Author: user user

A lawyer, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, yesterday said he remained the counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Ejiofor, who had represented Nnamdi Kanu, distanced himself only from the jailed IPOB leader’s personal legal matters.

In a statement yesterday, the lawyer said he personally withdrew from Kanu’s legal representation in December 2023, long before Kanu’s conviction and sentencing to life imprisonment.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, and for the sake of clarity, I wish to state unequivocally that I personally disengaged myself from the legal representation of Nnamdi Kanu in any capacity since December 2023,’ he said.

He explained that his firm had, since then, remained retained solely as solicitors to IPOB as an organisation, securing what he described as the discharge and acquittal of over 200 alleged members across the Federal High Court in Abuja and the Ebonyi and Abia State High Courts between 2023 and 2025.

Ejiofor maintained that Kanu never independently appointed his firm as counsel to IPOB, insisting his only link to the appointment was through his now-terminated role as Kanu’s private lawyer.

He dismissed suggestions that he still represented Kanu personally as ‘a deliberate distortion of the facts.’

To back his claim of continued standing, Ejiofor shared a letter from Mr Chikadibia Edoziem, whom he described as Head of the Directorate of State of IPOB, reaffirming his retention as the group’s lawyer.

He also cautioned against giving credence to unauthenticated prison communications, citing provisions of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act which require that any message from an inmate bear the imprimatur of the officer in charge of the correctional centre concerned.

But IPOB rejected the claim, insisting Ejiofor had been sacked and remained dismissed on Kanu’s orders.

In a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, the group condemned what it called spurious claims by ‘the sacked and disengaged external solicitor’.

He alleged that the letter cited by Ejiofor was signed by expelled members with no authority to act for IPOB.

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN) , the first elected female President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to set a high standard and pave the way for other aspiring women.

The first lady who received Badejo-Okusanya and a delegation of women legal team, on Tuesday in the State House Abuja, affirmed that her emergence reflected growing recognition of gender inclusion and example of women supporting women.

ý

ýShe urged Badejo-Okusanya to use her term to create a footprint that would enable more women to earn people’s trust for leadership positions.

ý

ýThe News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Badejo-Okusanya, had earlier visited President Bola Tinubu at the State House ahead of her official assumption of office.

ý

ý”I believe that your profession is quite conservative, mine is to wish you well and to thank all the women who stood by you.

ý

ý’It is very important for women to support each other. We pray that your tenure would bring more women in. You have to really set the bar high.

ýThe first lady further promised to support to the association in whatever way they might need her support.

ý

ýBadejo-Okusanya had earlier thanked the first Lady for receiving her and her team.

ý

ýShe acknowledged that the NBA members were proud of what the First Lady was doing to alleviate poverty in the society through the ‘Renewed Hope’ Initiative (RH).

ý

ýShe further said that her emergence as the NBA president was due to the selfless support of other women of the bar.

ý’Every body played a part in ensuring that I win in the election. Honestly, your excellency, you have set good example for others to follow, we in the legal profession know that we have a role to play too.

ý

ý’We look forward to partnering with RHI, ‘ she said.

The Osun State Police Command confirmed on Wednesday that the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, and five others were arrested, and N4.81 million, Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and a voter register were recovered during a raid at his residence.

The Command, in a statement issued by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed that the operation, carried out by its operatives on credible intelligence, was primarily aimed at apprehending a suspected gang leader, Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as ‘Ashipa,’ who was said to be on the police watch-list over alleged murder.

He said officers stormed the property in the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo, where Arowomole was found.

Ojelabi said exhibits recovered during the operation included N4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two PVCs and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.

The exhibits, according to the Command, have been taken into police custody for forensic examination and further investigation.

Those arrested during the operation were identified as Hon. Igbalaye Teslim (SSG), 47; Akande Taiwo, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.

The police said the suspects were found on the premises during the operation and had been taken into lawful custody.

The Command said the recovery of the cash and the voter register had raised concerns over possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.

It noted that ongoing investigations would determine whether offences including voter bribery contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted criminal and other offences had been committed.

‘The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities. While investigations are still ongoing, the facts presently available disclose reasonable grounds to investigate the commission of offences,’ the statement said.

The Command added that it would investigate the source and intended use of the recovered cash and identify all persons connected with the exhibits.

He assured residents that the investigation would be conducted without fear or favour, stressing that no individual, regardless of political affiliation or public office, is above the law.

The police also appealed to members of the public to remain calm, obey the law, and continue to provide credible information to aid efforts to ensure peaceful, free and credible elections in the state.

Meanwhile, Osun State Government, through the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, berated the police for raiding the house of the SSG, calling it illegal.

He said, ‘At the time the SSG house was invaded, his ward officials were holding a meeting within the compound, while the SSG himself was attending the stakeholders’ forum organised by the National Electoral Commission.

‘The police raided the residence of the Commissioner for Energy at Ikire yesterday, ransacking the building and destroying several properties.

‘We again call the attention of our traditional rulers, the Nigeria Police Service, the Inspector General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to this escalation of targeted violence against top government officials and Accord members in Osun State. This must be stopped before it escalates into a general breakdown of law and order.’

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election, Dr Saliu Oyelami, has expressed confidence of winning the poll, saying Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party would be among the first to congratulate him after the election.

Oyelami spoke during a campaign engagement with party supporters, saying that the reception his campaign had received across the state had reinforced his belief that the PRP was on course for victory.

According to him, the support from residents in both urban and rural communities reflects what he described as a growing desire for a change in leadership.

He said many residents had expressed confidence in his vision of a more prosperous, inclusive and people-centred government.

‘Governor Ademola Adeleke will congratulate me because I am winning the Osun governorship election with a wide margin,’ Oyelami said.

He added that his confidence was based on what he described as the level of support the PRP had continued to receive across the state’s 30 local government areas.

The PRP candidate also said his campaign had attracted increasing participation from youths, women, artisans, farmers, professionals and other stakeholders who support his agenda for the state.

Oyelami pledged that, if elected, his administration would prioritise quality education, improved healthcare, agricultural development, youth and women empowerment, job creation, infrastructure renewal and enhanced security.

He said the sectors formed the core of his blueprint for the development of Osun State.