Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, the Peacemaker
Certainly, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa understand the imports of the Biblical teaching that “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God” when she recently played the role of a peacemaker in the imbroglio between award-winning musician, Innocent Idibia, otherwise known as 2Baba and his wife, Annie Idibia.
A few weeks ago, social media was abuzz when Annie had called out the musician over his relationship with one of his baby mamas, Pero Adeniyi.
Annie took to her Instagram page to vent saying,
“I am a patient woman. I am not a fool, Innocent. Your family never loved me from the beginning. No matter how hard I tried. I was never worthy to them. I have made so many sacrifices for you and all your children. God knows I have tried.
“Your baby mamas constantly use your children as an excuse for all sorts of rubbish. I try to stay gracious. You are not the first man on the planet to have kids by different women. You can do better. Everything I do is to show the good human that you are. But today, this move done by you, Efe, Frankie and your family is unacceptable. What kind of man takes his kids to Disney and spends nights in the same apartment with his kids and their mother? How many times have you gone to see your kids with Pero? And she stays with you and the kids under the same roof?”
Though she deleted the post some minutes after, 2Baba’s brother Charles, replied to Annie on his own Instagram page, accusing her of using charm on his brother, among other allegations
According to him, “You got married into a family of peace lovers… so peaceful that it’s actually an Idibia family flaw as I have come to realise. Perhaps this has made you think that we must be fools, but trust me, we are not. You are bringing up a Disney trip that happened pre-Covid-19 simply because you somehow cannot totally have your way today like you are used to? Trying to paint your husband bad publicly (because he is a very private person). Is this your threat tool and means of gaining control? …and I thought you were smart, abi dey (sic) dealer gave you the wrong dose today?
“Asking your mum who lives in one of the bedrooms to add more fire to the Juju pot would have been a smarter move, but as God will have it, you choose today to expose yourself. You better finish what you started this night, because maybe, just maybe the public might just help us all. Inno is dying slowly, never seen a man so unhappy in real life, but we must all maintain ‘peace’ that has never existed from day one. I’m done. The Idibia family never gave you peace, you say, please bring out all the wrong we did to you and post on your page please, because I have a lot to say, and I’m going to say it regardless.”
While the drama lasted, the music icon simply kept mum, and later jetted out to the US. Not a few believed it was a publicity stunt, but some feasted on the story that trended for many weeks.
But as a mother to many, Senator Ita-Giwa who lives an exemplary lifestyle, penultimate week called the couple together and settled the crisis. It was gathered that after the peace talks that lasted a few hours, they all had a sumptuous dinner together at her Banana Island, Lagos home.
Kayode Ajulo, Living for Humanity
Famous lawyer and rights activist, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, is known for living for humanity, believing that love should truly be our religion. Recently, he made a bold statement that he is one given to walking the talk when he rescued an unknown teenage boy, Adeolu Bamiteko, from the hangers’ noose and also gave him a second chance at living right.
In 2017, Bamiteko and his accomplice, Ayobami Ojo, was arrested and subsequently charged with robbery and unlawful possession of firearms. At the end of the trial, the judge, Justice J.O Adeyeye, had sentenced Bamiteko to death.
Immediately Ajulo got wind of the damning fate of Bamiteko in Ekiti, he moved with the speed of light to offer his legal representation, pro bono. He filed a notice of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/EK/41C/2020 at the Court of Appeal, Ekiti Division.
In his appeal, he maintained that the prosecution failed to prove its case against Bamiteko beyond reasonable doubts. Ajulo also contended, among others, that the prosecution failed to call the alleged victim as a witness in the case and that the purported confessional statements of the accused persons, which were admitted in evidence, were recorded in Yoruba Language and translated into the English Language. He also pointed out that the Yoruba version of the statements was not tendered before the court.
According to him, there was no admissible or reliable evidence as to where, when and how Exhibit C (the bag allegedly belonging to the accused that contained a locally made pistol, a knife, four mobile phones, a wrist-watch, a necklace and N50 note) was allegedly recovered from the accused.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on September 28, 2021, the four-man panel led by Justice Theresa Ngolika Oriji Abadua agreed with the position of the appellant’s counsel and set aside the judgment of the trial court in its entirety. The appellate court, consequently, discharged and acquitted Bamiteko of the offences for which he was charged.
Beyond offering his legal representation, Ajulo has integrated young Bamiteko into society by giving him a chance to become reformed.
Gbenga Daniel’s New Headache
Unarguably, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, a former Ogun State governor, is not a pushover in the political setting in Nigeria. Apart from being the first former governor of the state to complete a second term, he is also the first former governor of the state to align with the central government. He was a strong member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one of those who kept the structure of the party for so long.
Between 2003 and 2011, his administration brought about unprecedented developments in the state. However, shortly after he left office in 2011, his successor, Ibikunle Amosun, literally dealt him a deadly blow, as many of his property, including his multimillion Naira hotel in the state, were allegedly seized. Also, he had to fight many wars in the process.
Even in the face of all the challenges, he tried, within his humanly possible power, to keep the structure of the party in the state.
He was kayoed politically by the late Buruji Kashamu, and almost lost his voice in the party. Not a few would agree that the war was hot and fierce, as he and Ibikunle refused to see eye-to-eye. Several PDP stakeholders’ efforts to settle the fight proved abortive, as they vowed not to surrender to each other. Things got so bad that he even announced his retirement from active politics at a point.
But typical of a political strategist that he is, he teamed up with the incumbent governor of the state, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and eventually got back his political groove when Abiodun won the governorship race. He would later defect to the ruling All Progressives Party (APC). This, it was gathered, was mainly to achieve his ambition of getting into the Upper Chamber come 2023.
However, Society Watch gathered that things might not be exactly the way he planned, as the dream is fast evaporating before his eyes, even before kicking off. It was learnt that the issue is currently tearing him and Abiodun apart and they are both said to be on a warpath over their different interests.
Our source disclosed that the two gladiators are not in agreement over who should be the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Ogun East Senatorial seat, currently being occupied by Senator Lekan Mustapha. It appears Abiodun is supporting his Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi for the office.
Rotimi Williams’ Late Son, Ladi Unfulfilled Dream
It is no longer news that Chief Oladipupo Rotimi-Williams lost his life to COVID-19 last week. His death is not a loss only to his family, but to the entire law business in the country. If he had any unfulfilled dreams, it is his inability to witness the end of the smouldering legal war with his brother, Folarin.
For some time now, there has reportedly been no love lost among the four children of the late legal luminary, Rotimi Williams, as they were said to have formed different camps, and are also engaging in backbiting, name-calling, mudslinging and throwing of tantrums. At different times, they have even dragged one another to court, petitioned the anti-graft agency, EFCC, and the police. They are sharply divided over the estates of their late father who was a legal icon during his time.
Society Watch gathered that the crisis took a new dimension a few months ago, as the late Oladipupo Williams, SAN, dragged the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) before a Federal High Court to ascertain circumstances surrounding the indebtedness of his brother, Folarin and two others in relation to the estate of their late father.
He urged Justice Daniel Emeka Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos to direct and compel AMCON to make available to him copies of documents contained in the file of his brother, Folarin and two others, Lambo Jumoke Oguntuga and Kemi Sheri Williams, with regard to the sum of N2,303,470,835.43 in which they stand indebted, and any other details regarding the loan.
The late Ladi alleged that Folarin might have used part of the unconstituted Estate of their late father (which he is not beneficiary to), to secure the loan to which he is now indebted.
Consequently, he had requested the details of the collateral as well as other documents regarding the loan obtained. But with his passing, he will never have the opportunity to follow the trial scheduled to continue on October 12, 2021.
Highflying Fashion Entrepreneur, Abiodun Odukoya, Soars Higher
Top fashion entrepreneur and boss of AB Rollings Clothiers, Abiodun Odukoya, is a man full of pragmatic ideas and beautiful dreams. At the dawn of his career as a fashion designer, one of his dreams was to rule the world of fashion and also inspire budding clothiers. By Providence, the high-flying man can be said to be living his dream, as he has spread his tentacles far and beyond.
Popularly known as “Father”, his interest in fashion is legendary and he has pursued this with infectious zeal for over two decades.
He first opened A.B. One Store on Adelabu Street, in Surulere, Lagos many years ago to cater to the needs of impressionable upwardly mobile young men and women in Lagos at the time. His entrepreneurial spirit has also been evident in diverse fields. For example, he founded the first local community newspaper, “Surulere Chronicle”, Lagos. He was a pioneer agent at the advent of GSM in Nigeria and he has retained an interest in security doors and vaults.
Recently, he was again in the news when Obi Cubana stopped by at the A.B. Rollings Clothiers Store on Edgware Road in London to buy some exclusive clothes and also ordered some personalised bespoke outfits.
It was gathered that the quiet but fashion savvy designer was on hand to personally attend to Cubana’s high-end needs.
AB Rolling Clothiers also has on its clientele base some eminent Nigerians, especially entertainers and businessmen who like their attires customised.
The Ogun State-born clothier, in all his dealings, comes across as a perfectionist.
Also, in the eyes of many, he is a restless soul, who is always in quest of knowledge to make him stand out in his chosen profession.
He recently opened a new fashion store in Paris, known as Home of Fashion and another one in Istanbul, Turkey.
