A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, has sentenced five Egba chiefs to six months imprisonment for damaging a sealed notice and removing caution tape placed by the Abeokuta South Local Government on the Ogboni Igbore House.

The court, however, gave them the option of paying a N50,000 fine each.

The convicted chiefs—Anthony Ogunseye (55), the Apena of Igbore; Ajasa Enisemo (67); Saheed Sanusi (50); Oludotun Oliyide (60); and Fatai Mutairu (63)—faced a four-count charge of conspiracy, malicious damage, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and stealing.

Delivering her verdict on Wednesday, Magistrate E.O. Ogunyemi stated, “The prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused are guilty as charged. I, therefore, sentence each of them to six months imprisonment or the option of a N50,000 fine.”

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The prosecutor, Inspector Olaide Rawlings, told the court that the incident occurred on March 21, 2023, around 12:15 pm at the Ogboni House in the Igbore area of Abeokuta.

According to Rawlings, the chiefs had conspired to remove a sealed letter and caution tape affixed by the Abeokuta South Local Government on the Ogboni House, which had been sealed for security reasons due to a crisis over a chieftaincy title.

The prosecutor further alleged that the chiefs stole two billboards placed on the doors of the Ogboni House by the local government.

Tensions had been high in the area following the crisis, prompting the local government to seal the house to maintain peace. However, the actions of the chiefs were said to have disrupted this effort, resulting in the charges brought against them.

Magistrate Ogunyemi’s judgment reflects the seriousness of the offence, emphasizing the need for respecting government actions intended to ensure public safety.

At least one person lost his life, while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries in two separate road accidents that occurred on Tuesday.

The accidents took place along the Otedola Bridge area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and at Ijebu Imusin, near Imeri Junction, along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway.

An incident report by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), signed by its Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, revealed that the accident at Otedola Bridge occurred during the early hours of the day.

The collision involved four articulated trucks laden with containers. Preliminary investigations indicated that reckless driving caused the crash, leaving one person dead and three others injured.

“On arrival at the scene, the agency’s Response Team discovered that a multiple-truck accident had occurred. The force of the collision caused the trucks to get stuck to each other,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.

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“Unfortunately, one adult male extricated from beneath one of the trucks succumbed to his injuries. Three adult males sustained varying degrees of injuries, with two victims receiving initial medical attention at the scene before being transported to the Accident and Emergency Centre.”

In a separate incident, the Commandant General of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Seni Ogunyemi, reported a lone accident involving a white Sienna vehicle with registration number RBC 751 XU.

The accident occurred at Ijebu Imusin, before Imeri Junction, along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway. Excessive speed, which led to a loss of control, was identified as the cause of the crash.

Of the six occupants, three females sustained injuries, while no fatalities were recorded.

TRACE operatives transported the injured victims to Ronal Hospital, Ijebu Ode, for medical treatment.

Authorities have urged motorists to prioritize safety and avoid reckless driving to prevent further tragedies on the nation’s highways.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team.

Chelle becomes the third coach to lead the team since José Peseiro’s resignation in March 2024.

The announcement, made on Tuesday, follows the endorsement of Chelle by the NFF’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee and its Executive Committee. NFF President Ibrahim Gusau confirmed that the Malian coach’s tenure would commence immediately.

Chelle will debut as head coach with the home-based Super Eagles at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled to take place in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda from February 1 to 28. Gusau emphasized the importance of the CHAN tournament as a platform for discovering local talent for the senior national team.

“We want whoever takes charge to start immediately and utilize the CHAN Eagles as an opportunity to identify players who can contribute to the senior team,” Gusau said.

The Super Eagles B team, under the temporary management of coaches Daniel Ogunmodede, Fidelis Ilechukwu, and goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa, has been preparing for the tournament at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

Chelle, a former Mali international with five caps, brings a wealth of coaching experience, having led clubs like GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran. As Mali’s national team coach since 2022, he narrowly missed a semi-final spot at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where his team lost 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast in extra time.

Beyond CHAN, Chelle faces the crucial task of reviving the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualification campaign. Nigeria currently sits in fifth place in their qualifying group, with the next round of matches set for March.

This appointment marks a new chapter for the Super Eagles, with fans hopeful that Chelle’s leadership will bring success both at CHAN and on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.