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No plans to pardon Adedoyin, subvert death sentence – Gov Adeleke
The Osun State Government has stated that it is unaware of any plans to subvert the death sentence on Dr Rahman Adedoyin.
Describing the rumour making the rounds on social media as false, the state government, through a statement by the governor’s Spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Monday in Osogbo, also affirmed that it has no plan to pardon Adedoyin.
Rasheed also revealed that Governor Ademola Adeleke is not a friend or partner of the owner of Oduduwa University and maintained that he did not interfere or intervene in the arraignment, hearing and sentencing of the accused.
Adedoyin, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Timothy Adegoke, is the proprietor of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Osun State.
According to the statement, “Reacting to the growing rumour of possible state pardon for the businessman, Governor Adeleke was quoted as noting that his administration has never and will never intervene in the judicial process, labeling those behind the fake news as public enemies.”
He described the rumour as fake news and those behind it as evil-minded political operatives desperate to blackmail the governor.
“Governor Adeleke has not and will never contemplate exercising the prerogative of mercy or whatever the report calls it, on a matter under adjudication which has generated deep interest among local and global communities.
“It is important to clarify that neither the State Governor nor his political party has any hidden plot on the said murder case other than a public interest agenda to see culprits in the dastardly act face the full wrath of the law. That explains why no PDP member is involved as counsel for any of the convicted individuals and why the state judiciary enjoys and exercises its full independence in the hearing and jugdment of the case.
“It is uncharitable for political enemies and their paid agents to attempt any linkage between the convicted businessman and the state Governor. We affirm with all sense of responsibility that Governor Adeleke is not at any material time a friend or partner of the owner of Oduduwa University and did not interfere, intervene or manifest any untoward agenda in the arraignment, hearing and sentencing of the accused,” the statement read.
DAILY POST recalled an allegation from a senior lawyer, Yomi Aliyu, that the state government had secretly planned to retire the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, had also made the round.
The state government has, however, debunked the rumour.
Adedoyin and two others, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, were sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of Adegoke.
The deceased, a postgraduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, had died inside Hilton Hotels, Ile-Ife, in November 2021.
Hilton Hotels is also owned by Dr Rahman Adedoyin, who has since appealed the death sentence.
Adedoyin and other hotel staff members were arrested and arraigned before the Osun Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo.
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s committee on food security has yet to impact the rising prices of food in Nigeria.
Muda Yusuf, the Director of CPPE, disclosed this in his statement reacting to Nigeria’s latest headline and food inflation in May 2024, which stood at 33.95 percent and 40.66 per cent, respectively.
CPPE lamented that the purchasing power of Nigerians has continued to drop amid the untamed inflationary pressure.
According to the economic think-tank group, drivers of Nigeria’s inflation include the depreciating exchange rate, surging transportation costs, logistics and supply chain challenges, forex market volatility, energy costs, climate change, insecurity in farming communities, seasonality of agricultural outputs, and structural bottlenecks to production.
“Regrettably, inflation drivers are not receding. There is also the factor of seasonality of agricultural outputs, which triggers seasonal price surges in some food crops. It is important to stress that insecurity in farming communities remains a major factor in disrupting agricultural production and perpetuating the food supply crisis.
“The food security situation is frightening and requires an urgent and emergency response. Meanwhile, the impact of the Presidential Committee on Food Security is yet to be felt. We believe that the proposals contained in the government’s Inflation Reduction and Price Stability Plan will have a significant impact in moderating inflationary pressures if implemented. We request that the plan be urgently implemented.
“The government could review the tariff policies by granting concessionary import duty on intermediate products for industrialists. The same is true for investors in the logistics sector. Some of these measures are already contained in the draft Accelerated Economic and Sustainability Plan proposed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy,” he stated.
Recall that last year, in July, Tinubu declared an emergency on food security, but nearly a year later, the country’s food inflation has worsened.
Nigeria’s food inflation surged to 40.66 percent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, says Lagos Island has the highest number of suspected cholera cases with 106 cases out of the 350 suspected cases in the state.
Abayomi made the disclosure on Monday through his official X account @profakinabayomi while giving an update of the state’s cholera outbreak.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
Cholera can cause severe acute watery diarrhea and the severe forms of the disease can kill within hours if left untreated.
Abayomi disclosed that laboratory tests have confirmed that the outbreak was due to cholera with the identified strain being highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread dissemination.
Speaking on the morbidity and mortality, Abayomi disclosed that 350 suspected cases of cholera were reported in 29 wards across multiple local government areas (LGAs) in the state.
According to him, there are 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities attributed to severe dehydration caused by delayed presentation at health facilities.
The commissioner further said that geographical distribution of suspected cases by LGAs revealed that Lagos Island was the epicentre of the outbreak with 106 cases; followed by Kosofe 49; Eti-Osa 38; Lagos mainland 30 and Ojo 17.
Other LGAs affected are Ikorodu 16; Kosofe 16; Shomolu 11, Surulere has nine; Apapa -eight; Mushin-eight; Ifako Ijaiye -eight; Mushin -five; Alimosho -four; Ajeromi Ifelodun -four; Oshodi-Isolo -three; Ikeja three; Ibeju Lekki -two; Badagry -two; and Amuwo-Odofin -one.
“Through community-based case finding and contact tracing, we have observed that the number of cases has peaked and is now significantly declining,” he said.
He stressed that the state was intensifying its public health prevention campaigns to prevent a resurgence.
According to him, suspected cases are receiving free treatment at the state’s public health facilities, in line with public health response protocols.
Abayomi said that the state was receiving support from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and International partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF.
He added that local non-governmental organisations are actively involved in raising awareness and conducting community-based surveillance efforts.
On cholera causes and transmission, Abayomi disclosed that cholera is caused by contaminated water and food and transmission common in areas with inadequate water treatment, poor sanitation, and insufficient hygiene.
He said that common symptoms include severe diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, thirst and muscle cramps.
“Symptoms can appear within a few hours to five days after infection,” he warned.
On prevention measures, Abayomi advised citizens to drink safe water that’s boiled, treated, or bottled and eat food that’s thoroughly cooked and hot, and avoid raw foods.
He advised citizens to maintain high hygiene by washing hands with soap and clean water regularly and using proper sanitation facilities and disposing of waste properly.
Speaking on treatment, Abayomi stressed that immediate action on rehydration was key, adding that oral rehydration salts (ORS) are crucial.
He added that medical treatment would be required for severe cases that may require intravenous fluids and antibiotics.
Abayomi advised the public to seek prompt medical help if symptoms occur and report any suspected cases to health hotlines: 08023169485 08137412348, or call 767 or 112.
As the Muslim faithful celebrated the Eid-el Kabir on Sunday, the Chief of Amry Staff, ;t.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, feasted with wounded-in -action soldiers at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.
That assorted delicacies and drinks were doled out to the soldiers as part of the Sallah merriments.
Speaking at the event, Lagbaja said Eid-el Kabir was a day to celebrate and share with the needy.
Lagbaja was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, who was also represented by the Division’s Chief of Staff, Brig.-Gen. David Nwakonobi.
The COAS said the Eid-el Kabir gesture was to celebrate with the soldiers especially at a time when they can’t be with their families.
He said the Nigerian Army, the Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff have them at heart and would do anything humanly possible to get them out of their present predicaments.
Lagbaja wished the soldiers quick recovery and reassured them of his resolve for their welfare.
One of the wounded- in-action soldiers, Staff Sgt. Garba Bono, thanked the COAS for the gesture.
“The COAS has been there for us and still with us, this alone is a cause to be happy.
”The hospital also is doing its best for us, I never thought I could walk again in my life when I was brought to the hospital, now I can walk. I thank God and the hospital for caring for us,”he said.
Equally, Sgt. Solomon Olaniyi, thanked the COAS for being conscious of the wounded- in-action soldiers’ existence.
“We are happy and still have the assurance that the Army will never neglect us. We are grateful for COAS remembering us, this gives us joy that the Army is with us and we still belong to the society,”he said.
Earlier, the acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Col. Stephen Onuchukwu, said the soldiers were faring very well.
He said it was fortunate for them to have such a COAS, adding that apart from winning the battle at the front-line, among his pillars of philosophy was sound administration of personnel.
Onuchukwu explained that the necessary leadership and resources to enable wounded- in- action soldiers got the best care was in place.
The CMD equally said apart from the soldiers receiving treatment at the hospital, those with critical conditions were flown abroad to have the best of care.
He thanked the COAS for his continuous support.
Inflation: Tinubu’s committee on food security yet to impact prices in Nigeria – CPPE
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