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Just In: Freed Ekiti Pupils, Staff Undergo Trauma Treatment
Following their release from the kidnappers’ den, the students and teachers of the Apostolic Faith Groups of School in Emure-Ekiti, Emure local government area, have been hospitalized.
Following their release from the kidnappers’ den, the students and teachers of the Apostolic Faith Groups of School in Emure-Ekiti, Emure local government area, have been hospitalized.
The freed victims comprise five pupils and three teachers who were released by their abductors in the early hours of Sunday, February 4.
They are currently receiving medical care at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The state commissioner for health and human services, Oyebanji Filani, along with ministry officials, brought the students and teachers from Emure Ekiti to the hospital following the Governor’s directive shortly after their release.
The EKSUTH Chief Medical Director, Prof Kayode Olabanji in a chat with our reporter said medical examination have commenced on the eight victims to ascertain their health condition.
Prof. Olabanji said the schoolchilden and their teachers are undergoing medical and therapetic treatment to relieve them of psychological trauma of the kidnap experience.
He added that the five pupils and their three teachers were clinically in stable condition, saying that they were being attended to by a multidisciplinary team of medical personnel.
He said: “Immediately we brought them in, they had been attended to by multi- disciplinary team of medical personnel.
“We brought in those psychologists who could work on them to allay their fears. They were given the initial resurcitation including rehydration, they were given fluids, some who needed oxygen were given oxygen.After they had stabilized a bit, they were even given food too, now, they are much better, we will still carry out few investigations to fully appraise their situation.
“But I can say with confidence that they are clinically stable and we don’t foresee any untoward eventuality.”
Governor Oyebanji, who arrived at EKSUTH few hours to see the eight victims who were receiving treatment shortly after his return from Abuja, had brief interaction with each of the victims at the Accident and Emergency Ward of the hospital.
While congratulating the students and their teachers for regaining freedom from the abductors, Oyebanji assured that the perpetrators of the crime would be fished out and punished accordingly.
He urged the medical team at the hospital not to be in a hurry to discharge the students, stressing the need for them to be properly managed, given the trauma they went through.
Expressing his condolences over the death of the bus driver of the abducted pupils, Mr Taiwo Olugbaye who was reportedly killed by the kidnappers, the Governor said government will not leave any stone unturned in the bid to apprehend the criminals as well as those involved in the killing of two traditional rulers in the state.
He said: “It is very sad. My condolences to the family. I have directed the Deputy Governor to pay a visit to the family and to the Elemure to commiserate with them. But what I can assure Ekiti people is that we will go after the criminals.”
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries, through his legal representative, has formally submitted a corruption petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Farouk Ahmed, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
This was disclosed in a statement made available to our correspondent by the Dangote Group media team on Friday.
Recall that Dangote had earlier petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate Ahmed for allegedly spending $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. He withdrew the petition a few days ago, even as the ICPC vowed to continue with its investigation.
The statement on Friday said Dangote’s petition to the EFCC followed “The withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.”
In the petition, signed by Lead Counsel Dr O.J. Onoja, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Ahmed, and to prosecute him if found culpable.
The petition further stated that Dangote would provide evidence to substantiate claims of financial misconduct and impunity.
“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624) 337,” the petition read.
Onoja further urged the commission, under the leadership of Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, “To investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting.”
The Rivers State House of Assembly formally recommenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
This marks the second time within ten months that the state legislature has initiated such a move.
At a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, formally read the notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara.
The notice, which was endorsed by 26 lawmakers, accused the governor of actions allegedly in violation of the Nigerian Constitution.
Amaewhule announced that the notice would be served on the governor within the next seven days.
During the same sitting, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read the notice of allegations and gross misconduct leveled against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh.
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Supreme Court: President Has Power To Declare Emergency Rule, Remove Elected Officials
The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the President holds the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency in any state where circumstances threaten public safety or governance.
According to the ruling, this authority may be exercised to prevent a serious breakdown of law and order or to stop conditions from deteriorating into chaos or anarchy.
The court emphasized that such powers are intended to safeguard national stability and ensure the continued functioning of democratic institutions when extraordinary situations arise.
It noted that emergency measures are justified only in exceptional cases where normal governance mechanisms are unable to effectively address escalating crises.
More details later…
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