Columns

TRACE denies involvement in death of Ogun motorcyclist

Published

2 months ago

April 25, 2025

Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, TRACE, has denied its involvement in the road accident that claimed the life of an unidentified private motorcyclist in Abeokuta.

The accident which occurred at about 5pm opposite Federal High Court, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Wednesday, involved an orange and white articulated vehicle with the inscription A&O.

Ekwutosblog gathered that the vehicle which was alleged to have been chased by TRACE officials ran over the motorcyclist while trying to run.

The deceased who was rushed to Federal Medical Centre by road users, gave up the ghost before getting to the hospital.

However, the TRACE Public Relations Officer, Babatunde Akinbiyi, in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, stated that the incident was misrepresentation of fact and issues involved.

Akinbiyi maintained that the officers were not chasing the articulated vehicle and its patrol vehicle was on the usual duty of patrolling the highway within the metropolis to ensure free flow of traffic and check.

He asserted that the truck on sighting the patrol vehicle, made a quick and unplanned right turn with speed towards SUBEB, and in the process ran into an unidentified private motorcycle rider from the back.

Akinbiyi noted that in the process, several charms, devilish objects and soap fell off the motorcycle.

He said, “The regrettable incident in question, because it involves human life, is a misrepresentation of facts and issues involved. TRACE was neither chasing nor running after any articulated vehicle because we don’t apprehend at all cost.

“The TRACE patrol vehicle in question was on its normal and usual duty of patrolling the highway within the metropolis to ensure free flow of traffic and check, as well as see to any safety concern that may lead to gridlock, obstruction and loss of man-hour, if not quickly attended to.

“However, on sighting the TRACE patrol vehicle, which is the usual characteristics of articulated vehicle drivers, particularly those who have skeleton in their cupboards, the articulated vehicle driver under consideration, made a quick and unplanned right turn with speed towards SUBEB, and in the process ran into an unidentified private motorcycle rider from the back, with assorted charms, devilish objects and soap falling off the motorcycle.

“Unfortunately, the unidentified private motorcycle rider died at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, where he was rushed to.”

Meanwhile, he disclosed that the driver and the articulated vehicle have been apprehended and impounded at the Motor Traffic Division, Nigeria Police Force, Ibara, Abeokuta, for further investigation and likely prosecution.

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Alleged Land Grabbing: We have enough evidence to investigate monarch- Delta govt

Published

3 days ago

July 1, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Delta State government said it has gotten enough evidence from protesters that would help in its investigation of alleged land grabbing by the traditional ruler of Owa Kingdom, Obi, Emmanuel Efeizomor.

The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Edwin Uzor, leading the inquiry process, confirmed he has received evidential testimonies from some of the aggrieved persons; majority of whom are widows.

While addressing Owa-Oyibu Development Initiative, ADI, which had earlier protested over the matter but soft-pedalled following appeal by the leadership of the State House of Assembly, he said his office has commenced investigative inquiry into the matter.

He assured that the state government would speed up investigation with a view to resolving the crisis and come up with a peaceful resolution.

While enjoining the aggrieved parties to sheath their swords, he assured that the state government would get to the root of the matter. He said the administration of Hon Sheriff Oborevwori was irrevocably committed to ensuring that no Deltan is victimized by anyone on the account of his or her financial or social status.

He enjoined the youths in the community to give the state government the benefits of the doubts by remaining peaceful and calm.

Addressing the over hundred persons, all of whom are indigenes of Owa Kingdom, Uzor said, “we have gotten enough evidence from you that would help us in our investigation process.

“I want to commend you for your peaceful disposition so far. Meanwhile, we wish to appeal that you continue to maintain the existing peace even as we continue in our investigation”.

However, Chairman, Owa-Oyibu Development Initiative, Ogha-ni-ihun Oyibu, Benson Nkeki said the group had decided to embark on a wide protest against the monarch and the palace over alleged high-handedness, bothering largely on land grabbing and forcefully dispossessing land owners of their lands under false pretense.

He said the meeting was an aftermath of the group’s protest on the alleged land grabbing by the traditional ruler of Owa Kingdom, Obi Emmanuel Efeizomor.

Nkeki assured that following the intervention by the state government vis-a-vis the ongoing investigative inquiry into the allegation, the group is committed to giving the state government the benefits of the doubts.

“As law abiding citizens, we are prepared to give the state government the benefit of the doubts. If things are not done the way it should, we will continue with our protest even to the National Assembly level and beyond” Nkeki said.

Columns

Ghana Deports Nigerian Convicted for Smuggling Fake $100,000

Published

3 days ago

July 1, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

A Ghanaian court has ordered the deportation of Nigerian Aremu Adegboyega after convicting him for smuggling counterfeit CFA francs worth over $100,000 through an illegal border route.

Arrested in 2023 at the Aflao border, he was fined GH¢4,440 or faces up to two years in prison if he defaults.

Adegboyega admitted receiving the fake notes from a Nigerian contact on instructions from a suspected mafia figure in Côte d’Ivoire.

Columns

‘Benue most underdeveloped state I’ve visited’ – Verydarkman

Published

4 days ago

July 1, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Controversial social media personality, Verydarkman, has stirred reactions online after describing Benue State as the most underdeveloped state he has ever visited.

In a viral video shared after a recent visit to the state, the influencer claimed, “Benue is still in the year 1940. It is the most underdeveloped state I have ever been to.”

He went on to lament the state of infrastructure and insecurity in the region, saying investors are discouraged from coming due to deplorable road conditions and safety concerns.

“Investors can’t come because of bad roads and insecurity.

“I’m currently drilling a borehole in Yelwata, but the people can’t continue the work because they are afraid of being killed,” he said.