The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Employee nabbed for ‘stealing’

    An employee of Pathway Financial and Consultancy Services Limited Joesph Esemogie has been arraigned before an Isolo Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing N1,175,000 belonging to the company.

    Esemogie is facing a one count charge of stealing.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Oje Uagbale told the court that Esemogie committed the offence in March at Remilekun Street, Surulere, Lagos.

    Uagbale said the accused was employed to collect funds and loans from customers, but decided to convert the money to his own personal use.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Joy Ugbomoiko granted the accused N20, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She adjourned the case till September 14.

  • Man charged with N1.8m electronics ‘theft’

    A generator repairer, Rafiu Adeyemi, was yesterday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, for alleged conspiracy, burglary and stealing.

    Adeyemi, 38, a resident of Musa Street, Ijoko, Ogun State, allegedly broke into a warehouse and carted away electronics worth N1.8 million.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Kehinde Olatunde, told the court that the accused committed the offences on September 2, 2014 at Anikulapo Street, Agege, Lagos.

    He said that the accused and one other now at large, burgled the warehouse of one Mr Richard Olumide, and ran away the items.

    Olatunde said: “The accused, a security guard employed by the complainant to guard the warehouse and one Micheal Daniel, (who is still at large) broke into the store of the complainant and stole his goods.

    “The accused stole 22 pieces of different sizes of LG LCD televisions, two pieces of DVD recorders and 20 microwave ovens valued at N1.8million.

    “Adeyemi and his accomplice came with sophisticated weapons, broke the burglary proof and damaged the padlocks and gained access into the store.

    “The complainant went to his warehouse to take inventory after the security guard quit the job, only to discover that his goods had been stolen.’’

    Olatunde said that the complainant received a tip-off from a neighbour that the accused was sighted with a vehicle load of the items.

    Olatunde said that the offence contravened Sections 285, 305 and 410 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused pleaded not guilty and was granted N250, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    Magistrate Aka Bashorun adjourned the case till August 26.

  • Three women docked for ‘public fighting’

    A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ebute Meta, Lagos, yesterday, ordered three women to be remanded in Kirikiri Prison for allegedly fighting in public until they meet their bail conditions.

    Magistrate M.O. Olajuwon granted the accused: Adeshola Lawal, 28, Abiodun Onwuneme, 23 and Fadiat Ayinde, 19, bail in the sum of N50,000 each.

    She said the bail was with one surety each who must be blood relations.

    The three are facing charge of fighting in public to which they pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Emmanuel Ajayi, said the offence was committed at Atitebi Street, Ebute Meta on August 17.

    He said that the accused fought in public over a trivial issue.

    “Ayinde accosted Onwuneme who is pregnant and started making mockery of her. She called her a prostitute that was carrying a fatherless child. Ayinde said Onwuneme was wayward hence was pregnant and sent out of home.

    “Lawal, who is a close friend of Onwuneme, didn’t like the insults. She joined to fight Ayinde,’’ Ajayi said.

    The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravened Section 54 of the Criminal Law.

    The case was adjourned till September 9 for mention.

  • Police arraign duo over ‘unlawful possession of firearms’

    The Police yesterday arraigned Rilwan Mufutau,18 and Mufutau Lukmon, 22, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms.

    The duo was brought before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court on charges of conspiracy and illegal possession of firearms.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Kehinde Olatunde, said the accused committed the offence on May 15 at Ajegunle in Badagry, Lagos.

    He told the court that the accused, with others still at large, were caught with firearms, with intent to commit felony.

    “The accused were caught with a locally-made gun and a cartridge after the police received a tip-off from residents that some hoodlums were about to go out for a robbery operation. Some policemen from Ajegunle stormed the scene and arrested the accused, while others escaped. When a search was conducted on the accused, a pistol and cartridge were recovered,” he said.

    Olatunde said the offences contravened Sections 328 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, which prescribes a seven-year jail term as penalty for offenders when convicted.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Aka Bashorun, granted them N100, 000 bail each with two sureties each in the like sum.

    He adjourned the case till September 31.

  • Woman weeps to save marriage

    A 58- year-old trader, Mrs Morenikeji Awotedun has pleaded with an Alagbado Customary Court, Lagos to save her 44-year-old marriage.

    Mrs Awotedun wept while responding to her husband’s allegations that she turned their children against him and being diabolical.

    She said she and her husband lived happily as a family before another woman came in between them.

    “There was a day I caught another woman with him which made us at loggerheads for a while. Our families have intervened. My first son and I reached all his friends for reconciliation but to no avail. “I am not fetish. I did not do anything to him. In fact I still love him,” she said in tears.

    A 65-year-old retired pilot, Tajudeen Awotedun, has gone to the court to dissolve their union.

    “Since I left the house, none of our children asked about my wellbeing let alone where I live. There was no father-children relationship between us and they all have their own families,” he said.

    Mr Awotedun said since it was revealed to him spiritually that his wife wants to kill him, he stopped eating her food or related with her.

    “Things were not the same anymore. I don’t wish to be with her anymore.”

    The court’s President, Dr Rasaq Adeyeri, adjourned the case till August 24.

  • Cleric seeks divorce from fourth wife after 31 years of marriage

    A 65-year-old clergyman, Olowolade David Laizer, is seeking divorce from his fourth wife, Esther, after 31 years of marriage.

    Laizer, who has six wives, told a customary court sitting in Ikorodu, yesterday, that the 55-year-old Mrs Laizer lacks respect for the house of God.

    The clergyman alleged that his wife rains curses on his church at the slightest provocation and had denied him conjugal rights for over a year.

    Laizer said their problems started when they lost their first son in 2013.

    The deceased was a university student, but died after a brief illness.

    “There was a parental dispute between her family and mine when we wanted to get married, so, we had to do two separate introductions. She even said I would die within three years if I divorced her,” Laizer said.

    Mrs Laizer, a teacher, said her husband preaches about her in the church.

    She said: “He says all sorts of things about me in his sermons. Yes, I’ve denied him of sex for over a year now because he said my private part is smelling…after 31 years of marriage and five children!

    “Four days after I lost my son, his sixth wife came into my room and took my pant and bra. I don’t know what she used it for, but she returned it later. She also cooked for me and put six pieces of meat in the soup. I refused to eat it because I don’t know what that meant for or who sent her.”

    The court’s president, Olu Adebiyi, encouraged both parties to keep the peace and told them to come with their family members on September 14, for possible reconciliation.

  • Two in court for ‘forgery’

    Police yesterday arraigned Jackson Anniete, 38 and Alex Lateef, 36 before an Isolo Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for alleged forgery.

    The accused are facing a three-count charge.

    Prosecuting officer Abass Abayomi, said the suspects committed the crime on May 27, at CHI Limited, Ajao Estate.

    Abayomi said they forged a loading invoice in the name of Cilord Nigeria Limited to load Evap Milk valued N1,484,000m property of CHI limited.

    He said the offence contravened Sections 409, 363, and 285 of the Criminal Conduct of Lagos State. They both pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Adeola Adebayo granted them N150, 000 bail each with two sureties in the like sum.

    She adjourned the case till September 30.

  • Woman: he charmed me to marry him

    •Man: we were fornicators before marriage

    A 55-year-old trader, Mrs Maria Olasode, has accused her husband, Michael, of charming her to marry him.

    Mrs Olasode, who lives at Nurein Akinola Street, Alagbado, said Olasode’s charm made her left her former husband for him.

    She also accused her husband of shirking his responsibilities as the head of the family.

    She prayed an Alakuko Customary Court, Lagos to dissolve their union.

    The respondent, Olasode, 62, denied using charm to lure her, saying “we were both fornicating in our previous marriages before we got married and since then we have been together.”

    Mrs Olasode said since they got married 30 years ago, her husband has never given her a kobo, saying she single handedly took the responsibility of everything in their home including their children’s education.

    “I can’t read and write. Since I couldn’t watch my children grow in that path, I worked so hard for them to succeed and now, I am glad two are graduates,” she said.

    She lamented that her husband has never strived to become man of his own but prefers to be ordered around.

    The mother of three said: “When my husband knew I had completed my building, he moved to my place and since then, he has been overseeing my shop. It is whatever he gives me from sales I collect and I have never questioned him but I know he steals from me. I spend on him still he doesn’t show concern about my wellbeing.”

    She further said she has been nursing several sicknesses for six years and that there was a time her husband spent 27 days with her in a hospital but after her discharge, she was shocked when he requested for N70,000 as payment for the days he spent with her.

    “I once set up a block business for him. I bought a big generating set, deep freezers and other appliances. To my surprise, within few months, he was back to my shop. It was later I got to know my husband powered the generator set with kerosene instead of diesel. I have never seen his kind of person before.

    “Coupled with so many things I can’t remember. When I am sick, he beats me. He has never seen me as his priority. Recently I told him I couldn’t lift myself but he ignored me. He is just praying I die. Should I die, everything I have worked for belongs to our children not him,” she said.

    Olasode also denied beating his wife.

    “She has been a good wife and mother. It got to a stage people thought I was the owner of her shop because I was always there. She doesn’t get angry. The only time she got angered was when she got me arrested because I spent from sales to entertain my friends,” he said.

    “I still love her. If she insists she wants me out of her life, she should please rent an apartment for me because I can’t return to my previous wife. I will change,” he pleaded.

    The court’s President, Mr Olubode Sekoni, fixed a mediation session for the couple and adjourned the matter till September 7.

  • Petrol dealers arraigned for selling ‘stolen fuel’

    Petrol dealers arraigned for selling ‘stolen fuel’

    The police yesterday arraigned two petroleum product dealers, Lookman Onabanjo and Lukman Eluku (both 52), at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly dealing in fuel loaded from vandalised pipelines.

    The two, said to own petrol stations, were arraigned on three counts each before Justice Mohammed Yunusa.

    Onabanjo is said to be the Chief Executive Officer of Gaffa Oil and Gas Limited, while Eluku runs Bugon Oil and Gas Limited.

    Eluku was arraigned along with Solomon Afolabi (30) and Adesimisola Ogunsanya (36).

    The judge ordered that they be remanded in prison custody pending hearing of their bail applications.

    Also arraigned for similar offences were Sani Idris (34) and Bode Jonah (39).

    The police said Onabanjo and others, on August 15, were caught with 16,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) loaded in several 50-litre jerry cans.

    Prosecution counsel M.O. Omosun said the product belonged to the Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC).

    He said the accused persons dealt in the product, said to be worth N1.55million, without valid licence.

    Eluku and his co-accused were accused of illegally loading 25,000 litres of PMS valued at N1.6million from a vandalised pipeline into a Mercedes truck with registration number APP 04 QX without obtaining lawful permit from the PPMC.

    The alleged offences contravene Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 of the Revised Edition, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 17(b).

    All the accused persons pleaded not guilty.

    Their lawyer Mr. McAnthony Aikharialea said he had filed a bail application

    Justice Yunusa adjourned to August 28 for ruling.

    Similarly, Police arrested three persons – Jamiu Ajani, Demola Lawrence and Raymond for allegedly dealing in stolen petroleum products from vandalised pipelines.

    The Special Task Force on Pipeline Vandalism said 300 50-liters jerry-cans, loaded with PMS were recovered from them.

    They were intercepted at Owode area of Ikorodu in a Chevrolet truck, while transporting the ‘stolen products’ to their buyers.

    The force commander, Olumese Valentine, said members of the  syndicate operate within  Ikorodu axis.

  • LASTMA men exchange blows with bus driver

    LASTMA men exchange blows with bus driver

    Two officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) threw caution to the wind yesterday as they engaged commercial bus driver in fisticuffs.

    Motorists, commuters and passersby were astonished seeing the LASTMA men pulled off their uniforms in the middle of the fight.

    Some of the passersby who took pictures were harassed and their handsets destroyed by the LASTMA men.

    The incident occurred at Anthony bus stop near Oshodi, Lagos, following the arrest of the driver for plying the BRT lane.

    Eyewitness said one of the LASTMA officials smashed the windscreen of the TATA bus owned by the Ogo Oluwa Motors with his telecom’s device.

    The LASTMA’s action, he said, followed his earlier call for a backup team when the driver of the bus refused to alight and hand over the keys.

    The LASTMA’s official’s action infuriated passengers, the conductors and the driver who were seen pleading.

    The driver and the conductor alighted and exchange blows with the LASTMA men.  Two of the LASTMA officials pulled off their yellow shirt during the fight.

    Many watched as they were seen trying to stab one another with the broken windscreen glasses.

    Bashir Sanni, a passenger blamed the LASTMA official for smashing the windscreen.

    “It does not matter what kind of offence that has been committed; that was not a wise way of stopping a bus driver. Is that the orientation given to them? How can he break a windscreen? You know how much it costs. If every defaulting bus windscreen was smashed anytime they misbehave, how many good buses would remain? Sanni asked.

    Another passenger who declined giving his name called on LASTMA authority to sack the officials for indiscipline.

    “With the kind of attitude they displayed and for dragging the name of the agency in the mud, they ought to be sacked,” he said.

    When contacted, LASTMA Public Relations Officer (PRO) Bola Ajao, promised to investigate the matter.

    “I doubt if our men were involved in the fracas; you know some people using fake LASTMA uniforms are everywhere now to perpetrate evils,” she said.

    Also yesterday, members of the National Union of Tricycle Riders and area boys clashed over illegal collection of money from the Keke Marwa drivers in Oshodi.

    The drivers refused to pay the area boys following directives from their union.

    Many scampered for safety after the warring factions displayed dangerous weapons.

    The clashes resulted led to  traffic from Ladipo junction  to Oshodi under-bridge.

    It took the intervention of officers from Makinde, Mafoluku and Mosafejo Police Stations and reinforcement from Police Headquarters, Ikeja to restore normalcy to the area.

    Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Patricia Amadin confirmed the fracas, saying that no life was lost.

    “There was a misunderstanding between the tricycle operators and area boys but the situation was immediately calmed by the DPOS,” she said.