The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • I didn’t know we produced fake wine, says minor

    A 16-year-old boy was paraded with  eight others last Friday in Ikeja by the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)  for producing adulterated wine.

    The Delta State-born orphan said he took to the job because he needed money to fend for himself.

    He said: “I started the job two weeks ago through my brother’s friend, Ejike Chibike, who told me he produces wine and asked if I could join him. I accepted and he agreed to pay me N2,500 every weekend.”

    When asked his role during production, he said: “My boss mixes the ingredients in a large container, while I fill the bottles, put the foil, label, cock the bottles and pack them. He also distributes and has someone who prints for him.”

    “I’ve just completed my secondary school education and since I didn’t pass all my papers, I needed to work so I can save some money for the next General Certificate Examination (GCE). I didn’t know we produced fake wine because some drinks have National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number on them.

    “Since our parent’s death, five of my siblings and I have been living with our step mother. Since the money gotten from our father’s gratuity finished, we have been made to cater for our needs. As I speak, I haven’t been paid for the two weeks and I haven’t seen or heard from my boss.”

    NSCDC Commandant, Gabriel Abafi, said the suspects were arrested last Wednesday and Thursday in Ikorodu.

    According to him, they seized 112 packs of Princess and Merry Fruits Wine with NAFDAC number – A108521 and A10489L, two electricity generating sets, one water storage tank, one pump machine, cylinder, three sealing machines and some powdery substances.

    Abafi said: “The Princess Wine is produced in a room and parlour mini-flat within Lucky Fibre, while Merry Fruits Wine is produced in a four bedroom flat at Oke-Agbo both in Ikorodu, Lagos. We realise the suspects are retailers but we are on track to fish out the kingpins.”

    Abafi said the public needs to be sensitised about products and enjoined residents to be extremely careful in the kind of things they consume.

    NAFDAC Assistant Director, Intelligence Gathering and Enforcement Division Francis Ononiwu, said the raw materials used in producing the wine may be harmful, saying that the agency never approved the production site or tested the raw materials.

    “I commend NSCDC officials for a job well done. This has shown we are partners in progress and there is need for collaboration between government agencies. We assure you we will get to the root because many lives are at stake,” he said.

    Another suspect, Chukwu Emmanuel, a 24-year-old sales boy, said: “I was in my shop last Wednesday when a Keke Marwa operator offloaded 10 packs of Princess Fruit Wine. When I asked who the owner was, he said the owner was almost with me. Three minutes after, NSCDC officials came and asked if I had Princess Wine and I said someone just brought them that they could count it. That was how I got arrested.

    “I used to be in the provision section before I got transferred to the drinks section. One Chibike, a marketer, supplied us and this is the third time we are patronising him. The first time he supplied us, I checked the NAFDAC number and expiry date. He even gave us some to taste, saying it was a new product. We bought it N1000 from him and sold for N1100. I don’t know anything about it. I was employed as a sales boy.”

    Emmanuel Mba, 19, who sells at Ladega, Ikorodu, said Chilbike used to supply Dewiper Fruits Wine before he switched to Merry Fruits Wine.

    “I bought five to 10 packs because after he brought it for taste and it was okay, I stocked my shop with it. A bottle of the wine is N200 while a pack which consists of six bottles is N1100 but I bought it N1000 from him. Some of my customers buy the wine if they can’t go for the expensive ones. If I knew it was fake, I wouldn’t have bought it,” he said.

    Kazeem Idowu, 20, a Lagosian said they were forced to order for the wine because of its demand.

    He said: “I started working for one Mrs Adebayo a month ago along Ayangbure area. I am not aware. Even my boss isn’t. In fact this is our first time because he has been supplying co-shop owners in the area. The demand is high. They are really patronising it.”

    A victim, who gave his name as Abodunrin, said he discovered the wine last September during a social gathering he organised.

    He said: “When I got to the market, I was told it was a new product. I was shocked at first because of the price. I bought 20 packs because it was my son’s graduation. It had an after taste. I even gave friends and colleagues as souvenirs. I was embarrassed when I received two to three calls about the wine. This is a situation that has to be looked into with utmost urgency.”

  • Cleric urges residents to maintain clean environment

    Cleric urges residents to maintain clean environment

    The leader of C&S Salem Evangelical Church of Christ in Lagos, Apostle Babatunde Odele (a.k.a Pawpaw) has urged residents to maintain good drainage system in their environment.

    Odele, who is the former Chairman of Mushin Local Government, said the church has been clearing drainage in Obanikoro on Ikorodu road in the last five years.

    He said: “This area used to be a no go area whenever there was heavy downpour which caused traffic gridlock and accidents.

    “Ikorodu road is always busy whenever it rained, everywhere will be flooded due to the blockage of the drainage. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials and policemen are always seen clearing accident scenes to ease traffic gridlock.

    “Because our members couldn’t stand the sight of ugly things, they suggested the road be repaired and voluntarily contributed fund for its rehabilitation. As you can see,” he said.

    He said the only way Lagosians can prevent traffic gridlock is to clean the drainage regularly.

    Odele, who is also a member, Lagos State Drainage and Sanitation Board enjoined other worship centres to always involve in community service.

    “Being a worship centre, we are trying our best possible to be of benefit to our host community and I urge other religious bodies to do same. We don’t have to wait on the government always; we know they are trying their best. So, we should ensure that the money we earn in our respective worship centres be used to upgrade the environment. The government, should however, ensure that churches and mosques tidy their environment,” he said.

  • Police arrest 12 suspected traffic robbers

    Police arrest 12 suspected traffic robbers

    The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 12 men, who allegedly rob motorists   during gridlock.

    They were arrested by the men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) last Friday, following a tip-off from motorists, who ply the Mile 2 and Ijora route.

    RRS Commander Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said: “The miscreants were fond of snatching mobile phones and dispossessing citizens of their valuables during gridlock along both metropolises. They attack victims by damaging their vehicles’ windscreens which makes them surrender under duress.

    “When we got to Task force office in Alausa, four suspects who gave satisfactory description of themselves were released while the remaining eight were charged to court,” Disu said.

    He recalled that the RRS operatives recently arrested a terrorist whose gang attacked motorists in the same route.

    “When we arrested him some weeks ago, he confessed that he was not the only one in the act, he said they snatched bags and phones during traffic jam. This current arrest shows they are his syndicate”, he added.

    He appealed to citizens to assist the Police with useful information, promised that informants’ identity won’t be revealed for fear of retaliation.

  • LAGBUS chief urges commuters to report erring drivers

    LAGBUS chief urges commuters to report erring drivers

    The Asset Management Company, operators of the Lagos metropolitan red buses (LAGBUS) has advised commuters to report the company’s drivers engaging in reckless driving.

    LAGBUS Managing Director Mr Babatunde Disu, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.

    “Recently, we trained the drivers on performance and best practices of transportation to ensure that they are safety conscious. The management is working to make sure that the comfort of passengers is guaranteed. But for us to reciprocate the gesture, we appeal to you to come forward and advise us on what to do to improve our services and we will not hesitate to do it,” Disu said.

    A regular user of the buses, Mr Emmanuel Idowu, described LAGBUS services as okay, saying however, that the company needed to work on the attitude of driver.

    “LAGBUS management has improved greatly now, you can determine when and what time you can get to your destination.

    “Their buses can be accessed everywhere in Lagos, the only thing now is that some of the drivers still drive recklessly,” Idowu said.

    Another regular user of LAGBUS, John Olukayode, advised the management to increase the number of supervisors in the buses.

    “If the drivers have more officers supervising them, many of them will be more serious,” said Olukayode.

    Miss Julie Okorie, a food seller at the Lagos Bar Beach, enjoined the management to extend operations time of the buses into the night.

    “There should be some fleet officers running the night shift because they can provide the best service,” said Okorie.

  • Adebule to women: be change agents

    Adebule to women: be change agents

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule has urged Muslim women to be a source of inspiration to others.

    Speaking at the closing of the 16th Annual Women’s Week of Nasrul-lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT) yesterday, she urged them to pass whatever knowledge they have onto others.

    She said: “Wherever we are, whatever we do, and at whatever level, we should pass the knowledge we have to somebody. There are so many women out there who want to do well but they are looking for somebody to motivate and inspire them. That is what we should all aspire to be for other women.”

    She hailed NASFAT for empowering women with skill acquisition.

    “Let me commend NASFAT for focusing on training the women on how best they can be useful to themselves. That is very important because it is only when we do that that we can have a good society. We all must try to learn one skill or another so that we can be useful to ourselves. And here (NASFAT), they are not just training the women; they are empowering them to be useful in the society. And of course, it is only when they are economically empowered that they can do better for themselves and their children,” she said.

    She urged women who have acquired skills to teach others.

  • Nurse, trader arraigned for alleged baby theft

    A nurse and a market woman, who allegedly conspired to steal a day-old baby, have been arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, Lagos.

    The 56-year-old trader, Theresa Ezeala and Augustina Oparaocha, 54, were arraigned on a two- count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    They pleaded not guilty when the prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Imhonwa, read the charges.

    Imhonwa told the court that the women on November 1, 2014, conspired to steal a day-old baby of one Lovely Nwakwu, at a hospital located in Idi-Orogbo Ayobo, Lagos.

    According to him, the complainant, Nwakwu, is Ezeala’s niece, while the accused is her guardian from childhood.

    Imhonwa told the court that the complainant was impregnated by someone who refused to take responsibility, so her aunty, cared for her during her pregnancy.

    “On the day of delivery, a male child was born through caesarean, while Oparaocha was the nurse in charge. The baby was not given to the mother on the excuse that she was not capable of taking care of the baby.

    “The duo, however, conspired to steal the child and never returned the baby to the mother, “Imhonwa said.

    When the Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi, asked Ezeala the where about of the baby, she replied that she took the baby to Imo.

    Ezeala told the court that the baby is with their relative in Imo, who will take care of him on her behalf.

    According to Ezeala, this is because it is a disgrace to have a fatherless child.

    “It is an abomination in my place for a child to be fatherless, so I gave the child to our relative, ‘’Ezeala said.

    However, the prosecutor said prior to her arraignment, the police visited the home of the relative in Imo, but the house was uninhabited.

    “The place was locked and it seemed no one lives there anymore,” Imhonwa said.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 278 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    Magistrate Osunsanmi granted them N2 million bail each, with two sureties each.

    She added that the sureties must be landed property owners in Lagos State and their addresses be verified.

    She adjourned the case till September 30.

  • Lagos urges court to vacate order on Ikorodu monarch

    Lagos urges court to vacate order on Ikorodu monarch

    Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has urged a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja to vacate the order it made last Friday stopping the coronation of Kabiru Adewale Shotobi as the Ayangbure of Ikorodu.

    Justice Olabisi Ogungbesan had issued the order while ruling in a motion ex-parte brought by an applicant, Odupitan Adeniyi Eniola, through his lawyers, Joseph Okobiemen and Folarin Dalmeida.

    The court had stopped Chief Shotobi from presenting himself for coronation or to be crowned for the vacant stool and title of Ayangbure of Ikorodu pending the determination of  the suit filed by Eniola, from the Lambo branch of the Lasunwon chieftaincy family of Ikorodu.

    It also restrained Ambode or anyone acting under his authority from going ahead to crown the Odofin of Ikorodu, Chief Kabiru Shotobi, as the new Ikorodu monarch.

    The Ikorodu kingmakers had scheduled the crowning of Odofin Shotobi for last Saturday having completed all the traditional rites precedent to coronation of the new Ayangbure.                                                                                                                                                       The court had also restrained Shotobi from parading himself as the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, or from actualising any recognition thereon and from exercising any of the Ayangbure Royal functions until the determination of the motion on notice.

    In addition, the court barred Lagos State Governor, the Attorney-General, the state’s Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs and the seven other defendants or any of their agents, from performing last Saturday coronation.

    But at the resumed hearing  yesterday, the governor, who was represented by a state counsel, Mr. S.A. Quadri, urged the judge to vacate the order, saying it was made in error.

    Quadri, who described the ex parte application that led to the order as an abuse of court processes, pointed out that the order was made after Shotobi had already been given the staff of office.

    According to him,  the former Governor of the state, Babatunde Fashola on May 25, installed Shotobi as the new Ayangbure and presented  him at the 17th meeting of the State Executive Council held on May 26.

    Quadri claimed that contrary to the facts presented before the court,  what took place last  Saturday was not a coronation but a mere social gathering to celebrate Shotobi’s installment as a monarch.

    “The ceremony which took place on August 15 is a mere fun fare organised by the Ikorodu community and the first defendant (Shotobi) to celebrate his ascension to the throne of his fore fathers and to accord notable distinguished personalities with chieftaincy titles.

    “The first defendant was surprised when it became news that a ruling was delivered on August 14 pursuant to an ex parte application restraining the 1st defendant and other defendants from proceeding with the coronation fixed for the 15th day of August.

    In an affidavit deposed to in support of Ambode’s application,  one Usman Danboyi argued that the ex parte ought not to have been granted if the facts were revealed to the honourable court.

    “The order was obtained by misrepresentation of facts and should be set aside,” Danboyi said.

    Counsel to the Ikorodu kingmakers Olusegun Fabunmi, also raised a preliminary objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case.

    The kingmakers – Chief Zacheus Odusoga, Chief Afolabi Adekanyaoja, Chief Karimu Ore and Chief Jacob Adaraloye – are urging the court to not only vacate the restraining order but to dismiss the entire suit.

    Fabunmi described the suit as an abuse of court processes, claiming  that the subject matter had already been determined by Justice M.A. Savage of the Ikorodu High Court in a ruling delivered May 22.

    Fabunmi urged the court to vacate the order restraining Shotobi from exercising authority in the capacity of Ayangbure of the ancient town.

    Justice Ogungbesan adjourned the matter till October 6.

  • NDLEA arraigns man over alleged attempt to export narcotic substance

    NDLEA arraigns man over alleged attempt to export narcotic substance

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday arraigned a middle-aged man, Emmanuel Nzubeka, at the Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged attempt to export 1.050 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.

    Nzubeka is standing trial on one-count of exporting narcotic substance.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    The Prosecutor, Mr Augustine Nwagu, said the accused was caught with the narcotic substance on June 4, at the SAHCOL Export Shade of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

    He said the substance was found inside Nzubeka’s luggage, adding that Methamphetamine was a drug similar to cocaine and heroin.

    Nwagu said the alleged offence contravened Section 11 (b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30, Laws of Federation 2004.

    “Due to the plea of innocence by the accused, I urge this court to remand him in prison custody pending trial,’’ the prosecutor said.

    Nwagu also said that the court should refuse to hear any bail application because of the gravity of the offence.

    But Counsel to the accused, Mr Oreofe Ogunleye, said that the offence was the kind that an accused can be granted bail.

    “I ask this court to neglect the prayer of the prosecutor and instead grant bail on liberal terms to my client,’’ he said.

    Justice Mohammed Yunusa said the accused should be remanded in prison and adjourned the case to September 3 for ruling on bail application.

  • ‘I only threatened my wife with hot water’

    A 40-year-old trader, Salau Kehinde, yesterday admitted beating up his wife, Shakirat, over sex, but denied planning to pour hot water on her.

    Kehinde was taken by his wife before an Ikorodu Customary Court, Lagos, for dissolution of their marriage.

    He agreed that he used to beat her whenever she denied him of sex and if she came home late from her trading business, but he “merely boiled the water so he could threaten her with it. I had no intention of bathing her with hot water.”

    “She refused to cook for me when she was pregnant. She also said I should look for another wife,” he added.

    Speaking earlier, Shakirat, 32, told the court that they got married 10 years ago and had two children together, but had been living separately for two years now.

    She said: “He always refused to give me money and this made us quarrel and fight a lot. I had to leave him when he kept threatening to pour hot water on me.

    “His friend advised him to beat me up and he became fond of beating me. He would beat me whenever I returned from work, he would beat me when I told him I was too tired to have sex, or for any flimsy excuse.”

    She added that Kehinde also lacked respect for her family.

    When the court’s president, Olu Adebiyi, asked her what she wanted, she replied: “I want this court to dissolve our marriage and grant me custody of our children.”

    Kehinde promised to stop beating or threatening her, saying he was willing to take her back if she wants to stay with him.

    The court adjourned the matter to September 13.

  • Two held for ‘stabbing’ man at viewing centre

    Two men, who allegedly stabbed another man at a football viewing centre, yesterday, appeared before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.

    The accused – Akinbo Toyin, 29, a printer, and Adekunle Olaniyan, 29, a barber are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and assault.

    Prosecuting Officer Donjor Perezi said the offence were committed on August 8 at a football viewing centre at Amikanle, Alagbado, Lagos.

    According to Perezi, a fight ensued at the veiwing centre over a petty argument and the accused stabbed one Abayomi Akapo, on the neck, head and jaw, causing him a very deep injury.

    “The victim was rescued by people at the centre, who quickly rushed him to the hospital, else he would have died,’’ he said.

    The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravened Sections 171 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate O.A. Akinde admitted the accused to N100, 000 bail each, with two sureties in the like sum, and adjourned the case till September 28.