The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Adebule to Nigerians: join anti-corruption crusade

    Adebule to Nigerians: join anti-corruption crusade

    •Ambode’s wife: ‘Nigeria will be better’

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule, the governor’s wife, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, and Iyalode of Lagos, Hajia Bintu-Fatima Tinubu yesterday urged Nigerians to join President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s anti-corruption crusade.

    The trio said corruption must be fought for the nation to progress.

    They spoke at the 2016 Prayer for the Nation organised by the Hajia Tinubu-led Fatimah Charity Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

    Mrs Adebule urged market men and women to shun corrupt practices.

    “If you are reducing measurement to make more profit, that is corruption. If you short-change your customers under whatever guise, that is corruption. So, we shouldn’t focus on politicians and people in government alone and castigate them, let’s look inward and correct our sharp practices to collectively erase the scourge in our society,” she said.

    The deputy governor represented by an ex-banker, Alhaja Fatimat Oyefeso, said nation deserves the leadership she gets, urging parents to nurture their children to be good leaders.

    Mrs Ambode identified prayer as the key to solving the country’s challenges.

    She said an anti-corruption leadership in Nigeria as it is now, would restore the country’s dignity, fix infrastructure, create employment and make life better for all.

    Praising the Fatimah Charity Foundation for its commitment to championing national rebirth, Mrs Ambode urged Nigerians, to see beyond the current socio-economic challenges and be hopeful of a glorious future.

    Hajia Tinubu urged the citizenery not to despair despite challenges, stressing that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

    “We are very much aware of the challenges facing our nation today, but remarkably, as a people, we are resolute never to give up. It is inspiring that amidst difficulties and growing anxiety over its future, we have refused not to succumb to despair because there is light at the end of the tunnel,” she said

    The Iyalode of Lagos urged the gathering to play their part in rebuiding Nigeria.

    “We need to realise that leadership starts with each and every one of us. We must make a concerted effort in trying to rebuild our broken down value systems, re-establish and clearly define our moral obligations to our families and the nation,” she said.

    Speaking on the topic, “The Benefits of Anti-corruption Leadership in Nigeria”, Lagos State commissioner for Home Affairs and guest speaker Dr Abdul Hakeem Abdul Lateef enjoined the three arms of government and the public, to participate in the crusade against corruption.

    He listed leadership by example, good parenthood, proper child up-bringing, and recognising religious leaders as development leaders, as necessary steps towards ending corruption.

     

  • Soldier, man arraigned for alleged anal sex

    Soldier, man arraigned for alleged anal sex

    Two men including a soldier were yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for alleged sodomy.

    The soldier, Innocent Egbuna, 33, and Jide Ajayi, 21 allegedly had anal sex inside a Nissan Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked KSF 914 AC, on Ajao Road, Ikeja

    The defendants are standing trial on three counts of conspiracy and act of gross indecency under Sections 136, 166 and 409 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos.

    While Egbuna claimed to be a resident of 22, Support Regiment, Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State; Ajayi, who is unemployed, resides on 28, Owodunni Street, Onipanu, Lagos.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Joseph Ajebe said the offences were committed on January 18, adding that the defendants were caught by an anti-crime patrol team at Ikeja.

    “They were found inside a parked Nissan SUV with registration number KSF914AC having anal sexual intercourse. Ajayi said Egbuna accosted him and told him to have sex with him, promising to give him substantial amount of money and that he will also take him to the club to have a nice time. Ajayi agreed because he was frustrated and did not have money to fend for himself,” Ajebe said.

    The defendants however pleaded not guilty and were granted N100,000 bail each with two sureties in the like sum by Chief Magistrate Alexander Komolafe.

    He adjourned the case till March 7.

     

  • Lagos bans social functions in public schools

    Lagos bans social functions in public schools

    •e-tablets coming for pupils

    LAGOS State yesterday banned the holding of parties and other social functions in public schools.

    It also directed proprietors of private schools to comply with rules or face sanctions.

    Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule told reporters that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has directed that schools should no longer be used for social functions.

    Adebule said: “The governor has directed that schools will no longer be used for social activities any longer. We want to implore members of the public to report any school that violates this directive and we would ensure that defaulting schools are sanctioned accordingly.”

    She said the state was beaming a searchlight on the standard of education in private schools, adding that it will no longer be business as usual for those that undermine best practices.

    Adebule said the government would engage private school owners and proprietors to intimate them on the present administration’s plan for improving education.

    “Much as private schools are partners in the sector, we would not fold our hands and watch the standard flop. Some schools even operate without registering with the government. We want to urge such schools to do the right thing or government will have no choice but to do what it has to do,” she said.

    Earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Obafela Bank-Olemoh said the government would construct the biggest digital library.

    He said the government was at the planning stage of the library, adding that the actual establishment of the project would begin in the next quarter of the year.

    Bank-Olemoh said the government would build 10 new model schools with state-of-the-art facilities, and two new technical colleges built in areas where such facilities are needed.

    Bank-Olemoh said 324,000 e-tablets would be given to Senior Secondary School pupils, adding that plans have been concluded to register pupils in public and private schools under the Lagos State Student Personal Administration Number (LASPIN) project to aid proper planning.

    On the free meal in schools project, he said, the government is currently perfecting the framework for its take off, noting that the project is expected to enhance the learning capacity of the pupils and also boost the state’s economy.

     

  • I’m hopeful he will return, says abducted boy’s mum

    I’m hopeful he will return, says abducted boy’s mum

    My mind is not at peace. I have been fasting and praying. I believe my son will return. God should please answer our prayers because I have not been myself.’’

    These were the words of Mrs. Elizabeth Ojelabi, the distraught mother of four-year-old Michael, who was abducted a week ago.

    She told The Nation yesterday that she would not lose hope of getting back her son, who was kidnapped on his way home from school on January 20. The kidnappers have yet to contact the family.

    Michael, a Nursery 1 pupil of Mafina Primary School, Great Challenge Road, Unity Estate, Iba, was abducted around 3.30p.m., by an unidentified woman, who sold a dummy to his elder sister, Oyindamola, 8. The woman told Oyindamola that her teacher was calling her and took Michael away when his sister left.

    Oyindamola, who said she initially disallowed the woman from taking her brother, stated that she only realised Michael has been kidnapped when she returned to the school gate.

    Although the abductor was said to have escaped on a motorcycle, Oyindamola said she would identify her brother’s kidnapper if she sees her.

    Sympathisers have been trooping the Ojelabis’ Iyana School residence in Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state.

    Michael’s father, Sunday Ojelabi said the school principal, securityman and his daughter’s class teacher have been detained at the Ojo Police Station for further investigation.

    “I still believe he will return that is why my family and I haven’t relented in prayers. I just pray he is in a good state,” he said.

    A family member, who pleaded not to be named, said he was surprised no one has contacted the family on the kid’s whereabouts.

    “At this point, we need God’s intervention. Lately I have been more security conscious whenever I walk because I keep thinking of the route the abductor took. The school is a few minutes’ walk from the house. We are praying like we have never prayed before,” he said.

    The Ojelabis are pleading with the public for information on their boy’s whereabouts.

    They can be contacted on: 08024371127, 08028287574.

     

  • Lagos officials arraigned for allegedly stealing N28m cars

    Lagos officials arraigned for allegedly stealing N28m cars

    An Ebutte-Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, yesterday ordered the remand of three men who claimed to be members of the staff of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment on charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and stealing.

    Babatunde Olaogun, 31; Babadola Adigun, 41; and Olanrewaju Jones, 40, were accused by detectives from the State Criminal and Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, of committing the offences between November 17 and December 4, 2015, at the Ministry of Enviroment, Alausa, Lagos.

    Prosecuting Inspector, Chinalu Uwadione, told the court that the defendants claimed to be Legal Manager, Account Manager and Transport Manager of the ministry respectively.

    He alleged that they conspired and forged a Local Purchase Order, LPO, with which they stole three Toyota Camry cars from an auto firm, Affordable Cars Limited.

    The prosecutor claimed that the first accused, Babatunde Olaogun, was the mastermind of the fraud and he forged an LPO marked ‘MOE 2950/49’ and dated, November 11, 2015, which all of the defendants acted on to steal the three cars.

    The Camry cars were valued at N28. 5 million and their chassis numbers are LT4BFIFK6FR488931; 4T4BFIFR506879 and 4T4BFIFKFR506904.

    The offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 409, 363, 378 and 285(10) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011, the prosecutor added.

    However, the three defendants denied all of the charges and their lawyers, Mr. O. Imonighara, Mr. Sadik Lateefat and Mr. Spurgeon Ataene, orally applied for their bail.

    Chief Magistrate O. I. Adelaja  granted the second and third defendants, Babalola and Olarenwaju N100, 000  bail each with one surety each, while the first defendant, Olaogun, got bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in the like sum.

    Adelaja also ordered that the trio be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail and adjourned till March 2 for mention.

  • Fire razes building in Mushin

    Fire razes building in Mushin

    Residents of 14 Anipele Street, Olorunsogo in Mushin, Lagos, yesterday, were thrown into chaos as their house went in flames.

    It was gathered that most of the occupants of the one-storey building had gone for their daily activities when the incident happened.

    The fire, The Nation learnt, was caused by electric sparks.

    An eyewitness, simply called Kola, said there was a loud noise when the Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) brought light.

    “It was around 4pm they brought the light; the next thing we saw was fire on the roof. We called the fire fighters but before they got to the scene, the building was gone. I am glad the first floor were not occupied by tenants if not they would have been counting their loss,” he said.

    An occupant, Bisola Alabi, said since the demise of the landlord, they haven’t put the place on rent, adding: “The landlord’s children just have their monthly meeting on the first floor. They don’t live here. Just few occupants downstairs will need to worry over new accommodation.”

    A resident, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that no property was lost to the fire.

    He said: “I did not lose any property, but can’t stay here again because it may collapse any moment from now. My children just returned from school to meet this. We don’t know where to move to”.

  • Jubilation in Ebute-Meta as ‘Terror’ dies in custody

    Jubilation in Ebute-Meta as ‘Terror’ dies in custody

    A man’ suspected to be a hoodlum died yesterday in police custody, sparking jubilation among some residents of Ebute-Meta, Lagos Mainland.

    Sunday Terror was arrested by the police around 11.20am on Ondo Street, following a tip-off.

    He had been on the police wanted list for over seven months. He escaped each time the police got close to getting him.

    Residents, who discovered his hideout, tipped off security operatives and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Denton, Olarenwaju Quadri led a special squad to fish him out.

    On sighting the police, Terror, said to be with his gang members identified as Dagbe, Omosoku and Oshankele, were said to have opened fire.

    The police returned fire; Terror was caught, but the others escaped with gunshot wounds through the waterside.

    When the news of Terror’s arrest was broken, people rushed to Denton Police Station, demanding that he should not be released.

    He was said to have died around 1pm.

    It was learnt that the crowd, which blocked the express road, included market women and traditional rulers. They cursed the suspect and reportedly asked that he should not be taken to a hospital.

    Some eyewitnesses at the police station claimed that the suspect confessed before he died.

    One said: “He has made life difficult for a lot of people here. So many people are afraid of Terror and his gang. People celebrated his arrest and his death because if he was taken to hospital, his godfathers, who are politicians, would have found a way to free him.

    “He confessed here that he was behind the death of four people at Evans Square in December. His gang killed four people and injured over 20. He also confessed that he was the one who beheaded one member of the Black Axe cult, as well as killed two people in Idumota.

    “He also told the police that Oshankele, his gang member who lives in Mushin was the one who keeps their weapons. Terror also said his gang members have killed many policemen and collected their rifles.”

    “Yes people are happy and I am also happy. We have been living in fear in Ebute-Meta because of Terror and his gang of criminals. They have done so many bad things. People even fear him in death. I wish the police will arrest members of his gang so that we can have peace,” the witness added.

    A security source told The Nation that Terror raped the daughters of some Baale (community heads) in the area.

    According to the source, six Baales visited the DPO to thank him for apprehending the suspect.

    “People helped us in arresting him. He ran into one house and when his colleagues saw us, they opened fire. When they saw that he would not make it, they shot him so that he won’t confess.

    “But we were able to get him to talk before he died. He confessed that they usually engaged in Bank and ATM robbery in Ebute-Meta.  That they usually operated on motorcycles and they killed any stubborn victim. He also said they usually terrorised sawmill operators and extorted money from them as well as traders.

    “The residents wrote several petitions to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations about Terror’s activities.

    “He also confessed that some of his colleagues live at Ijora Badia and Lagos Island. He said they usually attacked people going for morning prayers by laying ambush by their homes and forcing them to part with their valuables.

    “He also confessed that he raped many girls, including daughters of Baale, at gun point in their homes.

    “He was begging us to give him water but we did not because that would have killed him instantly. He bled and died around 1pm.

    “You needed to see the crowd that gathered here. They blocked everywhere, insisting that the police should let him die. They were shouting that he should not be taken to the hospital, that they were tired of his terror,” said the source.

    Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed Terror’s death, adding that a locally-made pistol and an axe were recovered from him.

    She said a manhunt has begun for the fleeing suspects.

  • Missing boy found 15 days after

    Missing boy found 15 days after

    FIFTEEN days after he went missing, nine-year-old Malik Bilal last Wednesday reunited with his family.

    Malik was lured away from his Mushin, Lagos home last January 5 by a stranger, who took him to Sango in Ogun State.

    His parents reported the matter to police stations in their neighbourhood.

    Last Wednesday, their effort paid off when officers from Sango Police Station brought him home.

    “He was playing outside on January 5 when we discovered we could not see him. We went to different police stations to make a report but they could not find him. We thank God that he was later found and brought home. It was an experience I would not wish for any mother,”Fatimo, Malik’s mother said.

    Malik, a Basic Three pupil of God Liveth School in Mushin, said he was playing outside his home when the strange man called him. The man reportedly asked Malik to buy him pure water.

    He said: “I was playing football in Akitilu Street that day when the man called me. I don’t know him but he said he was on our street the day we had a carnival. He asked me to buy him pure water and also asked if I could ride a bicycle and I told him I could ride it. So, he said I should meet him in Eko Boys High School, Mushin. On getting there, he took me to Sango. When we got there, he said I should keep going that he would follow me. After a while, we missed each other in the crowd. I looked back and I didn’t see him again. I was later found by the night watchmen after 15 days and they took me to the police station.”

    Malik said he survived on food given to him by sympathisers.

  • Suspect gives condition to quit robbery

    Suspect gives condition to quit robbery

    •‘Give me loan to start business’

    AN armed robbery suspect, Ayodeji Bakare, 23, yesterday promised to stop robbery if he gets loan to start business.

    While being paraded by Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni at the Command’s headquarters in Ikeja, Bakare, on ex-convict, said: “I want government to give me loan to start business to enable me stop armed robbery.”

    The suspect was arrested by policemen attached to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (SCID) in Yaba last Saturday at Ebute-Meta, with one locally made pistol and six live cartridges while robbing a passerby.

    Bakare, an aluminum fabricator in Alagomeji, Yaba, said he is a member of a three-man gang that specialised in robbing people with motorcycle.

    He said: “I am an armed robber. We are three in number and we used to do stop and search operation and the total money I have made in armed robbery is N500,000. I started robbing in 2014 when I came out from prison in 2013; I went to Ikoyi prison for some months after being arrested for robbing a whiteman of his phone in Ikoyi Club.

    “In prison, some inmates are bad and some are good. The bad ones learn bad things. I joined Eiye Cult in prison, they beat me and gave me water mixed with pepper. They later gave me orientation. When I was leaving prison, they gave me the name of an arms dealer who will give me gun. His name is Segun. You can see the Eiye mark on my body. I used to buy one bullet for N1,000.

    “We used to buy like 15 to 20 bullets. If my bullet finishes, I call Segun who is based in Cotonou.”

    On how he beats police and Customs checkpoints, he said: “When I collect gun from Segun in Cotonou, I enter motor that does not carry load. They don’t search motor that does not carry load. I have not married but I have a wife, she loves me. If I go to prison she will still wait for me because she waited for me the first time I went to prison.”

  • Police parade suspected killers of woman, 65

    Police parade suspected killers of woman, 65

    Eight suspected cultists were yesterday paraded by the police over last Saturday’s clash which claimed a 65-year-old woman’s life.

    They are Afees Olaide, Nurudeen Lateef, Richard Ewa, Richard Abayomi, Mohammed Musa, Kayode Dada, Adams Adelakun and Tanimola Ogbere.

    Police chief Fatai Owoseni said they were arrested through intelligence gathering.

    The sexagenarian, Mrs Adejoke Adefuye, was burnt beyond recognition when her house on 19, Oshinfolarin Street, Bariga, was set ablaze by the warring Ibrahim Balogun-led Eiye confraternity and Aiye confraternity led by a man identified as Gideon.

    Ogbere said: “I was arrested by Bariga policemen at a local gin joint where I was taking alcohol. I was never a cult member; I have travelled since August to Ondo State to prepare for the burial of my grandmother, I was at a joint drinking when some policemen led by one Ade pointed at me and I was arrested immediately for an offence I did not commit.”

    “I am not afraid of death, whoever that roped me in the offence I did not know anything about would face the wrath of the Lord and their yet to be born   generation, because I have my legitimate business I was doing at the shore of the lagoon where I sell sand.”

    He said some incisions on his body were for personal protection.

    “My step-father did it for me when I was returning to Lagos, because I don’t want to be killed by the Ibrahim Balogun alias Small Jepron boys who killed my younger brother identified as Shagy,” he said.

    Abayomi, the second-in-command to Small Jepron said: “I went to take my bath on Saturday when I was arrested by the policemen.  I don’t know anything about the crisis; I was only coming back from the bathroom, when the policemen told me to stop. When I stopped, they arrested me and took me to Bariga Police Station, and later the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, where I and some others were brought to the command.”

    Musa, who said he had just been released by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for selling drug, denied taking part in the fight.

    Olaide, a musician with a stage name, Onala, said: “I don’t know anything about the fight. I was walking on the street, when I saw one of the police officers I know, I stopped to greet him, but instead of reciprocating, he ordered for my arrest. I am a barber, I was once imprisoned, now that God has brought me out, I can’t go back to what took me there initially.”

    Three power bikes, one live and expended cartridges and a tricycle popularly known as Keke Marwa, four boxer motorcycles, one Nokia phone and charm were recovered from the suspects.