The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Cleaner held for N5.2 million ‘theft’

    Cleaner held for N5.2 million ‘theft’

    A 25-year-old cleaner, Opeoluwa Onasanya was yesterday arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court, Igbosere, for alleged theft of N 5.2million from his employer.

    He is standing trial on two counts of conspiracy and stealing under Sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Oladejo Balogun told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the alleged offence on October 8, at Olusegun Aina Street, Parkview Estate Ikoyi.

    Balogun said that the defendant stole two Wrist watches valued $15,000 USD and $1,200.

    He also alleged that the defendant stole two Diamond rings worth eight thousand dollars, as well as shoes, clothes valued N600,000 all belonging to one Prince Adekunle Adeyeba.

    “The defendant was employed as a cleaner by the complainant and had only been employed for two months.

    “During Sallah celebration, he took leave to enable him celebrate Sallah with his family. It was while he was there that the complaint discovered that the defendant had stolen from him. The defendant decided not to come back to the place after the celebration,” Balogun said.

    Onasanya pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate H.O.A. Amos granted him N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

    The case was adjourned till November 24.

  • ‘My husband absconded for 10 years’

    Twelve years ago my husband said he had a contract job in Imo State and he left leaving me with three children. It’s been 10 years since he came home and I haven’t heard from him. If he is still alive, I have no idea.”

    These were the words of a 38-year-old woman, Rukayat Omodeni, whose husband, Nurudeen, a Carpenter, abandoned for 10 years.

    The petitioner, a trader, told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos yesterday that the last time she saw him was 10 years ago when herself and her father-in-law went to check on his wellbeing.

    She said:”Since then, his mobile lines have not been going through. I have been complaining to his family but they also don’t know his whereabouts. There was a time his mother said he called her with another line but she didn’t save the number. I am tired of waiting. His mother cries whenever I ask her but it isn’t helping matters”

    Mrs Omodeni said she has been singlehandedly catering for her children’s needs without her husband’s family support.

    “I have three girls. My first daughter is now 17. His siblings have been asking me to be patient but I don’t know how long it is going to be. I want to move on with my life,” she added.

    The union produced three children.

    When the Court’s President, Adegboyega Omilola, asked the Court bailiff if he summoned the respondent’s family, he said yes.

    Adegboyega ordered the petitioner to be peaceful with her husband’s family and adjourned the matter till November 9 for judgment.

  • Millions gone as fire destroys properties

    Millions gone as fire destroys properties

    Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed yesterday by fire at Jakande Estate in Oke-Afa in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos.

    The incident which started around 8.30am, according to eyewitnesses, affected four flats in block 369 in the Double Star area of the estate.

    The Nation learnt that the occupants of one of the flats left their gas switch on. Another person said the fire emanated from the air conditioning machine that wasn’t switch off.

    One Tokunbo, who own a pharmaceutical shop in front of the house, blamed the high voltage of electricity supplied by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

    Tokunbo said the electricity supply had been fluctuating since 5am.

    “I was sleeping when someone woke me that there was a fire outbreak. The high voltage also affected a bulb in the shop of a neighbour,” he said.

    “The occupants were not around when the fire started, they had all gone to work. They were alerted about the incident by some neighbours and when they returned, it was too late for them to save their belongings, they had all been destroyed by the inferno,” another eyewitness said.

    Another eyewitness who lives at the opposite block, said he was in his room when he heard his neighbour shouting fire in Yoruba.

    He spoke on condition of anonymity.

    “I heard someone shouting E gba wa o (help us), so I ran out thinking it was my neighbour’s flat that had caught fire; the next thing I saw was a heavy smoke coming out from that flat. The fire started up stairs and extended to the flat beside it. Everything in the two flats were razed. The fire fighters didn’t show up on time, so, we had to call on PHCN to switch off the light, which they did barely 35 minutes into the outbreak. The fire fighter came in an hour later.

    According to him, one woman’s charger was also destroyed by the voltage.

    A young man who gave his name as Daniel said the occupants of the building did not switched off the gas cooker before leaving for work.

    He said: “When the incident started, smoke was coming out from the kitchen. The owner of the other flat beside the flat upstairs was trying to save his one month old baby because his wife was not around; as he was trying to take the baby down stairs, the house had already caught fire. So, he couldn’t retrieve any of his properties.

    A man was seen lamenting the level of destruction.

    He couldn’t compose himself to speak with The Nation, rather shouting my brother’s house repeatedly.

    Director Lagos State Fire Service, Rasaq Fadipe, said the outbreak on the two-storey building might have been caused by electrical surge adding: “Two flats of the three bedroom apartment were consumed by fire and there was no causality. Also, before we got the alert, it was late because as at the time we got to the scene, everything was damaged but we prevented it from spreading to the first floor. It is possible they left an appliance on before leaving the house. Immediately we entered the estate, we saw the flames.”

    Fadipe urged residents to always put off electrical appliances especially if electricity wasn’t restored before leaving home.

    The Nation learnt that the fire fighters were assisted by men of the Nigerian police and officials of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

    Ejigbo LCDA Executive Secretary Jaiye Alabi and the council’s Head of Admnistration, Nurudeen Shobajo visited the scene to assess the extent of damage cause by the fire.

  • Idongesit’s murder: Protesters storm court

    Idongesit’s murder: Protesters storm court

    Scores of protesters including family members of a woman, Idongesit Comfort Ekpo, allegedly killed by a police corporal, Musiliu Aremu, yesterday besieged the Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.

    Led by Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, President of Women Arise, a human rights group, the protesters demanded justice.

    Various placards with inscriptions, “Injustice to one is injustice to all”, “We demand responsible policing of Nigeria”, “Justice must be served on killer cop, Museliu Aremu” among others were displayed at the court premises.

    Aremu, 28, allegedly shot dead Mrs Ekpo on September 16 while returning from church with her husband and child in a tricycle.

    At his arraignment on September 18, the court had ordered the accused, who was charged with a two-count charge of murder and causing grievous harm, be remanded in police custody at Panti, Yaba, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, G.O. Osuyi, a counsel from the State Criminal Investigative Department, Panti, and Inspector Chinalu Uwadione, told the court that the offences were committed on September 16 around 8p.m. at Isheri Oshun, Ijegun, a Lagos surburb.

    Osuyi alleged that Aremu, attached to the Isheri Oshun Police Station, shot dead one Comfort Idongesit Ekpo and caused grievous harm to one Godwin Ekpo, the deceased husband.

    The accused, he narrated, opened fire at the tricycle “Keke Marwa” in which the couple was riding on their way home, shattering the head of the mother of four and causing serious injury to the husband’s jaw.

    He said the offence contravened Sections 221 and 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

    Defense counsel Lekan Alabi, urged the court to grant the accused bail.

    Chief Magistrate Folasade Botoku rejected the appeal.

    Botoku noted that the court lacked the jurisdiction to prosecute such a case, saying that the case was still premature because it had not exceeded 60 days.

    “The court is not aware that there is a difference between the accused, a public servant and an ordinary citizen, hence bail is hereby refused.”

    The magistrate ordered the accused be remanded again, this time at the Ikoyi Prisons pending advice from the DPP.

    The case was adjourned till Nov. 25.

     

  • Group sets agenda for commissioners

    Group sets agenda for commissioners

    The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit has enjoined the new state commissioners to make good governance and youth empowerment their utmost goals.

    The umbrella Muslim students’ body made this known in a congratulatory statement signed by its Amir, Saheed Ashafa, yesterday.

    The organisation urged the cabinet members to make as priorities religious freedom and equality; education; youth empowerment, improved security and economy.

    It also asked the new commissioners not be far from the masses.

    Ashafa said: “All the commissioners should know that accountability, commitment and transparency are the souls of good governance. If they do not want to fail, they should identify with the grassroots. We do not want commissioners who will not listen to our voices, we do not want commissioners that will jettison the voice of the masses.

    “Lagosians want well sorted out policies. It is true that we are yearning for a change, but government should know that the faster the change, the harder it is to manage. We suggest that the commissioners only initiate policies that would aid religious, economic, and social situation of Lagosians.

    ”Lagos State has ignited a lot of expectations and it is important for the commissioners to improve on some policies. Among the policies that need urgent change include the ban on wearing of Hijab in public schools and the cremation law,” the society said.

    While urging the new commissioners to be God fearing and dedicated to duty, Ashafa urged them not to be distracted.

    ”We pray to Allah to guide them. They should not see their new positions as a means to unlawfully enrich themselves but to serve and better the society. If they refuse to lead as expected and are able to escape the wrath of humans, they can’t from God. Allah will judge them based on their actions and in-action,” he added.

     

  • NURTW to build hospital, filling station

    NURTW to build hospital, filling station

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Lagos State chapter has promised to build a hospital and a mega filling station to take care of its members.

    Its chairman Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, made this known yesterday in his re-election acceptance speech.

    Member of the Lagos Council overwhelmingly endorsed Agbede for another Four-year term during the eighth Quadrennial Delegate Conference held at the Excellence Hotel in Ogba.

    Agbede said: “This administration will construct a hospital to take care of emergency cases among commercial drivers in the state.

    “We will ensure that the hospital is well-equipped and man by qualified personnel.

    “…Because of the nature of our job, our people are prone to accidents. So, with the hospital, our members will get prompt attention during emergency cases”.

    He said the proposed mega filling station would solve problems of fuel scarcity among drivers.

    He promised that the council will continue partnering with the government to sustain peace in all motor parks.

    NURTW Vice-President Joseph Aluanya, said the union is being administered in line with the rule of law.

    He urged the elected officers to be fair to all and make justice their watch word.

    State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Idowu Adelakun, hailed the NURTW for conducting a hitch-free delegates’ conference.

  • ‘Help, I need N2m for eye treatment’

    ‘Help, I need N2m for eye treatment’

    Holy Ogene, a young Nigerian with a promising future from Efor Ogbedigbo in Delta State is seeking support to raise N2m to treat glycoma, an eye defect which has made him blind.

    In a statement, Ogene urged well meaning individuals, government officers, Churches and others to help and thanked those who have been supporting him.

    Support should be sent to Ogone’s account: Diamond bank, Acct name: Holyo Famous, Acc No: 4443534394. He can be reached on mobile numbers : 08104974780, 08134223156.

    Ogene’s statement of appeal reads:

    “My name is Holy Ogene and I am a Political Encyclopedia. I was born February 15th 1995 and since I have been going through minor eyes issue. I have been on drugs and eye glasses till a faithful day the doctor asked me to do a surgery.

    “ Due to the fear that I was so young, my father was afraid to lose me. The doctor said my eyes position shifted that we have to carry out a surgery. My father insisted no, so I kept on manage till when I was 14years old. My left eye finally had Catheract, and then there was no money to remove it.

    “ So I kept on managing just one eye, until I was 16years old when I noticed I could see no more. I went for eye test and the doctor said it was glycoma, that I have to bring 2million naira and I am appealing to well meaning individuals, government officers, Churches and President Buhari Mohammed and the House of Representative member, Ossai Nikolas Ossai for them to please help me.

    “ Please thank Oyibosochukwu Nwabueze the Tojbesu of Delta State for all his assistance.”

  • LASTMA takes traffic campaign to religious centres

    LASTMA takes traffic campaign to religious centres

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) yesterday visited religious centres to promote traffic rules and regulations.

    The enlightenment campaign operation tagged: “Open Hearts” according to its General Manager, Bashir Braimah, would promote road safety with focus on voluntary compliance by motorists and drive home government message on zero tolerance for traffic indiscipline and lawlessness.

    “Since the centres enjoy patronage of large congregation, therefore it is imperative to carry them along in traffic management in the state for the desired result,” he said.

    Braimah observed that the perennial gridlocks are occasioned by indiscipline and abuse of traffic regulations amongst road users.

    He urged the congregation who are motorists not to flout traffic rules with impunity as such will have dire consequences on traffic flow and sanity on the roads.

    According to Braimah, stress-free ride on Lagos road is a collective responsibility of all to enhance the economic growth and sustain the mega city status of the state.

    The LASTMA team visited the Redeemed Christian Church of God at Ogudu, NASFAT, Alausa Secretariat Mosque and Christ the Light Chapel, Alausa.

  • ‘Give us more parks, bus stops’

    ‘Give us more parks, bus stops’

    Transport unions in Lagos State have renewed their appeal to the government to provide them more motor parks and bus stops to reduce friction between them and the authorities.

    The Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) made the call yesterday in Lagos in the wake of the continued arrests of their members.

    Alhaji Musa Muhammed, Chairman of RTEAN, said provision of more parks and bus stops would ease the flow of traffic.

    “While we advise our members to obey traffic laws, we also want the government to help us.

    “There is need for provision of more bus stops to help the transport operators. The bus stops are still few and cannot meet the demand of this time,’’ he said.

    Muhammed also urged the union members to be law-abiding to prevent harassment and arrest by the authorities.

    He urged them to avoid driving on dedicated lanes of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses.

    Alhaji Tajudeeen Agbede, the NURTW Lagos Chairman, said the inadequate bus stops and motor parks for commercial vehicles caused gridlock.

    He said: “We plead with the state government to help stop this untold hardship faced by our members by providing more designated bus stops for our operations.

    “I am not always happy when I hear that the operation of our members picking and dropping passengers at illegal bus stops constitute nuisance to the public.

    “We need more bus stops and motor parks; we have made this call before, let the government help for the benefit of all.”

    Agbede said the NURTW would continue to do its best to help free Lagos of gridlock with the union’s task force which monitors and sanctions its erring members.

    The chairman said the leadership of the union would ensure that the good image of the union is protected at all times.

    “We are law-abiding, responsible professionals and we are willing to help move Lagos forward,” he said.

  • Banire to ministers-designate: key into Buhari’s programme

    Banire to ministers-designate: key into Buhari’s programme

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Legal Adviser Muiz Banire, SAN, has urged ministers-designate to buy into the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He believes that after taking the oath of office, they would hit the ground running because of Nigerians’ high expectations.

    Banire spoke at a reception held in his honour for attaining the SAN rank by Muslim groups in the country.

    The senior advocate, however, urged Nigerians to give President Buhari more time to restore sanity and establish efficient institutions, saying it was by so doing that people can benefit from the system.

    He described the election of Buhari as the best option for the country given its present circumstances.

    Dr Banire said the attainment of the SAN’s will spur him to do more in contributing his quota to quick dispensation of justice in the country.

    The former Lagos commissioner for the Environment thanked the organisations for the honour, promising to assist the less privileged.

    Speaking the organisers, Alhaji Musibau Oyefeso, a former Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) chief, said the reception was to appreciate Banire’s exemplary leadership traits for others to emulate him.

    He enjoined Banire to champion more of the fundamental rights of the people as enshrined in the constitution.

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule, described Banire as a disciplinarian and a great political leader.

    According to her, Dr Banire has always contributed his quota to the development of Lagos and national polity.

    “I thank Allah for him for not only having a doctorate degree in law but also attaining the position of SAN. For us, it is an opportunity to honour him and celebrate what Allah has done for him,” she said.