The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Real Madrid to send Rodriguez to Napoli on loan

    Real Madrid are willing to send outcast midfielder James Rodriguez to Napoli on loan if they cannot sort a permanent exit by August 15, according to reports.

    Having spent the last two seasons on loan at Bayern Munich, Real are now keen to see a return on their £63million investment they made five years ago after he impressed at the 2014 World Cup.

    Both La Repubblica and Corriere dello Sport report that while a 42m euros (£38m) sale is preferred, an agreement is in place for Napoli to take Rodriguez on loan if no exit has been agreed by mid-August.

    Read Also: Pogba would improve Real Madrid, says brother

    A move to Napoli would see Rodriguez reunite with boss Carlo Ancelotti – who he worked with at both Real and Bayern.

    And the Spanish giants are reportedly ready to tell the Neapolitan side that they can take him on loan with option to buy if a more profitable deal has not been struck.

    Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis would not agree to pay his transfer fee outright due to the player’s struggling form in recent years.

    Read Also: Bale close to leaving Real Madrid, says Zidane

  • Woman ‘dupes’ investor of N3.4m

    A 35-year-old woman, Lilian Obaji, has been arraigned at an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining N3.4 million from Hope Umeibe under false pretence.

    She pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Inspector Kehinde Olatunde alleged that the defendant committed the offence between January and June 2018.

    Read Also: Agent ‘dupes’ house seekers of N16m

    He alleged that the defendant obtained the money from the complainant on the pretext of investing it for her.

    Olatunde alleged that the defendant converted the money to her use.

    Magistrate B. A. Ajiferuke granted the defendant N500,000 bail with two sureties each in the like sum.

    He said one of the sureties must be the defendant’s relation.

    The case continues on October 7.

  • Suspected cultist ‘hacks man to death’

    An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court has remanded Dele Oyelesi, following his arraignment for allegedly hacking a man to death.

    He would be in Ikoyi Prison pending advice by Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    Chief Magistrate A. O. Komolafe, who did not take Oyelesi’s plea, adjourned till September 26.

    Read Also: Police arrest 32 suspected cultists, recover arms in Lagos

    Prosecuting Inspector Kehinde Omisakin said the defendant committed the offence last September 5 at Aralamo Street junction, Oworonshoki, Lagos.

    She alleged that the defendant, a suspected Eiye Confraternity member, hacked Babatunde Kuboye, 28, to death with a machete.

  • Residents hail Senator Tinubu for project at Coker-Aguda

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu has inaugurated a drainage system at Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State.

    The Lagos Central Senator said God used her to attract the project, which was approved by the Eighth Senate, to the community.

    She, however, noted that it was not the duty of National Assembly members to execute infrastructural projects, but that of the executive.

    The duty of lawmakers, she said, was to make laws and oversight projects.

    “Lawmakers, however, took on the added function of embarking on constituency projects to meet the expectations of the people,” she said.

    Read Also: Medal for ‘slapping senator’ sparks outrage

    Senator Tinubu urged the Federal Government to support the state with projects, as its population keeps growing.

    She enjoined the residents not to dump refuse inside the drainage.

    The government, the senator said, was mindful of their welfare, adding that it would do everything to address it.

    She asked Coker-Aguda LCDA Chairman Mrs. Omobanle Akinyemi-Obe for the list of schools in the area that needed toilets to enable her address the issue.

    Akinyemi-Obe thanked Senator Tinubu for making the project a reality.

    She said the lawmaker always responded to people’s needs.

    The residents hailed the senator for attracting the two-side open project to their area, saying it would tackle flood.

  • Lawyer faces N445,000 fraud charge

    A 33-year-old lawyer, Onome Iyomaterie, has appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding a businessman of N445,000.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

    Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ezekiel Ayorinde alleged that the defendant committed the offence on April 3, at Ijaiye, Lagos.

    He alleged that the defendant fraudulently obtained the cash  from Mr. Taiwo Okanlawon, to register a limited liability company for him, but failed to do so.

    Ayorinde said the defendant disappeared after collecting the money and efforts to recover it failed.

    Magistrate B. O. Osunsanmi granted the defendant N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She said the sureties must be employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The case continues on September 16.

  • Lagos to wage war against pipeline vandals

    Lagos State Government is adopting a new security measure that will tighten the noose on criminals engaging in pipeline vandalism and kidnapping, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said.

    He spoke at the weekend after a closed-door meeting with the commanders of security formations to review the strategy being adopted to strengthen security.

    Sanwo-Olu said the meeting was a routine briefing from the security chiefs, but hinted of an imminent security operation that would be targeted at crimes around the waterways and government assets.

    He said there would be renewed security assault against oil thieves and those aiding pipeline vandalism.

    The new measure, the governor said, would lead to demolition of residential buildings and structures built close to oil pipes, to protect Lagosians.

    He said: “We’ve just finished our regular security meeting and I am reiterating our assurance to residents that security operatives in the state are well motivated to ensure security of lives and property. We have reviewed current security situation. This has helped us to further re-energise our strategy that will make our state safe, secure for living and business.

    Read Also: NNPC warns violators of pipelines’ right-of-way

    “There are other strategies that will be coming up, but we have formulated our strategy in the areas of priority that we need to tackle. We are getting reports of possible threats around our waterways and government’s assets across the state. We are ready to tackle these security challenges and logistics will be put in place as required.

    “Another priority is the incident around pipeline vandalism, which unfortunately brought us down last month. It was extensively discussed, and we resolved that we would stop at nothing. We will do everything possible, including engaging the community to give our people assurances.”

    The governor said there was aerial security surveillance conducted on communities hosting oil pipelines, which showed connivance between vandals and residents.

    He said some properties had been identified as criminals’ hideouts and would be demolished during the operation.

    Sanwo-Olu said: “Part of the things that will be happening is that some properties will be removed in some locations because we have done area surveillance and have seen people from area shots harbouring illegal jerry-cans and bunkering. We are telling these people that the government is coming to remove the structures and destroy the facilities.”

    He said attention was being given to other crimes, including armed robbery and traffic offences by motorcyclists, adding that his administration would focus on measures that would make the state safe for business and living.

    Security chiefs at the meeting included the Commander, 651 Base Services Group, Ikeja, Air Commodore Sunday Makinde; Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Lagos Police Command, Mr. Alli Muhammed; Commander of 9 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Etsu Indagi and Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Apapa, Commodore Ibrahim Aliyu.

  • Four charged with stealing N1.75m

    Four men have been arraigned before two Magistrates’ Courts in Lagos for an alleged N1.758,000 theft.

    Two were arraigned before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing 17 prepaid meters worth N850,000.

    They are Ogunsola Caleb, 51, and Ovie Clifford, 40.

    Two traders, Sikiru Oladunmoye, 43, and Isah Mohammed, 40, appeared separately, before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing 600 bags of cement worth N838,000 and an LED streetlight valued at N70,000.

    They all pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Gbemileke Agoi said Caleb and Clifford committed the offence on July 20, at Odogunyan, Ikorodu.

    He alleged that the duo stole the prepaid meters, belonging to Hellbon Ltd, a contractor with the Ikeja Electric (IE).

    Magistrate A. R. Onilogbo granted the defendants N200,000 bail with two sureties each in the like sum.

    She adjourned till August 29.

    Read Also: Police arraign two for stealing 17 prepaid metres

    Prosecuting Inspector Emmanuel Ajayi told Magistrate O. O. Fagbohun of the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court that Oladunjoye committed the offence last November 12 in Ikeja.

    He alleged that the defendant obtained the cement belonging to Mr. Olawale Lasisi and refused to remit the proceeds.

    Ajayi said the complainant’s efforts to get his money failed.

    Magistrate Fagbohun granted the defendant N100,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    The case continues on August 14.

    Fagbohun, who also heard Mohammed’s case, granted him N50,000 bail, with one surety in the like sum.

    He said the surety must be employed.

    The prosecutor, Ajayi, said the defendant committed the offence on July 15 at Magodo.

    He alleged that the defendant sneaked into Magodo Estate with a ladder at 2am and removed the LED light.

    Ajayi alleged that the defendant, who confessed to the crime, took the police to the place where he kept the stolen items.

    He said a solar light, a battery box and one tyre were found.

    The case continues on August 14.

  • Ashamu Estate residents petition police over demolition

    Residents of Ashamu Estate in Isolo, Lagos have petitioned the police over the demolition of their house by hoodlums from Mushin.

    They alleged that the incident, which occurred on July 21, could disrupt peace.

    An agent, Alhaji Teslim Almaroof, acting on behalf of the estate administrators, said the residents would take legal steps to proptect their properties.

    The petition, signed by Olumide Oyewole, reads “Our client is the accredited agent of the administrators of the estate of the late Chief Emmanuel Oyedele Ashamu, having been solely appointed by virtue of the agency agreement dated September 26, 1995.

    “The late Ashamu is the owner of the vast area of land at Ashamu Estate and covered under the judgment of the Supreme Court dated November 4, 1986 in appeal number SC43/1986; and the Court of Appeal judgment dated July 16, 1985 in appeal number CA/L/111/84.

    Read Also: Gowon Estate residents send SOS to security agencies

    “Since the demise of Chief Ashamu on August 20, 1992, the following people were appointed the legal administrators of his estate: Mrs. Mary Oyedoyin Bandoh, Miss Jadesola Ashamu and Miss Titi Ashamu; and therefore, entitled and permitted by law to take decisions on behalf of the beneficiaries of the estate.”

    Almaroof, the petition said, had been managing the estate since his appointment in 1995. It alleged that part  of the land had been alienated by third parties.

    “Our client informed us that on July 21, some hoodlums from Mushin, moved to the estate and began to demolish structures belonging to other people and threatened the lives of anyone who attempted to stop them. Our client also told us that these elements promised to deal ruthlessly with him and his workers should they go near the land.

    “Sir, there is pandemonium in the community, and except the police intervene, there is likelihood of complete breakdown of law and order in the area,” Oyewole said.

  • COAS hails Ondo community’s unity

    Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai, at the weekend, expressed satisfaction with peaceful co-existence among the people of Ilara-Mokin Community in Ifedore local area of Ondo State.

    The Army chief said such atmosphere would encourage more investments in the town as it had been demonstrated by a business magnate, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo (Elizade).

    Gen. Buratai spoke at Ilara-Mokin when he led top echelons of the Army to pay a condolence visit to family of the Army’s Chief of Accounts and Budget, Maj.-Gen. Kolade Bakare, who lost his mother, Alhaja Maryam Bakare, who died few days ago.

    Buratai said the exemplary lifestyle of late Alhaja Maryam clearly reflected in her children, including Gen. Bakare, as one of the best top army chiefs in the country.

    Read Also: Monarch to Army chief: call your men to order

    He also described the Army chief as a trustworthy, loyal, disciplined and competent officer, praying God to grant the soul of the departed mother a peaceful rest.

    When asked to comment on the security challenges facing the country, Gen Buratai, who was accompanied by the GOC 2’Division, Maj-Gen Omozoje Bamidele Anthony and the Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Zakari Abubakar, declined.

    He said: “We are here to condole the family of one of us who lost his mother; no comment on other issues. Thank you.”

    An Islamic Cleric, Imam Tajudeen Gbadamosi Babatunde, recited Qur’anic verses to offer special prayers for the deceased, the family, the Army and the nation.

    A family member and founder of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Chief Ade-Ojo, described the visit of the Chief of Army Staff as historic in the community, soliciting the support of the Army for the community in the areas of needs.

    Speaking on behalf of the deceased’s family, Pastor Femi Bakare expressed deep appreciation to the COAS for standing by the family before and during the period of mourning.

    Buratai inspected facilities at Elizade University and paid a private visit to Ade-Ojo’s home.

  • Ekiti PDP suspends Fayose’s loyalist indefinitely

    The crisis rocking the Ekiti chapter of the People Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as the party in Oye Local Government Area on Sunday suspended a former lawmaker, Samuel Omotoso, from the party.

    Omotoso, who represented Oye Constituency 1 at the Ekiti State House of Assembly in the 5th Assembly, was suspended indefinitely from the party for alleged involvement in anti-party activities.

    Omotoso, a close ally of Governor Ayodele Fayose, is a medical doctor and one of the lawmakers suspended indefinitely from the 5th assembly for sundry offences, after Governor Kayode Fayemi took over last year.

    According to a statement made available to reporters in Ado-Ekiti by the party, Omotosho was suspended for allegedly engineering parallel executive in Oye Local Government Area.

    The letter conveying the suspension of the former lawmaker was unanimously signed by PDP executives in Oye Local Government and chairmen of the 11 wards in the council.

    According to the statement, “the party has consequently constituted a three-man committee in strict adherence to the party’s constitution to investigate the allegation”.

    Read Also: PDP primary election: Dickson convenes meeting of party’s elders

    “The committee is to conduct unbiased investigation and make necessary recommendations within two weeks on the allegation.”

    The party leaders, however, passed vote of confidence on the PDP chairman in Oye Local Government, Mr. Sunday Ojo, saying the era of imposition was over.

    In a reaction, Omotoso, former chairman, Ekiti Assembly Committee on Information, described the suspension as a ruse.

    He added that those who orchestrated the purported suspension are bunch of jesters, whose lineages are cloudy in the party.

    Omotosho noted that the leader of the group, who claimed to be chairman of the party at the local government level, was already on suspension by the party’s state working committee and has no statutory powers to suspend him.

    “I want you to ignore the group as they were only seeking for relevance. The sponsor has been suspended by the most powerful political organisation in Ekiti, the SWC. So, I don’t know where he got that power from,” the former lawmaker said.