Lifestyle

Oba Adeyemi’s demise, end of an era – Ahmed Raji (SAN)

By Web News 934

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Ahmed Raji, has described the demise of the Alaafin of Oyo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, as shocking, saying it connoted the end of an era.

Mr Raji, SAN also commiserated with Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and the entire Yoruba race over the death of the late Alaafin.

He condoled with the late royal father’s family, the government and the people of Oyo State over the unfortunate incident which he identified as a normal phenomenon in every human existence.

Mr Raji, SAN said that Alaafin’s transition was a personal loss because, the late Oba was a memorable father and benefactor who was always ready to identify with people of Yoruba race throughout the world and proffer historical, cultural and traditional solutions to every plight that confronted them at all times.

Mr Raji described the late monarch as a strong believer in ideal and developed human society.

“Kabiesi Adeyemi remained focused on his missions as the longest-serving Alaafin of Oyo from the beginning of his reigns in 1970 to today that he joined his last ancestors.

Mr Raji, SAN said he received the news of theKabiesi’s death with shock and sadness, and described Adeyemi III as a humble and amiable monarch despite his revered position, noting that the Yoruba race has lost an institution of the Yoruba race.

While praying to Allah to overlook his shortcomings and admit him to Al Jannah Firdaus, Mr Raji, SAN prayed to God to grant Alaafin Adeyemi III’s immediate family, Governor Makinde and the entire people of Oyo State the fortitude to bear the loss.

Nofiu Busari

Security

Judicial Panel on Police Brutality Resumes Sitting

By Web News 613

Judicial Panel on Police Brutality and Other Related Offences in Lagos resumes sitting despite the absence of two of its member, a youth representative, Rinuola Oduala, and a civil society representative on the panel, Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN.

It would be recalled that Rinuola Oduala, stayed away following her decision last Friday to stop further participation in the proceedings.

Similarly, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was also absent with the leave of the panel.

The activist-lawyer had last Saturday stated that he could quit the panel in the wake of the police handling of the #OccupyLekkiTollgate protest.

This followed allegations that about 40 protesters, who were arrested at the Lekki Tollgate were stripped naked, beaten and their phones smashed, before their arraignment by the police.

The panel failed to sit on Saturday, and Adegboruwa’s absence yesterday fuelled suggestions that he might have made good his threat to quit.

But the lawyer, who is one of the two civil society representatives on the panel, stated that he had not done so.

Reports indicate that despite the absence of the two, seven other members of the panel sat yesterday to listen to ten petitions listed for hearing.

Wahab Akinlade

News Analysis

Re-Strategising On Security Situation In Oyo State

By Web News 1079

Cases of kidnapping for ransom, highway robbery and herdsmen attacks have taken a difficult dimension in parts of Oyo State, which is affecting residents, expatriates and businesses.

Towards the end of last year, a female quarry worker, Damilola Agboola was abducted at Moniya Area, Ibadan and this came few days after two Indians were kidnapped near the old Toll Gate along Lagos – Ibadan Expressway.

Shortly before that incident, a Lebanese, Hassan Mills was rescued from his abductors, sadly, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps lost his life while a soldier sustained injuries.   

It was as a result of the killing of a prominent farmer in Ibarapa area of Oyo State, Fatai Aborode that youths in the area staged a peaceful protest recently.

While the dust is yet to settle on the Aborode killing, three persons were killed by unknown gunmen in Idere in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State.

One of the victims, was the owner of a filling station, Mrs Sherifat Adisa who was abducted and killed while the others, two nine-year-old girls had gone to the station to buy fuel but got caught in the attack.

With the policing system strength of the nation is about thirty-seven thousand which majority of them have been deployed to guard the very important personalities and many of the soldiers have been overwhelmed with joint operations in some states.   

With the deteriorating security situation in the country, it is not viable for any state government to depend on the federal government for security of their state as they need to should develop and sustain their own security system to guard the security of lives and property of its citizens.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana recently noted that notwithstanding the shortcomings of the 1999 constitution, there are some residual powers reserved for state governments, which have not been explored to promote the development of the country.

It is therefore necessary that state governors need to leverage on these provisions to insist on power sharing with the federal government with respect to the management of the economy and security of the nation as stipulated by the constitution.

Oyo State government must seek legal advice from lawyers on how to explore constitutional provisions available to secure the lives and property of its people.

The Amotekun Corps in collaboration with other security agencies should be formidable enough to flush out the bandits and robbers hibernating in the state’s forests, and patrol the intra-state highways and roads with the assistance of relevant, maximising technology.

To have a reputable security system entails leadership and efficient coordination which Oyo State government needs to inculcate, coupled with the joint efforts of courageous and capable professionals will reduce the insecurity situation to the barest minimum.

Giving out intelligence report from members of the public would also go a long way in tackling insecurity as they are closer to the grassroots.

While a robust relationship between security personnel and the public must be paramount for them to earn their trust in working together as police cannot be everywhere.

Fawzeeyah Kasheem