The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Residents accuse police of profiting from Mushin gang wars

    Residents accuse police of profiting from Mushin gang wars

    Some residents of Mushin, Lagos, have accused the police of profiting from the frequent gang wars in their area.

    The police, they alleged, have been extorting them under the guise of quelling the riots.

    The clashes have become a ploy for the police, particularly those attached to Olosan Divisional Headquarters, to round up traders, passers-by and artisans at spots within the area, handcuff them, bundle them into patrol vans, take them to their stations and make them part with amounts ranging between N5,000 and N10,000”.

    Comrade Daniel Oguine of Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), said efforts to stop  human rights abuses by the police failed.

    He said: “I have been involved as a member and lately secretary of CDHR in campaigns against abuses by the police but the efforts seem to be getting us nowhere. The more complaints we come up with, the more we have to deal with.

    “As a member of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), I have challenged the police openly and many times. In one of our meetings, I gave them four different incidences involving the police and their illegal arrests of people.

    “There also was the case of three persons picked up at Papa Ajao. They accused them of wandering. I asked them when they were found wandering and I was told ’11:30 in the morning. Does a person wander in daytime?.

    “There was another case, I was sure none of those people would have paid less than N5,000 before regaining freedom”.

    An artisan (name withheld), said the police knew those behind the unrest but would only go after the ‘innocent.’

    He said he was arrested yesterday while cleaning his shop, handcuffed and taken to the police station where he paid N5000 for his release.

    “We have to act fast in this area. They come everyday to round us up, bundle us into their patrol vans for no just cause. Each time like this, we lose money to them.

    “As we are speaking, go to Daleko in Mushin here, just before the bridge. They have turned the place to a permanent toll gate where they collect toll from motorists who they take to their stations without reasons.

    “The police know the notorious spots including Alasalatu, Idi-Oro, Idi Araba, Fadeyi, and Itire Road. They will never go there to make arrests. They are always around Olufunmilayo, Aromire, Oniyide, Iyala, Folarin, Oduduwa, Alaafia and other such areas where no problem exists. We are tired here,”he said.

     

  • Housemaid charged with stealing N5.5m gold

    Housemaid charged with stealing N5.5m gold

    A  housemaid,  Mercy Odita (18), has been arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing gold jewellery N5.5 million.  .

    Odita, of House 4, Road 8, Abraham Adesanya Estate in Ajah, Lgos was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and theft under Sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

    The prosecutor, Francesca Okere, told the court that the defendant conspired with others at large to steal the jewellery of her employer, Ngozi Okeke.

    Okere said the crime was committed on February 10, at 9am.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty and was granted N500, 000 bail with two sureties each in the like sum.

    Magistrate A. T. Omoyele adjourned the matter to March 23.

  • Residents protest poor power supply

    Residents protest poor power supply

    Residents of Papa Ashafa and Alagba Community Development Association (CDA) in Agege, Lagos marched yesterday on the Dopemu Distribution Centre of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company over incessant power outage and outrageous billing.

    About 70 residents, mostly youths and elderly men, said their communities have been in darkness for a couple of months.

    The protesters were led by the Youth Alliance for Better Nigeria. They held placards bearing different messages such as: Say no to power failure, crazy bills electricity, electricity rotations, Ikeja electric dramatic liars and saboteurs etc.

    A mild drama played out at the company premises, when they demanded immediate restoration of electricity to the area and a reversal of the outrageous bills from the company.

    The staffs of the company were overwhelmed by the fury of the residents before the intervention of the Branch Team Leader, Mr Banji Ogunleye and the Marketing Manager, Mr Victor Amaraegbu to calm the protesters.

    Speaking with The Nation, the group’s coordinator, Mr Moruf Niniola, said several appeals made to the company to address the power failure in the area fell on deaf ears. He said the company have denied residents of the area their pre-paid metre, even upon several approached.

    According to him, the bills being paid in the area has even got higher than the amount paid for house rent.

    He said many house owners are ejecting their tenants because of the dangers of generating sets.

    “That a house of six rooms must have six generator sets is worrisome and danger to our health. Many lives have been lost due to generator fume,” he said.

    He said the residents are spending their income to buy generator, fuel it and at the end of the month, pay for electricity which they didn’t use.

    “All we are saying is, we can’t just remain like this, suffering and smiling must end. The cheating is too much,” he said.

    A letter submitted by the communities demanded among others “the outright cancellation, rotation or shedding of the areas’ light; that in the absent of the pre-paid metre, the company should ensure the old metres are perfectly working and reading appropriately to prevent electric fraud.”

    They also demanded quick revisit of crazy bills to guaranteed transparency.

    Imam of Ike Anobi Mosque, Alhaji AbdulGaniu Salawudeen demanded to know if the government is swindling their money through the electricity company.

    We don’t understand what is happening. That for four to six months, there was no electricity in this area. Surprisingly, our bills kept increasing monthly. How can we pay for electricity we didn’t consume? They are killing us silently,” he said.

    Alhaja Asiata Fasobo, said she wondered how the residents should be levied heavily when there was no electricity supply.

    According to her, the people are running at a loss for doing business with generator, yet “we are still paying for electricity at the end of the each month.”

    She presented her recent bill, which stated that he consumed 456kilowatts, with a bill of N25, 000.

    Mr Adenekan Adebakin said their sufferings dated back to the days of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

    Adebakin told The Nation that electricity in the area does not last longer than two minutes.

    Amaraegbu, commended them for the peaceful conduct of the exercise. He said the present transition programme in the country also affect the activities of the electricity company.

    “We have generating section, transmission section before the distribution section. I want to assure you that the government is doing so much to improve the generation and it is when the generating section is well established that the transmission will transfer to the distribution unit. If you look around here, there is no where we are generating electricity”, he pleaded.

  • My husband is fetish, says woman

    •’I don’t want her to go’

    Mrs Bunmi Adegunju, 35, has prayed the Alagbado Customary Court in Lagos, to dissolve her 16- year-old marriage, accusing her husband of battery.

    The petitioner, who lives at 1B, Idowu Close, Kola, Alagbado, a Lagos suburb, told the court that her husband, Taofeek, derived pleasure in beating her, adding that he is fetish.

    She said: “He brought home a live tortoise that walks around the house; he also brought home an ugly thing he calls “Esu” (devil). He pours oil on it and worships it daily. When he brought a statue home, it led to the mysterious death of our child.

    “I have nightmares and I am always scared whenever I get home. He beats me at will and does not provide for my upkeep.”

    Mrs Adegunju said any  time she refuses to give her husband money on request, he beats her.

    “I left home about a month ago because I was sick and needed to take care of myself so that I won’t die young. Since my husband bought a crate of alcoholic drink for my father, he has been taking sides with him.

    “I don’t have any witness except God, I am tired of the marriage, I want dissolution and the custody of our children,” she said.

    However, Taofeek Adegunju, 40, a business man, denied ever beating his wife.

    “My wife is troublesome and does not listen to me. She harasses me in public and shouts at me. I have lost count of the number of times my wife slapped me. She once did it in the presence of my friend and I was ashamed.

    “I used to be chubby but I am now a shadow of myself because of her troubles. There was a time she left the house for almost three weeks, I took care of our children, bathed them and dropped them in school. Because of this, my business suffered because there was no one to leave the children with. I know I try as a father and husband.

    “It is true that I am fetish but it is just for my business. I don’t want to marry another woman, I want my wife back,” he pleaded.

    The marriage produced five children between ages 1 and 15.

    The court’s President, Mr Olubode Sekoni, told the couple to maintain the peace and adjourned the matter till February 26.

  • Uniformed men kill two, injure others

    Uniformed men kill two, injure others

    …Killers were robbers, says GOC

    Some uniformed men have shot dead two persons and injured three others in Lagos.

    The incident occurred between 9.15pm and 9.45pm last Wednesday at Majidun near Ikorodu, Lagos.

    Two of the victims, who are in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASAUTH) in Ikeja, said the gunmen were in military uniform.

    General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division in Lagos Maj. Gen. Tanmi Dibi, told The Nation yesterday that the gunmen were not soldiers.

    He said: “There is no way such thing would happen and I will not know. Moreso, I have just inquired now and they told me none of our men was involved in that act.”

    Alhaji Aminu Salis, an engineer and his wife, Toyibah, who were alone in their car, said they were flagged down at Majidun Bus stop, and before they knew what was happening, one of the men opened fire on them.

    About five bullets pierced through his arm and legs, his wife was hit on her left leg.

    Their car was also riddled with bullets.

    Three other vehicles coming behind them were attacked.

    Two of the victims have died; others are in hospitals.

    Salis described the incident as traumatic.

    “We saw two men; one dressed in military uniform, another in mufti, checking vehicles. From a distance, we could see them flagging down motorists, looking into their cars and allowing them to move on. This led to traffic snarl around Majidun Bus stop. On getting to them, the one holding a gun asked me to come down, I thought they were on a routine check, as I opened the door, placed one leg on the floor, he cocked the gun and opened fire on us. I quickly told my wife awon ole leleyi, awon ole leleyi, (These are thieves, these are thieves); before I could put my leg back into the car, five bullets have hit us; I managed to drive and he pointed the gun at us. After driving past him, he faced back and opened fire at the vehicles behind us. By the time we reached Ogolonto where some Naval officers are stationed, I stopped and they (Naval officers) told me to keep going,” he said.

    “I had to come down to inform them of what happened,” Mrs Salis said.

    “But they were not ready to listen to us, saying they do not want to have any issue with the military men over there. It was after some drivers and passengers of other vehicles coming behind mounted pressure on them that we have been attacked that they decided to allow us stay there.

    “When their boss arrived and was told of the incident, he asked my husband to drive himself to the General Hospital, after all he drove the car up till that point. My husband told him he could no longer continue driving. I had to call some of our friends that left the place not quite long for help,” Mrs Salis, whose left leg was bandaged, said.

    Mr Sanni Kabir, an engineer, said he saw the two uniformed men between Itowolo and Majidun shooting sporadically, forcing motorists to slow down for checking.

    Kabir said five minutes after passing the gunmen, he got a distress call from Mrs Salis.

    “She told me that armed robbers have shot at them; I quickly turned back and met them at the place where the Naval men were stationed. From there, we took them to General Hospital; the medical personnel demanded for police report, I rushed down to the nearest police station where I saw other victims with their vehicles at Ipakodo Police Station. Later on, after first aid, the hospital referred us to LASUTH. We got here (LASUTH) some minutes past 12 in the midnight,” he said.

    According to Salis, one of the policemen who saw some of the bullets in my car said they belonged to the military and not the police.

    Salis said the incident was first reported at Ipakodo Police Station where they met six other victims. Officers at the station, he said, directed them to Owode-Onirin Police Station.

    When contacted, Lagos State police spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent, promised to check and get back.

  • Consultant calls for stress-free homes

    A Consultant Psychiatrist with the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Yaba, Lagos Mainland, Dr Fauziyah Oduguwa, has enjoined couples to maintain psychological, social and spiritual stability.

    In a lecture titled: Maintaining emotional and psychological balance for status change (Marriage) at a yearly seminar organised by The Criterion, Dr Oduguwa explained that marriage has four different stages – the newly married stage, which is the first 12 months of marriage; the early years, which are the first five years of marriage; the middle years, which are between five and 20 years of marriage and the later years, which are over more than 20 years of marriage.

    She explained that of all the stages, the third stage is the most characterised with emotional, psychological and physical stress which can all lead to emotional distress if not properly managed.

    “Emotional distress is a range of symptoms and experiences in a person that are commonly troubling, sometimes confusing or out of the ordinary which can lead to depression, illness, anxiety and psychosis,” she explained.

    She urged them to understand their rights and duties as husband and wife, communicate with each other, trust in Allah, be patient, forgive and relax to maintain emotional well-being.

    She said: “If however, emotional distress comes in, consider seeing a marriage counsellor, a psychologist or a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist may prescribe some medications and if they do not work, the couple may be advised to live separately and if none of these work, divorce is the last resort”

    Amir (President), Islamic Study Group of Nigeria, Alhaji Nurain Titilayo Odunsi, who spoke on Sustaining Social and Spiritual Stability in Time of Marital Stress, explained that marital stress is often caused by failure in spousal obligations, infertility, unforgiveness, lack of emotional and social support and impotency.

    He then urged them to try as much as possible to avoid the causes and offered remedies in the event of any sign of marital stress.

    “Always go back to Allah. Learn more about your faith and teach members of your family. Engage in healthy communication, spend more time alone together, forgive often, have more sex, and learn how to react to stress,” Alhaji Odunsi said.

    He also urged The Criterion to have a body for marriage counselling.

    “Marital stress will be a continuous phenomenon till the end of time. We have to learn how to cope with it and manage it. But do not use that to put more stress on those that are about to get married. Marriage is an essential part of our faith,” he said.

  • We traded foodstuff for petrol, says suspect

    A suspected pipeline vandal has said he used what he has to get what he wanted.

    Irede Ehimusan, a Fisherman, who was paraded along 22 others by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) over the weekend, said he exchanged foodstuff for petrol.

    Among the suspects were eight Nigerians, seven Ghanaians, three Togolese and others from the Republic of Benin.

    The suspects were arrested between January and this month around the high sea by the army, with stolen diesel, petrol and kerosene.

    Lagos State NSCDC Commandant Gabriel Abafi said six suspects were arrested with 65 drums of 250-litre diesel; 14, with 254 drums of 250 litres and 20 gallons of 25-litre petrol and three with 59 drums of 250 litres and 11 gallons of 50 litres of kerosene.

    He hailed the army for its courage.

    Abafi said: “Some were caught on the sea with fuel in sacks, polythene bags and more than two trailers. We shall give the exhibits to the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) to examine and then the court will rule on it.”

    One of the suspects, Augustine Adukwe, 37, a boat driver, said he never knew the deal was illegal.

    “I was arrested at the shores. I really don’t know my offence. I was caught while collecting some products. I never knew it was illegal because I didn’t damage anything,” he said.

    A furious Ehimusan queried the rationale behind their arrest.

    “Why should they arrest the poor? Why didn’t they arrest those who brought ship” to buy PMS (petrol)? If not because we had a little misunderstanding with the foreigners on board, we would have left the vicinity. We used what we had to get what we wanted. We gave the foreigners foodstuff in return for petrol. If the food stuff was more than the petrol, we put it on record for adding up on the next sale. That was my second time,” he said.

    Francis Olusegun, 42, also said they bought the products from foreign sailors in exchange for foodstuffs.

    “I repeatedly told the Navy officials that I wasn’t carrying PMS and I was told if they found out it were diesel, I’d be freed. But now, I am still here,” he said.

  • 14 held for tampering with electric poles

    14 held for tampering with electric poles

    Lagos State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded 14 persons, including a 30-year-old man, Yusuf Shittu,  for allegedly tampering with electric poles and bypassing pre-paid metres.

    Shittu, an electrician, who lives at 39, Governor Road in Ikotun, a Lagos suburb, said he was caught on a pole while trying to remove a piece of wire stretched across the road.

    He said: “I wasn’t trying to re-connect power. I only felt it was dangerous, if power was restored. We contributed some money to rent a ladder. But as I climbed the ladder, I was caught. I have never climbed a pole in my life. I only wanted to remove the wire that was stretched across the road. If I am pardoned, I won’t do such a thing again. “

    NSCDC Commandant Gabriel Abafi described the act as economic sabotage, noting that end users of power were fond of re-connecting power after being disconnected for non-payment.

    “They sidetrack the prepaid meters, so that they can have easy access to power. Most of them were caught in the act. We were on surveillance at Isolo, Meiran and Abule Egba with officials of Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC). Everything we do is solely for the progress of Nigerians,” he said.

    Commenting on the development, Pekun Adeyanju, Head, Communication and Strategy, IKEDC, said: “We established a surveillance team with the NSCDC officials because we can’t do it alone. Once you bypass a metre, it means you are consuming power free of charge. The money accrued to the company for us to re-invest by giving more power to anyone is being lost. Residents should stop bypassing their bills.”

  • ‘Fake’ Customs officer nabbed for fraud

    ‘Fake’ Customs officer nabbed for fraud

    A ‘fake’ Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC), Raji Ramoni, has been arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command.

    Other members of his four-man gang are: Thomas Adekunle, 52, Ibrahim Galadima, 39 and Thomas Benz, 50.

    Sources said the suspects were arrested for duping a woman of N800, 000, under the pretence of selling her car on auction.

    She said, when her husband discovered she had fallen into the hands of a four-man fraud syndicate, he reported the care to the police.

    Ramoni, a native of Okene in Kogi State, said the desperation to feed his family led him into the illegal act.

    “I was working in Five Star extile Mill at Isolo, Lagos, between 1984 and 1988. I was sacked by an Indian for fighting him when he asked me why I damaged company machine. I have nine children. I was desperate to get something doing to feed my family,” he said.

    Raji said he used names, such as Shitu Musa and Yakubu Lawal, with the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Customs, depending on the job and the customs office they were going.

    He said: “I have been doing this work for a long time and had been arrested three times. The first was at Abuja, the second was at Zone 2 and this time, SARS Lagos State Police Command. We used brains not guns to collect money from victims. The rank is to enable victims believe us and to get respect from all the law enforcement agents.

    “I joined this syndicate because of how my wife was treating me. I was going about looking for job to take care of my family when I met one Lateef Oshodi now late. He told me to bring N250, 000 so that he will give me $1.2 million. I also gave him money to buy chemical to wash the dollars for me. Before I realised what was happening, I had joined them.

    “I decided to use Customs officer as a decoy because I used to go to Apapa, Ikeja, Idiroko offices of the Customs. I also go to Customs Training School in Ikeja to drink beer and pepper soup with my friends.

    “I bought the uniform and the rank for N5, 000. I first bought three stars (DSC); I have three wives but I sacked two because they were not intelligent and clever to my taste. I have three names and operate with two names and the ranks.”

    Adekunle from Itaido village in Ekiti State said his role was to seek out victims.

    Galadima from Makoro village in Kano said: “I am an artist. I have account in the bank and the gang gave my account number to victims to pay in money. Benz acted as a foreigner based in London or America.

  • Subsidy strike tragedy: Judge threatens to revoke ex-DPO’s bail

    Subsidy strike tragedy: Judge threatens to revoke ex-DPO’s bail

    The January 9, 2012 fuel subsidy  removal crisis, which grounded the country for over a week, echoed yesterday at a Lagos High Court where a dismissed police officer is standing trial for alleged murder.

    Justice Olabisi Akinlade threatened to jail dismmised Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Pen Cinerma Agege, Lagos, Segun Fabunmi, if his lawyer continues to delay proceedings.

    Fabunmi is being tried for the alleged murder of Ademola Daramola at Yahaya Abatan Junction in Ogba, Lagos during the crisis.

    The judge, who had earlier cautioned lawyers against “frivolous” excuses for adjournments, accused the defence counsel, T.J. Odeshola, of taking the court for granted.

    Justice Akinlade’s remark followed the lawyer’s submission he was yet to write his final address.

    She threatened to revoke the DPO’s bail and send him to prison on April 23, if the defence did not submit its final written address.

    “It is because he (Fabunmi) is on bail that is why you are taking the court for granted. If you needed the court proceedings, you would have come for it on time because this matter was adjourned since November 19, and you only came yesterday (Tuesday) when the matter is for today (Wednesday).

    “You are treating this matter with levity, I will send him back to the prison, you are not serious I won’t take it,” Justice Akinlade said.

    Chiding the lawyer for not taking reasonable steps since November to ensure that the final written address was filed and ready for adoption, the judge directed him to inform his senior, George Oguntade (SAN), that she would not accept any excuse when the case resumes on April 23.

    When the matter came up yesterday, Odeshola said: “We are yet to file our written addresses because we were unable to collect the proceedings.”

    Five prosecution witnesses have testified; they all claimed that Fabunmi chased and shot Daramola  dead.

    At the last hearing, Fabunmi, under cross-examination by state counsel, Olabisi Ogungbesan, denied killing Daramola.

    “My Lord, I never shot at anyone and may the soul of Ademola Daramola rest in peace,” he said. Fabunmi admitted that he booked for an AK47 gun on December 23, 2011 with two magazines each containing 30 rounds of ammunition from the Police Armourer.

    “I held an AK47 gun with serial number 526309 and I responded to a distress call at the Yahaya Abatan junction at Ogba.

    “I was accompanied by six or seven junior police officers and when we got there, there was total breakdown of law and order.

    “The protesters held people hostage, smashed car windscreens, harassed passersby and when they sighted our patrol vehicle, they started throwing sticks, knives and molotov cocktails at us.

    “I was the only one armed on that day, I was attacked by the mob which surrounded me and tried collecting my weapon from me.

    “The junior officers who accompanied me ran for their lives and during the struggle with the mob, I heard my gun expel a bullet.

    “I had to go to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to treat the injuries I sustained all over my body during the mob attack,” he stated.

    But his claim of being treated at LUTH was punctured by Ogungbesan, who insisted that doctors were not on duty during the subsidy removal protest.

    “Which doctor treated you? I can put it to you that there were no doctors on duty during the fuel subsidy strike,” she said.

    The defence second witness, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Atthanasius Ohaeri corroborated Fabunmi’s claim that he was attacked by hoodlums.

    “When we got to the Yahaya Abatan junction, the defendant ordered that we should remove the roadblocks set up by the hoodlums.

    “I recollect seeing the defendant being attacked by a mob when we went to remove the blockade.

    “The mob was throwing stones, bottles and planks at the defendant when I heard the gunshot, I took to my heels and I don’t know how the gunshot came about.” Ohaeri said.