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Afenifere Kicks As Court Demands 24 Sureties For Igboho’s Associates’ Bail

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Perfecting the bail of 12 detained aides of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, has suffered a setback as the Federal High Court in Abuja demanded 24 sureties.

This development was in contrast to four sureties earlier demanded by the court, JomogNews Nigeria reports.

Pelumi Olajengbesi, who is a member of Igboho’s legal team, expressed dissatisfaction at the development. According to the lawyer, the legal team is only aware that the presiding judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, granted the detainees bail with four sureties.

Justice Egwuatu, last Wednesday, admitted the 12 applicants to bail after spending five weeks in the custody of the Department of State Services, following their arrest on July 1, 2021 at Igboho’s Ibadan residence raided by the DSS operatives around 1am.

The secret police had also said it killed two other associates of the activist in a gun duel and subsequently declared Igboho wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms to destabilise Nigeria under the pretext of Yoruba Nation. But the activist, who is now in a Beninese detention facility, had denied the allegation.

According to Olajengbesi, Justice Egwuatu granted bail to eight of the detained aides in the sum of N5m, two sureties resident in Abuja, with evidence of two years’ tax payment.

The lawyer said the bail terms for the remaining four were N10m in the like sum, two sureties resident in Abuja with one of them being a civil servant in a Federal Government ministry or any of its agencies with grade level not less than 12.
In addition, the four applicants will report to the DSS office every first Monday of the month effective from September.

The DSS lawyer, Idowu Awo, had told the court that he was not opposing the bail of eight of the applicants as their investigations revealed that the levels of their involvement in the offence of arms stockpiling and other criminal activities were minimal.

But the DSS lawyer argued that four others, Babatunde, Shittu, Oyetunji and Sunday, should not be granted bail in the interest of justice and national security.

Olajengbesi, however, prayed the court to discountenance the argument of the DSS as it was unknown to the Nigerian law. Justice Egwuatu disregarded Awo’s argument and granted the 12 detainees bail.

But speaking to Saturday PUNCH on Friday, Olajengbesi expressed surprise at the “clarification” of the court.

The lawyer said he was at the bail office of the court on Friday to start the vetting and assessment of the sureties when he was told that two sureties resident in Abuja were needed for each of the detainees.

He said, “Having got the four sureties and in the process of perfecting the bail conditions, the court clarified that the two sureties there were for each of the detainees, so the court is asking for 24 sureties.

“The bail office clarified from the judge today (Friday). The difference now is that two sureties resident in Abuja per person are needed.”

He appealed to the Yoruba to assist the detainees in meeting their bail conditions.

“When the court granted the bail, we wanted them to be remanded in a correctional centre here in Abuja because the complaint from the applicants is that DSS officials maltreat and beat them every day,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the leader of Afenifere, a Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has kicked against the demand for 24 sureties by the court

Adebanjo, in an interview with our correspondent, described the bail conditions as “impossible” and a sign of an “oppressive regime” of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).

He said, “Some people who want to stand as sureties may not want the government to associate them with Igboho,” and appealed to Yoruba indigenes in Abuja to rise up to the occasion and ensure the detainees were freed from DSS custody.

Adebanjo stated, “What have they done? You locked them up and detained them, then you are asking for impossible bail? It is part of the oppression of this government. What is their charge to warrant such heavy bail? Murder? Stealing or what?

“They woke them up and bundled them to Abuja, killed some of them and those that are alive are given impossible bail. What further evidence of authoritarian regime do we need? It is unfair. Only God will save us from Buhari. It is an unfair position for bail but I appeal to Yoruba sons and daughters to bail them.”

The Afenifere leader also urged the Beninese Government not to cave in to the pressure of the Nigerian Government to extradite Igboho.

“There is nothing against him (Igboho) that warrants extradition. They (Beninese Government) should not dance to the dictatorship of the Federal Government because it is unfair to extradite him. Someone running away from his life should not be sent back to those who are going to kill him. He has not done anything criminal, all because he wants self-determination for his people, is that a criminal offence?” Adebanjo queried.

Also, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, called on Yoruba people resident in Abuja to come to the aid of the detained persons.

He said, “Anybody that stands with you as a surety while in detention will be in your history for life. I appeal to the Yoruba community in Abuja to stand as sureties for those in detention. It is very important. I learnt that our group and some other groups are working towards meeting these stringent bail conditions.

“Those detained are freedom fighters and not criminals. Every Yoruba son and daughter in Abuja should please rise up and perfect the bail conditions of the court.”

Meanwhile, Yoruba Nation agitators have started fundraising to meet the bail by the Federal High Court granted to the 12 detained aides of Sunday Igboho.

The Communications Manager of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Maxwell Adeleye, made this known in a statement titled ‘Emergency Bail Contributions for 12 Yoruba Agitators in Abuja’.

The group led by Prof Banji Akintoye said, “Accounts were prepared to temporarily raise funds needed to move our people arrested at Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho’s house out of the bondage of the Nigerian Government before the close of business on Monday, 9th August, 2021.

“Our legal adviser has promised to supervise the utilisation of the funds for the purpose which it was created for. We hereby call on all Yoruba sons and daughters worldwide to support this drive.”

 

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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