The former Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, on Sunday, declared his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the September 21 election in the state, Monday Okpebholo.
Shaibu, who was impeached in April following a dispute with Governor Godwin Obaseki over his succession bid, spoke at a Father’s Day celebration in Benin City.
He said Okpebholo embodies the qualities of a “homeboy” needed to lead Edo State effectively.
The former deputy governor described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, as a product of godfatherism which he claimed had been eradicated from Edo State’s political landscape.
Shaibu praised former Governor Adams Oshiomhole for championing the fight against godfatherism and revealed that he had learnt valuable political strategies from Governor Obaseki during their battle against godfatherism in the 2020 election.
READ ALSO:Court adjourns Shaibu’s suit challenging impeachment to June 28
He said: “I am a very good learner and learning is what is most important in our lives and we must continue to learn till we die. Governor Obaseki says he has the right to support whoever he wants to support but he also forgot that he doesn’t have the right to stop anybody from supporting whoever they wants to support. So, it is my right to also decide who I want to support.
“I will support a homeboy. I came into the contest to be governor of Edo State because I needed governance to return to a homeboy, somebody who understands our plight and somebody who understands what the people are feeling.
“We don’t want an outsider. We have experimented with an outsider and it is not working, so this time, we want a homeboy. We have only two home boys in the major political parties; one is in the Labour Party and one is in the All Progressives Congress.
“I chose to follow the homeboy in the APC. The man they are parading in the PDP is an outsider and we have also agreed that no more godfatherism in Edo. The man the PDP is parading is the godson of Obaseki and there is no way a godson can be governor of Edo State again.”
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‘A homeboy needed to lead Edo effectively,’ Shaibu endorses APC’s Okpebholo ahead of guber poll
Lagos court jails two fake EFCC officials 46 years

The Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State, has sentenced two men, Ugwu Chijioke and Ibrahim Adekunle, to a 46 years combined jail term for impersonating operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and executing a fake court order.
This is according to a statement by the EFCC on its Facebook page on Sunday.
According to the anti-graft agency, the convicts were arrested in May 2021 at New Horizon Estate, Lekki, Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the commission during which they were carrying out an illegal operation.
At the time of their arrest, exhibits such as fake EFCC identity cards, jackets, and a court order allegedly from Mushin Magistrate Court were recovered from them.
Following their arrest, they were arraigned before Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe on October 12, 2021, by the Lagos Command of the EFCC on an amended five counts including impersonation, attempted property fraud, possession of false documents, and unlawful wearing of the EFCC uniform.
The statement read in part, “That you, Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Sadiq Adekunle, on or about the 12th day of May 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, attempted to obtain property from one Oriyomi Johnson under the pretext that the ‘Chief Magistrate Court, Lagos State Judiciary, Mushin, Lagos’ issued an order to the effect that the property located at New Horizon Estate, Lekki- Ikate, Lagos be seized and the said apartment sealed pending the arrival of the said Oriyomi Johnson, which representation you knew to be false and committed an offence of attempt to obtain property by false pretence contrary to Sections 8(b) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section11(3) of the same Act.
“That you, Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Sadiq Adekunle, on or about May 12, 2021, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court not being a person holding any office in or authority of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, wore a jacket bearing the official mark of the commission, which was calculated to convey the impression that you held such authority and committed an offence of unlawfully wearing the uniform of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission contrary to Section 79(1) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”
The suspects pleaded guilty to the offences when read to them, and following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel, Abdulhamid Tukur, presented a review of the case facts, requested the court to deliver a guilty verdict and impose the corresponding sentences.
Justice Abike-Fadipe found them guilty as charged on counts one, two, three, four and five.
The defendants, however, pleaded with the judge for mercy.
In her judgment, Justice Abike-Fadipe convicted Chijioke and Adekunle to seven years each on counts one to three, one year on count four and eight months on count five.
“Delivering judgment, Justice Abike-Fadipe sentenced the defendants each to seven years on counts one to three each, one year on count four and eight months on count five.
“The sentences are to run concurrently.”
According Online reported on May 2 that the Nasarawa State Police Command arrested three fake officials of the EFCC in the Nasarawa Local Government Area of the State.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, had disclosed that the suspects had launched an attack around the Federal Polytechnic in the Nasarawa LGA where they robbed people of their belongings and subsequently abducted a National Diploma student of the institution, Adudu Kingsley.
He further explained that the victim was released and the suspects were arrested following painstaking efforts by officers of the command.
Six killed, scores abducted in Sokoto Sallah day attack

No fewer than six persons have been reportedly killed with more than 100 persons also abducted as suspected gunmen attacked a community in Sokoto State in the early hours of Sunday.
The police in Sokoto, through their spokesman, Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the killing of over six persons and abduction of scores of residents at Tudun Doki, Gwadabawa Local Government Area of Sokoto.
Rufai said though information about the attack was still sketchy, six people were confirmed killed.
According to him, the Divisional Police Officer attached to Gwadabawa led a team of policemen to the community to assess the situation and restore normalcy.
“Six dead bodies were recovered by a search team and effort is still ongoing to recover other missing persons,” the police spokesman said.
According to villagers, the assailants, numbering about seven, attacked the community around 1.30 am armed with sophisticated firearms. They shot at anybody on sight and abducted many members of the community.
Gwadabawa, one of the local governments in the Eastern Senatorial District of Sokoto State, had been peaceful until the Sunday morning attack.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Whirl Punch continued the raid and clearance patrols in Kaduna State as they killed three bandits on the Gonna Rogo-Eka axis of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
The According reports that the troops, on June 14, killed 36 bandits, including Buhari Alhaji Halidu, otherwise known as “Buharin Yadi,” one of the deadliest bandit leaders terrorising the North.
Following the killings, residents of Kaduna-Katsina border communities went into wild jubilation.
In the latest raid, the commissioner said, “Troops conducting clearance patrols neutralised three bandits along the Gonna Rogo-Eka axis of Kajuru LGA.”
He added that two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines and 81 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered after a fierce battle with the bandits.
“According to operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government, the troops conducted special clearance patrols in the area and made contact with bandits. After an exchange of fire, three of the criminals were summarily neutralised.
“The troops scoured the immediate vicinity and recovered two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines and 81 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.”
Governor Uba Sani, speaking on the development, thanked the security forces and commended the troops, under the command of the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. M.L.D Saraso, for intensifying efforts to ensure a peaceful Eid celebration for citizens.
“The troops will continue special fighting patrols within the general area and other locations of interest,” the statement added.
NCAA warns airlines against illegal flights

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has threatened to wield the big stick against airlines flying into restricted areas in the country.
The aviation authority said this after it received a letter from the Office of the National Security Adviser, reporting a sighting of an unknown aircraft flying over the presidential villa.
As a result, the NCAA warned Airlines Operators in Nigeria through a letter sent to them.
The letter read partly, “The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority wishes to refer to Part 8.8.1.21 of Nig.CARs which states that ‘No person must operate an aircraft in a prohibited area or in a restricted area, the particulars of which have been duly published, except in accordance to the condition of the restriction or by permission of the State over whose territory the areas are established.”
The letter further stated that such violations shall be liable to sanction, persecution or both by the authority.
The NCAA further stated that the intruding aircraft might risk being met with dire consequences.
The authority in the letter stated that all aircraft owners and operators should advise their crew to obtain thorough weather before the flight and adhere strictly to air traffic control instructions to avoid flying into restricted or prohibited areas.
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Ilechukwu leads Enugu Rangers to eighth NPFL title

Enugu Rangers have won the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League with one game to spare after beating Bendel Insurance 2-0 in their final home game of the season at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, on Sunday, The According reports.
The Flying Antelopes’ eighth league title and first since 2016 was sealed thanks to the losses of their challengers Remo Stars and Enyimba in other match-day 37 fixtures against Sunshine Stars and Sporting Lagos respectively.
Remo Stars were beaten 2-1 in Akure by Sunshine Stars while a late goal Enyimba also fell 2-1 to relegation-threatened Sporting Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
Going into the match-day 37 game with a two-point lead, Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men took control of their destiny against Insurance as quickly as possible with Kenechukwu Agu opening the scoring in the 33rd minute.
Chidiebere Nwobodo doubled their advantage in the 65th minute but their confirmation as winners was almost being dragged to the final day as Remo and Enyimba, who had gone down by a goal each in their respective games both equalised.
A draw for either Remo or would have left them in contention for the title, but their chances were blown by two late goals.
In Akure, after Ahmed Akinyele had cancelled out Chinedu Nwosu’s opener for Sunshine, the 17-year-old turned up again in the 80th minute to dash the Ikenne side’s hope and get Sunshine their first win over them in six matches.
At the Mobolaji Johnson arena, Enyimba needed all three points and despite Chijioke Mbaoma scoring from the spot to cancel out Godwin Odibo’s opener for the hosts, Jonathan Alukwu was the hero, scoring a much-needed winner for Sporting which also left their survival chances hanging in the balance.
Thanks to their win over Bendel Insurance and their challengers’ defeats, Ilechukwu guided Rangers to an unassailable five-point lead with 67 points, going into their last game of the season against Gombe United at the Pantami Stadium next week.
‘The Working One’ as Ilechukwu is fondly called had previously worked with the defunct MFM FC, Heartland and Plateau United before joining Rangers at the start of the season.
After missing out on the title, Remo Stars, Enyimba and fourth-placed Shooting Stars are still in a thrilling race for the two other continental tickets via the league.
While the battle for that on match-day 38, Rangers will have a dead-rubber date against relegated Gombe United before their coronation at the Pantami Stadium.
Founded in 1970, Rangers have previously won the NPFL title seven times; 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984 and 2016.
Only Enyimba, who won the league for a record ninth time last season have more titles than the Flying Antelopes.
United hold talks with wonderkid Adejenughure

Manchester United have reportedly held talks with the representatives of Nigerian-Austrian youngster Oghenetejiri Adejenughure to discuss a move to Old Trafford this summer.
The 17-year-old is contracted to Red Bull Salzburg, although he is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Austrian outfit.
Adejenughure scored 16 times in 20 appearances at Under-18s level last term, though, and he has also managed eight goals in 12 outings for Austria Under-17s.
A host of clubs, including AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund, are said to be tracking the forward, but according to The Express, there is also firm interest from Man United.
The report claims that the Red Devils have held talks with the teenager’s representatives to discuss the possibility of moving to the 20-time English champions.
Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick, who was previously in charge of Man United on an interim basis, has allegedly earmarked the teenager as a future star.
Adejenughure is likely to turn out for Salzburg’s reverse team in Austria’s second division if he does stay this summer, but a number of clubs are seemingly hoping to put a deal in place.
A senior call-up for Austria is also allegedly not far away for the youngster who is also eligible to represent Nigeria, and the 2024/24 campaign is set to be a breakthrough season for the in-demand forward.
Man United’s new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is targeting youngsters as part of his strategy at Old Trafford, with the club no longer expected to play out large fees for ageing players.
Rasmus Hojlund, 21, was the top scorer for the club in his first campaign at the club, finding the back of the net on 16 occasions in all competitions last season.
Alejandro Garnacho, 19, managed 10 goals and five assists in 50 appearances in 2023-24, while 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo scored five goals and provided one assist in 32 outings.
Hojlund, Garnacho, and Mainoo are allegedly three of six unsellable players at Old Trafford, while Harry Amass, 17, and Ethan Wheatley, 18, were involved with the first team towards the end of last season.
NPFL quartet in fierce relegation battles

Enugu Rangers have won the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League but the fate of four clubs; Sporting Lagos, Akwa United, Bayelsa United and Doma United are still hanging in the balance as the relegation battles go down the wire in the last round of matches next week, According Sports Extra reports.
Despite a hard-fought 2-1 win over Enyimba at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Sunday, Sporting, the darling team of Lagos still find themselves deep in the relegation waters in 17th position with 46 points and they face a tough battle in their last game against continental ticket-chasing 3SC at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
Jonathan Alukwu scored a late winner for them in the win over Enyimba, but their midweek loss at home to Plateau United might be the ultimate finisher of their fate if they go down.
Former champions Akwa United are on the same points as Sporting (46), but above the drop zone on goal difference.
To be sure of safety, the Promise Keepers need to beat Rivers United in their last game of the season at home and hope for favourable results in the matches involving other strugglers.
Bayelsa United have been irrepressible in their last four matches which had seen them pick a crucial draw at Enyimba in midweek before coming from a goal down to beat 3SC 2-1 in Yenagoa on Sunday.
They sit two places above the relegation zone with just one point more than Sporting and Akwa United but their last hurdle against Bendel Insurance in Benin might pull them down if other strugglers get maximum points in their games.
Despite being in the top three at the end of the first half of the season, Doma United now find themselves rooted 18th with 43 points. If the Savannah Tigers want to stay up for their third season in the NPFL, they must beat Abia Warriors by as many goals as possible and see if they have done enough to survive as their destiny is not totally in their hands.
Former champions Heartland and Gombe United have already been relegated and two more teams will join them in the Nigeria National League next season.
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