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Credit Switch Boss’ Widow Narrates How Cook Killed Husband
The wife of the late Chairman of Credit Switch Technology, Chief Ope Bademosi, who was murdered at his Parkview Estate residence in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State, on Tuesday narrated to a Lagos State High Court in Igbosere how her husband was allegedly murdered by their 22-year-old Togolese cook, Sunday Anani.
The widow, Ebunoluwa , told the court that she had gone to Polaris Bank at the Falomo area to transfer money to Dubai and China when the deceased angrily called her, asking why the defendant was knocking at his room’s door.
She added that by the time she came back, she saw blood flowing from her husband’s room.
Anani was alleged by the police to have stabbed his boss with a knife on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, three days after he was employed.
It was alleged that the suspect fled the home with some valuables belonging to his boss after committing the crime.
Anani was arrested by the Ondo State Police Command around 9.30am on November 2, 2018, in the Yaba area of Ondo town.
The suspect, who denied involvement in the murder, claimed that he and the victim were attacked by robbers, who demanded money from his boss.
He claimed that when the assailants were not satisfied with what they got, they killed the Credit Switch boss.
The cook is facing two counts of murder and armed robbery preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.
Ebunoluwa, at Tuesday’s proceedings, while being led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bey, told the court that before she left for the bank, she had told the defendant that her husband was sleeping and that he should not be disturbed.
She said, “I left the bank and drove through Bourdillon and went home; the security man opened the gate and I drove in and went through the kitchen’s door to gain access into the building, but it was locked. I knocked several times, calling on the defendant, but he didn’t come to open the door.
“While waiting, I got a call from my sister in Ibadan and we spoke for about six minutes. I called my husband but the phone was picked and nobody responded. I called him twice and the same thing happened; so, I went downstairs and decided to pass through the front door, thinking that if I got there, there would be somebody at the door, but by the time I got to the front door, it was left ajar.
“I entered the apartment and saw blood flowing out from my husband’s bedroom. I couldn’t enter the bedroom, but the door was a bit opened and I saw his body lying on the floor, so I ran out of the building and started screaming and calling neighbours for help.”
The widow added that she inquired the whereabouts of the cook from the security man, who told her that the defendant informed him that he was sent on an errand.
She added that she passed out when she was informed by her neighbours, who went into the bedroom, that her husband was dead.
Ebunoluwa added that 10 days after the incident, she discovered that her husband’s five wristwatches and phone had been stolen by the defendant.
The presiding judge, Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile, adjourned the case till June 11 for the continuation of trial.
Earlier the defendant’s counsel and Director of the Office of the Public Defender, Olayinka Adeyemi, informed the court that they would be opting for a plea bargain.
The Punch
Former Minister of Interior and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has predicted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be defeated in the 2027 General Elections based on the analysis he has done.
The former governor of Osun State and one of the key players of the African Democratic Congress ADC spoke yesterday in Ilorin after the commissioning of the party’s state secretariat.
He stated, “If the APC is truly confident in its strength, it wouldn’t need to aggressively hunt down the opposition. Their actions across Nigeria suggest otherwise, as they are intimidating our members everywhere, from Lagos to Kebbi to Kaduna.
“How can we interpret what APC is doing all over Nigeria to us? They are harassing and intimidating everyone of our members, not just our leaders but nationwide, be it Lagos, Kebbi, Kaduna.
“If they genuinely believe in their popularity, they would remain calm, but the opposite is true. They know they are not well-liked, and the ADC will benefit from this unpopularity.
By the grace of God, the ADC will take over leadership in Nigeria and many states.” He also claimed, “The governors joining the APC are known enemies of the people, and their presence is unwanted.”
The former Interior Minister also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of being intolerant of opposition voices and using state power to silence dissent.
Aregbesola said the APC had failed Nigerians through greed and incompetence, which, according to him, had plunged the country into hunger, insecurity, and infrastructural collapse.
“Under the current administration, hunger has taken over the land. Governance has been reduced to personal enrichment and political intimidation. Nigerians are suffering because of the failure of leadership at all levels under the APC,” he said.
He alleged that the ruling party had become oppressive towards opposition figures, describing its conduct as undemocratic.
He described the ADC as a “party of conscience and service,” saying it represented the only credible alternative for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Also speaking, the immediate past governor of Kwara State, who dumped PDP to join ADC, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, said that his party is prepared to take over mantle of leadership in the country.
“This is the beginning of a new direction in our political experience. The ADC is poised to entrench a party that reflects the true aspirations of Kwarans,” Ahmed said.
On his part, the ADC National Publicity Secretary and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the Peoples Democratic Party as a “dead party awaiting its obituary,” insisting that only the ADC now stands as a viable opposition to the APC.
He said, “The question is no longer whether Kwarans want the APC; that question has been answered. They don’t. The question now is whether we can convince them that ADC is the only alternative and that’s exactly what we’ll do in the coming elections.”
Abdullahi also lamented rising insecurity across Kwara communities, saying the menace had crippled farming and disrupted rural livelihoods.
“Our people can no longer farm safely. The government must do more to restore peace and ensure that the lives of citizens are protected,” he said.
The Senate, on Thursday, approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The confirmation of Amupitan followed a screening session by lawmakers in the Senate Chamber during a Committee of the Whole.
Lawmakers asked many questions during the session, which Amupitan responded to.
After the screening exercise, the nominee was permitted to take a bow and exited the Senate chambers with a promise that the decision of the lawmakers would be conveyed to him.
After the exit of the INEC Chairman-designate and entourage, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion to restore all floor privileges earlier suspended.
The motion was seconded by the Minority Leader and approved by the lawmakers when it was put to voice vote.
Thereafter, Senate President Akpabio approved nomination of Amupitan for appointment as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when it was put to voice vote.
“The nomination of Joash Ojo Amupitan for appointment as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission is hereby confirmed,” Akpabio said.
During the screening session, Amupitan promised: “No voter will be left behind,” adding: “We will invest in logistics and technology — and where necessary, deploy drones with adequate safeguards — to ensure election materials and personnel reach every part of Nigeria safely and on time.”
Amupitan, a Professor of Law and former university administrator, said he is determined to modernise operational framework to ensure inclusivity and efficiency.
He assured lawmakers that his administration would work closely with the Joint Committee on Election Security to address threats that hinder smooth electoral operations, particularly in hard-to-reach or conflict-prone areas.
Beyond technology, Amupitan emphasised voter and civic education as the cornerstone of credible elections. He said INEC under his watch would embark on an extensive national enlightenment campaign to improve understanding of democratic processes among citizens.
“We will embark on aggressive civic and voter education across the country,” he said. “INEC will build the capacity not only of its staff but also of all election stakeholders — including political parties, their members, civil society organisations, and the electorate.”
He said the Commission would perform this role as mandated by Section 2 of the Electoral Act, which assigns INEC the responsibility of educating citizens on electoral procedures and democracy.
According to him, strengthening stakeholder knowledge would help reduce election-day irregularities and foster citizens’ confidence in the process.
“When people understand the process, they are less likely to be manipulated or discouraged. Our goal is to build an informed electorate that participates fully and freely,” he noted.
Amupitan also reaffirmed his commitment to transparency, integrity, and accountability, adding that INEC would strictly comply with existing financial and procurement laws to ensure judicious use of public funds.
“We will enforce all financial laws to the letter,” he said. “Every kobo released to the Commission will be used for the purpose for which it is appropriated.”
Kenyan opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has died at the age of 80 during a health visit to India, local police said Wednesday — a political earthquake that could transform politics in the East African nation.
Odinga was the perennial opposition figure of Kenyan politics, running unsuccessfully for the presidency on five occasions, most recently in 2022.
He remained a dominant force, able to rally huge numbers, particularly from his native western Kenya.
Indian police told AFP he was walking with his sister, daughter, and a personal doctor “when he suddenly collapsed”.
“An Indian police security officer and a Kenyan security officer were also with them at the time. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, but was declared dead,” the police source said.
Odinga’s death was also confirmed to AFP by a member of his political team, but they requested anonymity while awaiting an official announcement from the party.
Born on January 7, 1945, Odinga spent his early years in politics either in jail or in exile, fighting for democracy during the autocratic rule of President Daniel arap Moi.
A member of the Luo tribe, he entered parliament in 1992 and ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022, claiming to have been cheated of victory in the last four elections.
He cast himself as an anti-establishment firebrand despite belonging to one of Kenya’s top political dynasties — his father serving as the country’s first vice president after independence in 1963.
His death leaves a leadership vacuum within the opposition, and it is far from clear if anyone will have the same ability to mobilise opposition forces as the country heads into a potentially volatile campaign period ahead of elections in 2027.
Kenya’s former chief justice, and current presidential candidate, David Maraga, said he was “shocked” by news of the death.
Odinga was “a patriot, a pan-Africanist, a democrat and a leader who made significant contributions to democracy in Kenya and in Africa,” Maraga wrote on X.
“Kenya has lost one of its most formidable leaders who shaped the trajectory of our beloved country. Africa has lost a leading voice in pushing for peace, security, and development. The world has lost a great leader,” he added.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was among the first to react, posting on X:
“On behalf of the Government of Ethiopia, I extend my sincere condolences on the passing of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. May he Rest In Peace.”
A spokesman for the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre in Kerala, India, also confirmed the death.
“He experienced some breathing difficulties and collapsed. He was provided CPR on the spot, and having seen some sign of recovery, he was rushed to the nearest modern hospital. Despite repeated efforts by the medics, his condition deteriorated and the doctors were unable to save him,” the spokesman said.
AFP
