The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Housewife ‘kills’ husband to remarry ex-hubby

    A housewife in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State has allegedly killed her husband so that she can remarry her former husband.

    The police said the housewife, whose name was given as Auta Dogo Singe, conspired with Garba Hassan and Sahabi Garba at Sabon Gari village, Illo district area of Bagudo to kill her husband, Abdullahi Shaho, to enable her remarry her former husband.

    Briefing reporters on Tuesday at the command headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, Police Commissioner Garba Muhammed Danjuma said the woman’s ex-husband was Idris Garba, a resident of Tugar Bature village at Illo district area of the local government.

    Read Also: ‘My husband slapped me for asking him to wash plates’

    He said the housewife and the two men she conspired with have been arrested. “They will soon appear in court,” the CP added.

    He said Yahuza Ibrahim of Gotomo village in Argungu, Murtala Abdullahi, Malam Nasiru and Dansilami, who were at large, forcefully entered the home of Adamu Yaro with weapons at Kalgo area of the state and robbed him of his motorcycle valued at N253,000 and other valuables.

    Danjuma said “The command SARS and Puff Adder personnel attached to Kalgo division investigated the incident and the suspects were arrested at their hideouts.”

  • Police quiz Fatoyinbo over alleged rape

    Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) founder Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo was on Tuesday grilled for several hours by detectives at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) in Abuja, over alleged rape of Busola Dakolo.

    Mrs. Dakolo in June accused the pastor in a bare-it-all interview of allegedly raping her when she was a teenager inside her family’s sitting room in Ilorin, Kwara State, when he visited one early morning.

    She gave horrid details of the encounter and explained how the pastor went on to exploit her vulnerability from that day.

    Mrs. Dakolo further revealed that two members of the church- Wole Soetan and Folarin Ogunsola- now pastors in charge of Port Harcourt and Lagos branches, had joined Fatoyinbo to beg her family after her siblings discovered what happened to her and took the war to the pastor.

    Although Fatoyinbo denied the allegation, claiming it was a calculated attempt to malign him, Dakolo’s case resulted in many other victims of the pastor’s alleged sexual assault speaking out on the social media.

    Efforts by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) to intervene in the matter was said to have been frustrated following the refusal of the pastor to honour their invitation.

    The Nation gathered that the police have located Mrs. Dakolo’s siblings, including the sister she alleged was upstairs the day Fatoyinbo allegedly raped her at her family’s home.

    Read Also: Why I shunned PFN panel on Busola Dakolo’s rape allegation— Fatoyinbo

    Also, Pastor Ogunsola was said to have been interviewed and a statement was being obtained from him as at 7pm yesterday, while Soetan was being expected.

    The pastor, whose team was said to have been sent out of the department around 11am when he arrived, was interrogated by a team tasked to handle the case by Inspector-General of Police (IG) Mohammed Adamu through the DIG Investigation.

    As at 7:30pm it was not certain if Fatoyinbo would be granted administrative bail or detained, as The Nation gathered that the team was awaiting the arrival of the DIG, who was in a meeting.

    “Presently, he is still with us. We cannot conclude yet if he will be detained or not, but from what I have observed, he is likely to be granted bail. We are waiting for the DIG to come. He has been in a meeting,’’ said a source.

    Another source disclosed that detectives chose to invite Fatoyinbo after locating and speaking to other parties mentioned by Mrs. Dakolo in her statement.

    Confirming the development, Police spokesman Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner (DCP), said it was too early to say if Fatoyinbo would be detained, adding that only the investigators can arrive at that decision based on their findings.

    He said: “Yes, he is currently at FCIID undergoing interrogation. We have been conducting discreet investigation. We are making efforts to reach one or two other pastors she alleged intervened then.

    “It was a deliberate investigative strategy to bring Fatoyinbo much later after we must have gotten other things. Some Nigerians were thinking we did not want to talk to him, but that is not so.

    “He is with us now and I cannot say if he will be detained or not. Investigators will have to determine that. They may choose to detain him or grant him bail while investigation continues.

    “We have the statement of Busola Dakolo already. She earlier made a statement to the police. Nigerians are assured that we will diligently investigate and conclude this case.”

  • Lagos vows to curb fraudulent acts in real estate

    Lagos State Government has vowed to explore legal means in protecting the interests of the people from real estate swindlers, Housing Commissioner Moruf Akinderu-Fatai has said.

    The commissioner, who spoke yesterday in Alausa, Ikeja when some defrauded accommodation seekers from Alapere Ketu visited him to complain, added that the government would also help citizens to seek redress in cases of fraudulent transactions.

    He said: “The government has declared a war against fraudulent practitioners in the real estate sector. We are determined to make Lagos a no-go area for unscrupulous individuals who prey on Lagosians under the guise of real estate business.”

    Speaking earlier on behalf of the victims allegedly defrauded by an estate agent, who collected rents from over 260 prospective tenants for only 15 units of accommodation, Aliyu Toyin feared that the accused might not be brought to book.

    Read Also: ‘Shun unregistered estate agents, developers’

    Akinderu-Fatai assured them that “justice will definitely be served to the fraudulent property developer, who swindled them out of their hard earned money.”

    The commissioner said the government was aware of the issue and had instituted legal actions against the developer on behalf of the victims.

    He urged the public to report dubious estate agents and developers to the office of Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD), Block 7, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

    “I assure you that the government under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is very responsive and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the culprits are brought to book,” Akinderu-Fatai said.

    He advised the victims to remain calm and be law-abiding “since the matter is already in court.”

    Permanent Secretary Mr. Wasiu Akewusola enjoined Lagosians seeking accommodation to transact business with estate agents and developers who are registered with LASRETRAD, a directorate under the ministry.

    He said the directorate is saddled with the responsibility of registering, regulating and monitoring real estate operators across the state and

    appealed to the victims to maintain peace and order, while the government takes action on the matter.

  • Commissioner advocates proper meat transportation

    Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture Prince Gbolahan Lawal has stressed the need for butchers to follow the global best practice in the production and handling of meat for public consumption.

    The commissioner, who spoke on Tuesday in Alausa, Ikeja when he received a delegation of the Lagos State Butchers Association, said the advice became imperative because the state had always been known for quality and global best practices, hence the need for butchers to follow suit.

    He said the government would soon revisit the type of vehicles being used by butchers to transport meat across the state, adding that the current situation is unwholesome and therefore not acceptable.

    Read Also: ‘Urgent action needed on meat sector operating costs’

    Lawal expressed concern about issues, including reduction in the quality and quantity of cattle supply to the state due to reasons and the funding of the butchers by banks, among others.

    Promising to look into ways of assisting the association through empowerment programmes, he suggested a meeting with the association later in the week to discuss and come up with short and long term solution to problems.

    The association led by its Chairman, Mr. Bamidele Kazeem, thanked the commissioner for receiving them despite his busy schedule and promised to cooperate with the government to ensure that the meat consumed by the public is wholesome.

  • ‘Oriwu Club committed to Ikorodu’s development’

    Members of Oriwu Club of Ikorodu have renewed their commitment to work for the development of Ikorodu Division.

    They pledged to assist the government tackle some of the socio-economic and infrastructural challenges in the division, state and, by extension, country.

    The members spoke at the President’s Party, an annual Oriwu Club event that heralds the winding down of the tenure of its president and executive committee.

    Oriwu Club President Olukayode Olawale Anibaba, an engineer, in whose honour the party was held, expressed confidence that his successor would continue in the tradition of working for the progress of the people of the division.

    Anibaba, who thanked members for their support throughout his two terms, urged them to continue to be good citizens.

    He said: “For instance, the insecurity that is a challenge to the country now shouldn’t be left to the government alone. Social clubs should also play their part. Members should rally round to ensure they contribute their own quota. The government cannot do everything.”

    Read Also: Rotary Club restates commitment to service

    Anibaba assured Ikorodu professionals seeking to join the club that “any money you contribute to the club will go a long way towards enhancing the living conditions of residents of the community.”

    Vice President Olayiwola Saka, also an engineer, said the event was an opportunity to gather, celebrate the President’s Party, and say farewell to him.

    He added: “Social clubs are supposed to interact with their immediate community and environment. Oriwu Club is essentially for professionals, businessmen who are indigenes of Ikorodu. You know as indigenes, you are a part of the society.”

    A member, Abdul-Fatal Olalekan Lasisi, said Oriwu Club is non-partisan, non-religious and open to all indigenes of the division, who are professionals.

    Added he: “We are committed to the uplift of this town and more importantly, lifting our youths, engaging them, so that cultism, drug abuse, etc, will be eradicated. We’ve done a lot in the area of scholarship award, skill acquisition, training and vocational acquisition for our youths.

    “In terms of socio-economic development, this club is renowned for continuity to the developmental strides of the entire Ikorodu division and by extension, the whole of Lagos State. We are a body of professionals drawn from all walks of life. The essence of this gathering is to further reinforce that bond so that we’ll continue to grow from strength to strength and in leaps and bounds.”

  • Govt promises to be responsible for victims’ medical bills

    Lagos State Government has promised to take full responsibility of the medical bills of victims of the accident involving a full load cement truck and a passenger (BRT) bus, which occurred on Tuesday at Asolo on the Lagos Ikorodu Road.

    Commissioner for Health Prof Akin Abayomi who disclosed this on Tuesday during a visit to the victims at the General Hospital, Ikorodu, commiserated with them and assured them of quality and adequate care at the facility.

    He said of the 53 accident victims that were brought to the hospital, one of them was brought in dead, while two others died in the hospital due to the severity of injuries sustained.’

    Read Also: Lagos State Governor’s wife to fight sexual, domestic violence

    Abayomi said eight others were referred to other state-owned specialist facilities, noting that five of the patients were referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), while three others were taken to the General Hospital, Gbagada for further treatment.

    The commissioner hailed the swift action of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), LASAMBUS, LASTMA and other first responders in the prompt rescue of the accident victims.

    He noted that though the victims sustained different degree of injuries, they are responding well to treatment.

    He urged the families of the victims to be calm and cooperate with the medical team to ensure quick recovery.

    Abayomi assured that the government will do everything possible to ensure that the victims are discharged soon.

  • Businessman arraigned for allegedly stealing N1.8m

    A 57-year-old businessman, Ikechukwu Nwanyaku, on Tuesday appeared at a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ajegunle, Lagos, for allegedly stealing 5,000 U.S. dollars (about N1.8million) from a trader.

    The police charged Nwanyaku, who lives at Ojo, Lagos, with three counts of assault with intent to steal, causing grievous hurt and theft.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Inspector Babatope Julius said the defendant committed the offence at 6:20pm on August 21, at Onirike extension, opposite Ojo Military Cantonment, Lagos.

    He alleged that the defendant punched the complainant, Mr. Paul Okoye, who was returning home from his shop, in his left eye and used a metal rod to injure him on the right hand.

    Read Also: Two unemployed men bags six months in prison for stealing food items

    Julius alleged that the defendant stole 5,000 U.S. dollars (about N1.8million) and N52,000 from the complainant’s pocket and pushed him into the gutter.

    The complainant, he said, was badly injured and was taken to hospital for treatment.

    The offence, he said, contravened sections 175, 246 and 280 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    Magistrate R. E. Ojudun admitted the defendant to N50,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    He said the sureties must be employed and have evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The case continues on October 17.

  • Three die as truck rams into BRT

    Two employees of Primero Transport Services Ltd and a female passenger were killed on Tuesday after a truck rammed into a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) vehicle at Majidun in Ikorodu.

    Over 55 other passengers sustained injuries. The BRT driver was said to be unconscious. He lost his leg.

    It was gathered that the cement-laden truck had a brake failure and suddenly skidded into the BRT lane, crushing an oncoming mass transit bus with number plate LSR228XS.

    The BRT, it was learnt, had 60 passengers on board, with 20 of them standing.

    Primero boss Fola Tinubu said there was nothing the BRT driver could do, as the truck jumped from its lane and hit the bus head-on.

    He said: “A truck jumped from the regular lane on to the BRT lane and hit our bus head-on. There was nothing our driver could do to prevent the accident.

    Read Also: 17 die in Kwara auto accident

    “Unfortunately, we lost two of our workers and one passenger in the accident. We are working with the authorities to apprehend the truck driver.

    “Right now our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the deceased and we are praying for full recovery for the injured.

    “Our vehicles are fully insured and our passengers are also insured, but this will not bring back the dead. I pray that God should grant the deceased’s souls eternal rest. We will continue to investigate the accident.”

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said one death was recorded in the crash.

    He said the bus was carrying 40 seated and 20 standing passengers, adding that all the passengers on board suffered injuries.

    “All passengers on board suffered various degrees of injuries, with one female passenger dying. The driver suffered severe life threatening injuries, with his leg cut off.

    “The combined efforts of the agency’s assets (Medical unit, Tiger unit, Papa Eagle and Cobra units) were on ground working alongside Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) to ease traffic and ensure a swift recovery of the truck. Recovery operation is ongoing,” Oke-Osanyintolu added.

  • Tribunal upholds Aduda’s election as FCT Senator

    The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal in Abuja has upheld the election of Senator Philip Aduda of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The tribunal in a judgment on Tuesday dismissed the petition filed by Nkechi Chinyere Doris and the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) against Aduda’s election.

    The petitioners – Doris and PDM – had sought, among others, the cancellation of the election, on the grounds that the first petitioner (Doris), having been validly nominated by PDM, was unlawfully excluded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the February 23 election.

    The petitioners

    joined INEC, Aduda and his political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as respondents in the petition.

    Tribunal headed by Justice Okwudili Ezeoke dismissed the petition for lack of merit and awarded a cost of N300,000 against the petitioners – Doris and PDM.

    It held that the petitioners failed to discharge the burden of proof placed on them by the Constitution. It noted that the petition was brought pursuant to Section 138(1) of the Electoral Act, as amended, adding that the burden of proof rests on the petitioners.

    Read Also: Tribunal sacks Dino Melaye as senator

    According to the tribunal, nomination of a candidate to contest an election was not an event but a process, which would only be completed when the name of the candidate was submitted to INEC.

    It observed that, whereas the petitioners plead to tender the photographs of the convention where the first petitioner was nominated for the election, they failed to do this in the course of trial.

    The tribunal said the presumption was that if the petitioners had produced the photographs of the convention, they could have gone against them.

    The tribunal held that the claim by the petitioners that they attempted to submit the name of the first petitioner to INEC on October 11, 2018, but was turned down and that they were only able to do so through an order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory was of no issue.

    It noted that there was nowhere in the FCT High Court order directing INEC to accept the first petitioner or any other person from the second petitioner.

    It,therefore, held that the relief sought by the petitioners has nothing to do with the alleged refusal of the first respondent (INEC) to accept the name of the first petitioner.

    The tribunal held that the petitioners withheld evidence by their failure to attach INEC Form CF001, Form CF002 and nomination form to their Exhibits D and D1 but attached the court order to the exhibits.

    According to the tribunal, PDM failed to comply with INEC’s guidelines on conducting primary election to nominate the first petitioner as its candidate in the senatorial election.

    The tribunal further held that the party never submitted nomination form of the first petitioner to INEC.

    It held that PDM was deemed not to have fielded any candidate in the senatorial election if February 23.

    It noted that the purported submission of its candidate’s name was done later than the date of submission of nomination of candidates to the first respondent. It is, therefore, invalid.

    The tribunal declared that the second petitioner is deemed not to have fielded a candidate in the election. The days the submitted the exhibits are less than the 60 days prescribed by the Electoral Act,” the tribunal held.

    It described the evidence given by the petitioners’ sole witness that an attempt made by the party to submit the name of the first petitioner to INEC which refused to accept but later did following a court order as “a mere tale by moonlight”

    The tribunal, therefore, held that the petitioners woefully failed to prove that Nkechi was validly nominated by the second petitioner as its candidate on the senatorial election.

    Earlier, It dismissed the preliminary objection n in which the respondents argued  that the petition was a pre-election matter, which ought to be heard by a High Court and not the tribunal.

    The tribunal held that, as against the respondents’ contention, it has jurisdiction to hear the petition, because it relates to a post-election matter, on which only a tribunal could preside.

  • 2019 Africa Games: Hat-tricks of gold for Lawal, Eze in Weightlifting

    Team Nigeria weightlifters increased the countries medal haul by six after the duo of Folashade Lawal and Eze Joy Ogbonne won three gold medals each in the weightlifting event held at the Nahda Indoor Sports Center, Rabat, Morocco on Tuesday.

    SportingLife.ng reports that Lawal also set a new African record in the 59kg women’s Snatch Weightlifting event.

    The 22 year old lifted 90kg in her first attempt before breaking the Africa record in her second attempt with 92kg to win the event with a total 110kg. Ibrahim Basma of Egypt won the silver with a total of 105kg while Rahmouni Chaima (Tunisia) got the bronze after lifting a total of 100kg.

    In the Women’s 59kg competition, Lawal lifted a total 210kg to take home the gold, leaving Ibrahim Basma (Egypt) won the silver with a total of 202kgm while Rahmouni Chaima (Tunisia) got the bronze after lifting a total of 195kg.

    Read Also: Africa Games: Flying Eagles qualify for final beat Mali 5-4

    In the Women’s 59kg Clean-Jerk competition, Lawal lifted a total 117kg to complete her gold medal hat-trick, while Ibrahim Basma (Egypt) won her 3rd silver with a total lift of 114kg and also got her 3rd bronze with a total lift of 108kg.

    Eze on the other hand won gold in the Women’s 64kg Competition by lifting a total of 218kg to finish ahead of Ahmed Esraa of Egypt who lifted a total of 209kg, while Said Neama (Egypt) won the bronze with a total of 207kg.

    Women’s 64kg Snatch event, Eze lifter a total of 97kg to take home the gold medal just as Egypt duo of Ahmed Esraa and Said Neama settled for the silver and bronze with a total list of 96kg and 90kg respectively.

    Eze the made it 3-in-3 with another gold medal in the Women’s 64kg Clean-Jerk after lifting a total of 121kg, leaving Said Neama and Ahmed Esraa to the silver and bronze medal.

    Nigeria now leads the medal table in the Weightlifting event with a total of 24 medals (13 gold, 7 silver and 4 bronze. Madagascar is in distant second with 11 medals (5gold, 4silver and 2 bronze), while Egypt is third with 15 medals (3 gold, 9 silver and 3 bronze).