Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has invited the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio; and the acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, for questioning over the allegations of financial recklessness in the commission. The EFCC disclosed this in an invitation letter addressed to a group, Foundation for True Freedom and Good Governance, led by activist, Deji Adeyanju. The letter signed by the Head, Economic Governance Section, Adebayo Adeniyi, dated August 14, 2020, with reference number 3000/EFCC/ABJ/HQ/EG/T.6/Vol4/044, is titled, ‘Re: Request for Investigation of Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, and Prof. Daniel Pondei, acting MD NDDC over Corruption Allegations of Diversion of Public Funds’
The antigraft agency in the letter, revealed that it was indeed probing the NDDC and called on Adeyanju to come forward to clarify some of the allegations leveled so far against both men. The letter in part reads
''We write to acknowledge the receipt of your petition dated August 3, 2020 in respect of the above subject and to inform you that investigation into the case has commenced.
“In view of the above, you are kindly requested to attend an interview with the undersigned through the O/C team six on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at EFCC headquarters on the third floor.”The National Assembly is currently investigating the leadership of the NDDC over allegations of mismanaging N81 billion.