The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said that the incident occurred on Monday at 2:30 p.m. on the Ologuneru Road in Ibadan.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Ibadan, Olayinka said that the mob was about to set the doctor ablaze when the police team arrived.

He said that the doctor’s Lexus RX 330 SUV was set ablaze by the mob.

According to Olayinka, the victim is currently receiving medical attention at the Police Medical Services and is responding to treatment.

Olayinka said that the two young girls, Deborah, 15 and Rebecca, 12,  who the doctor was alleged to have kidnapped, found inside his vehicle, are currently in police protective custody.

Olayinka said preliminary investigation revealed that Afolabi, a medical doctor practising in the United States of America, wasn’t a kidnapper as falsely alleged in several misleading social media reports currently in circulation.

The PPRO said that further findings showed that the two girls found inside Afolabi’s vehicle were legally taken from one Mrs Idowu Abimbola in Eleyele Area of Ibadan.

Olayinka explained that the girls were to be   delivered to Afolabi’s mother for the purpose of assisting with household chores.

“In the course of investigation, Mrs. Idowu Abimbola was invited to the station where she confirmed the arrangement, while the two girls equally corroborated the account and related freely with the said woman, thereby dispelling the suspicion of abduction.

“Further investigation revealed that the misunderstanding which triggered the false kidnapping alarm began when Dr. Afolabi attempted to gain access through the Polytechnic Ibadan gate and was stopped by a security guard for routine vehicle inspection.

“Upon lowering the vehicle’s window glass, the two girls were allegedly seen half-naked, a situation which immediately aroused suspicion among bystanders and security personnel.

“It was gathered that the victim’s inability to provide satisfactory answers to questions asked at the scene, coupled with his decision to turn away from the checkpoint, further heightened suspicion.

“The situation was compounded by the inability of the two girls to speak the local language or properly express themselves in English, thereby fueling the false alarm of kidnapping,” he said.

The police spokesman said that the development led to a mob chase, the doctors eventual interception by irate youths who descended heavily on him and inflicted severe bodily injuries before the police arrived.

Olayinka said that statements had been obtained from eyewitnesses, including an Okada rider allegedly hit during the ensuing confusion.

He said that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the mob action and destruction of property.

Olayinka said the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Abimbola Olugbenga, condemned the act of jungle justice and spread of false and unverified information capable of creating unnecessary tension and undermining the gains of security recorded in the state.

Source: NAN

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The post False kidnapping: Police rescue medical doctor from mob attack appeared first on Frontpageng.

Panelists are divided over the innovative moves capable of throwing up emergence of non-professors heading universities.

Contributing to the great debate at the 38th edition of the programme on Sunday night, Secretary-General, Association of African Universities, AAU, Prof Olusola Oyewole, wanted the federal government to tinker with far-reaching reforms including rethinking the present governance structure in the institutions as a way of regaining the lost glory of universities in Nigeria.

Oyewole, a former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, submitted that the current system which allowed only Professors to head university management should be reversed to allow competent administrators who are not necessarily from the academia to kick-start a major revolution in the country’s tertiary education.

His viewpoint was corroborated by frontline traditional ruler, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Prof Saka Matemilola, who chaired the Boiling Point discourse with a submission that the time was ripe for government to introduce creativity capable of bringing on board people who can create the right value for the varsities.

However, another guest on the current affairs programme, Emeritus Professor Olukayode Amund of the University of Lagos, Akoka, rose stoutly to oppose the clamour, insisting that only professors who have passed through various ladders of the university system can effectively head such institutions.

The current affairs programme hosted by a veteran media professional and public relations strategist, Dr Ayo Arowojolu, was transmitted via Zoom and broadcast live on six partnering radio stations in Lagos, Ogun and Delta states.

The topic of discourse is: “Quality vs. Quantity: How Nigerian Universities Lost Their Competitive Edge in Global Standard and Way Out”.

Although Prof Oyewole explained that the title of such university heads could be changed from Vice-Chancellor to President, citing the practice in other climes, he insisted that the number one responsibility of a university helmsman is being an innovative fund raiser as government alone could not completely shoulder all financial burdens of institutions.

His words: “In order to reverse the misfortunes of our universities in Nigeria, innovation should be at the forefront. Our system of making people to become Professors appears to be faulty in that we are only interested in a number of publications, whereas the world is not talking about publications but innovations that comes from your research activities.

“To effectively lead a university, number one is vision. He or she ought to have a great vision for that university. Two, innovation. Innovative management of the university is very critical and of course, promotion of internationalization.

“On the issue of who should head a university, what makes institutions in Nigeria different from institutions overseas, where we have non-professors heading a university? If Prof Amund is insisting a V-C must be a researcher, I will tell you there have been innovations and inventions which are not from academics.

“There are universities in Africa that are headed by people who are not Profs. For example, Mojime Sixth University in Morocco is an industry-intensive university and it’s not headed by a professor.

“The reason is the vision of that university is innovation and entrepreneurship. The decision about who heads a university will depend on the vision and mission of that university. If the vision and mission is innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration, I submit that a non-professor can head the university.”

Diving on a divergent lane, Prof Olukayode Amund, former Vice-Chancellor, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, objected, arguing that since Vice-Chancellors are supposed to be the number one academic leader of the university, such a helmsman must not only be a researcher but must have scaled over all the different layers of the academic institution.

Prof Amund said: “I don’t align with the view of Prof Oyewole and Prof Wande Abimbola. Even though I am aware that in American universities, you don’t have to be a Professor to be the head of a University. In fact, they are called Presidents. They are not called Vice-Chancellors

“But, in the United Kingdom, you must be a Professor. Because you cannot give what you don’t have. You know, scholarship is very, very important and very critical.

“Because if you are going to head a varsity, you are not only the image maker of the university. You are the number one academic leader of the university. And, for you to be able to give leadership to an academic institution, you must be a good researcher, you must be a good teacher. That is when you can stick in judgment over others.

“More importantly, there are criteria which are taken into consideration before somebody is appointed as a Vice-Chancellor. You are not only a professor, but a Professor of several years standing. Someone who has also held other positions within the university. Someone who has gone around the system and the system has actually passed through him. Because without the system passing through you, you cannot give the right leadership for the University system. You must know the system that you want to lead.”

Weighing in on the debacle, Oba Saka Matemilola said: “For me, it’s about leadership.

It’s about who can really bring value to the university, not necessarily because you have a degree in Entrepreneurship, or a professor of 50 years, it’s about bringing the right value to the institution. It is good that we’ve all agreed that the decline in our universities is reversible. All we need is visionary leadership.”

Speaking on other myriads of challenges facing the tertiary education in Nigeria, both Prof Oyewole and Emeritus Prof Amund formed a consensus that rebuilding excellence at the university level could not be done in isolation.

They said the federal government must as a necessity tinker with reforms in the primary and secondary education system which feeds the universities is with many immature and low-quality students.

The interview discourse lasted for a two-hour duration and was broadcast live on WASH FM, Lagos; Sweet FM, Abeokuta; Roots FM, Abeokuta; Ẹrimbe FM, Shagamu; Women Radio FM, Mowe, and Kruzz FM, Asaba.

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The EFCC’s 3rd witness (PW3), Williams Abimbola, confirmed, during cross-examination, that no regulation was breached in the transactions allowed by her bank, the United Bank for Africa, Plc.

When the matter was called for continuation of hearing, the witness, a Compliance Officer with UBA, admitted that she had given similar evidence before the Federal High Court in FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Yahaya Adoza Bello.

The witness, however, admitted not being the relationship or account manager of the Kogi Government House account and that the account was domiciled in Lokoja but noted that transactions were in line with stipulated guidelines.

The witness, who had testified that she worked at the Area 3, Abuja branch of UBA at a previous FHC hearing on March 6, 2025, told the court that she could work at any branch.

“I reported to 18, Adetokunbo Ademola Wuse 2, Abuja, this morning,” she said.

On cross-examination, the Defence Counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, asked the witness that, as a compliance officer, did her duty involve protecting the integrity of the bank from legal penalty, reputational damage and financial losses? “Yes,” she responded.

She had, while testifying, confirmed multiple transactions by Abdulsalam Hudu in the sum of N10 million each between 31st July and 6th August, 2019.

But she told the court that she was not in a position to know why the withdrawals were made.

When asked if no banker demands to know the purpose for which a customer makes withdrawal, she explained that when making transfer, the bank asks for purpose of transaction and relationship on high volume transactions.

But she added that the bank did not make such enquiries in the case of cash withdrawal, noting that the banker was not an internal auditor of the customer.

She also mentioned transfers, in tranches, by one Bello Abdullateef, on July 5, 2019, but noted, on cross-examination, that her bank did not breach any regulations in allowing the withdrawals or transfers.

There was no withdrawal that went beyond N10 million in all the transactions presented before the court, Williams said, while responding to the Defendant’s Counsel.

She claimed to have been with her bank for 19 years and that she understood the duties of a cashier, which included paying cash and receiving cash.

She also admitted that a customer could withdraw his money as much as he liked in as much as the mandate was correct.

The witness had earlier listed the authorised signatories on the Kogi Government House account, as at 2004, to include Christopher Enefola, Permanent Secretary; Onekutu Daniel, Chief Accountant; Hudu Abdulsalami, Accountant (Exhibits F2, Page 37).

She mentioned a letter dated, September 2008, with three signatures – Elder P.S Ocheni, Abbas Ibrahim Abubakar, Chief Accountant; and Abdulsalami Hudu, Senior Accountant.

During cross-examination by the Counsel to the 3rd defendant, A.M. Aliyu, the witness was presented with a bank statement (Page 3 of F1, May 27, 2019), where the withdrawals were made.

She admitted that the narration on the credit entry was the Governor’s security fund, and noted a credit entry of N100 million, in two tranches of N50 million each.

“Can you, on oath, tell this court that those funds were not used for security purposes after withdrawal?” the counsel asked.

“My Lord, I am not privy to the details of the transaction and cannot categorically answer that question,” the witness responded.

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Earlier, during cross-examination by Daudu, SAN, the witness had admitted that she had not met or had any business to do with the 2nd defendant, Umar Oricha.

She also said she had not met the first defendant, former Governor Yahaya Bello, before.

Counsel to the 1st Defendant, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had earlier informed the court about an application before it, challenging jurisdiction.

He prayed the court to take their application so as not waste precious time on witnesses.

“I urge your lordship to give us a date. Let’s deal with the issue of jurisdiction,” he submitted.

Prosecution’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, however, argued that the application was not ripe for hearing and that the motion should wait until November 12, another date for hearing.

The EFCC also called its 4th subpoenaed witness, Jesutoni Akoni, a compliance officer with Ecobank, who confirmed that he had a 13-page document before him.

Counsel to the 2nd defendant, AM Aliyu, however, objected to the admissibility of the document tendered, saying it did not comply with the provisions of the Evidence Act.

The Court then discovered that the document tendered by the prosecution was actually addressed to Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court.

The prosecution admitted this and withdrew the cover letter.

The witness admitted, on cross-examination, that the name of Hudu Abdulsalam did not feature as signatory to the account.

She also said that he did not know the three signatories to the account.

Justice Anenih thereafter adjourned to tomorrow, October 9, 2025, for continuation of hearing.

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Abimbola who has taught in American universities such as Harvard and Boston University, said many of those institutions had vice-chancellors who were not professors but mere first degree holders.

He spoke while featuring on the popular online interview discourse, Boiling Point Arena, hosted by a media professional and public relations strategist, Dr Ayo Arowojolu.

Although Abimbola did not emphatically state whether he approved non-professors as vice-chancellors in universities in Nigeria, he said the federal government should urgently set up a commission of inquiry to make recommendations capable of radically reforming the institutions.

His words: “I have taught in 10 American universities and others. When I was at Harvard and also at Boston University, I discovered that they called their own vice-chancellors president. That university’s president was retiring and the person appointed to replace him had only a Bachelor of Arts degree.

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“So, I was wondering, how come somebody who doesn’t even have a Master’s Degree become the president of the university?

“The truth is that in America, they put much premium on who can reach out for the university, who can raise funds, who is well-connected with governments, who is well connected with industry and who  can really help the university.”

Abimbola argued that, faced with the current state of low funding from the government, it was a tragedy for any vice-chancellor to just sit down idly without possessing requisite skills to command goodwill necessary to mobilize financial support to bail out their respective institutions.

Hear him: “The university system is slowly dying before  our own very eyes. And, it is looking like it’s going to be a permanent or long-term problem if the funds are not coming from government.

“But, I dare say a university vice-chancellor should know what to do to bail in the present circumstance and make things better.

“One of the areas where we can look at is in the ranks  of the alumni. The biggest asset of any university are  the people they have graduated. Such people will contribute money since it is expected that the institution must have done something wonderful for them while they were there.

“For wealthy Nigerians generally, it’s a lack of understanding of what a university is supposed to be. It seems that it is not part of our culture in Nigeria to encourage people to help the society and our institutions. The society must act like the parents of the institutions because an institution in that regard is like a child. Every child needs to be fostered. The parents are there, but the larger society is also there.

“I don’t know of countries like Russia and China, but in Europe and in America,  the university is like a baby of the society  to which it is located. We all should find a way to contribute to help. But it’s a pity that giving is not our culture in Nigeria. People who have lots of money don’t really think it is their responsibility to give to  institutions, to give to society,  give back to what nurtured them to be who they are.”

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The support by the government, if carried out, he said, would revive the quality of education.

His lamentation is that the universities are experiencing the worst of time with professors earning scandalous monthly take-home pay which is equivalent to what his own gardener takes for a three-hour job of cutting grasses and trimming flowers in his residence in America.

Abimbola spoke as Guest on the popular monthly interview discourse, Boiling Point Arena, hosted by a media professional and public relations strategist, Dr Ayo Arowojolu.

The programme, chaired by a frontline monarch, the Olowu of Owu, Oba Prof Saka Matemilola, was transmitted via Zoom and broadcast live on six radio stations, WASH FM, Sweet FM, Roots FM, Eri-mbe FM, Women Radio and Kruzz FM as well as a cable television, NSTV on Gotv Channel.

Prof. Abimbola, an internationally acclaimed scholar and former Senate Majority Leader, lectures in some major universities in the United States, even at his present age, 92.

Excerpts of Prof Abimbola’s drift during the interview is published below.

“A university system is an important part of the fabric of any nation. As at 1989 when I left as Vice-Chancellor at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, our institutions were still at their peak of quality. However, within five years or less than ten years after my exit from the position of V-C, I visited the University and almost cried because of what I saw – the level of decadence. It has been getting worse since then.

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“The most important thing about university is funding. We need to ask our governments, both at the federal and state levels, why they have been aloof and looking on until things got this bad. The Federal and State Governments don’t really care. Why are they looking on as if they are not concerned?

“The university system is getting worse and worse in every aspect. I don’t even know how the faculty and staff of the Nigerian universities have been able to continue to survive on the pittance they take as salaries.

“About two years ago, I went back to the University where I was the V-C. I visited my Department, and I was told that a full professor earns about N500,000 monthly. When we converted the amount, this is almost equivalent to the $300 academics elsewhere in the United States will use to take care of his garden within just three hours.

“So, if these governments are not interested in supporting the universities,  they should wind them up.  It’s a big shame to the Nigerian Government. When I went to Ile-Ife campus, the lawns where children used to play had been overtaken. It’s a shame.

“The worst part of it is that they are still establishing more universities. Everywhere you look, there’s a university of this and that. And why are they establishing more and more universities when the ones that exist are not catered for? Why are they not funding existing universities?

“I think the best thing that we can do now is for the Federal Government to urgently set up a Commission of Inquiry on what we can really do to salvage the system and make things better. I think we have reached a stage where we need recommendations, which hopefully the people in charge will look at and use to make things better.”

Abimbola who is also an Ifa Priest and Babalawo, lamented that Nigerian universities which used to be in the top 500 best universities ranking in the world and among the first 11 in Africa are now taking back seat positions in the top 1000 categories.

He continued:  “I am sure that we can do better as a nation. Maybe it’s a lack of understanding as to what a university is supposed to be, or the people in government don’t understand that. The worst thing is that people in the past, even the recent past, used to think Nigeria is a place where the universities are wonderful because the products are everywhere in the world. We have produced so many people in science, in technology and in the arts, who are teaching or functioning in research and development all over the world.”

According to him, some of the consequences of what’s going on in the universities in Nigeria is that the professors are impoverished and cannot attend international conferences, nor can they write or contribute to international academic journals, adding that all these have implications on their ability to undertake researches.

“Nigerian universities are slowly dying before our very eyes. It is a big shame,” he concluded.

The topic of discourse was: “Nigerian Universities: Tower of Crises, Citadel of  Missed Opportunities. Can the Lost Glory be Reclaimed?”

The post Boiling Point: Save varsities from collapse, Prof Abimbola tells FG appeared first on Frontpageng.

The platform for this conversation is the popular monthly interview show, Boiling Point Arena, targeted at addressing the much talked-about decadence in Nigeria’s university system with a view to offer far reaching recommendations on how to unleash a new lease of life in the Ivory towers.

To be transmitted via Zoom at 8 p.m., the once-in-a-month global online show, now in its 35th edition, will be broadcast live on six radio stations across Lagos, Ogun and Delta states as well as on a cable television, NSTV on GoTV Channel 316.

Boiling Point Arena which commands an incredibly large online followership and wide listenership base, is hosted by a media professional and public relations strategist, Dr Ayo Arowojolu.

This particular episode since the current affairs programme began three years ago, has as its topic: “Nigerian Universities: Tower of Crises, Citadel of Missed Opportunities. Can the Lost Glory be Reclaimed?”

Expectedly, the bar of narratives will be raised on how to address the many years of systemic and infrastructural decadence in the Ivory towers in Nigeria with a view to charting a new path and reclaiming the lost glory of the nation’s apex education system.

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The Guest Speaker, Prof. Wande Abimbola, was a Vice-Chancellor of the then University of Ife which later got renamed as Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in the 80s, an era acclaimed for sterling leadership and phenomenal development.

Abimbola’s current pedigree as a teaching scholar in some universities in America where he presently resides at over age 92 would further deepen his capacity to offer enriching perspectives on how to rejig the universities in Nigeria.

Prominent traditional ruler, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Prof. Saka Matemilola is the Keynote Speaker and Chair to herald the discourse tonight.

A well publicized discourse, Boiling Point Arena will be broadcast live on WASH 94.9FM, Sweet 107.1FM, Roots 97.1FM, Erimbe 94.7FM, Women Radio 91.7FM and Kruzz 92.9FM as well as on NSTV on GoTV channel 316.

Boiling Point is a news and general interest group comprising of eminent personalities including over 300 professors, media professionals, technocrats, industry leaders, high court justices, traditional rulers, security top shots and several others.

The post Boiling Point: Tonight, Wande Abimbola addresses state of Nigeria’s varsities appeared first on Frontpageng.

To mount the podium as Guest Speaker this time is an internationally acclaimed scholar and erstwhile Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof Wande Abimbola.

Sunday, September 14, 2025 is the D-Day for the global online discourse which holds at 8 p.m. via Zoom and to be broadcast live on six radio stations across Lagos, Ogun and Delta states.

With an incredibly large online followership and wide listenership base, Boiling Point Arena is hosted by a media professional and public relations strategist, Dr Ayo Arowojolu.

READ ALSO: Police confirm beheading of man over land dispute in Ebonyi

The 35th episode since the current affairs programme began three years ago, is under the topic: “Nigerian Universities: Tower of Crises, Citadel of  Missed Opportunities. Can the Lost Glory be Reclaimed?”

Foremost traditional ruler, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Prof Saka Matemilola is the Keynote Speaker and Chair to herald the discourse in a fortnight time.

A well publicized discourse, Boiling Point Arena will be broadcast live on WASH 94.9FM, Sweet 107.1FM, Roots 97.1FM, Erimbe 94.7FM, Women Radio 91.7FM and Kruzz 92.9FM as well as a cable television, NSTV on GoTV channel 316.

Prof. Wande Abimbola is expected to draw from his acclaimed phenomenal leadership at the then University of Ife before and after the institution got renamed in honour of Obafemi Awolowo in 1987 following the demise of the late sage.

Abimbola’s current pedigree as a teaching scholar in some universities in America where he presently resides at over age 92 years would further deepen his capacity to offer enriching perspectives on how to rejig the universities in Nigeria.

Boiling Point is a news and general interest group comprising of eminent personalities including over 300 professors, media professionals, technocrats, industry leaders, High Court justices, traditional rulers, security top shots and several others.

The post Boiling Point: Wande Abimbola to address decadence in varsities appeared first on Frontpageng.

By implication, Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Ahmad is the third discussant alongside notable Ifa Priest and erstwhile Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Prof. Wande Abimbola, and popular preacher, Pastor Femi Emmanuel on the engaging intellectual clash.

The once-in-a-month current affairs programme which is the 34th edition, holds on Sunday August 10, 2025 commencing from 8 p.m. over a two-hour duration.

The programme will be transmitted via Zoom and broadcast live on six radio stations across Lagos, Ogun and Delta states as well as a cable television, NSTV on GoTV channel 316.

Boiling Point Arena, with a large online followership and wide listenership base, is hosted by a media professional and public relations strategist, Dr Ayo Arowojolu.

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Sheikh Ahmad is the Imam and Khateeb of Ansar-ud-Deen Society, a century old foremost islamic organisation.

The trio of Prof Abimbola, Pastor Femi Emmanuel and Sheikh Ahmad are to dissect the seeming gradual and systemic erosion of Yoruba cultural identity particularly stemming from the aftermath of the transition of the late Awujale of Ijebu-land, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

The discussants will expectedly examine the dynamism of tradition and culture as well as the imperative of preservation of cultural ethos and practices which define the Yoruba people while also interrogating the issues of Law, government influence and religion.

The topic of discourse is: “Secrecy Vs Transparency: The Great Battle Over Yoruba Monarchs’ Burial Traditions and the Future of Yoruba Culture.”

Prof Abimbola holds the traditional title of Awise Gbogbo Agbaye, a title conferred on him by the then Ọọni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade in 1981 on the recommendation of a conclave of West African Babalawos.

Pastor Emmanuel, for his part, is the General Overseer of Living Spring Church International, a sprawling church with branches all over the country and overseas.

Foremost traditional ruler, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Prof. Saka Matemilola is the Keynote Speaker and Chair to herald the discourse.

A well-publicized discourse, Boiling Point Arena will be broadcast live on WASH 94.9FM, Sweet 107.1FM, Roots 97.1FM, Erimbe 94.7FM, Women Radio 91.7FM and Kruzz 92.9FM.

Boiling Point is a news and general interest group comprising of eminent personalities including over 300 professors, media professionals, technocrats, industry leaders, high court justices, traditional rulers, security top shots and several others.

The post Boiling Point: Sheikh Ahmad, Wande Abimbola, Pastor Emmanuel to discuss Yoruba monarch’s burial rites appeared first on Frontpageng.

Sunday August 10, 2025 is the D-Day for the 34th edition of the global online discourse commencing from 8 p.m. over a two-hour duration.

To unmask all the angles germane to the ostensibly volatile issue are two of Nigeria’s bright minds from two divergent planks, an Ifa Priest and erstwhile Vice-Chancellor Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Wande Abimbola, and popular preacher, Pastor Femi Emmanuel, who is a one-time Deputy Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly.

The once-in-a-month current affairs programme is transmitted via Zoom and broadcast live on six radio stations across Lagos, Ogun and Delta states as well as a cable television, NSTV on GoTV channel 316

With an incredibly large online followership and wide listenership base, Boiling Point Arena is hosted by a media professional and public relations strategist, Dr. Ayo Arowojolu.

Both Prof. Wande Abimbola and Pastor Femi Emmanuel are to dissect the dynamism of tradition and culture as well as the imperative of preservation of cultural ethos and practices which define the Yoruba people.

The duo will pointedly situate the new trend of burying monarchs based on their spiritual leanings while alive as to whether it’s an evolution of tradition or outright desecration of culture.

READ ALSO: Cholera still endemic in Nigeria -UNICEF

The discussants are to also interrogate all the issues involved within the context of tradition, Law, government influence and religion.

The topic of discourse is: “Secrecy Vs Transparency: The Great Battle Over Yoruba Monarchs’ Burial Traditions and the Future of Yoruba Culture.”

Prof. Abimbola holds the traditional title of Awise Gbogbo Agbaye, a title conferred on him by the then Ọọni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade in 1981 on the recommendation of a conclave of West African Babalawos.

For his part, Pastor Emmanuel is the General Overseer of Living Spring Church International, a sprawling church with branches all over the country and overseas. He recently clocked 70.

Foremost traditional ruler, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Prof Saka Matemilola is the Keynote Speaker and Chair to herald the discourse.

A well-publicized discourse, Boiling Point Arena will be broadcast live on WASH 94.9FM, Sweet 107.1FM, Roots 97.1FM, Erimbe 94.7FM, Women Radio 91.7FM and Kruzz 92.9FM.

Boiling Point is a news and general interest group comprising eminent personalities including over 300 professors, media professionals, technocrats, industry leaders, high court justices, traditional rulers, security top shots, and several others.

The post Boiling Point: Wande Abimbola, pastor debate Yoruba monarchs’ burial rites appeared first on Frontpageng.

When the matter was called on Thursday, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, called its witness on subpoena, Williams Abimbola.

Abimbola, a Compliant Officer with the United Bank for Africa Plc, confirmed to the court that a further subpoena was served on the bank.

Justice Emeka Nwite admitted the subpoena and marked it ‘Exhibit 7’.

The subpoena, according to the prosecution, requested for the production of the statement of account of one Maselina Njoku, from 1st January, 2019 to 31st December, 2020.

The witness confirmed that it was the request from the bank and added that a certificate of compliance was also issued.

The witness confirmed 10 withdrawals in favour of Abdulsalam Hudu, in the sum of N10 million each on December 12, 2018.

She said the withdrawals were done with cheques and presented across the counter.

The witness, however, confirmed, during cross-examination, that the former governor’s name did not feature in the opening and management of the said Kogi Government House Bank account.

She also noted that she was not the accounts officer of the Kogi Government House account and that the account is domiciled in Lokoja, Kogi State, and not Area 3, Abuja, where she works.

On cross-examination, the Defence Counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, asked the witness that, as a compliance officer, did her duty involve protecting the integrity of the bank from legal penalty, reputational damage and financial losses? “Yes,” she responded.

The witness was also asked to name the three signatories on the account, which she did.

For Alhaji Yakubu Ismail, who was Permanent Secretary, she said, “We only have his picture on this form.”

Daudu SAN asked, “Now, in both the account opening documents and the statement of account from E1 to E72, does the name ‘Yahaya Bello’ appear anywhere?”

“No, the name Yahaya Bello does not feature,” the witness responded.

The Defendant’s lawyer again asked, “Please look at Exhibit 2P1-3P62. Does the name ‘Yahaya Bello’ appear anywhere in the document?”

“My Lord, the name Yahaya Bello does not feature on the exhibits,” the witness answered.

Daudu, SAN, therefore closed his cross-examination.

The EFCC counsel, moved to re-examine the witness.

Daudu, SAN objected, but the judge allowed him after a brief argument.

Pinheiro, SAN, then asked the witness if she was familiar with the signature on the document.

She said she signed on behalf of one Edward Bananga.

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But the Defendant’s Counsel again objected and moved to cross-examine the witness.

“My Lord, the witness initially disowned the signature, but under re-examination, the prosecution led her to admit it. Therefore, I have the right to challenge that admission and prove that her claim regarding the signature is incorrect,” he said.

“Cross examination is meant to prove the accuracy or veracity of the witness. I am entitled to disprove what she said. This is in the interest of justice,” Daudu SAN added.

He then asked the witness to read the document.

Reading from the document, she said, “I Edward Bananga hereby certified and confirmed that…”

“I put it to you that You are not Edward Bananga,” the Defendant’s Counsel said.

“I am not Edward Bananga, my lord,” the witness answered.

Another witness, Nicholas Ohehomon, from the American International School, was presented by the prosecution.

The exhibits tendered included the school’s statements of account, admission letters of the children of the defendant and payment receipts.

The witness confirmed the different classes the children were admitted into.

Exhibit 12P was also tendered, which was a contractual agreement for post-paid school fees for the children.

The prosecution presented a letter from the EFCC to AIS, Abuja, through the Registrar.

It was marked Exhibit 18 and an account provided by the EFCC for a refund.

The court, thereafter, adjourned to tomorrow, 7th March, at 10am, for continuation of trial.

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