The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Woman seeks divorce for 18-year-old marriage

    A 39-year-old woman, Bilikisu Adeniran, has prayed the Lagos Island Customary Court in Lagos, to dissolve her 18-year-old marriage to her husband, Musa, for constantly beating her over trivial issues.

    The petitioner said since they have been living as a couple, she never earned her husband’s respect.

    “My husband is very violent and not responsive to our children’s needs. It was when we got married, I learnt his previous wife left him because of his bad character. He returns home late nights and I am tired of complaining. He beats me with koboko whenever he wakes me from sleep,”she said.

    She also said her husband once poured her pot of soup in the toilet because he was against her being a food vendor and that when he eventually got her a job in a filling station, he stopped her from working because they increased the working hours.

    She said: “We fight always. There was even a time he visited a place where they requested for my cloth and my mother’s name in a bid to stop the regular conflict between us. As I speak, I will say things became worse.

    “My husband once got me arrested when we had misunderstanding. It was when the policemen knew I was his wife I was freed. When he tried to lock me up the second time, I left his house.”

    She accused her husband of being fetishistic adding that he has a wardrobe full of charm.

    “I really want an end to this union because I am suffering,” she added.

    Mr Adeniran, 47, in his response said most of the things his wife said were not true, saying he has always been responsible for their children’s school fees.

    The union produced four children between ages six and 17.

    The court’s President, Chief Awos Awosola, because of the respondent’s unruly attitude in court, gave him a three-hour community service and adjourned the matter till today.

  • N78m site upgrade, others: my story, by Fashola

    N78m site upgrade, others: my story, by Fashola

    FORMER Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN, yesterday responded to allegation that he used N78 million state funds to update his personal website and that he has children outside wedlock.

    In a statement titled: “Setting the records straight”, the former governor defended his name, saying those sponsoring malicious stories against him missed the point.

    The statement reads: “When you wrestle with a pig, the pig gets happy and you get dirty.”

    “This statement of profound wisdom informed my silence in the wake of manipulated and unsubstantiated allegations of wrongdoing levelled against me. They started a few weeks to the end of my tenure, and have continued till date.

    “They range from extra marital paternity of children to mundane and phantom conspiracy in the National Assembly, a debt profile for Lagos State and lately a website upgrade contract of N78 million which whoever it is believes is a “smoking gun”.

    “In so far as the allegations of paternity is concerned, they are wicked and false. I have no biological children other than my two children.

    “Of course, I adopted three children who became orphaned as a result of the tragic DANA Airplane crash of 2012 and the adoption followed due process. Those who do not care whether they hurt innocent children or invade the privacy of other citizens in their mindless rage against me will have their rewards served upon them in the fullness of time.

    “As far as my alleged involvement in the National Assembly elections are concerned they remain only the products of the imagination of those who made the allegations. I was out of the country at the material time and returned only in the early hours of that morning to Abuja, and from there proceeded to Lagos.

    “As far as debts of Lagos State are concerned, the fact is that Lagos has always had debts. Her population is growing and for a long time she has run deficit budgets to cater to the needs of that growing population.

    “All the debts contracted in my time were approved by the Parliament in the annual budgets, some have been paid back and the financial status was healthy and stable when l left. The outlook for the state and her rating by Fitch was long-term foreign and local currency IDRs at ‘BB-’, short-term IDR at ‘B’ and national long-term rating at ‘AA+(nga)’.

    “When we all pause to reflect and think , we will realise that there are a sizable number of companies who are running business, who have no responsibility for Security , Public Health , Public Education and other responsibilities of Government who borrow more than Lagos State Government , whether collectively or individually.

    “As far as the website contract is concerned, yes there was a contract. It went through procurement and was approved by the Government agency authorised to do so.

    “One of the services was an “upgrade” quoted for N12.5 million but awarded for N12 million. There were other services that were new like a handover countdown clock, mobile Apps for Google, IOS and “Ipad, Microsoft, Research in Motion (Rim Blackberry) which the existing website did not have , and annual maintenance and cost for hosting the site.

    “It was for all these services that the contract was issued for N78 million which the Lagos State procurement agency approved on the technical advise of the Ministry of Science and Technology who are the Government adviser on such matters.

    “In publishing this award as the Government tradition under my watch, the procurement agency’s website summarised it as “upgrade” only and which was the suspected “smoking gun”.

    “For those who are familiar with mobile Applications, they will know that users either pay for them online or download them for free.

    “What is usual is that applications for service are usually provided to users free, but somebody bears the cost.

    Since these applications were available to the public for free access and to assist Government communication, we decided to pay for them.

    “The entire documents are with the Lagos State Government and are available for those who seek the truth. For the record, since 2008, since 2008, long before the Freedom of Information Act was ever passed, we had put out all our contracts on the State website because I believe people deserve to know.

    “It is regrettable that a “summary” of the contract has been deliberately distorted to misinform the public.

    “This particular website came into being as a result of the decision I made to make my telephone number public for the several thousands of people seeking to reach me daily.

    “The website that is now under attack helped me to do my job and to respond to them, and the contract was issued to run till my last day of office. It stands logic upside down for me to fraudulently award a contract and then have it published on a website.

    “To date there have been 27.666 million hits on this website, with 1,844 videos, 34,381 photographs , 2,531 Press Releases and 595 Speeches among others.

    “I have chosen to make this response because of many calls, text messages and mails coming from many people and to prevent fiction from being mistaken for truth.

    “I expect that there may be more distorted allegations without evidence, for reasons that  remain in the realm of speculation, but I have been informed reliably that large amounts of money are being paid to some of these agent to bear false witness.

    “I cannot conclude without responding to the crusade of CACOL  seeking my prosecution on allegations that have no proof and writing letters to the Presidency.

    “In case he is unaware, I am not looking for a job, and allegations are not resolved without evidence, neither are they resolved in press conferences.

    “I have served my state and by extension my country for Twelve and half years and I did so with my heart.

    “I am taking the rest that I believe I have earned and wish those who have the responsibility to now serve us the very best in their endeavours.

    “For those who wish to throw mud at me, they should look at their own hands.

    “For those who still wish to remain in the mud, they should look in the mirror.

    “As for me, I have moved on ; my Job is done.”

  • Lagos seeks reduction in recurrent expenditure

    Lagos State Government has said for government to achieve efficient budget performance, government at all levels must reduce recurrent estimate and increase capital expenditure.

    This, government said, will give room for successful implementation of capital projects that will impact on the lives of the masses.

    The state’s Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule said this at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Symposium on the year 2015 budget with the theme: Come Back Nigeria – The Nation‘s Fiscal Challenges and The Way Forward For the New Administration.

    Adebule regretted that over the years, the structure of the nation’s budget has not favoured significant infrastructure developments because previous budgetary provisions have been in favour of recurrent at the expense of capital expenditure, stating that this ugly trend has been the major reason why the nation’s budgets performed below expectations in the last few years.

    According to her, lack of budget discipline over the years and its attendant consequences calls for decisive reforms that will reverse the direction in which the economy is heading to save the country.

    She urged all relevant government agencies on budget implementation to adhere strictly with the budgetary provision as approved in the fiscal year.

    She said: “A budget is meant to be implemented as approved. Lack of budget discipline as demonstrated in incurring expenditure in excess of the amount budgeted without following the due process is a recipe for budget failure.”

  • Police arrest suspect with 9,500 litres of petrol in room

    Police arrest suspect with 9,500 litres of petrol in room

    The police in Lagos have arrested a suspected fuel thief Olalowo Agboola who converted a room apartment for selling petroleum products.

    Agboola was nabbed on Wednesday by officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) at his 24 Awoseyin Street, Somolu, Lagos residence, following a tip off.

    Agboola’s accomplice Adeola otherwise called Adex’s whereabouts is unknown.

    RRS Commander Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner for Police (ACP), said his men led by Olabode Aroge, a Superintendent of Police (SP), disguised as prospective buyers before getting him.

    The suspect was about selling the fuel for them when other policemen in uniform stormed the house, he said.

    The officers recovered 90 jerry cans of 50-litre in the room and another 900 jerry cans of 50-litre inside a vehicle totalling 49,500 litres.

    Disu vowed to arrest Adeola who Agboola claimed is the owner.

    According to him, the suspects were in the habit of selling fuel to members of public inside face-me and face you building.

    Agboola said he was just recruited into the job a month ago.

    He said: “I was a commercial bus driver before I was initiated into this fuel theft occupation. I only collect commission of N200 on each keg I was able to sell in a day. I know I was doing an illegal job but because there is no job and I have no choice than to join them to earn livelihood.

    “Adeola is the one who employed me to be his assistant. While he goes out to bring petroleum products, I will stay home to sell. I know  he will be on the run because someone might have hinted him that I have been arrested”.

    Disu said Lagos will not tolerate any act of criminality and illegal occupations.

    The commander said if the policemen have not acted swiftly and the house caught fire, it could consume the whole community following the high number of petrol and diesel found in the house.

    He urged Lagosians to report any form of illegal act in their neighbourhoods.

    “This will enhance efficiency of the police when adequate information is passed to us. We implore public to always give us useful and timely information,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the state command yesterday warned residents and motorists to be careful in handling petroleum products and desist from storing them at homes.

    Its spokesperson, Patricia Amadin, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said the warning is coming against the backdrop of high rate of fire incidents in the state.

    Amadin said: “These incidents are arising from carelessness and mishandling of petroleum products through black racketeering and mass storage in homes. On Wednesday, a motorcycle conveying a woman with a gallon of petrol stacked in a polythene bag collided with another in Mile 12. In the process, the spilled content caught fire, which engulfed both motorcycles and four others close by.

    “The rider, the passenger and two others suffered severe burns and have been admitted at a nearby hospital for treatment.’’

  • Make housing affordable, NASFAT urges Ambode

    Make housing affordable, NASFAT urges Ambode

    The Women wing of the Nasrul-lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT) has urged the Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to provide affordable housing for Lagosians.

    According to NASFAT, the homes sold by Ambode’s predecessor were out of the reach of the poor.

    Speaking yesterday during a visit to The Nation as part of its activities for the 16th Women’s Week, NASFAT National Women Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Samiat Mumuni, said housing should be made affordable for low income earners.

    “How many civil servants can afford buying a home as much as N13 million? Housing scheme should not be for first class or middle class alone, the lower cadre  should be the utmost beneficiaries like what we had during the Lateef Jakande era,” she said.

    Alhaja Mumuni hailed Ambode’s alignment project in the ministries, urging him to encourage staff with better welfare.

    For the ministries to thrive, she said, Ambode should ensure all leakages in the civil service are blocked.

    She lamented the high rate of unemployment, calling President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently address the issue.

    She said: “The federal government should provide enabling environment for existing companies to generate more employment. The idea of companies relocating to neighbouring countries should be discouraged. Mr President should formulate policy that brings in more investors and not the one that will drive investors away.”

  • Ambode, Jakande to students: aim for the best

    Ambode, Jakande to students: aim for the best

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the state’s first Executive Governor Alhaji Lateef Jakande have challenged secondary school leavers to aim for the best in their academic pursuit.

    The duo enjoined them to stay focused and not be distracted.

    They spoke during the presentation of 250 Free GCE forms to indigent students of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area at the council secretariat, Ilupeju, Lagos.

    Jakande expressed happiness that the free education introduced during his regime is gaining more acceptability.

    “We never believe that the policy (free education) could go far but we that God that what we started then is being embrace by the populace,” he said.

    He hailed the council’s Executive Secretary Rasaq Ajala for investing in the youths.

    Ambode who was represented by Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Mrs Olabisi Ariyo said the exercise was borne out of the realisation of the importance of education in the development of the people.

    “Since education has been identified as the greatest weapon against poverty, we must do everything within our means to ensure that no child is denied access to education on the basis of his or her socio-economic background,” he said.

    The governor assured Lagosians of his administration’s commitment to providing qualitative education at all levels.

    “It is therefore necessary to appeal to parents to secure the future of their children and themselves by not engaging them in street trading during school hours. This is against the provisions of the Child Rights Law of Lagos State.

    “To the beneficiaries of these Free GCE forms, I enjoin you all to show appreciation by performing well in your examinations through hard work. This is the only way you can make the council and your parents proud,” he said.

    Ajala said the gesture was an evidence that the council is progressing.

    He said: “We are very much conversant with the maxim that education is the best legacy you can bequeath to a soul but the factors militating against it left much to be desired. One major hindrance why many of our youths have unfulfilled dream is because of their inability to meet up with the financial demands of their academic. In this wise, we decided to assist these youths to realise their potentials. We believed so much in the power of knowledge. Education liberates the mind, inspires confidence and gives the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the society.”

    He said the council went through a painstaking process before embarking on the gesture, appealing to the beneficiaries to see it as a golden opportunity to pursue their life time dream.

    “My esteemed students, you must take your academics serious so that you can use it as a tool to free yourself from the shackles of poverty, ignorance, disease and all sorts of vicious vices. You must also inculcate excellent moral such that your immediate community can vouch for you. Do not be swayed by unproductive activities that neither add value nor bring progress to you. The future is yours; therefore I implore you to make maximum use of any worthy opportunity that comes your way. You must see yourself as good ambassadors of this council. We want that stereotyped mindset to change. We want Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye to be projected positively in the committee of Local Councils through your academic achievement and impeccable character,” he said.

  • Lagos seeks reduction in recurrent expenditure

    Lagos State Government has said for government to achieve efficient budget performance, government at all levels must reduce recurrent estimate and increase capital expenditure.

    This, government said, will give room for successful implementation of capital projects that will impact on the lives of the masses.

    The state’s Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule said this at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Symposium on the year 2015 budget with the theme: Come Back Nigeria – The Nation‘s Fiscal Challenges and The Way Forward For the New Administration.

    Adebule regretted that over the years, the structure of the nation’s budget has not favoured significant infrastructure developments because previous budgetary provisions have been in favour of recurrent at the expense of capital expenditure, stating that this ugly trend has been the major reason why the nation’s budgets performed below expectations in the last few years.

    According to her, lack of budget discipline over the years and its attendant consequences calls for decisive reforms that will reverse the direction in which the economy is heading to save the country.

    She urged all relevant government agencies on budget implementation to adhere strictly with the budgetary provision as approved in the fiscal year.

    She said: “A budget is meant to be implemented as approved. Lack of budget discipline as demonstrated in incurring expenditure in excess of the amount budgeted without following the due process is a recipe for budget failure.”

    “The main yardstick for measuring a well designed and implemented budget is not its size but the amount of improvement it has brought into the people’s lives, regretting however that, the nation’s budgets over the years have fallen short of this expectation which has led to an increased poverty and infrastructure decay in the recent past. In most cases budgets are not approved early to address   the needs of the public, resulting to return of funds to the treasury at the end of the year when a lot of development projects are begging for implementation.”

  • Ejigbo torture: Man relives how daughter died

    Ejigbo torture: Man relives how daughter died

    There was silence inside an Ikeja High Court in Lagos yesterday as Mr Freeman Agomo relived how his daughter, Juliana, died after she was tortured by members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) at Ejigbo market in February, 2013.

    Agomo was led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Idowu Alakija.

     He told the court that Juliana died few days after the incident.  10 persons accused of committing the crime at the Oba Morufu International Market in Ejigbo, Lagos are standing trial before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye.

    They are the market leader, Isiaka Waidi, 61, Buhari Yusuf, 22, Abdullahi Haruna, 20 and Saheed Adisa, 29.

    Others are Lateef Tijani, 37, Ahmed Adisa, 65, Azeez Akinosun, 36, Jimoh Busari, 50, Adekunle Adenuga, 38 and Oloruntoyin Dauda, 46, the woman leader of the market.

    The defendants are facing a 19-count charge bordering on conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, maliciously administering poison, obtaining money by false pretences and deprivation of liberty.

    The DPP alleged that the defendants also tortured Freeman’s wife, Mrs Ajoke Agomo, and their daughters, Nike and Juliana.

    Agomo, a palm-wine tapper, said: “My wife told me Juliana and Nike were accused of stealing pepper and they have been taken away to be beaten and punished.

    “She said we should go and rescue the girls and I wondered what kind of pepper they stole that could warrant being punished.”

    He said as they were talking about the incident, two of the defendants drove to his workplace on motorcycle and forced them to the market.

    Agomo said when he and his wife got to the market, he was asked to sit outside the office of the first defendant (Baba Oloja) while his wife was taken inside.

    Soon after, he said he heard his wife screaming and crying inside the office, adding that after some time, he was also asked to come inside the office.

    Agomo said when he entered the office of the Baba Oloja, he saw his wife and daughters stripped naked.

    “They tore my wife’s clothes and started beating her. She was crying and I was ordered to come into the room where she was held. When I got there, I realised that my wife and daughters were all naked,” he said.

    According to him, the first defendant attempted to torture him.

    “He brought out a cane to beat me but someone pleaded that I should be left alone because of my age. I watched helplessly as my wife and daughters were being tortured,” he said.

    Agomo alleged that the woman leader of the market encouraged the torture of his wife.

    “I was begging Oloruntoyin to have mercy but she was the one who ordered that my wife should be stripped naked.  She never listened to my pleas,” he said.

    He broke down in tears while telling the court how he was asked to pay N150,000 to bail his family.

    “I was ordered by Waidi to bring N150,000 as bail. I had three friends with me who pleaded on my behalf and the bail was reduced to N50,000. I was told that if I didn’t come up with the money before 7p.m, my family will be killed. My friends and I were able to source for N20,000 for the bail of my family from automobile mechanics in the area,” Agomo told the court.

    A photocopy of the receipt of the N20,000 bail given to Agomo by Waidi was tendered as evidence to the court by the prosecution and admitted as “Exhibit 1”.

    Agomo added that one of the defendants, Adisa, told his landlord that he and his family should be evicted.

    “Our landlord came into our home at 10pm on the day of the torture and sent me and my family out of our apartment, rendering us homeless,” he said.

    He said his wife went to sleep at her sister’s place while he slept outside the house.

    He said the second day, they all travelled to his village in Cotonou.

    “Since that night after the torture, my daughter, Juliana complained of having a high temperature and pains internally. We took her to our village close to the border of Cotonou and she was admitted to a hospital. When her condition did not improve, I took her to a traditional herb seller to take care of her while I came back to Lagos to work.

    “On the third day of my arrival in Lagos, I got a call from my father’s junior brother that my daughter, Juliana, was dead and has been buried,” he said.

    Agomo prayed the court to ensure justice was done.

    “The government should help me and my family gets justice,” he said.

    The case was adjourned to October 14 and 15.

  • Waiter ‘steals’ $1,400 from traveller

    A waiter, Patrick Archibong, who allegedly stole $1,400 dollars (N336, 000) from an international traveller was yesterday arraigned in an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.

    Archibong, 29, who lives at Oredapo Street, Akowonjo, Lagos, pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting police officer Frank Inah said alleged that Archibong stole the dollars of one Mercy Okoro who was travelling to Paris, France.

    He said the accused stole from Okoro at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja and was caught on camera.

    “On getting to Paris, Okoro discovered that her purse was missing. She called the manager of the lounge, Mr Temidayo Adeniyi, to report her missing purse.

    “Adeniyi confirmed seeing the purse but that $1,400 dollars was missing out of the $7,900 dollars in it. Part of the investigation was to review the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) camera footages for the day and it could be seen in one of them showing the accused removing the money from the purse.“

    Inah said the offence was committed on July 14.

    Chief Magistrate M.O. Osinbajo granted the accused N50, 000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    The case was adjourned till August 19.

  • Aim for the best, Ambode, Jakande urge students

    Aim for the best, Ambode, Jakande urge students

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the state’s first Executive Governor Alhaji Lateef Jakande have challenged secondary school leavers to aim for the best in their academic pursuit.

    The duo enjoined them to stay focused and not be distracted.

    They spoke during the presentation of 250 Free GCE forms to indigent students of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area at the council secretariat, Ilupeju, Lagos.

    Jakande expressed happiness that the free education introduced during his regime is gaining more acceptability.

    “We never believe that the policy (free education) could go far but we that God that what we started then is being embrace by the populace,” he said.

    He hailed the council’s Executive Secretary Rasaq Ajala for investing in the youths.

    Ambode who was represented by Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Mrs Olabisi Ariyo said the exercise was borne out of the realisation of the importance of education in the development of the people.

    “Since education has been identified as the greatest weapon against poverty, we must do everything within our means to ensure that no child is denied access to education on the basis of his or her socio-economic background,” he said.

    The governor assured Lagosians of his administration’s commitment to providing qualitative education at all levels.

    “It is therefore necessary to appeal to parents to secure the future of their children and themselves by not engaging them in street trading during school hours. This is against the provisions of the Child Rights Law of Lagos State.

    “To the beneficiaries of these Free GCE forms, I enjoin you all to show appreciation by performing well in your examinations through hard work. This is the only way you can make the council and your parents proud,” he said.

    Ajala said the gesture was an evidence that the council is progressing.

    He said: “We are very much conversant with the maxim that education is the best legacy you can bequeath to a soul but the factors militating against it left much to be desired. One major hindrance why many of our youths have unfulfilled dream is because of their inability to meet up with the financial demands of their academic. In this wise, we decided to assist these youths to realise their potentials. We believed so much in the power of knowledge. Education liberates the mind, inspires confidence and gives the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the society.”

    He said the council went through a painstaking process before embarking on the gesture, appealing to the beneficiaries to see it as a golden opportunity to pursue their life time dream.

    “My esteemed students, you must take your academics serious so that you can use it as a tool to free yourself from the shackles of poverty, ignorance, disease and all sorts of vicious vices. You must also inculcate excellent moral such that your immediate community can vouch for you. Do not be swayed by unproductive activities that neither add value nor bring progress to you. The future is yours; therefore I implore you to make maximum use of any worthy opportunity that comes your way. You must see yourself as good ambassadors of this council. We want that stereotyped mindset to change. We want Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye to be projected positively in the committee of Local Councils through your academic achievement and impeccable character. I will also use this medium to enjoin all parents and guardians whose children are beneficiaries of this gesture to monitor and motivate them to maximise it,” he said.