Metro
Slain OAU Student: Family Insists on Participation as Autopsy Holds
The family of Timothy Adegoke, the deceased master’s student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has kicked against the plan to transfer the case to Abuja.
The counsel for the family, Mr Naim Adekilekun, in a letter to the Osun Commissioner of Police, Wale Olokode, expressed confidence in the ability of the state police command to unravel the mystery behind his death.
Adegoke had gone to sit an examination at the OAU Distance Learning Centre, Moro Campus, when he was declared missing on November 7.
His remains were later removed from a forest along the Ede-Ife Road by the police.
Adekilekun, in the letter, lamented that the family of the deceased was left in the dark in the course of investigation into the matter.
While commending the police for the progress made, the counsel demanded that the family and their legal representative be carried along and properly briefed to erase all doubts.
The letter partly read, “Our clients have informed us and we understand that since the commencement of investigation into the dastardly act, which has been linked to the owners and management of the Hilton Top Hotel, Ile-Ife, the exhumation of the decomposing body of the victim, the arrest and detention of Ramon Olagoke-Adedoyin and other suspects, the family has been left in the dark and has not been carried along in the progress made so far.
“The palpable fear being nursed by the family as a consequence of the silence from your end towards the family is further heightened by series of unfounded and baseless press releases issued by the Hilton Top Hotel, lle-Ife, trying to cover up their Achilles’ heels and the roles played by the suspects in the murder, which are designed and calculated to mislead the curious public and interfere with the whole investigation of the crime.
“The fear being exhibited by our client was lent more credence when your Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, granted an interview on Fresh FM radio, Osogbo, and said, ‘Dr Adedoyin is still very much in police custody here In Osun. If, in the course of our investigation, we are required to transfer him to the force headquarters in Abuja, we will do so. For now, however, he is still very much in our custody.’
“We would like to stress that the family’s concern is not out of place, going by the report about Adedoyin, who is being touted to be an influential personality. One then begins to wonder what Abuja has to do with this investigation. We believe in your command and we know we can get the best from your end rather than Abuja.”
Meanwhile, Mr Abiodun Williams, counsel for the owner of Hilton Hotels, Ramon Adedoyin, on Sunday, said the absence of the deceased’s family last Friday made the autopsy already slated for that day to be suspended.
Williams, in a chat with PUNCH Metro, said the state Commissioner of Police, Olokode, had insisted that the autopsy must be done on Monday.
He said the autopsy would be done at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.
The Punch
In a move to enhance the mental resilience and professional effectiveness of personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, through Rashtriya Raksha University, the pioneering National Security and Police University in India, has concluded discussions to commence strategic partnership that will lead to result oriented capacity building for Officers and Men of the Corps.
Through the first-of-its-kind collaboration, according to a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), 1000 FRSC personnel will undergo intensive training in stress management and emotional wellbeing in August, 2025. An initiative that underscores Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed’s determination to safeguarding not only the lives of road users, but also the health and wellbeing of the Management and Staff of the Corps.
The capacity development program aims to increase awareness of occupational stress/personal stress and its impact on physical and mental health of FRSC personnel; equip staff with practical tools for stress management, promote psychological resilience, emotional regulation, as well as foster peer support and a culture of mental health awareness.
Speaking on the partnership, the Corps Marshal stated thus:
“Our personnel operate under immense pressure every day to keep Nigerian roads safe. By investing in their mental and emotional health, we are strengthening our capacity to serve the nation with professionalism, empathy, and excellence.”
“The training program will leverage the world-renowned expertise of Indian professionals in stress reduction, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence, combining modern scientific approaches with time-tested wellness practices. Participants will gain practical tools to manage stress, improve decision-making in critical situations, and promote a culture of mental health awareness within the Corps,” he added.
The programme facilitators will comprise mental health professionals including clinical psychologist,
research officers and administrative officer from the University.
It is expected that at the end of the training, both Management and Staff will exhibit an increased self-awareness of personal stress triggers, improved skills in emotion regulation and peer support, Strengthened sense of community and psychological safety
and improved capabilities to address crisis situation efficiently.
This landmark collaboration reflects the shared vision of Nigeria and India to build resilient institutions that prioritize the wellbeing of public service officers, ensuring safer roads and healthier communities across Africa’s most populous nation.
The training is set to commence later this year and will run in phases, in 4 specific locations including the FRSC Academy Udi, Enugu State, FRSC Marshal Inspectorate Training School, Owo-Alero with both physical and virtual learning sessions to maximize participation and impact.
Recall that the partnership between the University and FRSC commenced sometimes in March with the training of some of the Corps personnel in Gujarat State of India.
As continuation of that partnership, 10 personnel are already finalizing arrangements for Masters Programme sometimes in August this year to study different courses among which include; information technology, cyber security, data management and traffic enforcement.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has commenced the process of transferring the regulatory oversight of electricity market in Abia State to the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency (ASERA) via Order – NERC/2025/058 in line with Electricity Act 2023, as amended, with effect from June 25, 2025.
The NERC said that Abia State has fully complied to the provisions of section 230 (2) of the Electricity Act 2023 and had dully notified the Commission and requested the transfer of the regulatory oversight of the State electricity market to Abia State.
By this transfer order, the successor DisCo in the State, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) is expected to incorporate a subsidiary to assume the responsibilities of Intra State Supply and distribution of Electricity in Abia State.
Confirming the development, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, said the transfer of regulatory oversight of intrastate electricity markets from NERC to ASERA is in line with the promise of Governor Alex Otti to provide reliable electricity access to unserved and underserved industries and communities in Abia State.
He further stated that it will bring several benefits to the people of Abia state such as localised State-tailored tariff structures, which will set end-user tariffs that reflect local economic conditions, encouraging fairer pricing and better cost recovery.
Also, the commissioner said that ASERA can rapidly adjust rules and incentives to suit local goals such as supporting mini-grids or renewable energy projects.
He further said that Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency located in Umuahia will be able to provide a faster local and closer oversight which reduces delays in licensing, complaints handling, and issue resolutions to bolster local service quality among other functions.
According to him, the deadline for the transfer of the regulatory obligations is December 24, 2025.
Following a video in circulation condemning the Police community over neglect regarding welfare and retirement benefits of retired police officers by a retired retired Superintendent of Police, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered a thorough investigation into the allegations.
The IGP, according to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, has tasked the NPF Pensions Limited to urgently examine the claims, identify any possible lapses, and ensure that appropriate action is taken to address the concerns raised.
The Nigeria Police Force is not insensitive to the plight of its pensioners, many of whom dedicated their lives to the service and safety of our nation. The IGP views the welfare of both serving and retired officers as a priority and recognizes that timely and adequate pension administration is crucial to sustaining morale and institutional integrity. While efforts have consistently been made to improve the pension system, the IGP acknowledges the importance of constructive feedback in prompting necessary reforms.
The IGP therefore reassures all officers, both serving and retired, and their families of the Force’s commitment to improved welfare, and to building a system that honours their sacrifices. He urges stakeholders to remain calm and patient as the NPF Pensions carries out its investigations and engages relevant agencies to ensure lasting solutions.
