The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Apapa traffic: ‘Tough times await erring drivers’

    Traffic gridlock on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway will soon be a thing of the past, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said yesterday after an assessment.

    He said a task force comprising all security agencies, including the police, would began “24/7 monitoring” of traffic to ease motorists’ and commutters’ parks.

    “Right now on our part, the immediate palliative is that we will set up a task force involving most of our security agencies, including the police and we will do a 24/7 monitoring of traffic flow.

    “We will pay more attention to enforcement. Form this evening, there will be more focus on enforcement and its funding. We are going to give incentives to our law enforcement officers to ensure that traffic law is obeyed,” Ambode said during a tour of major traffic points in Apapa, Lekki and Ajah.

    Ambode frowned on indiscriminate parking on Apapa Expressway by tanker drivers, saying he was ready to end traffic gridlock to give road users respite.

    The governor said the traffic jam was caused by many factors, adding that a stakeholders’ meeting would soon be convened to find a lasting solution to it.

    “What we have done in the last three hours is trying to find out what are the issues that pertain to Apapa. We have all seen that the gridlock in Apapa is multifaceted. We have examined things that relate to activities of trailer and tanker drivers. It is totally unacceptable that we would be having tankers and trailers on our bridges.

    “It is also not acceptable that they would decide to block all lanes that lead to Apapa. We have also seen that we must do something immediately to alleviate the challenges that the residents and businessmen are facing. But again, you will also realise that the roads that lead to Apapa Wharf and Tin Can Island actually belong to the Federal Government,” he said.

    Ambode added: “This bridge (Tin Can) has been under construction in the last six years; we have also seen a trailer park that can actually contain about 500 trailers at a time, which has been abandoned by the Federal Government. What we want to do now is firstly to appeal to the Federal Government, most especially Mr. President, that the contractor constructing this particular bridge should come back to site and once we are able to open the trailer park, we would be able to allow other trailers and tankers to use the park.”

    He noted that the tank farms in the area were an additional challenge, saying: “That is a major security challenge for the state government. We have to start to look at the security issues relating to these tank farms. All trailers across the country come to these tank farms. The tank farm owners will soon be summoned to a meeting to tell us what they see as their remedy to this menace that we are having in Apapa.”

    Police chief Kayode Aderanti said his concern was the nexus between infrastructural development and the crime rate in the area.

    “What we have observed in the last one year, due to the road network, is that most of these trailers always collapse and when this happens, you see a lot of hoodlums coming around to steal most of the items meant to be shipped to different parts of the country.

    “So, we are of the view that by the time we have very good infrastructural development in Apapa area and free flow of traffic, there will be less criminality by hoodlums who take advantage of the situation. Then there will be a boost in the economy of Lagos State,” he said.

    Commodore Daniel Ikoli, Commander, NNS Beecroft, Apapa Naval Base, said: “We are supporting the state government and the police at ensuring security within Apapa area. Under that same apparatus, you would agree with me that we have also been present in mitigating the traffic gridlock in Apapa. We try to ensure that everybody that moves into Apapa enjoys stress-free movement.”

  • Sanitation holds in Lagos tomorrow

    This month’s environmental sanitation will hold tomorrow between 7am and 10am. There will be restriction, according to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Hakeem Ogunbambi, an engineer, advised residents to participate in the exercise, which was not held last month, because of the inauguration of the president and some governors.

    While stressing the importance of a clean and hygienic environment towards the promotion of tourism and economic potentials of the state, Ogunbambi urged Lagosians to actively participate in the cleaning of their homes, drains and totality of their environment.

    He further stated that apart from this monthly exercise, cleaning the environment should be a daily affair, stressing that human beings daily generate waste which must be daily disposed. “We should also be mindful of our drains as we are now in the peak of the rainy season,” he added.

    He emphasised that global climatic condition have continuously affected rainfall patterns across the world as such coastal cities like Lagos are prone to flooding. “This explains why we have intensified our mid-rain deflooding programme that consists of continuous dredging, cleaning and maintenance of drainage channels across the state,” the Permanent Secretary explained.

    He implored residents to desist from dumping waste inside drainage channels and shun acts compromising drainage alignment, such as erection of structures on drainage setbacks among others.

    Ogunbambi warned residents who still patronise cart pushers to desist from the illegal act, saying that it is inimical to the waste management policy of the state government.

  • Lagos faults Sexual Offences Bill

    Lagos State Government yesterday joined the fray over the Sexual Offences Bill 2014, which is, awaiting President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent.

    The bill is among the 46 passed by the last Senate within 10 minutes and sent for presidential assent.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday with members of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) , the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN) said it contained certain provisions considered “offensive, obnoxious, inconsistent and likely to increase the incidences of sexual abuse”.

    The state, he said, which is against sexual violence, oppose the bill because “it seeks to introduce a strange defence based on the innocent act of a child (referred to as deceit) and belief of the perpetrator that a child is above 18 years when he committed the act of defiling the child”.

    Given this scenario, the National Assembly is incompetent to legislate on general laws, such as sexual offences in a federation save for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Pedro said.

    He said the government would soon send a memorandum containing “our thoughts and suggested amendments that should be considered before the president assents.”

    He said government would not hesitate to seek legal redress if the President goes ahead to assents the bill without considering the suggested amendments.

    Pedro said for instance Section 7(5) and other sub-sections of the bill, which listed when child defilement could be considered an offence and chargeable, were inconsistent with children’s interest and welfare as contained in the Child Rights Act.

    Section 277 of the Child’s Right Act 2003 described a child as a person under 18 contrary to the bill’s provision of 11.

    The distinction in the bill’s Section 7, he said, is irrelevant and should be expunged “because the  distinction can lead to an ambiguity and unnecessary uncertainty, especially having regard to the fact that this particular bill, if assented to, will be keenly enforced by communities, civil society organisations and non-govermental organisations”.

    Acknowledging the reasons advanced for the offence of gang rape in the bill, Pedro said the provision may become problematic during prosecution because of the rules for drafting charges stipulated in the Criminal Procedure Act.

    “The offence of rape like murder cannot be charged jointly because of the difficulty in proving that each individual person committed the act and must therefore be charged separately in different courts but on the same charge sheet. Consequently, it is therefore suggested that this section be expunged from bill,” he said.

  • Fire guts bungalow

    Fire guts bungalow

    A BUNGALOW went up in flames on Tuesday night, leaving a room/parlour and a shop in ruins.

    The Nation learnt that no one knew the cause of the fire at House 49, Ayo Afolabi Road, Oke-Ira, Ogba, Lagos.

    AbdulFatai Usman, a 53-year-old electronic repairer, said he had just broken his fast and was sitting  outside when someone noticed the fire in his shop.

    Amid tears, Usman said: “I can’t pinpoint the cause of the fire because our transformer has been faulty for close to one week and I didn’t light candle or lantern because the security light of the mast opposite the building reflects into my shop.

    “I have been occupying this shop for over 15 years and I have never witnessed such incident in my life. This is where I live with my son. I am glad I had not put him to bed before the incident happened because it would have been a disaster.  All our properties, customer’s appliances, engines and mixer are gone. I had to sleep in a friend’s house. My son couldn’t go to school today (yesterday) because his uniforms and books have gone with the fire. I have just N5 on me. Ahhh! I need help.”

    Occupant of the room and parlour was said to be in her shop when the fire started.

    Her son Olajide said: “We own the house and we have been living here for over 31 years and we never witnessed this situation. I am glad the day was still young when it happened. She doesn’t cook in the house because she has a shop at the frontage of our house where she does her cooking. No one knows the cause of the fire but we are glad no life was lost.”

    Another artisan, Kehinde Oladele said he had just repaired a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Television on Tuesday and called the owner to come and collet it when the incident occured.

    “If we had generating set, I would have said the fuel caused the inferno but we don’t. I had to go to a neighbouring street to repair the television because our transformer has been faulty. Now, I lost on both sides, No money; No television. I don’t know what to tell the owner,” he said.

  • CCC leadership tussle: Olatoso becomes ‘unification leader’

    CCC leadership tussle: Olatoso becomes ‘unification leader’

    Reverend Olatoso Matthew Oshoffa has emerged the “unification” leader of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Worldwide following the removal of his elder brother, Reverend Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa, by a court.

    An Ilaro High Court in March 26 removed Emmanuel Oshoffa as the church leader, paving the way for the emergence of his younger brother, Olatoso.

    Olatoso, who was his brother’s personal assistant, was named “unification” leader on June 10 at the Imeko, Ogun State headquarters of CCC.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos with leaders of the church on Tuesday, Rev Oshoffa said his emergence was ordained by God.

    He said his appointment was foretold long before the death of his father and the CCC founder Prophet Samuel Bilewu Oshoffa.

    He appealed to CCC members nationwide to support him in restoring the church’s glory.

    Oshoffa, 45, said his mission is to unite the Celestial family; ascribing past struggles in the church to Satan’s handiwork.

    On his emergence as “unification” leader,  he said: “On one of my journeys to France, specifically on the  May 30, 2015, my father appeared to me and said ‘my son, Olatoso, the church has diverted from my calling and I want you to stand up, take up my abandoned work and lead my children.”

    He went on: “I have met several spiritual leaders in the church, telling them the revelation I received from my father and from God. A lot of them did pray about it and confirmed that the revelation is truly from my father and indeed from God.

    “Hence, my acceptance of the leadership nomination to come and unite our church, ensure stability and peace in our church and to build our Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide as started by my father and the founder.”

    He said the crisis rocking CCC since his father died in 1985 was foreseen by the late founder.

     “It is just a trying time for the CCC,” he said.

  • ‘My wife is pregnant for another man’

    My wife is pregnant for another man,” a 45-year-old businessman, Mr Sanya Akinsanya, who is seeking the dissolution of his marriage, told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos, yesterday.

    The petitioner said Iyabo, his wife of 11 years, was promiscuous and pregnant for her lover.

    “My wife is adulterous; she has been cheating on me ever since and now she is carrying another man’s baby,” he said.

    Akinsanya claimed that his wife was in the habit of threatening his life, adding that she had on several occasions hired thugs to beat him up.

    “I am afraid as she may succeed in killing me one day and I don’t want to die now,” he said.

    The petitioner alleged that Iyabo packed his property to an unknown without his consent.

    He described his wife as a cantankerous woman, who has made their home unbearable for him.

    “Fighting is my wife’s hobby; she fights me in the morning, noon and night and does not get tired. She takes offence on any slight issue.”

    He prayed the court to dissolve the marriage because his love for his wife has “grown cold.”

    However, Iyabo, 37, a trader, denied all the allegations, including being pregnant.

    “I am not pregnant for any man; my stomach is just like that.’’

    The mother of two said she was not promiscuous, adding that she has been faithful to her marital vows. She described as false the allegation that she sent thugs to beat up her husband.

    Iyabo also refuted the allegation that she carted away her husband’s property.

    According to her, what she took from their home belonged to her.

    The respondent conceded to the dissolution, saying she was also fed up with the relationship.

    The court president, Hakeem Oyekan, adjourned the case till June 30.

  • Two charged with N465.7m fraud

    Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of an Ikeja High Court in Lagos, yesterday remanded two men in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons for allegedly defrauding two persons of N465.7million.

    The Judge remained Yerima Suleiman, 57, and Uwem Antia, 55, because of the severity of the alleged fraud.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preferred a four-count charge conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence and forgery against the defendants.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    EFCC counsel Mr Gbolahan Latona told the court that the defendants obtained the money from Mr Dennis Ale and Mrs Gladys Aginwa under the pretext of giving them its dollar equivalent.

    Latona said the defendants conspired to commit the offence on February 5, in Lagos.

    To facilitate the fraud, Latona said an acknowledgment receipt dated February 6 purported to have been made by Ale was forged by the defendants.

    The EFCC said the crimes contradict Sections1#(3), 8#(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006 and Sections 5#(2), 363#(1) and 409 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.

    The judge adjourned the matter till November 9, for the hearing of the defendant’s bail application.

  • Court remands man for alleged N5.766m fraud

    The Police yesterday arraigned Ibukun Onile, 36, before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing N5,766,410.
    Prosecuting Superintendent Emmanuel Nnamonu alleged that Onile fraudulently sold some soaps, sweet and other items valued at N5,766,410 belonging to Tony Tonia Industry Limited.
    The defendant was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, felony and stealing before Chief Magistrate A.O Komolafe.
    Nnamonu said the defendant committed the offence at Oniwaya in Agege, Lagos between April 2014 and June 2015.
    The offence, according to the prosecutor, is contrary to Section 361 and punishable under Section 409,278#(1) (a)#(b) and 363(3)(d) of the Criminal Laws.
    Onile pleaded not guilty.
    Magistrate Komolafe granted him N1,000,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum. She ordered that the sureties must be his relations; show evidence of two years tax payment with verifiable addresses.
    She ordered that the sureties must deposit N50,000 with the court registrar and adjourned the matter to July 23.

  • Gunmen kill Lord’s Chosen Pastor in Lagos

    Gunmen kill Lord’s Chosen Pastor in Lagos

    Suspected armed robbers on Monday killed a senior pastor at the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries.

    The deceased, Pastor Chukwuemeka Akpokpo according to church members, was the Lagos zonal coordinator of the church founded by Lazarus Mouka, which has its headquarters in Ijesha, along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

    It was learned that Akpokpo was gunned down by men operating on three motorcycles, who according to sources trailed him from a commercial bank around Apple Junction in Festac, Amuwo Odofin.

    It was gathered that his assailants shot him severally to ensure he was dead before they sped off with the three million Naira (N3million) he was said to have withdrawn from the bank.

    The Nation reports that there have been several incidences of motorcyclists ambushing bank customers along the busy Oshodi Apapa Expressway, with no arrest made by the police.

    When the news of Akpokpo’s death broke in the church and his body brought, the church members reportedly prayed from that time till about 8pm, hoping a miracle will happen and he would resurrect.

    The Pastor is believed to have had premonition about his death, as a church member was said to have claimed he complained of tiredness all Sunday night.

    The said member had told others he slept in the same place with Akpokpo on Sunday night because they attended a crusade in Ogun state over the weekend.

    According to one Mrs. Onyinye, Akpokpo was killed around 12pm on Monday.

    The woman who said the Pastor was married with young children but does not know his residence, wondered why his assailants did not take the money and spare his life.

    Onyinye who said the zonal pastor’s killers were hired assassins, explained that Akpokpo left his car and ran into the bush for safety but his assailants went after him.

    “They started trailing him before he got to the bank. When he noticed they were pursuing him. He left his car and ran away. He ran into the bush and they followed him.

    “We heard that his killers while shooting him said he should come and collect the post. It is not the first time they have attempted to kill him.

    “There was a day he parked his car but before he could come out, all his tyres have been deflated. So, I don’t think it was just a case of armed robbery. They are hired assassins,” she maintained.

    Similarly, one Mathew corroborated Chineye’s theory of assassination,  adding that there are a lot of people who envied Akpokpo’s position as zonal coordinator in charge of Lagos.

    “Pastor Emeka (Akpokpo) might have been assassinated by those who are envious of his position.

    “Aside being zonal coordinator, he is in-charge of building and I am sure he was killed by some envious people who want to take over his seat.

    “Many see him as being too favoured by the General overseer of the Church, (Mouka). Many of them were jealous of the Pastor who was trusted by the GO.

    “In fact, the church did not believe it that the Pastor was actually dead. When his corpse was brought to the Church, we kept praying from 12.30 to 8p.m hoping that God would revive him because, we love him so much.

    He was later taken to his home town, near Umuahia, Abia state around 8pm. Insisting that the deceased was assassinated, Matthew said his killers ensured he was dead before they left him.

    He urged the police to consider other options and not just conclude that Akpokpo’s killers were armed robbers because they collected money.

    He said: “Why I said so is that the Pastor offered all he had to the gunmen and they still went ahead to kill him.

    “He was shot severally till he gave up the ghost. His killers made sure that they pumped enough bullets into his body and made sure that he died before they left the scene.

    “If it was armed robbery attack, the robbers would have collected the money and left in a hurry, but the killers made sure they remained till he finally died.”

    But another Church member, Madu however felt the bank staff must have conspired with the armed men to dispossess Akpokpo of the money.

    He urged the police to interrogate the bank officer in-charge of the account the money was withdrawn from, adding that the person was aware the Pastor was coming to make such withdrawals.

    “I can bet you that the robbery was an insider’s connection either from the bank or the church. He already notified the account officer he was coming for the money before leaving the Church.

    “He was actually trailed to the bank by the robbers. The Police should interrogate the account officer of the bank,” said Madu.

    When contacted the police spokesman for the state, DSP Ken Nwosu confirmed the incident.
    He however stated that the Pastor was gunned by two armed men who operated on a motorcycle, adding that investigations were ongoing to unravel the culprits.

  • Police chief orders hoodlums’ arrest

    Police chief orders hoodlums’ arrest

    Lagos State Police Commissioner Kayode Aderanti has ordered Area ‘B’ Apapa Commander Nim Anene, an Assistant Commissioner (ACP), to arrest hoodlums who operate during traffic gridlock on Apapa-Oshodi expressway, Mile 2 and Ijora.

    He also urged him to decongest traffic with the new power motorcycles given to the command.

    Commissioning the five motorcycles code-named Police Bravo One to Police Bravo Five yesterday, Aderanti praised Anene’s creative idea in crime fighting.

    This, he said, would go a long way in reducing the menace of hoodlums who take advantage of traffic gridlock to rob motorists.

    “With these power machines, you will chase robbers and make sure you arrest them to face the wrath of the law,” he said.

    Aderanti enjoined other area commanders to emulate Anene.

    “The hoodlums’ menace has come to the level where they should be shown that the command is still in control and no hoodlum should be allowed to disturb the peace of road users in Lagos,” he said.

    Earlier, Anene told Aderanti that the use of motorcycles because imperative when his officers found it difficult to penetrate the traffic to get to where the hoodlums were operating.

    At times, he said, it took hours with vehicles to get to the spot, but with motorcycles, things would be different.