News
Tension in Kogi Community over traditional ruler’s secret mining licence, residents petition IGP
The residents of Orinono Community Center of Ogugu in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, demanding investigation and prosecution of the Ejeh of Olamaboro, Mr Ujah Sani Simeon for fraudulently acquiring a mining licence.
Petitioners averred that the traditional ruler’s secret possession of small scale mining licence was without the consent of the host community which he intended to mine the resources that belonged to the entire community.
They pointed out in the petition that the traditional ruler forged signatures of some Orinono community leaders to obtain the lease, having not hailed directly from the community, hence, he should be stopped and investigated before the matter turned into communal conflict.
The petition dated September 20, 2023, was titled: “Petition Against Mr. Ujah Sani Simeon, The Ejeh Of Olamabaro Local Government, Kogi State, Hon. Agwoka Peter Abah, Mr. Yusuf Akahaka Iduh, Mr. Musa Balla, Matigo Oguche, Achema Joseph Akor Omale And Luke Usman For Criminal Breach Of Trust, Forgery, Conspiracy, Threat To Life, Kidnapping, Assault And Breach Of Public Peace”.
An acknowledged copy of the petition made available to journalists on Wednesday, was written and endorsed on behalf of the Orinono Centre by their lawyer, Ojonimi S. Apeh Esq.
Apeh said the small scale mining lease was granted to Simeon in his personal name, on May 22, 2023.
“Our Client informed us and we verily believed them to be true that, upon the discovery of the fact that Mr. Ujah Sani Simeon had obtained the mining lease, efforts were made to resolve the dispute amicably but all efforts proved abortive,” Apeh stated.
The petitioner alleged that Simeon at all times engaged in threatening the host community of killing, assaulting or kidnapping anyone who dares to question his authority as the Ejeh of Olamaboro.
According to Apeh, Simeon is the Ejeh of Olamaboro LGA, Kogi state, under which there are many other communities with their respective Chiefs (Gagos) and Chiefdoms long before the local government and even the state were created.
Apeh stated that Orinono Centre is an ancient community with her own Chief (Gago) and Chiefdom under which the solid mineral, coal is discovered.
The community told the IGP that trouble stated when on August 4, 2023, they discovered that the village stream which serve as their only source of water was contaminated as a result of the illegal mining activities being carried out by Simeon.
The Orinono community said they reported the issue to the Ministry of Mines which investigated the matter, and informed Simeon to suspend further operations which he had failed to comply with, but rather, had continue with the mining and also, employed more thugs to cause havoc and security breach in Orinono Center.
The community informed the IGP that the clandestine activities of Simeon and his thugs have resulted to crimes in the once peacefully community as the whole community is presently living in fear of either being kidnapped, killed or assaulted.
“Furthermore, Hon. Agwoka Peter Abah, Mr. Yusuf Akahaka Iduh, Mr. Musa Balla, Matigo Oguche, Achema Joseph Akor Omale and Luke Usman, have been moving from house vandalising properties and destroying farmlands in the community,” Apeh stated.
Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah Echocho, has congratulated Muslim faithful for the successful completion of this year Ramadan fast, urging them to celebrate the Sallah in love, and unity across our communities.
Echocho in a statement madeavailable to CAPITALPOST in Lokoja o Sunday, described the Ramadan period as stressful, but deserving, because it is the only period for spiritual reflection on abstinence from immorality, sincere sacrifice and supplications to Allah.
He added that, Ramadan symbolises Allah’s way of teaching humanity on virtuous living, where people keep away from all forms of comfort to appreciate what the less privileged experience and deprivation they suffers daily.
He task Muslims to extend the lessons of Ramadan to the way we live with our neighbours.
“Let’s seek peace at all times and promote unity of purpose in our society” the Lawmaker demanded.
“May the celebration brings sustainable peace to our homes, my district, Kogi State and Nigeria, he concluded.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
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