The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Pastor’s wife seeks divorce from ‘life threatening’ marriage

    Pastor’s wife seeks divorce from ‘life threatening’ marriage

    Wife of a Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) pastor, Mrs Kehinde Genesis, has pleaded with an Alakuko Customary Court in Lagos to end her two-year-old union to Babatunde, for “lack of care, constant fight and threat to my life.”

    The petitioner, 29, who resides at Omikunle Street, Meiran, a Lagos suburb, said her husband’s day was never complete except he rained curses on her.

    Mrs Genesis, a nurse said: “I never imagined it could turn out this way when we got married. We always have issues. As a nurse, whenever my husband is ill, I take care of him but, when I fall sick, he won’t show concern.

    “Even if I spend days in a hospital, my husband expects me to cook for him. There was a time I made soft Eba for him; I expected him to say he preferred the hard one, instead he abused me and accused me of being lazy.

    “I used to love him but not anymore because with everything happening in our marriage, it is like a waste of time. Before I married him, two prophets revealed to me that the person I will marry would kill me. There was a time my husband sent a text message to my siblings asking them to prepare for my burial.”

    The respondent, Genesis, said their marriage troubles started immediately after their honeymoon, decrying the laziness of his wife to cook.

    He also said they rained curses on each other whenever there was a fight and that he only beat her once.

    “My wife keeps lamenting she isn’t a slave whenever I ask her to cook. To avoid trouble, I fetch water and do other things. She is very aggressive and always on the alert to start a fight with me. If I wake my wife around 8am, there will be trouble.

    “Within the 20 months I have spent with her, she usually leaves the house without my consent. It got to a point she had no cloth in the house again. She doesn’t want to be scolded and keeps complaining about lack of care. I really don’t know the kind of care she wants,” he said.

    Genesis, 33, said there was a time he noticed his wife did not menstruate for two months and when he asked her, she said it wasn’t his business.

    “Last year, she aborted the pregnancy out of anger. We have not had sex for over three months before she packed out of the house two weeks ago. I still love her,” he said.

    The court’s President, Mr Olubode Sekoni, ordered the petitioner to stay away from the house to avoid trouble.

    He adjourned the matter till August 31.

  • Senator, ex-council chief mourn Elegbeda

    Senator, ex-council chief mourn Elegbeda

    A senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Solomon Adeola, yesterday expressed sadness over the death of Oba Samson Balogun, the Elegbeda of Egbeda in Alimosho Local Government Area.

    Senator Adeola said “the demise of foremost and forthright king at this point is an irreparable loss not only to the people of Egbeda but the entire Lagos and Nigeria.

    “Over the years, the monarch has always supported my development agenda for the area as a legislator. The stabilising and developmental strides that the late monarch brought to his domain will remain indelible for a long time. Likewise, his fatherly counsel on societal issues will be missed sorely.”

    Immediate past Chairman of Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area Hon Abiodun Mafe, said the late Oba Balogun lived a fulfilled life and left worthy legacies for his successors to build upon.

    According to Mafe, the late monarch’s humble life-style and selfless service endeared him to his community.

    “We cannot quantify the pains the death of Oba Balogun will cause his wives, children, family members and the entire Egbeda people. He was a bridge-builder who always wanted the best for his people and Lagos in general. No doubt, he left behind him a good name and worthy legacy,” he said.

  • Police arrest 17 train roof riders

    Police arrest 17 train roof riders

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation Police Command on Monday arrested 17 persons for climbing the roof of the train at Agege.

    This, the command said, was to get rid of the menace of roof top riding.

    The culprits are in the custody of the police attached to the Lagos District of the NRC.

    The NRC vowed to continue the war against deliberate attempt by some individuals to frustrate the efforts being made by the corporation to provide secure, conducive and sane train services.

    It would be recalled that a similar exercise carried out on August 5, led to the arrest of 58 roof top riders.

  • Motorists lament increase in traffic robberies

    Motorists lament increase in traffic robberies

    Lagosians have called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to urgently address robberies during traffic gridlock in the metropolis.

    They also urged the governor to work on the bad portions of the roads which often led to the traffic gridlock.

    Those who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that they had lost valuables and were at times maimed by the hoodlums.

    The hoodlums often seized advantage of the slow movement of the traffic to rob unsuspecting motorists and their passengers.

    The robbers employed various modes for their operations, including using motorcycles whereby two persons rode on a motor bike; while one gets down to rob motorists, the other waits to zoom off with him after the robbery.

    At times, one of them would pretend to be crossing the road only to get the driver to stop, others immediately swooped on the driver and passengers.

    Also, they lied to the driver that his tyre had gone down or that his fuel tank was leaking just to get him stopped.

    Narrating their experiences, some of the victims said they were helpless as there were no security agents at sight.

    A trader who pleaded anonymity said three hoodlums tried to rob her around 8p.m. at Odo Iya Alaro in Maryland.

    “The hoodlums after tapping at my door glass for me to wind down still took their time to follow my car as I had to change lane twice before the road later became free and I zoomed off,’’ she said.

    According to her, she was helpless and started to press the car horn continuously to at least call for help before she was finally able to zoom off.

    One Mr Tony was robbed at Fadeyi area of Ikorodu Road.

    “There was nowhere for me to move to when two of the hoodlums started hitting my door glass at Fadeyi along Ikorodu Road at about 8.30 p.m.

    “I was able to hide my phone but my laptop on the seat behind me and my wristwatch were forcefully taken away,’’ Tony told NAN.

    He urged motorists to be security conscious whenever they were driving at night as no one could predict where the hoodlums would be operating.

    Another victim, one Mr Deji, a banker, said he and his colleagues were attacked while approaching Apongbon around 6a.m. on their way to work.

    He said: “We were four in the car that day when the hoodlums, armed with locally-made guns, threatened to break the glass if we refused to wind down.

    “When it became obvious that there was nowhere to run to they became more aggressive, we had to wind down and release our valuables to them. This was after I was slapped twice by one of them.”

    They urged government to rid the roads of hawkers as many of them were not selling enough articles that could sustain them.

    According to them, such persons might apparently be robbing during traffic, especially at nights to meet their needs.

  • Man in court for alleged car theft

    Man in court for alleged car theft

    A 35-year-old man, Akeem Oladipupo, has been arraigned before an Ikorodu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos for stealing a car, 18 kegs of diesel, and a vehicle battery.

    The charge sheet stated that Oladipupo made away with a Daewoo Racer car on August 11, at Anibaba Street, Ikorodu.

    The vehicle, which belongs to one Muri Adeleke, was valued at N300, 000.

    The offence is contrary to Section 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

    The defendant was accused of stealing an Atlas battery valued at N13,000 on the same day from an Opel Astral car with registration number MK 575.

    The third count stated that Oladipupo allegedly stole 18 kegs containing 25-litre of diesel valued at N67,000, belonging to Glo Nigeria Limited.

    Oladipupo also hit one Umen Okon’s Bajaj vehicle while trying to run away.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate A. Oshodi-Makanju granted the accused N200,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum. The case was adjourned till September 9.

  • Husband seeks dissolution of 11-year-old marriage

    A 47-year-old businessman, Valentine Emetosin, has sought the dissolution of his 11-year-old marriage to his wife, Clementina, before an Agege Customary Court in Lagos, over lack of care for their children.

    The petitioner, who lives at Oba Falabi Street, Ojodu Berger, a Lagos suburb, said his wife’s attitude changed few months after their wedding.

    “I married her four months after I met her in an eatery during a trip to Onitsha. I would say I never really enjoyed the moments we spent together as a couple,” he said.

    The petitioner also said they treated each other like strangers in the house and that she saw his relations as her enemies.

    He said: “Whenever my wife looks at me, I am always scared because I don’t know what she is ready to say or her intentions. She looks at me with disgust. Few years after our marriage, when I couldn’t tolerate her, I travelled to her home town on several occasions to report to her family.

    “In 2008, she left with our children on the pretext of going to her shop. I searched every nook and cranny but I couldn’t find her even her siblings were not aware of her whereabouts. It was when she couldn’t cater for them anymore, she returned them to me.”

    Emetosin said he took her back to her family seven years ago to nullify the union, saying he was shocked when she showed up four months ago that she had come to stay.

    “I don’t want her anymore. I have another woman and my children attend one of the best schools. She is homeless and has nothing. Please if she wants to see our children, she is free to come to court. I don’t want her close to my house because my current wife is scared,” he said.

    The marriage produced two children between the ages three and 10.

    The court’s President, Pa Adekunle Williams, said since the petitioner presented evidence, the case will continue with or without the respondent. He adjourned the matter till August 24 for judgment.

  • Trader stabs woman for ‘dating’ husband

    A 22-year-old trader, Kuburat Sanni, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly stabbing a woman accused of dating her husband.

    Mrs Sanni, who lives at Akindia Street, Agege, Lagos, is being tried for breach of peace, assault and conspiracy.

    Prosecuting officer Kehinde Olatunde, said that the accused and others still at large allegedly committed the offences on July 9 at her residence.

    He said the accused and the others assaulted one Miss Mariam Bala, 20, by stabbing her with “a broken bottle, scissors and knife.”

    Olatunde said Mrs Sanni accused the complainant of having an affair with her husband and that she had had series of abortions for him.

    Olatunde said: “The complainant was sent by her mother to deliver a message to her elder sister who lives in the same house with the accused. When she got there, the accused, who claimed that the complainant was having an affair with her husband locked her in a room and called some hoodlums. They tore Miss Bala’s clothes and stabbed her with knives, bottles and scissors all over her body.”

    According to the prosecutor, the Miss Bala fainted due to the profuse loss of blood.

    “If not for the quick intervention of neighbours who rushed her to the hospital, the complainant would have been dead,” Olatunde said.

    He said in the process of assaulting the complainant, her phone, valued at N20,000 and N30,000 cash which was to be deliver to her sister was stolen from her.

    The offence, Olatunde said contravened Sections 166, 171 and 410 of the Criminal Laws.

    The accused pleaded innocence and was granted N50, 000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    Magistrate Aka Bashorun adjourned the case till September 1.

  • Community appeals for installation of transformer

    Residents of Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have appealed to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) for the installation of a 500KVA transformer.

    The residents under Temidire Community Development Association (CDA) said the transformer was given to the community by the council.

    Its chairman Alhaji Oladipupo Taiwo, said the community has been on the neck of IKEDC for four years for the installation.

    “It is over four years today that we have being appealing but all we get is we are coming to do it. The appropriate department in Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company came here for inspection of the site and location where the transformer will be placed severally and since then, we have not seen any action.

    “The current transformer located at Alhaji Oremeji/Adenipoko junction has been serving us for a long time and has been over loaded due to the high populated environment,” Taiwo said.

  • ‘Include traditional religion in curriculum’

    Traditional rulers in Lagos state have appealed to the state government to allow the teaching of African traditional religion known as Ifa in the public school.

    Association of African Traditional Religion Secretary-General, Chief Awodiran Agboola said: “It is important we catch them young, it is very unfortunate that our children when they go to public schools, they get converted to either Christianity or Islam, so we are trying to make bring to government’s attention.”

    He said traditional religion should not be over look in the society, considering that it contribute to the progress and development of the state.

    “This will help create awareness that will exist and also prepare us for the August 20 African traditional festival, this seminar is just to educate our people that traditional religion is not fetish and barbaric we are also righteous people,” he said.

    Lagos State Council of Arts Culture Director Mrs Saidat Otulana, said the event will give the public opportunity to know the importance of culture and tradition.

  • Council lifts elderly

    Council lifts elderly

    Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area has donated cash and gifts to the aged and elderly citizens in the area.

    The beneficiaries also underwent free medical screening.

    The council’s Executive Secretary, Mrs Oluwafunmilayo Akande-Muhammed, promised to continue the exercise.

    She said: “It will be sustained and whatever is given now is just a token of our love for you and the desire to cater for your welfare.

    “The scheme is designed to recognise our old ones who have reservoir of knowledge and wisdom as they have seen a lot in life and should be made happy to pass such to the upcoming leaders of tomorrow. Being elderly is a blessing and not a curse. I want our senior citizens to treasure their lives. Senior citizens still play a big role, as they have been doing, in bringing up children, hence the old needs to be recognised”.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Alhaji Adebayo Sarumi hailed the council chief for the initiative.

    “It is not only the benefits given to the people that matters, but the way she has been transforming the area to enhance people’s belief that democracy truly works,” Sarumi said.

    One of the beneficiaries, Emmanuel Olushola, thanked the council for the gifts.