The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • ‘Remove politicians’ posters, face the law’

    ‘Remove politicians’ posters, face the law’

    Lagos State Commissioner of Police Kayode Aderanti has warned thugs to desist from removing politicians’ posters and billboards or face the law.

    He gave the warning yesterday while addressing reporters at the Command’s Headquarters at GRA, Ikeja.

    The police chief, who said the ban on campaigns had been lifted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), assured all contestants of a level-playing ground.

    His admonition, he said, followed  complaints to the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) by some candidates over  the removal of their billboards and posters.

    Aderanti said the Electoral Act 2010 as amended is clear in Section 100 (2), which stipulates: “State apparatus including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate of any election.”

    He said he had directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to arrest anybody that attempts to remove the billboards or posters of any candidate.

    The command, he said, would not allow anyone to truncate the forthcoming elections.

  • Workers advised on service delivery

    The Lagos State Government has charged public servants to render qualitative services.

    The Head of Service, Mrs. Josephine Williams, gave the charge yesterday at the 2015 First Working Day Inter-religious Prayer held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, The Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Christian and Muslim clerics led prayers at the event.

    Mrs Williams urged public servants to reflect on what they did in the past in order to improve.

    She said many public servants lacked self-esteem, adding: “Self-esteem will make you do a lot of things right. It will make you to do the wrong thing; so, we need self-esteem to do things right. Self-esteem will make you have the right relationship with others. Don’t think others are better than you are. Enjoy whatever position you find yourself and don’t run yourself down.”

    Mrs Williams stressed the need for public servants to join hands with the government to build a virile and vibrant public service.

    She said the government remained committed to workers’ welfare and would continue to take steps to improve their lots, noting that Lagos is one of the few states in the federation that paid workers promptly.

    Mrs Williams urged the workers to  reciprocate the welfare gesture, pointing out the state‘s has the wherewithal to always deliver.

    “You have to resolve to give your best because the state government is paying your salaries despite all odds. Some states even owe up to six months salaries, but that is not our case; we were have paid your bonus. You need to have the ‘can do it’ spirit. I know we are all vibrant, but our best is yet to come. Let us work together in peace and harmony,” she said.

    Rev. Veras Alawale of the Chapel of the Christ the Light Church, Alausa, advised the workers to improve their attitude to work, adding:

    “You need to dedicate your lives to God more in the New Year. You need God to do better on your job. Always do the right things and seek God`s guidance in all you do through fervent prayers.”

    Imam Babatunde Kassim of the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, Alausa, enjoined public servants to always thank the Almighty Allah and endeavour to seek His guidance and protection in all their endeavours.

    Prayers were also offered for Governor Babatunde Fashola and members of his executive council, the public service, the state and the nation.

    The event witnessed the addition of five new staff buses to the existing fleet.

    Mrs Williams said the buses were part of measures to solve workers’ transportation challenges, urging those in charge to ensure efficient use of the vehicles.

  • Man alleges police cover-up in ear biting case

    Man alleges police cover-up in ear biting case

    A man whose right ear was bitten off by a trader at the Ladipo and parts market in Lagos has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, over attempts to cover up the case.

    Sunday Nwali is alleging that the police are conniving with the trader whose name was simply given as Nzube to kill the case.

    Nwali claimed that Nzube and his friend Samuel attacked him at the market last month.

    The matter was earlier reported at the Area ‘D’ Police Station in Mushin, but the suspects allegedly sent a petition on the matter to the State Criminal investigations Department (SCID) at Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

    Since the petition was sent, the petitioners have not appeared at the SCID, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    In his petition to the Commissioner of Police (SCID), which was copied Aderanti, Nwali said: “I am facing intimidation in the hands of persons who want to deny me justice by claiming that my case has been transferred to SCID, Panti, whereas they wanted to use it to escape justice. Sir, I wish to bring to your knowledge that the persons named Nzube and Samuel (their surnames unknown) can be easily identified and located at the Conference Warehouse, Toyota Area of Ladipo Market. Nzube who bit off my right ear with mouth has been dribbling me with the policemen at Olosan Division and Area ‘D’ in Mushin.

    “They said that my case had been transferred to SCID, yet from December 22 2014, when I went to the SCID with my IPO (Investigating Police Officer) from the Area ‘D’, the suspects had not surfaced up till now. It shows that they want to evade justice by lying and refusing to come to the SCID. I want them to be invited there to explain why they chopped off my right ear without offending them.”

    The Lagos Command spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said both reports would be looked into.

  • Why I became a robber, by suspect

    A member of a three-man gang which specialised in house-to-house robbery in Lagos is claiming to have embraced crime to get money for his mother’s treatment.

    Emeka Edward, 20, said he needed money to settle the woman’s medical bills after she delivered her last child through a Caesarean section.

    He is being held by the police with an other suspect, George David (27).  Their accomplice, simply identified as Kelvin a.k.a Intelligence, is at large.

    The police accused them of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearm.

    According to the police said, last December 5, members of the gang invaded a street in Alaso area on Africa Independent Television (AIT) Road, Alagbado, a Lagos suburb, where they carried out a house-to-house robbery.

    Luck ran out against them following the escape of a woman they met in the first house when one of them attempted to rape her.

    She was said to have raised an alarm which alerted other residents who chased the robber at Alagbado and arrested Emeka. The suspect was handed over to the Police at Alagbado and was later transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    Based on Emeka’s confession, SARS Officer-in-Charge (O-i-C) Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police, last December 11 led detectives to a hideout in Agege where George was arrested. But efforts to get Kelvin failed.

    The detectives ransacked a hotel in Agege where Kelvin was lodging but he was not found. However, they recovered one AK47 magazine with 7.65mm live ammunition.

    In his confession, Emeka said: “I am a bricklayer. I dropped out at Junior Secondary School (JSS) 1 due to financial problem caused by my father’s sudden death. I live at 25, Kadiri Adibambo Street, AIT Area in Alagbado. I live on the same street with my friend, George.

    “My journey into police net started when my mother told me that she was sick and needed money for a surgery while giving birth to her last child. It was my effort to get the money that put me in this trouble.”

    On their mode of operation, he said: “My friend, Alfa called me to visit that area. When I got there, I met him with another guy. They told me that they were going to do one job which would fetch them good money. They told me that the job was house-to-house armed robbery. I joined them because I needed money to help my mother.

    “When we entered one building we met one woman and three of her children. Kelvin who was holding gun ordered them to lay face-down. They started ransacking the house, but George wanted to rape the woman. The woman jumped up and attempted to run away. George held her wrapper and the woman dropped it and ran into the street, shouting “thief, thief, thief,” which attracted residents in the area who trooped out and gave us a hot chase. George and Kelvin escaped. I was identified, arrested by the people and handed over to the police. It was the first time I would participate in robbery”.

    George, who hails from Iseleukwu in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, said: “I used to ride tricycle (Keke Marwa) from Kola to Alaso in the Alagbado area. I am from the same village with Kelvin, who claims to be a student of Ogun State University. He said he wanted to travel to South Africa and showed me his visa. I sold my tricycle I bought for N600,000 for N80,000 to assist him on the planned trip.

    “He had been robbing and police had been looking for him. I also sold my TV and Ipad to help him. I knew Emeka and I used to buy sachets of Chelsea drink for him. I was the one who invited him to join us in the robbery.

    “Kelvin used the butt of his gun to hit one of the boy’s head because they were not cooperating. I did not want to rape the woman. I held the woman when she wanted to run away and she intentionally removed her wrapper to enable her escape from my grip.”

    The command’s spokesman, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ken Nwosu, confirmed the case, saying: “Two of the suspects were arrested and they have already confessed to some robberies in Lagos and its environs. The third gang member simply identified as Kelvin a.k.a Intelligence is on the run but serious efforts are ongoing to apprehend him and charge them to court.”

  • Muslim group preaches peace, fairness

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cautioned the presidency, the ruling party, opposition and security agencies in the country on the need to observe decorum and strictly adhere to the principles of democracy.

    According to MURIC, these are the only ways to avoid throwing Nigeria into chaos before, during and after the 2015 general elections.

    A statement signed by its director, Prof Ishaq Akintola, reminded the police that they belong to the Nigerian people and not to any political party.

    “We frown at the ugly incidents of the past in which the police stood akimbo as hooligans attacked members of the opposition, and acts of connivance in which policemen protected members of the ruling party as they committed acts of impunity. The only way the Nigerian Police can build confidence in the people is not only by remaining neutral but by being seen to be transparently impartial,” he said.

    Akintola warned the police and other security agencies not to toy with the idea of arresting or detaining members of the opposition on flimsy excuses and trumped-up charges.

    “That is the road to perdition, dictatorship and totalitarianism. It must never happen again. Nigerians are restless at the moment and the whole country can be likened to the hen which perches on a rope: neither the rope nor the hen can be stable. It was the intimidation of the opposition members by law enforcement agencies which brought down the First and Second Republics,” he warned.

    Akintola also cautioned members of the opposition to remember that Nigerians have no other country. “What matters is our dear country, Nigeria. Efforts aimed at securing change of leadership and political control must therefore be made with due regard for maintaining peaceful coexistence, law and order. The opposition should refrain from character assassination or do-or-die politics. Nigerians cannot be fooled by those who build castles in the air. The opposition will be held accountable for promises made to Nigerians,” he stated.

    The group urged the Nigerian Army to stay out of politics, saying that is the only way to retain its integrity.

    Politicking, he said, is unprofessional for any military institution and the Nigerian Army should not be portrayed as the military wing of the ruling party.

    In addition, involvement of the Nigerian military will be an unnecessary and debilitating distraction in the war against insurgents, he said.

  • We aren’t compatible, man tells court

    A 42-year-old man, Suraju Shorinmade, has prayed the Customary Court at Alagbado, Lagos, to dissolve his four-year-old marriage.

    He is alleging that his wife, Mariam, is diabolical and troublesome.

    Shorinmade said: “My wife and I often quarrel. The painful thing is that she doesn’t react immediately until after three days. I once saw tira in her purse with my name boldly written on it. She claimed that she collected it from her alfa for protection. I lost my tooth to an iron rod when my wife’s younger brother was trying to defend her during our last fight. Since she left home, she has never asked after our children. We are not compatible; I want a separation.”

    Mariam, 31, is not contesting the case. She told the court: “Even before we married, we had always argued over unnecessary issues. Whenever I refused to sleep with him, he beats me up mercilessly. When I asked my husband if I wasn’t beautiful enough, he slapped me. He prefers to sleep in his younger wife’s house.

    “My brother didn’t use a rod on him. He hit his mouth against a slab. Suraju is too violent. I have scars all over my body. Since he took our children to spend the weekend, he hasn’t brought them back. I also don’t want him but I can’t leave my children with him because they are still young.”

    The marriage was sealed under Native and Customary Law and has produced two children.

    The court’s president, Mr. Olubode Sekoni, ordered the parties to maintain peace and obey the law. He adjourned the case till January 29 for further hearing.

  • Printer dies in Lagos

    Printer dies in Lagos

    As a printer, he had three plans for 2015 – to lift his business; develop his land and reward his clients.

    But four days before 2014 ended, the Odogbolu, Ogun State – born Nojeem Adeleke Osiyemi died.

    In his early 40s, he was hale and hearty when he drove a few friends in his car to celebrate with his wife in the Coker area of Mushin where an end-of-the-year carnival was being held by some youths.

    “For him (Leke), it was fun all through at the carnival, being a very jovial and friendly person. He shared jokes and took some drinks with friends. Nothing suggested he was not alright,” said a source.

    As night crept in, Leke as he was fondly called, was said to have complained of “some strange complications” in his stomach, following which friends suggested that he returned home to take care of himself.

    The source explained: “When his condition grew worse, he picked his car key and made to drive home; surprisingly, the engine did not start. He had to quickly pick a commercial bike that took him away.”

    He reportedly headed for a private clinic owned by his friend where doctors and nurses battled to save his life. But he died shortly after 12 am on December 27.

    The news of his death spread across Ilupeju/Palmgrove where the late Leke was well known.

    Early on December 27, sympathisers gathered at Iseyin/Tawose Streets where he had his shop and his Shyllon street home.  They expressed shock at his sudden death, asking why such a friendly man would just die just like that.

    He has since been buried in his Odogbolu home. His Shyllon street home has since been locked.

    A neighbour, who is fondly called Pressy, said: “Leke’s death has further convinced me that this life is vain. The holy books are not wrong to have branded it vanity. How could such a promising man (Leke) just die like that? He was convivial, ever-smiling and respectful. He would willingly invite friends to have fun with him when the need arose. We shall all miss him.”

  • ‘Mad’ woman seeks reunion with family’

    ‘Mad’ woman seeks reunion with family’

    mentally challenged woman who identified herself as Blessing Okeke has expressed her wish to be reunited with her family.

    Speaking fluent English, Blessing (27), who claims to be from Orlu in Imo State, stays on Medical Road, Ikeja, in the day time.

    She said she attended a secondary school in Lagos where her parents still live.

    Her words: “I was born in Lagos and my father and mother are also living in Lagos. My father bears Okeke and mum, Abigael.

    On what she was doing at the spot, Blessing said: “I am just sitting down. I am just resting”, adding that she knew where the parents were staying and would be going to see them soon.”

    She asked this reporter for the day’s date and after being told, she declined to explain what she needed it for.

    “No reason. I just want to know now. I am not planning any marriage. I have a son and no husband”, she said, when asked why she demanded the date.

    Findings revealed that the woman, who sits close to a bank on, had been on that road for about four months despite her obvious mental challenge.

    A male trader said Blessing does not beg for money nor harass anyone, adding: “She would stroll down every morning and sit down. It will be good if someone can assist her. She is relatively young.”

  • Why we must be grateful, by Ambode

    Why we must be grateful, by Ambode

    LAGOS STATE Action Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Mr. Akinwumi Ambode has urged Muslims to pray for the peace, progress and continued unity of the country.

    Ambode said the commemoration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad, which is today, should be an occasion for remembering Nigeria in prayers, ahead of next month’s election.

    In a statement by his Director of Media and Communications, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the former Accountant General of Lagos State said: “The Prophet’s special day, coming just after the momentous occasion of the New Year celebration, is an opportunity for every Muslim brother and sister, and indeed all Nigerians, to rededicate themselves to the virtues of charity, selflessness, fairness and good neighbourliness that holy Prophet Muhammad represents.

     “As we successfully welcomed the New Year and are preparing for violence-free and credible elections, the occasion of Eid-el-Maulud calls for good wishes, belief and commitment to the safety, security and survival of our country and every citizen.”

    Yesterday, he spent time at three charity homes in Lagos with his running mate and secretary in the State Government (SSG) Dr Oluranti Idiat Adebule.

    Ambode visited and donated gifts to the SOS Children’s Village in Isolo; the Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice in Surulere and the Modupe Cole Memorial in Akoka.

    He said he decided to start the New Year with the visit because “they(less-privileged) remind us of why we need to be grateful to our Creator at all times and are the reason why no one should ever be tired of giving.”

    In his New Year message to the people of Lagos State, Ambode said: “Fellow Lagosians, I join you in your prayers for yourselves and your loved ones for this New Year and beyond. I believe that we have said thank you to God for bringing us to this New Year and we have prayed for success, good health, peace and divine guidance.

    “I have also prayed to God, and I trust that all our collective prayers and our great hopes for Lagos shall continue to be fulfilled. Our belief in a greater, better Lagos shall never be dashed and 2015 shall for us be a year of hope renewed. Together we shall keep the faith always.”

  • 2015: Year of change Nigerians desire, says Ashafa

    2015: Year of change Nigerians desire, says Ashafa

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa has described 2015 as a year of the change that Nigerians have been yearning for.

    Speaking when he donated some medical items to the Ikorodu General Hospital on Wednesday, Ashafa said 2015 holds a lot of promises to Nigerians and their country.

     He said despite the challenge of 2014, Nigerians remained steadfast.

    Ashafa, who represents Lagos East Senatorial District, said: “Of course, we faced some problems and serious trials in 2014, including atrocious terrorist attacks and natural disasters but we have managed to remain steadfast. This steadfastness has become a reminder of how close we all are.

    “The year 2015 holds a lot of promises for everyone – and collectively as a nation, we must ensure the fulfilment of those promises. Most importantly, the promise of change that will be effected when the general elections hold in the next two months.

    “2015 is indeed a set time. One that cannot be stopped. The wish for change has been reflected in the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians who have watched their dear country wallow for too long in the cesspool of pity amongst the comity of nations. “ He said

    While lauding Ashafa’s gesture, the Medical Director/ CEO , Dr Mobolaji Olukoya, said it was good and timely.

    “Just three days ago the lawmaker visited us in company of his friend and promised us that he would donate some items which he did today and also promised to donate a utility bus next year. We are very pleased with these items, May God Almighty grant him his heart’s desires as well,” he said.