Tinubu, Ajumobi, others for Okeho centenary celebrations

By Bode Olagoke

Abuja

Former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the incumbent governor of Oyo state, among other personalities have indicated interest to be part of the centenary celebrations of Okeho, a town in Kajola loca government in Oyo state.
Others expected at the occasion are: the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, former governor of Oyo state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala and Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, among many others.
A statement issued yesterday by the chairman, publicity committee, Leke Salaudeen, said the event was meant to celebrate the return of Okeho to its original site from the old site, which “had existed for more than three centuries at the present location before our forefathers were forced to migrate to the old site (Okeho Ahoro) for security reasons due to incessant raids by the slave traders from Dahomey (now Republic of Benin) and the attacks by Fulani warriors.”
The statement added that “when the time was auspicious, our forefathers were compelled by the colonial administrator, Captain Ross, to relocate to the original settlement.”
“This was after a bloody civil disorder on October 19, 1916. The incident was a revolt against forced labour, strange customs and conventions introduced by the colonial administration. After the riot was quelled, the people of Okeho started returning to the present location (the original settlement) and in early 1917, they had fully resettled.”
The nine-day programme of events beginning from October 20 to 28, include visit to the old site, cultural display, people’s parliament, football match, lecture, symposium, merit awards and conferment of chieftaincy tittles.
“On the final day of the celebration (October 28, 2017), a book Okeho in History by Professor Segun Gbadegesin, the Asiwaju of Okeho would be launched. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the Chief Launcher.”
Court orders interim forfeiture of N1.96bn linked to Ontario Oil
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of N1.96 billion allegedly belonging to an oil company, Ontario Oil and Gas, over alleged fraudulent sale of refined petroleum.
Justice Hadiza Shagari issued the order, following an ex-parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking attachment of the funds.
“That the property mentioned in paragraphs nine of the affidavit viz, Renoir Logistics Ltd currently under investigation be interim attached/forfeited pending the determination of the investigation and possible prosecution of the case; that the said property attached/forfeited, ad-interim be managed and controlled by the EFCC,” the judge held.
In the suit labeled FHC/L/CS/1464/17, the commission joined as first and second respondents, respectively, Ontario Oil and Gas Ltd, and Mrs. Ada Ugo-Ngadi, Managing Director of the company.
An affidavit of urgency elicited by an investigating officer of the EFCC, Abdukarim Acheneje, in support of the ex parte motion, chronicles as follows:
“That the EFCC received a petition from Ms Joan Ganadanu, a legal practitioner, against the second respondent, complaining of diversion and conversion of proceeds of sale of refined petroleum products valued at N1.96 billion.
“That the petition alleged that the first respondent is a customer to Union Bank Plc, of Stallion Plaza branch, Marina Lagos; that union bank granted a loan facility to the first respondent in the tune of $70 million to import and/or purchase locally refined petroleum products PMS, DPK and AGO.
“That the loan was to be repaid from sale of the products and the second respondent guaranteed repayment of the said loan personally; that further investigations revealed that the respondent have lifted the product on the order financed by the bank for 10,000 metric tons of AGO, since July 2016.
“That the respondent have sold same, but have refused to lodge the proceeds in the company’s account, and pay back the facility to union bank among other financial infractions.” (NAN)

Leave a Reply