The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • ‘Ikeja Electric to distribute 2,000 smart metres’

    ‘Ikeja Electric to distribute 2,000 smart metres’

    The Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) said yesterday that it would begin the distribution of 2, 000 units of smart metres at the end of this month under its pilot scheme.

     Its Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Pekun Adeyanju, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that another batch of 5,000 metres would be installed in July.

     The equipment, he said, is a new technology in power consumption measurement that ensures regular interface between electricity providers and consumers, adding that it is both pre-paid and post-paid.

     Adeyanju said: “Ikeja Electric will distribute 2, 000 units of smart metres by the end of June and another 5,000 units in July under the pilot scheme. Consumers who engage in illegalities such as bypassing the metres in their homes will be checkmated by the smart metres.”

    Adeyanju said the company had invested about N20 billion in the smart metre technology to boost its services.

     The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) also said it had installed 5,400 units of smart metres between April and June.

     “We have installed 5,400 smart metres within the zone in the last three months,’’ Mr Godwin Idemudia, an Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, said yesterday.

     He urged customers to apply for the metres under the company’s Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) scheme.

     He said they would be made available within 45 days after payment.

     He said one-phase smart metre costs N39, 650, while three-phase metre costs N68, 906.

     Idemudia said the new metre would address all the problems associated with metering.

  • Foundation pays for boy’s surgery

    Foundation pays for boy’s surgery

    Despite has come for Oluwanimilo Afolabi, a three-year-old boy, who has been battling a huge tumour on his head for three years.

    Last Sunday, the Chris Okafor Humanity Foundation (COHF) donated N500, 000 to fund the required surgery for little Afolabi at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Mushin.

    Pastor Chris Okafor, General Overseer, Liberation Ministries International Churches, and Founder of COHF, said he was moved by the boy’s plight after reading his story in a newspaper.

    “I saw the story of the boy with the lump on the head last Friday. Looking at his picture, I saw that the lump was almost as big as his head, and I felt touched. After reading, I went back to the room to break my fast that was when the Lord said to me: ‘You must help that boy,” Okafor explained.

    Presenting the cash to the boy’s father, Mr Sola Afolabi, Okafor said COHF and the church would further intervene in Afolabi’s situation to ensure that he is restored to good health.

    “My relationship with this boy (Afolabi) has just started; and it is just the beginning of good things to come,” the cleric said.

    Okafor said lending a helping hand to the needy is “practical Christianity,” adding that the gesture is in line with the teachings in Matthew 25: 1-46.

    “The only thing you can do for God is to reach out to others. The Bible says he that lends to the poor, lends to God. You don’t help someone because of what he can give to you,” he said.

    Afolabi thanked the pastor for his gesture, explaining that he has been struggling to raise the money.

    “I am extremely happy today for the milk of human sympathy shown my son by the COHF and the church. Some people advised me to inflate the amount needed, and I tell them this is not a business for me. All I want is to see my son well and able to run around like his mates. I am glad that COHF has now given my son the opportunity to live like every other normal child,” he said.

    The dilemma all started on January 12, 2012, when little Afolabi was born. His mother had noticed a tiny lump on his head, which was mistaken as a boil. But later, the lump grew in size.

    The father narrated further: “All this while, the child refused to eat. When the mother breast-fed him, he would vomit everything. Anything he takes in he vomits. At LUTH we were told he couldn’t eat because the passage where food goes through was blocked. As I speak with you he only eats through the tube attached to his navel. The doctors at LUTH said that the operation needed to give him succor would not be carried out then because of his tender age.  I still took him to LUTH when he was one and was told that he was still too young; look at how big the lump has become.”

    Afolabi said the family’s lives had never remained the same since Oluwanimilo was born. “Raising money has been difficult. Since my wife was delivered of another baby, I have been the one running around for him. It has not been easy at all. It is lack of funds that has kept me till this time from taking him back to LUTH,” he submitted.

  • ‘My wife is a thief’

    A middle-age man, Friday James, has prayed an Agege Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve his marriage because his wife, Linda is a thief.

    James said his wife was not caring, claiming that she spent their children’s school fees on several occasion.

    “Not only does my wife spend our children’s school fees she also steals from me. Whenever our children’s school proprietress calls me on phone, I know there is a problem.  She once stole N83, 000 from my wardrobe,” he said.

    The petitioner also said his wife spent the money she was to use to buy foodstuff.

    He said: “The painful thing is that she wouldn’t give account on what she spent the money on and it is annoying because I can’t continue to give her monthly allowance while I starve with our children. If she truly respects me as her husband, she won’t be doing all this.”

    James said he brought his wife to court to see if she would change.

    Linda said she disrespects her husband would because he is fond of harassing her in front of neighbours.

    “I didn’t steal from him. I only took N10, 000 from his wardrobe without his knowledge because I was told my father was ill and I thought I could refund it before he got to know. Whenever I requested for   money from him, he asks me to be patient till month end.

    “I think I have also made up my mind for dissolution because whenever our tenants misplace anything, my husband refers them to me and it is not right. I don’t know why he is complaining because when he knew I took his money, he took me outside and called me a thief in the presence of almost everyone who lives on our street,” Linda said.

    Linda also said her husband went to the extent of telling her boss she steals which led to her sack.

    She said: “As if all he had done wasn’t enough, I was sacked from my place of work because of his actions. I now sell noodles and eggs. I can’t continue to put up with his attitude.”

    The marriage produced three children.

    The court’s President, Pa Adekunle Williams, fixed a chamber discussion for after the whole proceedings.

  • Manager ‘steals’ from hotel

    A 42-year-old hotel manager, Israel Osanebi, I was  yesterday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing N 512,000 from his employer.

     Osanebi, who lives in Apapa, Lagos, pleaded not guilty.

     But the prosecutor, Corporal John Iberedem, said the offence was committed on May 18, at the Events Hotel, 2, Nosamu Street in Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos.

     The prosecutor: “Instead of depositing the money into the company’s bank account, Osanebi converted it into his personal use,’’ he said.

     Iberedem said the offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 285, he noted, prescribes a three-year jail term for stealing.

     Senior Magistrate G.L. Otepo granted the accused N100, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

     The magistrate adjourned hearing in the case till July 20. (NAN).

  • Residents protest to Assembly over killings

    Residents of Taniolodo Community Development Association in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos, yesterday staged a peaceful protest to the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) over spates of killings by hoodlums in the area.The protesters alleged that the insecurity in the area had led to the death of several innocent people, forcing the residents to continue to live in fear.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the protesters carried placards with inscriptions that read: “Governor Ambode, we need protection”; “Enough of these killings in Jibowu Community”; and “Save our innocent children.”

    Others include: “This terror is too much for our innocent children”; “We are tired of premature death”; and “We are tired of living in perpetual fear.’’

    The Chairman of the CDA, Alhaji Akeem Taniolodo, told NAN that several of the citizens residing there had relocated elsewhere because of fear of attack by the hoodlums.

    Taniolodo said, “Our lives are in danger and we can no longer sleep with our eyes closed.

    “We have written several letters to the police with no effect, as at now, lots of residents have left the place to other areas to seek refuge.

    “We want the lawmakers to save our lives and property, it is unbearable now.”

    Another resident, Mr Abiodun Lesi, who spoke on behalf of other residents, corroborated Taniolodo’s submission.

    Lesi said: “We are seeking the intervention of the Lagos Assembly to come to our aid to put a stop to the killings of innocent souls.”

    He said the areas mostly affected include: Taniolodo, Ogidi, Lawani, Ojelade, Kadiri and Adewusi areas of Jibowu.

    Addressing the protesters, LAHA Deputy Speaker Mr Wasiu Eshinokun, said the House would take appropriate steps to solve the problem.

    “We share in your concern, we assure you that we will pass your grievance to the appropriate quarter,” Eshinlokun said.

     

  • PDP chief gave us guns, says robbery suspect

    PDP chief gave us guns, says robbery suspect

    An armed robbery suspect, Adebayo Dipo, yesterday said his gang got its weapons from a  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Lagos during the last elections.

    Dipo, 30, alongside  Alade Ogbulu  30 and Kofi Olumede (Ghanian), 21, were paraded by the police over the series of attacks and killings on Lagos Island.

    They said they were hired and paid N200,000 by politicians to foment trouble during the elections.

    One pump action rifle, a single barrel rifle and four rounds of ammunition were said to have been recovered from them. The suspects said the arms and a FEDECO bus were given to them by the PDP chieftain.

    The suspects, who belong to different cult groups, also reportedly had two cutlasses and an axe in their possession.

    They told reporters that they were involved in many cult wars in Ajah, Tafawa Balewa Square and other areas in the state.

    But Dipo, popularly known as SARS denied that his gang killed five persons after at a particular rally on Island.

    He said: “It was only Ashake that we killed. The others died during a fight with our gang. Nobody shot at them. We also lost some of our members during the clashes. I am a member of Black Axe Confraternity and I dropped out of the university due to lack of finance.

    “We were usually given N200,000 after each rally, which we shared among ourselves, no matter how large the crowd is.

    “The PDP chieftain (names withheld), gave us guns and FEDECO bus during campaign. I am a site agent. My nickname is SARS. We killed one Ashake on Saturday but four others died on Sunday, making five.”

    Kofi said about six persons were killed by the Abija Confraternity,  which he belongs to.

    “I belong to the Abija Group. About six persons have been killed in separate clashes. I am a political thug to the PDP.

    “On the day when the PDP held its rally at the TBS, my group shot dead one person. That was also the day Jonathan came to Lagos.

    “After the rally, some of our boys killed Otun who brought his boys to engage us in a fight. It was one Layi, our gang member, who shot him. The following day, the APC faction came to Enuowa area to engage us in a reprisal attack; we also killed four of their members. It was the APC thugs that launched the first attack

    “We are loyal to Abija, he was our leader and he brought all these guns (pointing to the recovered weapons). Abija had so many boys- too many to count. I was a meat pie seller before I joined the group in Lagos Island,” he said.

    Police Commissioner Kayode Aderanti said the suspects were arrested following raid of all dark spots in the state, because of the incessant skirmishes on the Island and its environs.

     

  • Erring motorists will be sanctioned, says FRSC

    Erring motorists will be sanctioned, says FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) yesterday vowed to sanction violators of traffic rules in accordance with existing laws.

    The Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, RS 2.17 Ojota Unit Command, Lagos, Kehinde Hamzat, an Assistant Corps Commander (ACC), handed down the warning following the June 9 assault on an official by a fuel tanker driver, Usman Dauda, opposite its Ojota, Lagos office.

    Usman attempted to evade arrest after his tanker marked LSR 528 XE, belonging to MRS Petroleum, was stopped.

    In anger, he blocked the expressway with his truck between the command’s gate and the nearby motorways.

    On arrival, a patrol team made efforts to ensure easy free traffic flow, but Usman instructed his “motor boy” to “completely block the road” to hinder on-coming vehicles.

    Shouting “no one stops tanker drivers,” he hit a Toyota Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked AKD 408 DH by the side. When the owner confronted him, he reportedly slapped the man.

    Usman also attacked a Corps official who wanted to restore order. The official spent five days in hospital. The matter was handled by the Alausa Police Station where operatives waded into the matter.

    Yesterday, the tanker owner, Alhaji Jimoh Toibu of Tawahb Nigeria Limited, wrote a letter of apology to the corps’ Unit Commander, with an undertaking to pay for the damages.

    Like the association of tanker drivers, Toibu dissociated himself from the driver’s unruly act.

     

     

     

  • Group seeks support for Buhari

    Jagaban Elders Forum, a non-governmental organisation aimed at fostering unity among supporters of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sought support for the Buhari adminstration.

    Its Chairman, Elder Adebanjo Ogunmayin, praised members for their role in the party’s victory during the last election.

    He called for continued support for the party’s members, especially the elders.

    Ogunmayin added: “To win an election is one thing, to fulfil the promises made to the electorate is an onerous task that needs the cooperation of party members”.

     

  • Court orders arrest of kerosene-laden vessel

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the arrest and detention of a vessel laden with 5,000 metric tonnes of kerosene over an alleged contract breach.

    The cargo, covered by an allocation letter by the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Limited (PPMC), is onboard MT Sea Pioneer on Lagos waters.

    Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke made the order following an application by a petroleum products dealer, Stallionaire Nigeria Limited, who sued Acorn Petroleum Plc, PPMC and others.

    The plaintiff claimed that it paid Acorn for the product, but rather than deliver it, Acorn (the first defendant) resold it.

    “Acorn has now completed plans to accord loading rights to the said third party over the 5,000MT cargo of DPK (Dual Purpose Kerosene) over which the plaintiff has and retains legal title as per parties’ agreement and full consideration paid,” Stallionaire said.

    The plaintiff said Acorn has applied to PPMC for loading rights over the cargo which Stallionaire is entitled to.

    Justice Aneke held that the vessel should be detained, pending Acorn’s provision of a bank guarantee for N488 million and N132,287,960 from a reputable commercial bank to secure the plaintiff’s claims.

    Acorn has prayed the court to discharge the order, but the plaintiff is urging the court to refuse the application.

    It accused the first defendant of conducting the sale of kerosene allocation “in a similar manner as resulted in this dispute.”

    Stallionaire recalled that in November 2014, it paid for 5,000 metric tonnes of DPK to Acorn upfront, but the first defendant collected money on the same consignment from another company, Bono Energy/Achetype International.

    “Upon arrival at the cargo offshore Nigeria, confusion ensued between the two buyers,” Stallionaire, said, adding that it was only after it offered to refund Archetype that it was able to take the cargo.

    Acorn denied the allegation, saying it is not true and not related to Stallionaire’s claims.

    Yesterday, the first defendant’s counsel, Eubena Amedu, sought to move his pending application, but the plaintiff’s counsel, Mr Chijioke Emeka, objected because Amedu has not filed a memorandum of appearance and as such was not properly before the court.

    Besides, Emeka said Acorn has not satisfied the claim nor furnished a bank guarantee to secure the claims as ordered by the court.

    Justice Aneke adjourned till June 30.

     

  • Man ‘stabbed’ to death by cobbler

    An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, yesterday remanded a 21-year-old, Olalekan Aweda, in prison for allegedly stabbing a man to death with a dagger.

    Mrs O.I. Adelaja, the Chief Magistrate, ordered that the accused should be remanded at Ikoyi Prisons for 30 days pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    The accused, a cobbler, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

    Earlier, Prosecutor, Insp. Richard Odigie, told the court that the offences were committed on May 8 at about 10.00 p.m. at Joseph Street on Lagos Island.

    He said the accused and the deceased 36-year-old Ganiu Bello had a misunderstanding and Aweda vowed to deal with Bello.

    “On that day, Aweda ambushed Bello and upon sighting him, stabbed him with a dagger on his neck killing him instantly.”

    The case has been adjourned to July 8.