The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Lagos-Ibadan rail project cost below $2b, says Fed Govt

    The Federal Government on Wednesday said the Lagos-Ibadan rail project cost less than $2 billion, contrary to other claims.

    Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation Sabiu Zakari said the total contract sum of the project is $1, 581,847,371.00 as against the $2billion alleged.

    He added that the cost index/km is $4.09 million as against the $13.6million also alleged.

    The ministry, in a statement by the Assistant Director of Press, Anastasia Ogbonna, said the project is being executed in the spirit of transparency and accountability.

    Zakari explained that the clarification became imperative, following insinuations that the project was inflated over and above the one in Ghana.

    Read Also: Photos: Ongoing repairs of Lagos rail tracks

    The permanent secretary also added that the Ghanaian project is at the conceptual stage, insisting that there are neither construction designs nor cost estimates.

    He explained that the Lagos-Ibadan railway is actually 386 kilometres since it is a double track rail line as against the 156 kilometres alleged, which is just the distance from Ebute Meta (Lagos) and Ibadan terminal stations only.

    According to him: “Railway project does not depend solely on the distance between terminal points but rely on various factors which include but not limited to terrain, core operation accessories, land acquisition and compensation, earthworks, bridges, culverts and stations.”

    The permanent secretary stated that due diligence was followed in the award of the contract as the project was approved by Federal Executive Council after a Certificate of No Objection by the Bureau of Public Procurement was issued.

  • Boosting youth employment through agribusiness

    As part of efforts to address dearth of skills and knowledge in agric, fertilizer giant Notore Chemical Industries, through its Green Schools Initiative, aims to enrich young professionals’ knowledge concerning the field and contribute to addressing youth unemployment by boosting rural and the regional economy through the creation of new agribusinesses. DANIEL ESSIET writes.

    After Nigeria caught the crude oil bug over six decades ago, one of the segments of the economy that received the hardest hit was the agricultural sector.

    Agriculture had hitherto laid the foundation for Nigeria’s industrialization, contributing the largest share to an economy that was experiencing very boisterous growth. Commercial farms blossomed and farming was seen and practiced as proper business.

    However, after decades of abandoning agriculture, dwindling hydrocarbon revenue and the need to re-articulate the economy has made going back to the farm a priority for governments and many other private actors looking to drive sustainable development.

    The resort to rejig agriculture is cast against the backdrop of the sector’s immense potential to absorb a large workforce. In fact, even with low productivity, agriculture still accounts for two-thirds of Nigeria’s working population, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

    Unfortunately, there still exists the belief that farming is a profession for the poor and illiterate, which entails grueling toil in the farmland with a pittance as returns. These notions have been fuelled over the years by lack of proper training for those who go into agriculture, causing them to demonize and abandon the venture, leading to an ageing farming population that is dying away gradually.

    This narrative is being changed by Notore Chemical Industries, Nigeria’s leading agro-allied company and fertilizer manufacturer, through its Green Schools Initiative. The initiative, a novel national programme, rallies stakeholders in the agricultural and educational sectors to expand the secondary school curriculum with the intention to get students to practice agriculture in dedicated farmlands in their school premises. The priority is to get young Nigerians acquainted with the nitty-gritty of agriculture at an early age, introduce them to the business and money-spinning aspect of the practice and at the same time, make schools self-sustaining in food production.

    Keen on setting the right mood for the programme’s national roll-out, Notore launched the Green Schools Initiative at Aliyu Musdafa College, in Yola, Adamawa State, on June 11, at a ceremony graced by Nigeria’s First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, as well as her counterparts from Niger, Chad, Ghana and The Gambia.

    Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Notore Power & Infrastructure, Femi Solebo, said the Green Schools Initiative was timely because it was coming at a period when Nigeria’s population was growing faster than there are farmers to feed the nation.

    Noting that agriculture still remains the largest sector of the Nigerian economy and employs two-thirds of the labour force, he said, “Agriculture accounts for approximately 22% of Nigeria’s GDP.

    Read Also: NIRSAL moves to raise over N140bn for Agric financing

    However, in the past, many of the youth have not been interested in going into agriculture as a career due to their previous misconceptions about the sector. However, this is something we are working to change as we highlight the various benefits of agriculture as a business.”

    He added that Nigeria’s rapidly ageing active farmer population was due for a baton-change, noting, “When the current farmers retire, Nigeria will face a major crisis in food production because without a strategy a new generation of sustainable farmers will not exist.”

    Breaking down the concept of the Green Schools Initiative, he said that the programme aims to ignite the interest of school students in agriculture and encourage them to pursue agriculture-related careers instead of banking and oil & gas sector careers.

    According to him, “The Green Schools initiative involves Notore partnering with Secondary Schools across Nigeria to establish demonstration farms that will be used to teach students modern agricultural techniques and best practices. The hands-on approach of demonstration farms accelerates the adoption of these international agricultural best practices, which will give the students a competitive edge over their counterparts in other sectors.”

    He said that Notore’s launch of the Green Schools Initiative reflects its commitment to enhancing the quality of life as aptly captured in the company’s mission statement, noting that the initiative is a strong testament to Notore’s quest to be a significant contributor to the development of Africa, and especially Nigeria, as it targets the youth.

    Solebo added that the company also supports food security in Sierra Leone, Niger Republic and other West African countries.

    Tijjani St. James, Head of Notore’s Commercial Division, said the Green Schools Initiative will start off with 120 Unity Schools and top state-owned colleges across the country, stating that the company aims to significantly increase the number of participating schools and include relevant NGOs and state governments in the quest to lay the foundation for Nigeria’s future agricultural development.

    He said, “Notore will see to it that this initiative makes maximum impact and endures for a long time by working with the Federal Ministry of Education to expand the Agricultural Science subject curriculum to include agri-business at the SS3 level.

    “As we progress, we will expand the sizes of the demonstration farms so that each school cultivates a minimum of two hectares annually to help minimize Federal Government’s spend on grain purchases to feed the students.”

    St. James also revealed that the First Lady of Niger wants Notore to replicate the initiative in her country by including it in the existing MOU that Notore has with Niger.

    Nigeria’s First Lady, Hajiya Buhari said she was pleased that the initiative was kicking off at her former school, Aliyu Musdafa College, noting that the programme contributes immensely to President Muhammadu Buhari’s quest to stimulate youth interest in agriculture.

    According to her, “I have always expressed my desire to see that women and young people become self-reliant; this is why I welcome the effort of Notore Chemical Industries to introduce a Green Schools Initiative, which is aimed at inculcating the love of agriculture and especially farming among Nigerian youth.  With the commissioning of the pilot this afternoon at Aliyu Musdafa College, I hope that it will be replicated in all schools in the country. Our young people need to see agriculture as a business and a way to grow the Nigerian economy. I therefore commend Notore for this initiative.”

    She said that it was delightful that Notore’s Green Schools Initiative would ignite the interest of school-age youths in agriculture and encourage them to grow up to take agriculture-related careers.

    Noting that there was a need to support such causes, she called on the private sector, non-governmental organizations and extension agencies to invest in agriculture because “The potential is enormous, and the foundation is the youth, as they are the future of the nation. I also call on the youths to embrace agriculture and turn our economy around.”

  • Amosun: Allegations of arms stockpile, surrendering laughable

    Former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has described as laughable, allegations he stockpiled firearms before the general elections and hurriedly handed them over to the police a day to handover.

    Amosun’s reaction was contained in a rejoinder released by his media aide, Rotimi Durojaiye.

    An exclusive report by online news site Premium Times had on Tuesday stated that Amosun surrendered 1,000 AK47 rifles, four million bullets

    1,000 bulletproof vests and one armored personnel carrier (APC) he allegedly stockpiled at the Oke Mosan Government House for an extended period of time.

    But, Police Commissioner Bashir Makama faulted the allegation during a telephone interview with The Nation.

    According to the statement released by Durojaiye on Wednesday morning, no AK47 rifle was handed over to the police on May 28, the day the former Governor was disarmed as part of handing over formalities.

    The statement reads: “It is rather interesting and ironic that a routine, bona fide and patriotic disposition of Amosun has been so savagely twisted in a premeditated effort to stand logic on its head. It is important to clarify that not a single AK47 rifle was handed over at the event.

    “Senator Amosun would have loved to ignore this report for the simple reason that it is a matter for the remit of the police and security agencies. But, that course of action will appear disrespectful to well-meaning stakeholders and inquirers on the matter. Secondly, the good people of Ogun State and Nigerians at large deserve to know the exact circumstances of the handing-over of these security items.

    “It is important to stress that this was not the first time that Senator Amosun, whilst in office as governor and former chief security of Ogun State would be handing over security assets to the police. The particular exercise of May 28, 2019, was done openly in the full glare of the public and the media to ensure accountability, guarantee transparency and judicious use of the assets.

    “In May 2011, when Senator Amosun assumed office, the biggest challenge that confronted Ogun State was insecurity. Political assassinations, unnatural and unexplained deaths were prevalent. In Ogun East for instance, which comprised of nine of the 20 LGAs at the time, the entire business and financial institutions architecture had become comatose as no bank or such institutions could open for business in the entire senatorial district.

    “Cultism, kidnapping for ransom, violent crime and tertiary institutions’ related criminality stank to high heavens. Ogun West was totally ravaged by cross border banditry, unbridled smuggling and economic sabotage. Ogun Central, though relatively calmer, had its fair share of the very low security index that our state had sunk at the time.”

    Read Also: Amosun: Ogun Police chief deny receiving rifles, four million ammunition

    It added: “No resident, in good conscience, could sleep at night with two eyes closed. In the World Bank Ease of Doing Business, 2010, Ogun State was ranked as Number 35 out of 36 as industries and corporations fled the state in droves…”

    Explaining how the state government acquired the weapons and had an armoury, he said all necessary approvals were gotten, a due process followed, adding that a security parley was first convened, which birthed the Ogun State Security Trust Fund (STF) under the leadership of a former Nigerian National Security Adviser.

    “The Amosun administration sought help from then President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government. First, we sought and got approval to set up “OP MESA” for Ogun State. We followed this up with the specialised QRS unit. We committed substantial funds into the procurement of hard and software and a myriad of security assets to decisively combat our security challenges.

    “We got all necessary approvals from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to procure the 13 units of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), the 1000 units of AK47 rifles, two million rounds of ammunition,1000 units of bulletproof vests and 500 bulletproof helmets and other security communication gadgets.

    “Ogun State not only got approval to import these essential assets, the federal administration under President Jonathan gave all requisite approvals to assist the state. The Federal Government through the Office of NSA issued the State the End User Certificate Serial Number 000001123 dated March 5, 2012.”

    Noting the strict procedures for purchase, handling, storage and documentation of security merchandise, Amosun said they were satisfied that extant approvals, regulations and protocols were observed and complied with in this instance.

    It added: “Without going into the details and thereby breaching conventions, suffice to say categorically that the AK47 rifles were supplied directly to the Nigeria Police, Ogun State Command. The rest of the merchandise were securely kept in the approved designated armoury within the Government House precincts under police surveillance as it obtains in most Government Lodges, to guarantee exclusive use of the materials in Ogun State.

    “The suggestion that the security assets were quickly handed over to the police in order that the new administration will not know about it is laughable because the current Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was the main supplier of some of the assets in question, notably, the APCs.”

  • Lagos, GOKADA, to plant 100,000 trees

    The Lagos State Government has entered into a major partnership with Gokada, a commercial motorbikes firm, on tree planting project.

    The agreement was signed by the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) General Manager, Mrs Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola and Mr Kayode Adegbola, GOKADA Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs, in Ikeja on Tuesday.

    Adebiyi-Abiola said the agreement represents the single largest commitment till date by a private sector player in Nigeria towards tree planting project.

    She said through the partnership, Gokada will be joining other cooperate institutions to plant 100,000 trees in Lagos over the next five years, starting with 10,000 trees before the end of 2019.

    Read Also: Lagosians urged to obey laws

    “The intention is to bring together 25 forward-looking companies like GOKADA , who are each committed to planting at least 100,000 trees in support of the Agency’s effort on or before the year 2020,” she said.

    Adegbola said: “This partnership will foster the reduction of atmospheric carbon concentration and flooding. It will also improve the quality of life of Lagosians, for whom we work tirelessly to provide safer and faster intra-city transportation.”

    He said the company is also working internally to evolve a holistic programme that would significantly cut the carbon footprint across our operations.

  • No pilgrim should elope, Sanwo-Olu warns

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday warned the Christians pilgrims to Israel not to run away.

    He told them to be good ambassadors of the state.

    Sanwo-Olu told them to exhibit high standard and the sterling characters of good Christians, adding that no pilgrim should elope or do things that would “portray us in a bad light or bring us to disrepute.”

    He spoke at the Prayer Session and Seminar for the Easter Pilgrimage to Jerusalem at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja.

    Represented by Ministry of Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Mrs. Adebunmi Elizabeth Adebukola, the governor urged the pilgrims who were about to be airlifted, to show humility, dignity, dedication and sincere spirituality during the pilgrimage rites and forever afterwards.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu: Forging ahead with courage and confidence

    He said “right here in Nigeria”, the pilgrims must more than before, begin to reflect on why they “are leaving families, friends, other loved ones, homes and work behind to make this important journey.”

    She said as the pilgrims would be “walking the path of Jesus,” their prayers and supplications would easily be answered.

    The governor appealed to them to pray for sustenance of peace and growth of Lagos and the nation.

    The officiating Minister, Rev. Olu Ayo Oladotun in his sermon, advised the intending pilgrims to separate themselves from habits and people that would diminish their spirituality.

    He said they must do away with drunkenness and anger so that they “can be able to assume the higher plane of spirituality which is the main purpose of their pilgrimage.”

  • NDLEA seizes 146.820 kilogrammes drugs at Lagos Airport

    National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command on Wednesday said it recorded a seizure of 146.820 kilogrammes of drugs from 33 suspected traffickers.

    The seizures were made between January and June this year.

    The NDLEA Airport Commander, Garba Ahmadu in a chat with newsmen in commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, said 28 males and five females were nabbed with various Illicit drugs carefully concealment in the different ways.

    These drugs include cocaine, methamphetamine, cannabis sativa , heroine and ephedrine.

    Read Also: NDLEA arrests 200 drug suspects in Lagos

    According to the NDLEA commander, the drugs were concealed in tomato cans, baby diapers, foodstuff, body lotion containers and ingestion.

    Giving a breakdown of the drugs, he said, “Cocaine 15.580 kg, heroin 14.720kg, cannabis sativa 54.140kg, methamphetamine 34.240kg and ephedrine 28.140.

    “We had three internal concealment that the ones that swallowed”.

    Speaking on cartels who plant drugs in passenger’s luggage in connivance with airline staff and ground handling staff, Ahmadu advised airlines to always deploy senior officials to airports for baggage tagging to avoid the Kano incident.

  • Six men break into judge’s home, steal N30m jewellery’

    Six men, who allegedly broke into the house of a judge of the Lagos State Judiciary, Justice Mariam Emeya, and stole jewellery worth N30million, were on Wednesday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Mujaudu Alawiye, 59, Achrigbo Sunday, 20, Emmanuel Frank, 23, Akintunde Jude, 28, Adeniji Bashir, 18 and Boniface Nneji, 52 are facing a four-count charge, of conspiracy, breaking and entering, and stealing preferred against them by the police.

    Prosecuting Inspector Edward Abiodun told Magistrate O.O Oshin that the defendants committed the offence at about noon on May 28, at Ajah, Lagos.

    Read Also: Cook steals ex-lawmaker’s N8m Jewellery

    Abiodun alleged that the defendants burgled the judge’s home and carted away several pieces of jewellery.

    The court heard that the stolen items include: four sets of gold bangles, one set of small bangles, one big gold chain, one small gold chain, four gold rings, three sets of gold jewellery, four sets of gold earrings, four sets of gold pendants, two gold hand chains, all valued at N30million, property of the judge.

    Each defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate  Mrs O.O Oshin granted the first and sixth defendants bail, in the sum of N100,000 each and the second, third, fourth and fifth defendants N300,000 bail each, with two sureties each in the like sum, among other conditions.

    The case continues on July 3.

  • Bail application of Chrisland School’s supervisor holds tomorrow

    Justice Sybil Nwaka of an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court yesterday fixed Friday for the hearing of a fresh bail application of Chrisland School Supervisor, Adegboyega Adenekan standing trial for allegedly defiling a two-year-old pupil of the school

    Justice Nwaka had on Tuesday temporarily revoked the earlier bail granted Adenekan by a Magistrate court at the commencement of his trial at the lower court.

    At resumed proceedings yesterday, the trial judge again declined the request by defence counsel, Olatunde Adejuyigbe (SAN) to allow Adenekan to continue to enjoy the bail granted by the lower court.

    The judge insisted that the defendant shall remain in Kirikiri Prisons pending the hearing of his bail application tomorrow and advised the defence to file a formal application for bail.

    Adenekan under cross-examination by the prosecution, B.T Boye, said it was incorrect to say that his victim was able to describe and locate his office because he once took her there.

    He said he disagreed with the result of the polygraph test conducted on him because he believed it was fabricated by the mother of the victim.

    He told the court that he does not know his victim despite a remark he made in her respect that “she is active, brilliant and better than her classmates”, stressing that his knowledge of her was not peculiar to him but common knowledge in the school.

    Read Also: Chrisland school’s supervisor accused of defiling 2-year-old pupil sent to Kirikiri prisons

    Adenekan said he was not aware that it was the doctor at the school’s clinic where his victim was taken to that asked her to draw his manhood.

    He insisted that nobody told him what transpired in the clinic.

    The defendant claimed that he was not aware that the police made several attempts to locate him or that the matter was transferred to the Gender Desk of the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja.

    Asked where he was while the Police were looking for him for about ten days after a formal complaint was filed against him, he said he was in Opebi branch of the school before he was instructed to proceed to Ladipo Oluwole branch by the school’s management.

    He insisted that there was no connivance between him and the school authority to stay away.

    He said the school placed him on suspension without pay indefinitely until the conclusion of the on-going trial.

    Justice Nwaka adjourned till October 18.

  • Technology: Nigeria ‘ll surprise the world, says Osinbajo

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has said the effort being made by Nigerians in technology can enable the country roll out indigenous technology solutions that can transform the global space.

    Osinbajo stated this during an interactive session with  investors and foreign policy experts on Nigeria’s economic prospects and related matters at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City, united States.

    During an question and answer session, Osinbajo was asked about the on-going international dispute by some global technology firms on 5G.

    Osinbajo, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, explained that though Nigeria was yet to roll out 5G, “we do not have those complications (comparatively) in taking decisions in that regard.

    “But, we practically welcome every company that wants to do business with us in Nigeria. Huawei is in Nigeria and so are all the other technology companies.

    Read Also: Osinbajo tasks forum on expansion of pharmaceutical sector

    “We haven’t gone through any kind of decision making for rolling out the 5G technology; as a matter of fact we are going to roll out 5G ourselves. Talking about the equipment and technology; how did the Chinese get it? How did anyone else get the technology? We will do it ourselves.”

    Speaking further, the Vice President, who was optimistic about the possibility to developing homegrown capacity in the technology space, said the government would leverage the efforts and resourcefulness of youths to actualise its potentials in the sector.

    “Our potential in technology and entertainment has been attracting huge attention. First, is the market; at 174 million GSM phones, we are among the top 10 telephone users in the world, and we have the highest percentage of people who use internet on their phones in the world,” Osinbajo added.

    Continuing, he said: “We are also number two in mobile internet banking in the world, and 17 million Nigerians are on Facebook. Microsoft has announced that it will establish a $100 million  African Development Centre in Nigeria.

  • Togolese cook bags life imprisonment for killing Credit Switch boss

    An Igbosere High Court in Lagos on Tuesday, sentenced a Togolese cook, Sunday Adefonou Anani, to life imprisonment for the last October 31 murder of the Chief Executive Officer of Credit Switch Ltd, Ope Bademosi.

    Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile convicted Anani following his plea of guilty to a one-count charge of voluntary manslaughter.

    Anani confessed to the court that he stabbed Chief Bademosi to death in his Ikoyi, Lagos home, while trying to rob him.

    He also confirmed that he was the person caught on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) fleeing the scene of the crime, after the murder.

    Anani was originally arraigned on a two-count charge of murder and armed robbery which could have fetched him a sentence of death by hanging on conviction, but he struck a plea bargain deal with the Lagos State Government soon after the trial commenced.

    The agreement, which followed consultation with his counsel, the Director of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Mrs Aderenra Adeyemi, allowed him to admit the lesser charge of manslaughter.

    Before sentencing Anani, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile asked Mrs Adeyemi if the cook, who spoke only French, had an allocutus .

    Allocutus is a plea made in criminal trials in order to mitigate the sentence or punishment on a convicted person.

    Adeyemi said: ” The defendant is a young man and he is remorseful about what he has done. He is a first time offender; there is no evidence that he committed any crime before this. Our humble application is to urge your lordship to grant a sentence of years certain. However, if my lordship is mindful of upholding what we have agreed in the plea bargain, we will accept the sentence therein.”

    But Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Titilayo Shitta-Bey opposed the prayer.

    Shitta-Bey said: “We urge this court to grant the maximum sentence for the offence of voluntary manslaughter act as charged.”

    Read Also: DSS parades ‘fake doctor’ for killing 15 patients

    She noted that there were some “special,” “aggravating circumstances” surrounding the case, such as breach of trust

    Shitta-Bey said: “The defendant was employed into the home of his boss, entrusted with a high level of responsibilities as a cook.

    “Barely three days after resumption of duty, the defendant cut short the life of a man that gave him a new lease of life, depriving him the privilege of enjoying life with his wife and children, which the deceased was entitled to.

    “Judicial notice must be taken of the fact that this act of violence by domestic employees against their employers is becoming rampant.

    “The sentence must reflect that this conduct is unacceptable to our society. We must send the message to others of like minds like the defendant.”

    Following their submissions, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile passed judgement on Anani.

    The judge said: “It is annoying that a young man like this would involve himself in this kind of crime. What did he hope to achieve in life involving himself in this kind of crime, I ask? It is very painful that a young boy whom the family of Bademosi welcomed in their home as a cook ended up causing so much havoc and endless pain.

    “It is even more painful that the defendant had no motive of working but came into the house with a criminal intention to steal, to kill and to destroy.

    “The defendant admitted ‘I killed him.’ This was an innocent and unsuspecting family.”

    Upholding the plea bargain and sentence agreement, the judge held: “Sunday Adefonou Anani, defendant of this court, is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment. The term of imprisonment shall commence from today (yesterday) June 25.”

    During the trial, the Lagos State Government told the court that Anani, last October 31 at 3B, Onikoyi Lane, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, unlawfully killed Bademosi by stabbing him with a knife on his chest.

    Shitta-Bey said the Police arrested Anani in Ondo State, he was brought back to Lagos and admitted to stabbing the deceased (Bademosi) with a kitchen knife.

    “On further investigation, it was discovered that the defendant attempted to rob the deceased in his bedroom, the deceased resisted the defendant, which led to the defendant stabbing the deceased.

    “Investigation also revealed through CCTV footage that the defendant escaped from the premises and ran towards the end of the street.”

    She added that the defendant was charged with the offences of Murder and Armed Robbery contrary to Sections 223 and 297 (2) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court which remanded him on November 12, 2018.

    On April 10, 2019, he was subsequently charged for the Bademosi’s murder at the High Court.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    Shitta-Bey added: “By a letter dated May 20, the defendant through his counsel expressed his willingness to voluntarily plead guilty to a lesser offence, which was thereafter accepted.

    She also called two witnesses, including the deceased’s wife Ebunola Bademosi, who testified as to how she found her husband in a pool of blood.

    Mrs Bademosi said: “I entered the apartment. By the time I got in, I looked up and saw blood flowing out of my husband’s bedroom. I couldn’t enter my husband’s bedroom because the door was only partially open, but I could see his body lying on the floor. I wasn’t sure of what could be happening inside the bedroom, so, I ran out of the building and started screaming, calling neighbours to help. A couple of people came. I told them to go up and check that something was happening, that I didn’t know what exactly it was”.