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Ondo Plane Crash: NAF Launches Probe, Reveals Fresh Details On Passengers.
The Nigerian Air Force has commenced an investigation into the military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as recovery teams continue to battle difficult terrain in efforts to retrieve the wreckage and victims.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Air Force also clarified the number of people aboard the aircraft, stating that 25 individuals were on board, including seven crew members, contrary to earlier reports that put the figure at 32.
A military source disclosed that a board of inquiry made up of aviation specialists had been activated to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The source explained that the panel, traditionally chaired by the Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation, would work alongside the recovery teams because evidence obtained during the recovery operation would form part of the investigation.
The source told The PUNCH:
“A board of inquiry has been set up. Immediately after an aircraft crashes, we activated the board of specialists. The Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation is automatically the chairman of the board.
“It’s a permanent appointment. They have to be on the ground as they are recovering those things, because part of the recovery process forms part of the investigation.”
The source said recovery personnel were encountering significant challenges at the crash site due to the dense vegetation and difficult terrain.
According to the official, a private construction company had provided specialised floating heavy equipment to clear the thick vegetation in the swamp, allowing recovery teams to gain access to the aircraft and retrieve its fuselage and victims.
The source added:
“I don’t think they’ve recovered all the bodies yet. The aircraft is deeply submerged in the swamp, and we are currently clearing the area. A construction company brought a floating buggy, or whatever it’s called. So, that’s what is clearing that path.
“Until we clear that part, we can look for what to use to lift the fuselage out of that swamp. It is going to take time before we can recover the bodies. The clearing operations remain ongoing at the site.”
The military official also dismissed speculation about the age and airworthiness of the aircraft, saying it was a relatively modern acquisition delivered around 2010 and had been properly maintained.
Meanwhile, NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, told The PUNCH that a comprehensive investigation into the crash was already underway on the directive of the Chief of Air Staff.
He said the service would rely on established aircraft investigation procedures rather than an ad hoc panel.
According to Ejodame, the findings would be made public after the preliminary report had been concluded.
“The most important thing is that the Chief of Air Staff has directed a comprehensive investigation and the outcome of that one will be communicated. Whether it’s a board, committee, or a one-man army,” he said.
Clarifying the number of people aboard the aircraft, Ejodame explained that the seven crew members were already included in the total figure of 25.
“For air traffic controllers, when they normally communicate ‘25 souls on board inclusive of seven crew’, it is minus the seven – the seven is in the 25. It doesn’t mean you add,” he said.
He further explained that five of the seven crew members were actively operating the aircraft, while the remaining two were crew members travelling as passengers.
“In this case, there were 25 souls on board: five were active crew, then two were passengers, but they are crew. So, there are seven crew on board reported, but only five were flying at that time. The other two were on board as passengers,” Ejodame said.
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‘It Is Not About What We Want To Eat’ – Yinka Quadri Explains Support For Tinubu’s Second Term,
Veteran Yoruba actor Yinka Quadri has explained why he and other members of the Yoruba movie industry are backing President Bola Tinubu’s ambition to secure a second term in office.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Quadri said his support for the president was influenced by his personal experiences and the assistance Tinubu had extended to members of the entertainment industry over the years.
According to the actor, Tinubu’s relationship with entertainers predates his emergence as president, tracing back to his tenure as governor of Lagos State.
Speaking during an interview on the African A-List programme, Quadri recalled how Tinubu reportedly paid the medical expenses of late Nollywood actor Babatunde Omidina, popularly known as Baba Suwe, while he was battling an illness.
The actor maintained that Tinubu had consistently supported entertainers facing financial difficulties, making him a familiar figure within the industry.
Quadri said his decision to support the president was not driven by personal benefits but by his experiences of Tinubu’s assistance to practitioners in the entertainment sector.
He stated, “People do not understand it. It is not about what we want to eat. He has been taking care of those of us in the industry since he was the governor of Lagos.
“When Moji Olaiya died, I, Fathia Balogun, Yomi Fabiyi and others were trying to bring her back from abroad. We went to Bourdillon to seek financial support.
“He asked us for the cost and paid it. It was a total of $25,000. I know it is not enough, but I praise him.”
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Fresh Details Emerge As Makinde’s Chief Of Staff, Ogunwuyi, Resigns.
The resignation of Segun Ogunwuyi as Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has been linked to speculation that he may defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Ogunwuyi announced his resignation in a letter dated Monday, October 12, 2026, stating that his decision took effect from the date of the letter.
In the letter, he expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve the people of Oyo State and contribute to the achievements of the Makinde administration. However, he did not immediately disclose a specific reason for his departure.
Following the development, a source familiar with the matter told Vanguard that Ogunwuyi’s resignation was connected to internal political disagreements within Makinde’s camp ahead of the 2027 general election.
The source also suggested that the former Chief of Staff could be considering a move to the APC in the coming days.
“There have been internal disagreements within the political camp, and Ogunwuyi’s resignation has further fuelled speculation about possible realignments ahead of the 2027 elections,” the source said.
“There are suggestions that he could be considering joining the APC, but we cannot say that definitively at this stage,” the source added.
However, as of the time of filing this report, Ogunwuyi had neither confirmed nor denied the speculation surrounding a possible defection.
Makinde Appoints New Chief Of Staff
Meanwhile, Governor Makinde has appointed Bashorun Akinwale Akinwole, popularly known as Wolekanle, as Ogunwuyi’s successor.
The governor also named Mrs Aderonke Adedayo as the new Director-General of the state’s Due Process Office.
According to appointment letters signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, both appointments take immediate effect.
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EFCC Takes ALSCON, Director To Court In Alleged ₦582.43 Million Fraud Case.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, October 12, 2026, arraigned Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) Plc and its director, Zavyalov Dmitry, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering offences involving ₦582,430,250.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The defendants were brought before Justice O. A. Egwuatu on a six-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/644/2025. Dmitry was reportedly at large as of the time of the arraignment.
According to the charge, ALSCON, described as a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP), and its director allegedly failed to report certain large single transfers from the company’s account to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), as required by Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The alleged transactions occurred between March and July 2024 and involved payments to UDATSON Nigeria, Urico Global Services and an individual identified as Christopher Azogu.
The charge listed transfers of ₦147,515,050 in March 2024, ₦156,026,860 in April and ₦121,425,200 in May, all paid to UDATSON Nigeria. Another payment of ₦127,338,190 was reportedly made to the same company in July 2024.
Other transactions listed were ₦15,124,950 paid to Urico Global Services in April 2024 and ₦15 million paid to Christopher Azogu in June 2024.
Count one alleged that ALSCON and Dmitry failed to report a transfer of ₦147,515,050 paid to UDATSON Nigeria from an account operated by the company in March 2024.
Count two contained a similar allegation concerning the transfer of ₦156,026,860 to UDATSON Nigeria in April 2024.
Count four alleged that the defendants failed to report a transfer of ₦121,425,200 to UDATSON Nigeria in May 2024.
The EFCC accused the defendants of offences punishable under Sections 11(3), 19(2)(b) and 22 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The commission’s lead counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the alleged offences were covered by the provisions cited in the charge.
When the charges were read, ALSCON’s Acting Managing Director, Ime Monday Inyang, entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of the company on all six counts.
The company’s lawyer subsequently urged the court to quash the charges, maintaining that ALSCON was innocent of the allegations.
After hearing the parties, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case until January 27, 2027, for the commencement of trial.
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