carry out a kidnapping operation around the Oron axis.
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She said the information prompted the command to deploy operatives on a joint, intelligence-led operation targeting a suspected criminal camp along the Calabar-Oron channel.
During the operation, the police recovered one pump-action gun, two cartridges and a white rope suspected to have been intended for criminal activities.
The operatives also recovered two speedboats, three 200-horsepower outboard engines and one 15-horsepower outboard engine.
John said all the recovered items had been properly documented and kept in safe custody as investigations continue.
She explained that the operation was part of the command’s sustained intelligence-led and proactive policing strategy designed to identify and disrupt criminal networks before they can execute their plans.
“The strategy is aimed at identifying, disrupting and dismantling criminal networks before they are able to implement their plans.”
The police spokesperson further said the command remained committed to preventing criminals from turning waterways in Cross River into operational corridors, hideouts or escape routes.
She added that the Marine Police Unit had continued to maintain heightened vigilance across strategic waterways and coastal communities in the state.
According to her, the heightened security presence is intended to protect residents of coastal communities, boat operators, fishermen and other users of the waterways.
John also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Azare, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the officers involved in the operation.
She quoted the commissioner as commending the personnel for their professionalism, courage and effective use of actionable intelligence.
“The commissioner of police is happy; the men are working gallantly. He is happy at their display of professionalism, courage and actionable intelligence,” she said.
The police command said it would sustain intelligence-driven operations and heightened surveillance across the state’s waterways to prevent criminal activities and protect lives and property.





