The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Our expectations of govt, by Lagosians

    Some residents of Lagos yesterday listed their expectations of government at all levels in 2015.

    In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, they said political office holders should endeavour to restore hope to the masses.

    Mr Gift Wejem, a furniture dealer, urged government to raise Nigerians hope by reducing poverty.

    “Government should give us hope and create employment for the teeming youths who roam the streets without jobs,’’ Wejem said.

    He decried the influx of substandard materials into the country, stressing that their proliferation had affected the indigenous products markets and deprived many of their jobs.

    Wejem said he looked forward to a brighter 2015.

    Dr Nkechi Asogwa, a medical practitioner, called on government to make health care delivery more accessible.

    “Government at the local, state and federal levels should give attention to health issues,’’ she said.

    Asogwa urged the government to curb the deaths to communicable and non-communicable diseases.

    She called for improvement in the public health sector, noting that many Nigerians do not have the means pay for expensive health care in private hospitals.

    Mr Deji Makinde, an Insurance Marketer, said government should intensify its fight against terrorism to restore peace and security to the North east.

    Makinde expressed sadness over the killing of many Nigerians by insurgents.

    Mr Godwin Ayigbo, a Pastor, said government’s attention should be centered on how to restore peace and end senseless killings in the country.

    “I think government’s focus should be on restoration of peace and unity.

    “All other development is subsumed in an atmosphere of peace,’’ Ayigbo said.

     Lagos roads were free of traffic yesterday, motorists moved unhindered around the city.

    NAN reports that the LAGBUS Assets Management Company, operators of Lagos Metropolitan buses, also offered free rides to commuters for the New Year day.

    Some of the commuters, who spoke to NAN, praised the Lagos State government for providing the buses, but said that the inadequate number of buses led to over-crowding.

    One of them, Mr Austin Ibe, a final year student of the Lagos State University (LASU), told NAN: “The free ride is a good development; the only problem is that the buses are few.

    “We had to wait on the queue for a long time before a bus came. I am not sure that there are enough buses on the roads today.’’

    Ibe, who boarded the LAGBUS from Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos to Stadium Bus Stop in Surulere, said such a development was not unexpected whenever a service was rendered free.

    Another beneficiary, Mrs Taibat Alabi, a trader, who boarded the bus from Oshodi to Obalende, lauded the government for its gesture on such a festive day.

    “If not for the free ride, the ‘Danfo’ (commercial) buses will seize the opportunity of the season to exploit us,’’ she said.

    Miss Titilayo Kehinde, a Teacher, who enjoyed a free ride from Iyana-Ipaja to Oshodi, said: “Besides the fact that the buses are few, many of the drivers put up unfriendly attitudes because it is not paid for.

    “For instance, this one failed to reach the last bus stop before the driver asked all the passengers to disembark.’’

    Kehinde said there was a need for improvement in the service, regardless of whether the service was free or not.

  • I want my wife back, man tells court

    A 35-year-old man, Abdulwaheed Ajao, has prayed the Customary Court in Alagbado, Lagos, to reconcile him with his estranged wife, Ramota.

    Ajao told the court that he made a mistake by taking Ramota to her mother when they had problems.

    He said: “Three years after we got married, her attitude changed. I took her to her mother’s house after I saw a video on her phone where she was telling her pastor how she was asked to poison my food. It’s been 10months since we saw each other. I still want her, I still crave our marriage.”

    But, Ramota, 36, wants the marriage dissolved. She said: “What he said is true but I don’t want the marriage anymore. My husband is heartless and loveless. When he knew my relations were against our marriage,he ordered I shouldn’t visit them anymore and he relocated us to another state. At times, he leaves the house for weeks without giving me monthly allowance. I never knew he was married. I never complained I wasn’t capable of catering for our first child’s needs. He was only four years old when my husband took him to his wife who lives in Lagos. Shortly after, I received a message that our son fell from a storey building at school. My son was almost lifeless when I saw him. He had scars all over his body. Sadly, he gave up when we got to an hospital.

    “When I asked my husband why our son had scars on his body, he said he was disciplined each time he refused to use his medication. I was sad. After our son’s death, I still went back to my husband but the suffering continued. If we had any argument, he sold our properties. He beats me mercilessly to the extent of sending me away for a month before he calls me back. I have learnt my mistakes. Had I known, I would have listened to my relations. I am always scared to walk on the street because I feel he is after me. I want our marriage dissolved because I yearn for freedom.”

    The six-year-old marriage was contracted under Native and Customary Law.

    The court’s President, Mr. Olubode Sekoni, fixed a chambers interview and adjourned the matter till January 22 for further hearing.

  • NASFAT trains 80

    AN Islamic group, Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT) has trained over 80 of its members on some tenets of Islam.

    It was at the 2014 yearly ‘Train the Trainers’ Dawah Training Course.

    The four-day programme, which took place at Homat College in Igbogbo near Ikorodu, Lagos from December 24 to 29, provided focused on three basic areas of propagation of Islam.

    The event, which was graced by top NASFAT officials and scholars from Islamic Education Trust (IET) in Minna, Niger State drew participants from  NASFAT branches nationwide.

    It was organised by Women’s wing of NASFAT and the Mission Board, in collaboration with IET, Dawah Institute of Nigeria, Minna.

    Speaking during the formal opening, the National Women Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Samiat Mumuni reiterated that the training was particularly targeted at women for greater impact on their children.

    She said the women spend a great deal of time with children and the need to train them to be able to infuse proper Islamic teachings in the children has become imperative.

    NASFAT President and former Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Alhaji Kamil Bolarinwa urged the women’s wing to expand the training beyond educated women by also designing similar training for women in market places and Youths

    “This is very important because these less-educated women meet a larger number of people, who come to challenge them on their religion on daily basis. So empowering them with necessary knowledge that can keep them steadfast in their religion is very key,” he said.

    Bolarinwa urged the organisers to leverage the advantage of the world that has become a global village to always broadcast their programmes online on various social media.

    The immediate past National Women Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade enjoined other Islamic Organisations “to design programme to train Muslims to know more about their religion and empower them to be able to remain strong in faith”.

  • Runaway kidnap kingpin arrested

    Runaway kidnap kingpin arrested

    A suspected kidnap kingpin, who allegedly spearheaded the abduction of Durodola Muwalu, the Managing Director of Dam Jay Hotel in Ikorodu,  Lagos, has been arrested by operatives of the Lagos State special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    Oni Adekoya a.k.a Big Fish’s  arrest is coming on the heels of the earlier arrest of his colleagues, : Ikuomola Felix (37), Gbenga Popoola, Akinbi Adebayo (40) and Azeez Olowu (38).

    The hotel manager had been erroneously kidnapped at Itoiki and held hostage for 12 days before his rescue by the police.

    The kidnappers used the victim’s phone to invite his wife and relations to bring N20,000 phone credit to facilitate their discussion on the ransom. They initially demanded N60 million but, eventually settled for N3 million. They were arrested while trying to collect the ransom.

  • Tricyclists sue Lagos police chief over detention

    Commercial tricyclists have sued the Lagos State Commissioner of Police in Lagos at the Federal High Court over the detention of two of their colleagues without charge.

    They are seeking a declaration that the detention of Semiu Alabi and Mumuni Abolaji at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti since December 19 constitutes a violation of their fundamental rights.

    They are also seeking an order mandating the respondents, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), and the investigating police officer, Inspector Ojugbele Bola, to release them forthwith. The plaintiffs want N10million as aggravated damages for their emotional stress and psychological trauma.

    The applicants said their arrest Branch followed a disagreement over the control of Roundabout New Road park at Ajeromi, Lagos.

    According to them, the Keke Owners Association of Nigeria (KOAN) Ajeromi Ifelodun branch leadership asked Chairman Ganiu Dauda to leave the park for Alabi and Abolaji. Following Dauda’s alleged refusal to comply, the applicants lodged a complaint with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

    “The fourth respondent (Dauda) having sensed that the park is likely to be returned to the applicants, decided to use members of the police force to harass, intimidate and molest, the applicants,” they said in a supporting affidavit.

    They said they were accused of attacking Dauda, which according to them, was an excuse to detain them for fear of losing the park to them.

    The applicants said they fear they could be eliminated in detention, praying the court to order their release.

    Justice Mohammed Yunusa fixed January 5 for the hearing of the application.

  • Five held over lawyer’s death

    Five held over lawyer’s death

    THE Police have arrested five persons over the death of Mrs Ola Adeola, a lawyer and insurance broker.

    The woman, according to the police, was found dead in her apartment at Oniru Private Estate in Lagos last December 15.

    The suspects include her driver, Asokwa Uche; a cook, Alex Julius; a security guard, Jimoh Ibrahim, and another security man simply identified as Joseph and an agent Olutola. Charles, the second cook, is at large.

    Their arrest followed a directive by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) State Investigation Department (SCID), Mr. Olugbenga Adeyanju.

    They were arrested on the theory that being close aides of the deceased, they must be aware of the circumstances of her death.

    The suspects are claiming not to know how Mrs Adeola was killed.

    Julius, the cook, said: “Mrs. Adeola was like a mother to me. I swear; I did not plan the death of the woman. I know nothing about her death. Police arrested me and said ‘this is the kitchen knife used to kill the woman’. We are five in custody now. We met her lying face-down and dead in the parlour.

    “Three of us – myself, agent and security man – went to Maroko Police Station to report the incident. They gave us two policemen and a photographer. Getting to the house, the sisters and family members were already there. They went inside, did their investigation and took us back to the police station. They detained us and transferred us to SCID, Panti on Tuesday.

    “When we got to the sitting room, Charles who is still at large, Uche and I saw her dead. When I resumed work at the woman’s place, I noticed that everywhere was dark whereas there was always light in the house; I mean the boys’ quarters where we live. I called the agent to inform him of what I noticed and he asked me to see the security men so that they would accompany me to the main building. Rather than follow me, they told me that something happened.

    “They said even the family of the driver did not see him throughout that Saturday. The following day, they told the relatives of the driver that they saw him unconscious on the floor with blood stains on his shirt and body, including wounds on his forehead and chest. They picked and rushed him to the hospital. I called the agent who promised to call in the morning.

    “In the morning, we met at Sanfe bus stop and went together to the gate of the estate. The security men did not allow us in; rather, one of them said he must follow us inside. Getting to the woman’s house, I opened the kitchen door and we went in. Opening the door to the dining table, we met the woman lying face-down, dead. The agent and I then went to report the matter at the Maroko Police Station.

    “I went off-duty on Saturday. At about 8am, I was working at Ikate at Lekki bus stop. I closed there with my younger brother in the evening. I went home on Sunday morning. We resumed at 8.30am and closed by 8pm and my brother went home. I was not in the woman’s compound when the incident happened.”

  • ‘My husband bribes me with N500 for sex’

    A trader, Laide Adeegbe, has prayed the Alagbado Customary Court, in Lagos, to dissolve her 22-year-old marriage.

    She wants to divorce her husband, Monsuru because of cruelty and disrespect.

    She said: “Among his wives, I have been the only one who has stood by him all these years. I am his fourth wife, but I have never enjoyed him. I was advised not to sleep with my husband if I wanted his right leg to heal because it discharges some smelly pus but he wouldn’t listen. The worst part is that, each time my husband and I have misunderstanding, his elder brother beats me. I have scars all over my body. I can’t remember the last time he gave me monthly allowance but he prefers to bribe me with N500 each time he wants to sleep with me. I left home because I couldn’t put up with his attitude anymore. I now sleep in my shop and I am comfortable. I just want our marriage dissolved. “

    Monsuru, 55, is not ready to let her go. He told the court: “We have been living happILy. The problem starts whenever I am broke. I had to learn how to rear fowl just to feed our children. In order to support my wife’s business, I borrowed some money from my younger brother. When I asked my wife why she usually came late, she lied that she worked with a soap manufacturing company but I was pained when I knew she sells alcoholic drink.

    “Why would my brother beat my wife? I will beat any man who beats my wife. I don’t want this marriage dissolved. I love my wife; she assists me.”

    The marriage was sealed under the Native and Customary Law has produced it three children.

    The Court’s president, Mr. Olubode Sekoni, ordered the parties to be peaceful. The case was adjourned till January 15 for further hearing.

     

  • Lagos Task Force reclaims N2bn ‘seized’ estate

    Officials of the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit yesterday reclaimed a N2billion Estate allegedly seized by suspected land grabbers in Gbagada.

    Led by their Chairman, Bayo Sulaiman, a Chief Superintendent of Police, the officials got to the estate around 10am and took over the property. Suspected thugs fled on sighting them.

    The Estate was built by Stardust Estate Limited after buying the property from the Lagos State Government in 2007 with over N1.5 billion loan.

    The suspected land grabbers said to be working for a popular Lagos family seized the property from the developer claiming that the place belong to the family.

    A Lagos High Court had restrained the Oloto Family from encroaching on the land but the family ignored the judgment to sack the developer.

    Task Force Sulaiman said Stardust legally acquired the property, which is about 27 plots from the government to build an estate. The firm has certificate of occupancy (C of O) for the property, he said.

    He said a survey by the Surveyor-General Office showed that the land does not belong to the Oloto family, adding that the Attorney-General, through the Solicitor-General had written to the Oloto family to stay away from the land. But the family, he said, refused and took over possession of the already built estate and started selling the houses on it.

    Sulaiman said the family waited for the company to develop the estate before taking it and putting it up for sale. Those who had bought 4-bedroom duplex were chased out of their apartment.

    Vehicles belonging to the family found on the land were towed away by the task Force; some people were arrested over the issue.

    Dr. Akin Akinmokun, Partner, Stardust Estate Limited lamented that the bank was already harassing the company to pay back the loan. The company, he said, lost about N2 billion because of the land grabbers activities.

    According to him, the company legally acquired the land from the government in 2007 and also obtained the C of O.

    Investigation revealed that after taking over the estate, the family began to sell the houses therein through Westgate Properties on Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos the company’s signboard on the estate’s wall.

    A representative of the family, Adeola Egbeyemi, 60, refused to speak to newsmen at the estate. She was arrested by the task Force and taken to its Alausa, Ikeja head office, where she made a statement.

    In her statement, Egbeyemi insisted that the land belongs to the family, adding that there are plans to build a Millennium Estate on it.

  • Council chief: we ‘ve improved facilities

    The Administrative Head of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Mrs. Babatunde Kehinde, has spoken of her strides in office in the last two months.

    She told reporters in her office that there has been an improvement in education, health, the environment and roads since she became council manager on October 28 following the chairman’s exit.

    Governor Babatunde Fashola, she said, directed that council managers should ensure that people at the grassroots enjoyed dividends of democracy.

    The directive, she added, informed her council’s decision to provide 400 desks and benches for pupils of Oladele Alake Public Primary School.

    Mrs. Babatunde said the pupils and teachers were happy when the furniture were given to them.

    She said with the provision of the furniture, the 209 pupils would now study in convenience.

    The council chief said drugs worth N1.8 million were given to six public primary health centres last month adding that the council also participated in the Lagos State Wellness Health programme, during which residents were offered free hypertension and diabetes test.

  • ‘I always have bad dream after sex with my husband’

    The day my mother-in-law took our first child out to relieve me of the stress of our new baby, that was the day our daughter became deaf. When we visited several churches, they asked after my husband and his mother. If I really knew my husband, I wouldn’t have accepted his marriage proposal. “

    These were the words of a middle-age trader, Shola Abdullah, as she sought the dissolution of her eight-year-old marriage to Lanre, at the Alagbado Customary Court in Lagos.

    She alleged that her husband was fond of beating her.

    Mrs Abdullah said: “My husband and I are strangers in our home. We have never had a cheerful moment. Whenever I talk, he would rain curses on me. He accuses me of adultery. I don’t know his plans for me because I am treated as a slave. His attitude is weird. Whenever he sleeps with me, I always see myself vomiting a gecko in my dream. Strangely, I always wake up with a swollen stomach. He once took me home during a church service only to sleep with me and later dropped me off at the church. It’s been a month since I left home. Am not missing anything because we don’t relate well.”

    The marriage, which was contracted under Native and Customary Law, is blessed with three children.

    But her husband is insisting on the marriage. Abdullah told the court: “My mother didn’t do anything to our first child. We were told our first child had measles which made her deaf. I have had to buy a hearing aid worth thousands of Naira. My wife has never supported me. I opened two shops for her but she couldn’t maintain it. Whenever there is an argument, she leaves the house leaving me with our children. I have never sent her away. I want her back. I have never accused her of adultery.

    “The court’s President, Mr. Olubode Sekoni, ordered Abdullah to write an undertaken never to maltreat his wife again.

    He adjourned the case till January 22.