News
Oluwatoyin Osho: I didn’t accuse my uncle of N9.8million fraud
For years, Abayomi Arodu and Oluwatoyin Osho had lived like brothers. Arodu is Osho’s uncle, being a younger brother to Osho’s mum. They had so strong a relationship that when Arodu took ill sometime in 2009 and wanted to travel to India for a medical procedure, he handed over his family and businesses to Osho. That was because Arodu was unsure of his return, judging from the severity of his ill health.
According to Arodu: “I entrusted all my landed property into his care with the conclusion that I may not make it back to Nigeria. I had thought I would die as a result of the sickness then, but God’s mercy saw me through and preserved my life.”
Arodu said that his nephew had offered him some millions of naira, when he was travelling, which he turned down because his company had already taken care of all his travel expenses with additional funds.
“All I needed was just for him to be there for my family while I was away,” he said.
When he returned after four months, he met with Osho with a view to repaying the loan he had used to support his (Arodu’s) business. He found out that Osho had spent millions of Naira to the tune of N19.8million to sustain the smooth running of the business.
The process of repaying that debt set the ground for what had lingered for 10 years as a family feud between the two men. The matter had gone from Police stations to the court and was wrongly reported by a national newspaper that Arodu duped his nephew of N9.8million.
In reality, Osho had stood in for Arodu by managing his private business, with his personal funds.
Arodu had sought Osho’s understanding on gradual repayment of the loan. Osho had committed the sum of N19.8million, out of which Arodu has paid N10million, while a balance of N9.8m remained.
According to Arodu, Osho refused to come for amicable draft of the loan repayment schedule, even when some family elders intervened.
Osho refused to show up, making it difficult for comfortable terms of payment for him then.
Meanwhile, another family problem arose between the two men, which made the gentleman’s agreement between them to be discarded. Rather, what was a brotherly gesture turned into a quarrel that led them to Police Stations and eventually a magistrate Court in Ogba Lagos.
That was aggravated by Osho, who was also having some personal issues and experiencing some frustrations in his business, which needed money to be sorted out immediately.
Hence, he went to his uncle to claim the balance of his money while both were still recovering from the family feud that was unrelated to the money. That was how the transaction degenerated into a case for police stations and eventually landed in court.
Luckily for the two, the presiding magistrate at that time, after hearing their cases, threw out the matter and told them to go and settle at home as brothers should.
But a reporter of a national newspaper had picked the story and reported that Arodu had duped Osho of N9.8million, a report even Osho himself was shocked to see.
According to Osho: “It was the little family issue that we had that got escalated and my own financial pressures. But from Mowe, Isheri, to Area G Ogba Police Stations and to the Magistrate Court, there was never a day I said my uncle duped me. I only said he was owing me. My statement is still at Area G police station and even court records can show that. I had no single idea why the newspaper said I accused my uncle of defrauding me. That story still baffles me till date. There is no way I could have accused a man, who is like a father to me of duping me. That’s not possible. I maintain till today and even up to the time of going to my grave that my uncle never duped me.”
Asked how he thought the story of the fraud against Arodu came about, Osho said he suspected that some unscrupulous Police officers and some court officials must have twisted the story to that.
“I was even shocked to see the story in a newspaper. I have gone to the newspaper to narrate my story but that does not seem enough. I want to state again that my uncle never duped me of N9.8million. It was a misunderstanding that arose from a family issue that triggered the whole thing, which we have settled at home,” he said.
Arodu felt that the story could have landed him in prison and tarnished his reputation as an honest worker and businessman.
However, Osho said at that time, he felt embittered that he wasn’t appreciated for his efforts and love towards his uncle (Arodu) and his immediate family members.
Osho maintained that the police added to the issue, which prompted him to take action against his uncle up to the court. He said he was accused of gun possession, which was not true.
“Again, I felt abandoned by my uncle when I needed him most at the first police station, which was the reason I wrote a petition against him,” he said.
However, Osho is today sorry and still bothered, 10 years after. He believed that he had wronged his uncle beyond bounds. He maintained that he never accused his uncle of defrauding him nor did he arrange for the reporter to come cover the court proceedings.
Rather, he alleged that it was either the reporter picked the story from court when the proceedings was on and made a wrong publication about it or unscrupulous police officers who got the story twisted.
“I never accused my uncle of defrauding me nor did I arrange for any reporter to publish a false report about him. I don’t do the kind of business he does. So, I couldn’t have said I gave him money to buy goods that I know nothing about, for me. It’s just not possible. I didn’t say that at all,” he emphatically stated.
He added that though, he was deeply hurt and was naughty out of frustration, he did not accuse his uncle of defrauding him.
However, the remaining part of the loan (N9.8million)has since been balanced and all grievances settled. The brothers and family members are all now united and living like one happy family that should be.
Osho expressed gratitude to his uncle for putting a closure to the 10-year row in the family by accepting him back as the proverbial father to the prodigal son. “I am grateful to my uncle/father. Words are not enough to convey the weight of my appreciation. I’m also using this same medium to apologise for the inconvenience I might have caused him and his family, especially his image. And I hope he truly finds it easy in his heart to forgive me,” he concluded. He apologised to his uncle, his immediate family and the entire Arodu family.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the judgement of the federal high court in Abuja nullifying the timelines issued for the conduct of party primaries and the nomination of candidates.
Alex Izinyon SAN, leading a team of lawyers of the commission in a notice of appeal dated May 25, raised nine grounds it urged the appellate court to consider and vacate the judgment the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered on May 20.
Apart from raising the issue of jurisdiction, which it said the lower court did not determine, INEC also maintained that the legal action the Youth Party (YP) initiated against it was not only hypothetical but academic.
Arguing that failure of the trial court to make pronouncements on the issues, resulted in the denial of fair hearing to the Appellant, the commission also stressed the lower court misinterpreted the provisions of the electoral act.
It said: “The high court erred in law when it held that: ‘It is clear from the wordings of Sections 29(1), 82 and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the following can be understood. Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 mandates Political Parties to submit the names of candidates in prescribed forms of the candidates who emerged from its valid primaries which such a political party intends to sponsor at the elections, not later than 120 days before the date of the General Election.
“What is required of Political Parties to do under the Electoral Act, 2026 is to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 21 days before the holding of its primaries, congresses or conventions, days before the holding of its primaries, congresses or conventions, or any conference or meeting convened for the election of its executive committees, other governing bodies for nominating candidates.
“The Defendant is not mandated to impose a timeframe for political parties to conduct their primaries provided that it will be done and submitted not later than the 120 days provided by the Electoral Act, 2026. See Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.”
It was another day of misery in Kwara State, when daredevil terrorists reportedly stormed Yashikira Community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, and as has been the case in many of the attacks, abducting scores of residents including women and children.
But, apparently to register their authority, the gunmen, who were said to have operated for hours without challenge from the security operatives, were said to have torched the palace of the Emir.
The attackers, which reportedly occurred late Sunday night were said to have announced their presence through heavy firing and after storming the palace of the monarch during the period, set it on fire before whisking away their victims, but a similar attempt at the police station in the community, was repelled.
While some of the residents, narrated how the spent hours without resistance, leaving behind destruction and fear in the border community, another account said the villagers were caught unawares as the gunmen invaded the town under the cover of darkness.
However operatives made up of the police and military personnel, were said to have launched a manhunt immediately for the immediate rescue of the victims, including throwing a cordon in the area as part of the mission.
“The suspect offered ₦500 million to the SPU commander in an attempt to make the team stand down and allow him to contact his associates to move the consignment elsewhere. The offer was rejected immediately and properly documented for further investigation.”
These were the exact words of Olohundare Jimoh Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), with which he detailed how operatives of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) scoffed at a N500million bribe to turn their eyes off the importation of a huge consignment of drugs imported into the country.
This was part of the details of a major breakthrough by the operatives after bursting a major drug trafficking syndicate in Lagos, which led to the seizure of suspected illicit drugs estimated at ₦7.8 billion and arresting several suspects, including the alleged kingpin.
In the operation, reportedly carried out by officers of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) in collaboration with divisional police detectives, the operatives, were said to have stormed a house in Mende, Maryland area of Lagos, following months of surveillance and intelligence gathering coordinated by the Zone 2 Headquarters.
The recovered drugs consisted of hundreds of bags of suspected Canadian Loud, allegedly stored in the residence of the prime suspect, Jimoh, said disclosing that the suspect was apprehended on May 19 after weeks of strategic monitoring by operatives.
Offering further details, he said the operation was executed with technical support and guidance from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, alongside coordinated efforts between the SPU and divisional police teams.
Jimoh revealed that during the operation, the suspect allegedly attempted to bribe the SPU commander with ₦500 million to compromise the mission and allow the movement of the drug consignment.
The AIG described the development as a reflection of the renewed professionalism and operational discipline being entrenched in the Force under the current policing strategy.
He noted that the success of the operation underscored the importance of deploying specialized police units alongside conventional divisional teams in tackling organized crime.
According to him, the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of rapid containment strategies, intelligence-led policing, and professional conduct among the operatives involved in the raid.
“Rapid containment was achieved as the Special Protection Unit worked with divisional teams to secure the perimeter and prevent escape or interference with evidence.
“The operation was intelligence-driven, following months of surveillance and technical monitoring before the raid was carried out.
“The immediate rejection and documentation of the bribe attempt also reflect the standard expected from redeployed personnel at the divisional level,” Jimoh added.
Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, commended the operatives for their professionalism, saying the success of the operation validated the ongoing redeployment of personnel to divisions and units across Lagos and Ogun states.
The IGP noted: “Policing must be close to the people, and our specialized units must work side by side with divisional teams on the ground.
“The professionalism shown by the SPU commander in rejecting a ₦500 million bribe and following due procedure is the standard we expect. It shows that when you put your best foot forward at the grassroots, you get results and restore public trust.”
Disu further assured that the Force leadership would continue to reward integrity while holding officers accountable to the highest ethical standards.
Police authorities said exhibits recovered during the operation have been properly documented and will be tendered in court. The suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue to track down other members of the drug trafficking network.
-
News4 weeks agoBREAKING: Makinde, Turaki, lose! *S’Court affirms Wike’s PDP leadership
-
News2 weeks agoTinubu to African leaders: Copy Nigeria, produce your way out of poverty
-
Features4 weeks agoJim Nwobodo: The Sun shines, thrills, at ‘The Vanguard Awards’
-
News6 days agoBREAKING: US-Nigeria troops slaughter 175 ISWAP fighters
-
News2 weeks agoWhy we pegged presidential ticket forms at N60million – NDC
-
Columns3 days agoDear General Gowon: That apology you’re running from is your nemesis
-
News2 weeks agoGowon on civil war: My book is to put records straight, remove falsehood
-
News2 weeks agoBREAKING! Coast brightens for Obi, as NDC zones presidency to South