Housing Sector as Driver of Economic Prosperity in Ogun State

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October 6, 2025
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Babajide Abayomi

From the N3.5 trillion recorded in 2019, Ogun State economy has continued to witness tremendous growth estimated at N16 trillion within six years of the administration of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun. The geometric leap in the economic fortunes of the Gateway State is, no doubt, attributable to the holistic economic master-plan anchored on massive investments in human capital development and infrastructural revolution.

Investment in infrastructure across the major towns and rural communities is rapidly turning the state around. Under the leadership of Governor Abiodun, Ogun State is leveraging on its ‘Gateway’ status to unleash new frontiers of development across sectors. There is no contending that Ogun State has evolved as the prime choice of investment hub in Nigeria; manifesting in the expansion of the industrial and manufacturing sector. Within the last four years, Ogun State has attracted significant foreign investments among which is the $400 million project with Arise Integrated Industrial platform for the development of Olokola Free Trade Zone and Remo Agro Processing zone.

It should, however, be instructive that a major component of the economic rebirth currently unfolding in Ogun State is the transformational agenda of the state’s housing sector being overseen by the Commissioner.

The housing sector is enhancing the much needed environment conducive for economic growth thereby making the state attractive to investors. It is heartwarming that the Ministry of Housing under the leadership of the Commissioner, Jagunmolu Jamiu Akande Omoniyi, is complimenting the momentum of expansion in commercial and industrial outlooks of Ogun State with housing projects that are changing the landscape of urban and rural settings for goods.

The appointment of the Commissioner for Housing who is a seasoned mortgage banker, an astute administrator and versatile real estate developer, has turned out to be a huge blessing to the incumbent administration in Ogun. The ennobling pedigree of Omoniyi has reflected in the style of leadership and the new direction being witnessed in the housing sector in Ogun State.

Having worked with Partnership Savings & Loans, Wema Homes and Abbey Mortgage Bank, the Commissioner rose to become the Regional Executive Manager before starting his own firm, C2Q Property & Investment Co Ltd. His firm was at the forefront of the initiative that delivered over 10,000 affordable houses to civil servants in the FCT in partnership with the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board.

It is therefore not surprising that housing schemes such as the Prince Court Estates at Kemta Idi Aba as well others in Kobape, Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ilaro and Iperu are a sight with their architecture layouts and aesthetic components. Apart from the main stream Housing Ministry, the Commissioner has supervised activities of other housing agencies under his purview, to deliver on their mandates.

Other notable housing estates that are redefining the narratives of rural-urban settings in Ogun State through enhanced access to ownership and affordability include Kings Court Estate at Oke Mosan and in Warewa; Renewed Hope Housing Scheme (Abeokuta 1 & 2), PMB Estate, Kobape Road, Abeokuta, where construction of detached and semi detached duplexes are ongoing; Ibara GRA Regeneration Scheme and Ijebu Ode GRA Regeneration Scheme.

In all, Ogun State’s housing agencies under the watch of Jagunmolu Omoniyi, has delivered no fewer than 4,230 housing units (low, medium and high income class) across the state.

In tandem with the I.S.E.Y.A mantra of Governor Abiodun-led administration, the Ogun State Ministry of Housing initiated a number of incentives to deliver affordable housing to beneficiaries across the civil service and to the general public. Hence, the ministry under Omoniyi, has demonstrated commitment to enhancing access to affordable housing by curbing administrative bottlenecks.

Under the initiative aimed at enhancing access to affordable housing in the state, Governor Abiodun-led government subsidizes the cost of lands and also provides access to mortgages through Gateway Mortgage Bank with 0% profit! The ministry, however, monitors procurement of materials so as to curb waste and ensure standards; leading to significant reduction in the costs of building. It equally ensures that qualified engineers and architects are on ground to make sure the best jobs are done.

While the competent leadership evinced by the man supervising the housing sector in Ogun State is attributable to his experience and exposure, Omoniyi’s background and informal training in bricklaying as “Omo Baba Birikila” of Joga-Orile, (A son of a bricklayer) reflect in the direction he has steered the Ogun State Ministry of Housing and ancillary agencies.

His tutelage under his late father, Alhaji Mudashiru Omoniyi who was a seasoned bricklayer appeared to have shaped his commitment to the mass-oriented policy of house ownership.

On the socioeconomic front, the housing sector in Ogun State under the Commissioner, has, through massive construction and innovative home ownership schemes, contributed immensely to expanding the economic fortunes through employment, finance and industrial growth. Various housing schemes have been tailored to create jobs for artisans, suppliers, skilled and unskilled labourers; thereby making life more abundant to families through livelihoods support and direct income earnings.

And due to increased activities in the housing sector, high demand for building materials such as cement, woods, roofing materials, blocks and so on, has positively impacted the economy with more jobs being created.

Conclusively, the successes recorded, so far, by the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun in the housing sector, has continued to serve as the driver of investments into the state. Many private estates are now springing up across the state on account of the housing environment that makes investments and business to thrive in Ogun.

*Babajide Abayomi, a public communicator writes from Akute in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

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Proof of Murder Where the Victim’s Body Cannot be Found

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria

Holden at Abuja

On Friday, the 7th day of March, 2025

Before Their Lordships

Helen Morenikeji Ogunwumiju

Emmanuel Akomaye Agim

Haruna Simon Tsammani

Habeeb Adewale Olumuyiwa Abiru

Muhammed Baba Idris

Justices, Supreme Court

SC/1051/2018

Between

BETTY STEPHEN APPELLANT

And

1THE STATE RESPONDENT

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Haruna Simon Tsammani, JSC)

Facts

The Appellant was the first accused before the trial Court on four counts: conspiracy to steal a child, conspiracy to commit murder, child stealing, and murder. It was alleged that the Appellant abducted one Ifueko, a child of about three years, and handed her over to the second accused for a money-making ritual. Subsequently, the child disappeared and was never seen again. The Appellant, who was apparently in custody of the child, failed to provide any satisfactory explanation for the child’s disappearance. This matter was reported to the Police, who investigated and arrested both the Appellant and his co-accused. The Appellant and the co-accused persons made confessional statements at the Police station, which were tendered in evidence and admitted after the conduct of a trial-within-trial to test their veracity.

The Appellant and other accused persons were tried and convicted on all four counts. Dissatisfied with the conviction, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal, which dismissed the appeal. The Appellant further appealed to the Supreme Court.

Issues for Determination

The Appellant and the Respondent raised two similar issues for determination of the appeal, thus:

i. Whether the learned trial Judge was not in error when he admitted Exhibit “B 1” in the main trial (after the mini trial), even when the Plaintiff’s witness who testified as PW 1 in the mini trial admitted that one Inspector Ogunsare was the maker or recorder of same, and no proper foundation was laid as to his whereabouts?

ii. Whether the learned Justices of the Court below were not in error, when they affirmed the position of the trial Court that the Respondent proved beyond reasonable doubt the four count charge against the Appellant, considering the totality of the evidence led in this case at the trial Court?

Arguing the appeal, Counsel for the Appellant submitted on issue one that the trial court erred in admitting Exhibit B1, an extra-judicial statement, without properly determining its voluntariness through a mandatory trial-within-trial. Citing cases such as DAURA & ANOR v THE STATE (1980) 12 NSCC 334 AT 345, Counsel emphasised that whenever voluntariness is questioned, the trial Judge must assess the statement’s admissibility by hearing evidence on whether it was made voluntarily and free from duress, threats, or undue influence. Counsel submitted further that, the prosecution bears the burden of proving beyond reasonable doubt that the statement was voluntary, and the accused need only raise doubt on voluntariness to challenge admission. He contended that in this case, the prosecution failed to discharge this burden, noting that PW4, who testified on voluntariness, lacked proper foundation as he was neither the recorder of the statement nor shown to satisfy the conditions under Section 39 of the Evidence Act, 2011. The absence of the actual recorder’s testimony and any explanation or evidence negating torture or coercion, further undermined the prosecution’s case.

In response, the Respondent maintained that the statement was properly admitted after a valid trial-within-trial, highlighting that the Appellant volunteered the statement in English, which was also recorded in English, removing the necessity to call the original recorder. PW4 was part of the Police team involved and competent to testify on the voluntariness of the statement. The prosecution was not obliged to call multiple witnesses, when one eye witness suffices. Counsel referred to relevant authorities such as MICHAEL OLOYE v THE STATE (2018) LPELR-44775 (SC), to support this position. The Respondent submitted further that the assertion of torture by the Appellant was contradicted by the circumstances, noting the signing of the statement and hospital visit afterward. Hence, the confessional statement was rightly admitted and properly relied upon by the courts in convicting the Appellant.

On issue two, it was argued for the Appellant that the prosecution bears the burden to prove the guilt of the accused person beyond reasonable doubt, and this burden never shifts. Citing ONUGBOGU v THE STATE (1974) 9 NSCC 356 and AIGBADION v THE STATE (2000) 7 NWLR (PT.666) 686, as well as Section 36(5) of the Constitution oF Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 135(1) of the Evidence Act, 2011, Counsel argued that the evidence of the Respondent was conflicting, insufficient, and raised reasonable doubt. It was contended that the testimony of PW1 was inconsistent with his earlier Police statement (Exhibit A), and no explanation was given for these contradictions, relying on authorities including UKPONG v THE QUEEN (1961) 1 SCNLR 53 and NWANKWOALA & ANOR v THE STATE (2006) 14 NWLR (PT. 1000) 663. Also, PW2 and PW3 did not implicate the Appellant in their evidence, with PW 3 notably not making any statement to the Police. Citing OHWOVORIOLE v FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (2003) 3 NWLR (PT. 803) 176 and GBOKO v THE STATE (2009) 17 NWLR (PT. 1063) 272, the testimony of PW 5 was described as hearsay, and therefore, inadmissible under Section 38 of the Evidence Act, 2011. Counsel also criticised the Police investigation led by PW4 as incomplete and shoddy, referencing Section 214(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, the Police Act, and OLATINWO v THE STATE (2013) 8 NWLR (PT. 1355) 126. He posited that the prosecution failed to conduct further investigations after the Appellant’s denial, relying solely on the confessional statement (Exhibit B1). Counsel argued that no prosecution witnesses were eyewitnesses to the commission of the offence, and urged that the case was built on inadmissible hearsay. Regarding the victim’s presumed death, Counsel submitted that under Section 164(1) of the Evidence Act, 2011, death cannot be presumed death until the end of seven years, and since the case commenced within that period, the trial court erred in its presumption.

Reacting to the submissions above, the Respondent argued that the confession was voluntarily made and properly admitted after a trial-within-trial. It was stressed that the lower courts made concurrent findings of fact, which the Supreme Court should not disturb except if perverse or unjust, citing ARCHIBONG v STATE (2006) 14 NWLR (Pt.1000) 349. The confession was corroborated by credible evidence, and it is settled law that a direct, positive, and unequivocal confession may ground a conviction alone, in line with the decision in AKPA v STATE (2008) 14 NWLR (PT.1106) 72. The Respondent maintained that the offences of conspiracy, child stealing, and murder were proved beyond reasonable doubt under the Criminal Code Law applicable to Edo State. Circumstantial evidence and the presumption of death were appropriately relied on, guided by the decision in MUSTAPHA MOHAMMED & ANOR v THE STATE (2007) LPELR-1894 (SC). PW1’s minor inconsistencies were immaterial to the overall evidence, citing OGUNBAYO v THE STATE (2002) 15 NWLR (Pt.789) 76. Counsel urged that the Police investigation was proper and sufficient, to support the convictions.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale

Deciding the first issue, the Supreme Court first clarified the point that an accused may be convicted solely on his confessional statement, so long as the statement is shown to have been made voluntarily, and is direct, positive, unequivocal, and duly proved at trial. It is the reasoning of the court that PW 4 in whose presence the confessional statement was made is competent to testify on the circumstances under which the statement was made, even though PW 4 was not the person who recorded the statement. Regarding the Appellant’s argument that the prosecution’s failure to call the recorder amounted to withholding evidence under Section 167(d) of the Evidence Act 2011, the Supreme Court held that “it is the duty of the prosecution to call such number of material witnesses as it requires to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, and it is not within the power of the defence to dictate for the prosecution, which witness to call or not to call.” Their Lordships reasoned that since there is another witness to give testimony on the Appellant’s voluntariness in making the statement, the evidence of the recorder of the confessional statement is dispensable, and failure to call the recorder did not amount to withholding of evidence. The court concluded that based on the trial-within-trial evidence, the Appellant’s confessional statement was voluntarily made, as the Appellant did not successfully challenge the evidence of PW 4.

Regarding the second issue on evaluation of evidence, specifically on whether the charge of murder could be sustained even though the victim, Ifueko Stephen, was not found. The Supreme Court held that for the fact of death to be proved by circumstantial evidence, the evidence relied upon must clearly, positively, and unequivocally suggest that the victim of the offence charged is dead. The fact of death, may be presumed by circumstantial evidence – OTKIR v A-G OF BENDEL STATE (1986) 2 NWLR (PT. 24) 648. The court held further that the fact of death can be proved by circumstantial evidence, even when neither the body nor any trace of the body could be found – ADEPETU v STATE (1998) 9 NWLR (PT. 565) 185 AT 207.

In the present case, the Court found that the Appellant confessed to delivering the victim to the second accused person for ritual purposes involving mutilation of the victim’s body, including the cutting of the victim’s fingers and removal of hair, in exchange for the sum of N1,500,000.00. Since the child could not be found, the Court reasoned that “the only reasonable and logical conclusion is that, the child died and the remnant (body) secretly discarded where it has not been found.” Their Lordships, therefore, concluded that based on the circumstantial evidence and Appellant’s confessional statement, the offences for which the Appellant was charged were proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Accordingly, the court dismissed the appeal and upheld the judgement of the lower courts.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation

O.T. Okeke (Legal Aid Pro bono Counsel) for the Appellant

S.M. Iteinmo (On the fiat of the HAG of Edo State) for the Respondent.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 7th day of March, 2025 Before Their Lordships Helen Morenikeji Ogunwumiju Emmanuel Akomaye Agim Haruna Simon Tsammani Habeeb

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Tinubu Celebrates Dele Alake at 69, Describes him as consummate strategist, outstanding journalist, accomplished public servant

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has felicitated his long-time ally and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Dele Alake, on his 69th birthday anniversary.
The President, in a statement issued on Monday by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Alake as a dependable ally, a consummate strategist, an outstanding journalist, and an accomplished public servant whose commitment to national development and good governance has remained unwavering over the decades.
President Tinubu recalled his long years of friendship and partnership with the celebrant, noting his exceptional public communication and national development service.
The President commended the Minister’s ongoing efforts to reposition the Solid Minerals sector as a significant revenue earner for Nigeria through policy innovation, investment promotion, and integration of artisanal miners into the formal economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“On this special day, I pray that Almighty God will continue to bless Dele with good health, wisdom, and strength.
“He has remained a committed, loyal, and outstanding ally for several decades. His steadfastness and unyielding commitment to national development and progress stand him out as a patriot.
“I wish him a long life and more years of service to our nation and humanity”, President Tinubu said.

Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu has felicitated his long-time ally and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Dele Alake, on his 69th birthday anniversary.The President, in a statement issued

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