Category Nigeria News

Jiti Ogunye, a lawyer and human rights activist, has urged Osun State politicians to seek a political resolution over the lingering dispute over local government funds.

On Tuesday, Ogunye stated on Channels Television The Morning Brief, “My consistent position has been that courts are not suited to resolve essentially political disputes.”

He explained that parties frequently went back to court because they had resources and vested interests even after judgments.

“Parties will want to re-litigate disputes, which prolongs conflicts,” he continued.

READ ALSO: Ozekhome’s “Highly Political” Withholding Osun LG Funds

Ogunye recalled that the dispute began with inquiries about previous council chairmen’s terms of office.

The attorney claimed that self-imposed ruling-enforcer attempts had disastrous effects, including death.

Courts and Politics

Ogunye warned that despite the court’s ability to hear the case, political differences between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the center improved the effectiveness of a negotiated settlement.

He warned against using court procedures to benefit partisan interests.

He argued that “political settlement is important,” and that “intractable political disputes” being drawn into legal battles were being tarnished.

He claimed that the judiciary should not be used as a tool for political conflict.

Ogunye resisted the threat of a state of emergency similar to that that was declared in Rivers State years ago despite the tension.

Trade Blame: APC and PDP

After the February council elections, the Osun government claims that there is “no legal or political basis” for withholding funds.

PDP officials were recognized as the legitimate leaders of the state’s councils in a court of appeal decision from June.

The Attorney-General argued, however, that Osun must recoup previous allocations because it provided incomplete account information.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mike Ozekhome earlier in August called the withholding of funds “highly political.”

He accused Lateef Fagbemi, the Federation’s attorney general, of recommending payments to officials who had been detained by courts.

Mohammed Idris, the minister of information and national orientation, has expressed condolences to the Maduagwu family after Somtochukwu Maduagwu, an Arise News anchor, passed away.

The minister described her passing as a terrible loss for both the Nigerian media and the country, as well as her family and the Arise News team.

Read more about how Kogi Police Recover The Body of A Murdered Photojournalist.

In a letter of condolence he signed and addressed to the Chairman of the Arise News channel, Nduka Obaigbena, he stated, “We express our deep condolences to you and the entire ARISE News family on the shocking and untimely death of your beloved anchor, Ms. Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu,” he wrote in a letter of condolence.

The minister expressed his sadness over the “heinous incident that cut down a promising young journalist in her prime.”

He continued, “Ms. Somtochukwu’s tragic death is a grievous loss to the Nigerian media fraternity, and indeed the nation,” adding: “Not only to the ARISE News family, but also to the media fraternity.”

The minister promised a “swift investigation” to find the causes of the late news anchor’s death.

Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist, is set to be detained by the Federal Government on a five-count charge of fabricating statements against President Bola Tinubu in order to undermine international law and order.

READ MORE: X, Meta, DSS Sues Sowore,   OVER POST About Tinubu.

On Tuesday, Sowore was spotted at Abuja’s Federal High Court.

Two additional defendants are named in the charges: X. Incorporation and Meta (Facebook).

He was charged with fabricating offensive posts using his official X handle.

According to the Federal High Court, the alleged offending post, which is said to be against Section 24 (2) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024, was made on August 25.

Watch the video below.

If their outstanding salaries are not paid, the academic staff at the Ondo State-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), have threatened to obstruct the planned resumption of classes and the upcoming convocation.

READ MORE: ASUU Issues 14-Day Ultimatum To FG Threatens Indefinite Strike;

The university’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) members went on strike last month over the non-payment of their salary arrears, which has since caused academic activities on campus to become inaccessible.

Boluwaji Oshodi, the head of the university’s branch of ASUU, claimed that the lecturers had had enough patience with the alleged government’s refusal to address their situation.

We’ve been patient and tolerant for a while, but we won’t be doing it again. The population of our country has been pushed against the wall.

We don’t see any efforts that can indicate that the state government is ready to act responsibly, Oshodi said.

The union’s meeting with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was unsuccessful, according to the ASUU chairman, adding that lecturers had endured “urgent conditions,” including taking exams “on an empty stomach,” due to the union’s efforts.

Igbekele Ajibefun, the state’s commissioner for education, science, and technology, refuted claims that the government had abandoned the institution while responding to ASUU’s threat.

The commissioner made it clear that the state government had been working with the squabbling lecturers to resolve the conflict and that it would be resolved quickly.

On Monday, the man charged with killing right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk appeared in court in the US and requested more time to examine the extensive evidence.

This month, Kirk was shot dead on a Utah campus, causing conservatives to express grief and have President Donald Trump threaten to crack down on the “radical left.”

The following day, Tyler Robinson, 22, was detained. If found guilty of aggravated murder, he could receive the death penalty.

Robinson was physically present for the hearing on Monday at the jail in Utah.

The state appointed lawyer Kathryn Nester to defend Robinson last week, and the judge requested more time to review the “voluminous” evidence that the investigation has produced.

According to what I understand from our meeting today, there will be a lot of digital (evidence) coming, she said.

Also read: Charlie Kirk’s Widow Acquiesces to Turning Point USA

The next hearing, scheduled for October 30 and scheduled for Robinson’s personal appearance, was scheduled by Judge Tony Graf.

We must carry out our duties with integrity, civility, and diligence, he said, regardless of who is watching, whether it is the entire nation or just one person.

The fair and impartial administration of justice is what neither Mr. Robinson nor the Utahn people deserve.

Kirk’s views allegedly led to Robinson shooting him from a rooftop across Utah Valley University’s campus.

They cited text messages exchanges between his roommate, who they described as a “biological male who was transitioning genders.”

The roommate, who was unnamed, inquired to Robinson about Kirk’s death during one exchange.

Robinson is alleged to have written that “I had enough of his hatred.” Some hate cannot be negotiated out, he says.

Kirk, a father of two, used his audiences on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to bolster conservative viewpoints, including the transgender rights movement’s staunch opposition.

A number of people have lost their jobs following the murder after conservatives criticised what people posted or said about Kirk in public.