Akeredolu Signs LCDA Bill Into Law

• Governor Akeredolu signed legislation establishing 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ondo State, a step towards grassroots development
• The bill, previously approved by the state House of Assembly, now has legal backing for the creation of LCDAs

Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has signed legislation to establish 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the state.

During a brief ceremony, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Landmark Olamide presented the bill to the Governor for assent.

Also present were the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Prince Abayomi Babatunde Akinruntan, the Majority Leader, Hon. Oluwole Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi, and the Parliamentary Secretary, Hon. Otunba Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju.

With the governor’s approval, the bill, which the state House of Assembly had already approved, now has legal backing for establishing LCDAs in Ondo State.

Establishing these LCDAs is a significant step toward fulfilling Governor Akeredolu’s campaign promises and addressing people’s aspirations for improved grassroots development.

Imo court sentences four to prison for sodomy

An Owerri magistrate court, led by Barr Uche Stella Chukwu, has given prison sentences to four men who admitted to sexually assaulting three young adults.

Chibuzor Peter, 37, was accused of engaging in non-consensual sexual acts with three 18 and 19-year-old boys through force, threats, and intimidation. He received a 7-year sentence for conspiring with three others, Sunday, Chimezie, and Oparaugo, to commit these acts against the three young men forcibly.

The magistrate found them guilty of violating the state’s criminal code, specifically section 516, which pertains to unnatural offences. They were also sentenced to 7 years for contravening section 214 of the state’s criminal code, to which they pleaded guilty.

While Peter was sentenced to 14 years in prison, his accomplices were given 7-year sentences each, with the option of paying a fine of N500,000. The magistrate ruled that the sentences should run concurrently, and the individuals have been transferred to the Owerri Correctional Centre.