The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Two motorcyclists held for alleged robbery

    Two motorcyclists held for alleged robbery

    Two persons have been arrested by residents of Odewale community in Agbado, on the outskirts of Lagos for alleged robbery.

    The suspects, who are motorcyclists, were arrested on Tuesday, around 10am and handed over to the Alakuko police station.

    They are Segun Omosanjo, 19, and Ayo, 19. It was gathered that they have been terrorising the community for over one year before they were caught.

    One of the suspect, Ayo, a native of Ogun State, said he took to robbery because he got help from nowhere.

    He said: “We stole so many things from Iya Ruka but since she never noticed, we felt we where not going to be caught. Please pardon us; it is the devil’s handiwork.”

    Omosanjo also from Ogun State blamed it all on the devil.

    “I have always lived with my friend. We sold most of the items we stole from residents. I will never go back to it if I am freed,” Omosanjo said.

    A resident, simply called Tosin, said the suspects moved into the community months after motorcyclists on highways.

    She said: “I sell in front of the house they live and I see other tenants when they go out for their daily activities. These boys are always at home. They ride their bikes at night and sleep the whole day. I never knew we lived with thieves.”

    Iya Ruka, a food vendor, said they spent most part of their day in her shop adding that she almost took them as her children.

     “I have been selling at Odewale Junction for over three years. My customers are majorly Okada ridersbecause it is opposite their garage. Things have been missing in my shop for a while but I never pointed fingers.

    “I entered my shop and I noticed some things were missing. So I informed some people at the park. I didn’t know they have been stealing for a while because they removed a block behind my shop which served as entrance. I remember four days ago when I got to my restaurant I realised my stabiliser was missing. They carried my bag of rice, fried meat, VCD and drinks. I saw my stabiliser in a shop for sale and that was how we traced them. They operated at night. I never suspected them because they were always pretending as motorcyclists but they are not.

    “At times when they are ill, I prepare herbs for them; I give them stew and now see what they have done to me. It was when they were caught I knew they have been robbing me for months without me noticing,” she said.

    Another victim, Itunuoluwa, said she and her husband had just returned from work when they heard a knock on their door.

    “They threatened us with a knife. They collected the N36,500 I had. They wanted to rape me if not for my husband who shouted and they ran away. I recognised Ayo because they didn’t use masks, I will be glad if I can get our phones back,” she said.

    Chairman okada riders committee in the community, Ganiu Lawal said the suspects were not his members adding that he often saw them at Iya Ruka’s restaurant.

    He said: “I can’t say they are okada riders because they didn’t register with our park. We see them. All I know is that it was when they barred motorcyclists on expressways they came to our area over a year ago. I know the riders in this park maybe they are from other parks but they ply Odewale regularly.”

    The community’s Baale, Chief Aina Solomon, said such cases had always reached him, but no suspect was caught.

    He said the suspects would be sent away from the community if they get bail.

  • Why I abandoned my family, by twins’ dad

    I love my children,  I miss my wife too, but I am afraid to come back. People won’t understand how frustrating life has been. I am scared I would be arrested if I come out.”

    Those were the words of Emeka Uche, who abandoned his wife and three sets of twins.

    Uche, a factory worker who absconded in April, about a month before his wife, Ruth, gave birth to their last set of twins, told The Nation yesterday that his life has been “unbearable and miserable”.

    Uche who said things became rough for him after they had their first set of twins at Beesam in Mafoluku, Oshodi, lamenting that nothing changed even after their second set of twins was born.

    At a point, he said he sent his family to the village in Abia State because he could no longer afford the rent at their Oshodi apartment. He said he squatted with friends and later brought back  his family when he secured a place in Agege where they currently live.

    According to him, their situation kept degrading to the point that his kids would sleep without food, and at times,  drink only ‘pure water’.

    “How do I watch my kids suffer? I could not tolerate it. I did not even have money to assist my family. I watched them suffer daily, without knowing what to do.

    “There were nights I watched my children sleep without food. Some days I will buy N100 garri and akara (bean cake) for my family. Because of my low income, I was always in debt before the end of each month.

    “I am a factory worker and I earn N33,000 after tax and union fees. Then I have four children and a wife to take care of, which has been very difficult,  I could not stand having a new set of twins that will come to this world to suffer.

    “Initially, I thought it would be a child, probably a boy so that I would have two sons and three girls, but when I learnt it was twins again,  the only thing that came to my mind was to run away.

    “It was not an easy decision and I have not been happy knowing that I abandoned them. My wife is a very good woman and I love her. I love my children too. I became frustrated when I called my brothers for assistance and they did not even answer me. I just dressed up that morning, I knew I won’t come back but I didn’t tell her so that she would not feel bad.

    “I am pained that I have not seen my wife and children for three months, sister you won’t understand my situation, but know that it has not been easy for me,” he lamented on telephone, as he refused to disclose his location.

    Initially, he was hesitant to talk to this reporter, all entreaties to make him open up failed, until the phone was handed over to his wife, who professed her love for him in Igbo.

    Immediately she collected the phone, she showered him with praises, calling him pet names and reminding him that she is still his wife and would never allow any evil to befall him.

    “Please do not hang up the phone on me my heart. Just listen to what I have to say.

    “I understand that things have not been easy but you should know that we have suffered alot. Please come back to me and your children.

    “No one will arrest you because you are still my husband and I still love you. Anyone who arrests you will kill me first. Please talk to this aunt and also come so that we can go to Alausa together. They are all good people and mean well for us,” said Mrs Uche in a calm voice before returning the reporter’s phone to talk with her husband, who then opened up.

    Glimmer of hope

     

    As Mrs Uche sat inside a Zenith Bank, accompanied by her neighbour to open an account after receiving N200,000 from Editor,  ThisDay  Ijeoma Nwaogwugu, she was full of hope.

    She had her three months old twins with her – Daniel at her back, and Daniella on her arms. Her neighbour assisted her in filling the teller.

    As she looked at the baby in her arm,  she smiled as she murthered: “You are a blessing to my family. What would have happened if I had aborted you? I would have just continued suffering with your brother and sisters and father”.

    But because she had no means of identification, the bank said the account opened for her cannot receive deposits exceeding N20,000 until it is upgraded.

    Fortunately,  she received a call from GTB, where the duo had earlier gone to and were told that a zero account has been opned for her (without restriction) and she should come over to deposit the money.

    This reporter waited until she was done with her transactions so that she could tell here story.

    ‘I’ve suffered as much as biblical Job

     

    Mrs Uche,  a secondary school graduate said the only difference between her and the biblical Job was that she did not lose her children.

    Narrating how she got engaged to Uche in 2002 and got married years later,  Ruth explained that things got so bad that her father, a pastor,  pleaded with her to leave her marriage.

    “My parents are in the village in Abia State.  The last time my husband sent me home, my father wept because one could only see bones in my body. I am the third of five children. All my siblings are in the village.

    “My father at a point begged me to leave my marriage and come back. Although he is a pastor,  he was not happy with my condition and my refusal to leave my home.

    “So, I would say they too are not even happy with me. For my husband’s people, some of them are here in Lagos but they do not want to assist us and we do not also bug them.

    “”But I thank God, I thank Lagos State government and I thank Madam Ijeoma of ThisDay who gave me this money (N200,000). God has used all of you to put smiles on my face and my prayer is that you will never suffer.”

    On her next move, Mrs Uche said she is looking for another accommodation,  after which she would start up a business, like selling foodstuffs.

    She explained that she would not want to be a beggar for the rest of her life and so, was planning to make judicious use of any money she gets.

    Her years of anguish may soon be over as  her second set of twins has been offered scholarship by the Voice of Divine Truth International Outreach,  a ministry, which also gave her N15000.

    According to members of the group who visited her at home, they took interest in her case after reading her story and have decided to sponsor the four-year old twins,  John and Joy up to university or Masters level.

    Speaking on behalf of the ministry, Gregory Azemobor said they would also advocate through their “adopt a child” project, for the public to take up sponsorship of the children’s education.

    “We have decided that we will sponsor a set of your twins. We are doing it because we are encouraging people to understand that if the children of the poor are not taken care of, they would become nuisance to the society. We must all be our brothers’ keeper and help others who cannot afford it to raise their children.

    “No, we do not want to exploit her situation. We will just ensure that the school fees of the set we are adopting are sent to her or paid to the school as when due. We are moved to help her and we are not an NGO,” said Azemobor.

    In search of Mrs Uche

     

    There is nothing to write home about the Uches’ 32 Awori Street, Off Moricass Agege home. The one – storey building ‘face-me-I-face-you’, with attached ‘single rooms behind, is in the waterlogged part of Agege. The stench from the gutters told the story of the condition in which the Uches’ live.

    From her small room to the front of the building where traders displayed their wares, all reeked of poverty.

    But the uncommon love among the neighbours, Christians and Muslims alike,  was such that dazed members of the ministry,  who came to visit Mrs Uche.

    In awe, Azemobor, exclaimed: “ Is this for real. I have never experienced the kind of love am seeing here among neighbours.

    “More fascinating is that they are of different faiths- Muslims and Christians. From the time we got here and we have been waiting till your arrival, I have noticed that Nigerians who are down there do not even care about religion.

    “They live in love and care for one another. Ruth has told us yesterday (on Tuesday) that her neighbours have been very supportive all the while but I did not know such much love existed among them.

    “This is a huge lesson for our leaders and the ruling class because it is obvious that religion and tribe is their problem not that of the over 70 percent masses.”

  • Lagos worried over beggars, street traders’ return

    Lagos worried over beggars, street traders’ return

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has directed the Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences to enforce the law restricting street trading and begging.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Tunji Bello, in a statement yesterday, explained that the government is concerned about the resurgence of beggars and street traders across the metropolis, adding that there is need to enforce the law to avoid environmental nuisance.

    The statement reads:  “At the State Security Council Meeting on July 7, it was resolved that the act of street trading that has continued to hamper free flow of traffic on Lagos roads which further constitutes nuisance and security threat to law abiding citizens will no longer be tolerated.

    “Therefore, street traders and buyers will, henceforth,be arrested and prosecuted. The Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences has been mandated to ensure the Law of the State against street trading is enforced to the letter”.

    It said the security agencies have resolved to beef up security in the state to ensure that it remains safe.

    “We’ve had security reports on the activities of persons who pose as beggars, especially in traffic, but their sole aim is to perpetrate evil. We are putting a search light on this trend and one way to do that is to ensure that we take preemptive measures to forestall this development”, the statement said.

  • Drug suspect dies of cocaine ingestion

    A 32 year-old trader and suspected drug trafficker has died of cocaine ingestion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja.

    Ndulue Emmanuel Obiefuna collapsed at the departure hall and was taken to a nearby hospital. He was an intending passenger on an Ethiopian airline flight to China enroute Addis Ababa on July 5.

    The airport’s NDLEA commander, Mr Hamisu Lawan, said the suspect confessed to cocaine ingestion at the hospital.

     “The deceased collapsed at the departure hall and was being attended to by Port Health officials. The collapse triggered our suspicion and a narcotic officer was assigned to monitor the development.

    “When the suspect’s condition stabilised at the hospital, he confessed to cocaine ingestion. At that point, the NDLEA took over the case from the Port Health Services. He later died while receiving treatment,” Hamisu stated.

    Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased hailed from Anambra State. Until his demise, he was a trader living in Lagos. It was gathered that the deceased decided to abort his trip after collecting his boarding pass because of complications arising from the cocaine ingestion. But, he collapsed immediately he notified the airline officials of his intention to cancel his trip. At the hospital, 55 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine weighing 1.20kg was evacuated from his stomach.  The Agency has contacted the bereaved father.

  • Lagos tanker explosions’ victims get N13.35m compensation

    Lagos tanker explosions’ victims get N13.35m compensation

    Lagos State government yesterday paid N13,350,000 to victims of fuel tanker explosions in fulfilment of its promise. There were two of such explosions in Iyana Ipaja and Idimu on June 2 and 6.

    Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule on behalf of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode presented cheques for the amount to the victims at Igando rehabilitation Centre.

    Ambode urged the beneficiaries to use what he called the government’s widow’s mite” to rehabilitate themselves.

    “We know what the government has given is not enough but everyone of you should make good use of it. Please stay peaceful and remain focused. We want you to return home and rehabilitate yourselves as much as you could. The good Lord would continue to be with you. We pray not to witness such incidence again. We share in your feelings and urge you to continue to give your support to this administration”, he said.

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs Dr Aderemi Desalu said  76 persons from the Iyana Ipaja incident were recommended for financial assistance. Seven of them who are landlords received N500, 000 each. Sixty four  shop owners got N150, 000 each ;  five tricycle operators, N50, 000 each.

    Desalu said 369 persons were affected  in the Idimu tanker fire, adding that 167 of them are adults.

    “We brought members of that community to this camp. We had a total of 369 residents including children. They have been here for one month and would be departing very soon. We recommended N50, 000 but the governor magnanimously doubled what we recommended.

    Meanwhile, the committee set up by Ambode to examine the immediate and remote causes of the explosion has submitted its report.

    The committee chaired by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello presented its report to the governor at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

    Ambode constituted the fact-finding committee to prepare guidelines for ethical conduct for tanker drivers, found culpable in the incidents.

    Ambode promised to work on the panel’s recommendations, saying the government would take steps to protect life and property.

     

  • Actor’s wife seeks marriage dissolution

    Actor’s wife seeks marriage dissolution

    A Middle age woman, Emma Ike, urged the Lagos Island Customary Court to dissolve her 12-year-old marriage, accusing her actor-husband of battering her.

    Mrs Ike said her husband beats her over trivial issues, adding: “It was when my husband beat me mercilessly I believed that people truly saw stars whenever they were unconscious. It was my brother who took me to the hospital where I spent two months. There was also a day I was feeding our last child with tea, my husband, out of anger took the tea and poured it on my head.”

    She said the harsh reality of life began to dawn on her after her husband deprived her of being in charge of his school.

    “I even persuaded his sister to bring four of her children to our school without paying a dime but instead of showing appreciation, she said I was a lavish spender and that was how I stopped being in charge of the school,” she said.

    The petitioner said the school was shut when her husband couldn’t manage it properly.

    “Each time we fight, he calls me a witch saying whenever he intends to start a project and he informs me it eventually fails. He also said if he hadn’t married me, I would have become a prostitute,” Mrs Ike said.

    She said she left his house two years ago with two of her children when she could no longer bear his violent act anymore, adding that she be granted access to their first two children.

    “Since I left, he doesn’t allow me to speak with our first two children asking me to come home if I really want to see them. Even when I was in with him, he leaves home for months on the pretext of different appointments. I can’t face all this anymore. I need help,”

    The union produced four children between ages 4 and 13.

    The court’s President, Chief Awos Awosola, ordered the respondent to appear in court and adjourned the matter till July 22.

  • Snake found in Magistrate’s chambers

    Snake found in Magistrate’s chambers

    There was panic at an Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court in Lagos,on Monday when  a snake was found in the Magistrate’s chambers.

    The incident occurred around 8:30am, support staff were about receiving Magistrate Akeem Fashola, who has just been posted to the court.

    It was learnt that the magistrate sat on his desk, without knowing there was a snake beside his table.

    “Oga was in the office and he had sat down for sometime. He stood up and went into the toilet to allow the cleaner continue sweeping when she got close to his seat.

    “It was the cleaner’s scream that attracted all our attention. She said as she was sweeping, her broom swept something that was heavy.

    “As she looked up, she realised it was a green snake. And the snake at the same time, skipped to the other side of the office, near the cabinets, where it hid.

    “It was at the point that we came in and killed the snake. We are really shocked because no one could explain how the snake entered the chambers,” a court worker said.

    The Nation found that the court is not surrounded by bush.

    Some litigants believe that it is possible the snake crawled in from the nearby International airport, which shares boundary with the court.

    They appealed to the government to clear the bush around the airport and fumigate it to avoid safety.

    At the time of filing this report, workers were fumigating the court  premises, and rearranging the offices.

     

  • Another building collapses in Lagos

    Another building collapses in Lagos

    A building, which serves as a warehouse collapsed on Monday night on Orile-Coker axis of Lagos.

    The three-storey building, which has a few shops for merchants and goods such as various plumbing materials, tiles and ceramics.

    Residents of the area, while reliving incident said the collapse was accompanied by shattering sounds and loud noise.

    Although, no one was hurt when the incident occurred, but goods worth millions of naira were buried under the rubble.

    Officials of the Lagos State Building Agency (LASBA), were at the scene to unravel the possible cause of the collapse.

     

  • Ex-workers protest ‘injustice’

    •‘They ‘ve no case’

    Some ex-workers of De Skyline Hotel in Ikeja have accused the management of sacking them without paying their entitlements.

    The protesters, who are members of the Youth League for Change, marched through the nearby PWD, bus stop, waving placards with inscriptions: “Segun Awolowo stop victimising our ladies, stop harassing and sacking workers unjustly, salary is not a gift, we worked for it”.

    Mr Sunday Abbah, who led the protest said it was informed by the non-acknowledgment of their petition by the hotel’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Segun Awolowo.

    Awolowo owns three hotels (De Skyline Hotel and two Country Guest Houses) in Ikeja.

    The protesters accused Awolowo of verbal insult, abuse, exploitation, intimidation and unlawful sack without payment.

    A victim, Miss Hadijat Issa who was initially employed as a receptionist and later became the manager of the Hotel at Ikeja narrated her ordeal.

    She said: “The problem is whenever Mr Awolowo comes back from abroad, he always sack his workers and employ new ones. When he came back in May, he called me to come and meet him at Skyline hotel, on getting there, I met him and the new Skyline Manager that was employed two weeks before his arrival. He ordered the new manager and me to stay at Skyline for one week for recruiting exercise.  The following week, he called me to a meeting to flush out some workers in Country Guest House. It took him just one week to sack almost all the workers and replaced them with new ones. He told me that my administration is not good, that things were stolen and a customer checked in without payment”.

    Natasha Okon who worked as a receptionist said “I started on January 30th. After three weeks, I was transferred to Country Guest House. I was sacked in May. He just called me one day and said ‘you are still here, you have not been sacked? Three days later, I went to work only for the security to bar me from entering. They will tell the gateman not to open the gate for you, that was how they sack there”

    Contacted,  Awolowo’s  lawyer, Louis Nwaugbala said: “I don’t want to talk to you; I have every right not to talk to you. Those people are involved in a criminal case”.

    An officer at the Police Airport Command, Austine Osabase, a Deputy Superintendent  (DSP), urged the parties to resolved the issue amicably. He called Nwangbala, who denied knowledge of the petition sent to the management.

    Nwaugbala told The Nation on phone: “If you hear from me, you have heard from the horse’s mouth. What they did (protest) is tantamount to taking law in their hands; if there are issues, there are processes to follow. Mr Awolowo is not even in the position to say anything; moreover he is not in the country. The last time he came to the country was last December. There is a particular customer of ours, a lawyer who works with the Ministry of Justice, Abuja. On that particular day, she wanted to go out and she was interrogated as to where she was going to and she answered that she will be back soon. These people took her keys and stole most of her belongings. She noticed it but had an urgent meeting in Abuja to attend to and she travelled back. She sent her sister down here to take over the case. One was even caught with stolen money in her underwear.  All these people are criminals and irresponsible.

    “When Mr Segun Awolowo was briefed about this, he was not happy with the development. I can categorically tell you that all what they have said are issues of lies. When you run a business and your things keep getting missing or stolen, what step will you take?” he asked

     

     

  • Drama as Okada rider escapes life jail

    Drama as Okada rider escapes life jail

    There was joy at an Ikorodu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos yesterday when a 19-year-old commercial motorcyclist Solomon Alu got a second chance to fight for his freedom. He had initially pleaded guilty to a seven-count charge of manslaughter.

    Alu, from Ebonyi State, was accused of, among others, reckless driving, driving against traffic, not wearing a helmet, causing the death of one Phillip Alu and injuring Mrs. Ogunfuye Funmilayo when his motorbike was involved in an accident around Benson Bus-Stop, Ikorodu, on July 1.

    During his trial, the court was astonished when Alu, head bowed, shoulders sagging and in tears, pleaded guilty to each of the seven-count charge. The offence contravened Sections 19 and 20 of the Road Traffic Laws of Lagos State. To the court’s surprise, was representing himself because he had no lawyer.

    In a voice, he muttered “guilty” to every count read to him. Even when he appeared to be struggling to understand some of the charges and they were re-read to him, his answer was still: “guilty”.

    After listening to him, Magistrate Makanju-Oshodi retired to her chambers. Under the Criminal Code, the maximum sentence for manslaughter is life imprisonment.

    “I have nobody,” Alu told The Nation, when he was asked why he didn’t have a lawyer. “I have nobody. I am 19 years’ old”.

    On why his family was not in court with him, he sobbed: “My elder brother is 22 years’ old. He is in Anambra taking care of our mother. She is ill. I’ve told him not to tell her I’ve been arrested.”

    On the magistrate’s return, two lawyers, a man and woman, walked in. “Are you the accused?” the man asked. Alu nodded.

    “We’re here to take your case for free,” the lawyer said.

    With the lawyer’s appearance, the magistrate allowed Alu to retake his plea. This time on his lawyers’ advice, he pleaded not guilty.

    The magistrate granted him N200, 000 bail, with two sureties in the like sum. She said the sureties should provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.

    The case was adjourned till August 6.