The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Forum seeks tougher penalty for rapists

    At a one-day stakeholders summit on Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill in Enugu on Tuesday, participants have advocated a jail term without option of fine for convicted rapists in the State.

    This was part of the resolutions of the summit organised by the Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Enugu.

    The NGO stressed that the call was necessary to serve as deterrent to others against the increased cases of rape and domestic violence.

    The summit also resolved that keeping such rapists behind bars would not only deter others from perpetrating the act, but would reform the offenders after serving their term.

    “Paying fine may not make the rapists to suffer any physical or psychological pain,” the summit stated.

    It also called for the review of the Evidence Act on rape cases, saying that it was ambiguous, stringent and cumbersome and made the proof of evidence difficult.

    “A situation where the law says that the victim should provide a third party evidence to prove a rape case is difficult.

    “This explains why most of the rapists go free for want of evidence,’’ the summit said.

    It also called on the government and other non-governmental organisations to fund an agency that would prosecute rape cases and violence against persons.

    It said this would reduce the incidences of settlement out of court or victims refusing to prosecute the case for fear of stigmatisation.

    In her remarks, Dr Joy Ezeilo, the Executive Director of WACOL, called for sustainable collaboration among stakeholders in the fight against all forms of violence in the society.

    Ezeilo said WACOL recorded 160 cases of rape in six months in Enugu State, urging victims of rape or violence, their relations or friend to speak out to expose the perpetrators.

    She said that a register of those convicted of rape would soon be opened in the state as obtainable in developed societies.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the summit themed: “In Search of Effective Remedies for Victims and Survivors of Violence against Persons”, had security agencies, the media, civil society groups and other stakeholders in the prevention of violence in attendance.

    It was organised in collaboration with the Legislative Advocacy Coalition for Violence against Women under the Voices for Change Project.

  • Four ‘traffickers’ held with N374m drugs

    Four ‘traffickers’ held with N374m drugs

    •NDLEA backs law’s review for stiffer penalties

    Four suspected drug traffickers – a mother of seven and three men – have been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

    The drugs weighing 41.625 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of over N374,625,000 comprise 36.675 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and 4.95 kilogrammes of cocaine.

    The substances were concealed in security lamps, silicon sealants, foodstuff and luggage.

    Lagos Airport Commander, NDLEA , Hamza Umar said Obi John Chukwuenyem (48) was caught with 21.695 kilogrammes of methamphetamine hidden inside his bag; Gilbert Kelvin (37) with 9.980 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed inside solar security lamps; Deborah Ifeoma (40) with five kilogrammes of methamphetamine packed inside foodstuff and Okafor Michael (44), with 4.95 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden inside silicon sealants.

    Umar said Okafor was coming from Sao Paulo in Brazil; the others were trying to smuggle methamphetamine to South Africa where they reside.

    Obi, who lives in South Africa with his three children, said he was lured into drug trafficking on his birthday. “I struggle to feed my family by selling foodstuff. Now, the business is near-moribund. A friend met me on my birthday and introduced me into drug trafficking. He promised to pay me 15,000 South Africa rand. My children are out of school because of my inability to pay tuition fee. This is the first time I would deal in drugs and I regret everything. I pray to be out of this problem” he said.

    Gilbert, who also lives in South Africa where he imports and exports phones and clothes, said he has five children from three women, adding: “My business is grounded and I now live from hand to mouth. My South African friend for over ten years gave me solar lamps where the drug was found. He used to assist me financially and he also promised to pay my children’s school fees.”

    Deborah, who lives in South Africa with her family, said: “I take care of my seven children from selling foodstuffs. I came to Nigeria to buy foodstuffs like melon, vegetables and other local spices. I approached a man in South Africa for financial assistance to enable me expand my business. He called me that somebody would give me some food items for him. When I got to the airport, NDLEA officers detected methamphetamine in the package given to me by the man. This was how I found myself in this situation”.

    Meanwhile, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade has endorsed  plans to amend the NDLEA Act for stiffer penalties and easier forfeiture of illegal drug proceeds.

    The proposed review is part of efforts to reposition the NDLEA for enhanced performance and greater productivity.

    The planned for amendment is expected to cover penalty for offences and asset forfeiture.

    Giade said: “The focus of the NDLEA is a positive change towards an intelligence-led counter narcotics agency. In line with this paradigm shift, we are putting in place processes and mechanisms to propel operational efficiency.”

    He reiterated his call for more support in the agency’s fight against illicit drugs.

  • ‘Allegation of arms importation through Seme untrue’

    Licenced agents at Seme have denied reports of illegal importation of arms and ammunition through the border.

    They urged security agencies to investigate the alarm raised by the Director-General of the National Task Force on Illegal Importation of Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons (NATFORCE), Mr Osita Okereke, over illegal arms importation through the border.

    A licenced agent based at the border, Chief Sam Madubuike (Oji Ofor), the Managing Director, Sam Express Cargoes Limited, said the allegations were baseless.

    Speaking with reporters at his Agbara, Ogun State country home, Madubuike said stakeholders would not rest until the matter is investigated.

    “At Seme here, there are over 10 security agencies that partake in the physical examination of every truck coming into Nigeria from Cotonou, the Republic of Benin. Even before the trucks come in, they are transloaded from containers into trucks from their seaports enroute Seme Border. When they now arrive Seme Border, the consignments are again transloaded from Benin trucks into Nigerian trucks in the open at the Atlas Park.

    “The trucks then pass through the fixed scanner before coming to the physical examination bay at Ashipa where all security agencies partake in the physical examinations before the trucks are certified to leave,” he said.

    He said if indeed the taskforce had been monitoring the suspected 10 trucks of ammunition for three months without alerting the Department of State Security (DSS), the police or other security agencies, it should be called to account for the trucks’ whereabouts.

    “You don’t call a dog a bad name in order to hang it. About three months ago, the task force members approached the stakeholders assembly asking us to be paying N10,000 per truck, in form of plea, a demand we turned down.

    “Suddenly, they mounted an illegal checkpoint, initially near Ministry of Works before they moved to their new base at Chef Gardens near Gwaji, Badagry, where they now park trailers, demanding N10,000 from each of them or their tyres are deflated until the owner pays.

    “They even rented policemen from border patrol units to guard them, claiming that they were empowered by the Presidency. If trained personnel cannot detect as many as 10 trucks alleged to be carrying arms and ammunition into Nigeria, is it those that have no gadgets and formal training that will detect it?” He asked.

  • Our homes were illegally demolished, residents claim

    •Govt’s intervention sought on police action

    Scores of residents from Badagry, Lagos State, yesterday stormed the Governor’s Office at Alausa, Ikeja, over the alleged failure to intervene in the alleged demolition of their houses by the police.

    Their chairman, Charles Adu recalled that in January, the residents of Atiporome, Araromi Ale and Muwo Phase II protested at the Lagos State House of Assembly over the alleged illegal  demolition of their houses.

    He said Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji promised the residents that the Commissioner of Police would be summoned to ensure that they got justice.

    The protesters, who barricaded the main entrance of the governor’s office because no government official came out to address them, vowed to remain there until their demands were addressed.

    Their letter reads: “On January 10, 2014, while addressing the three communities, Honourable Adeyemi Ikuforiji promised to summon the Lagos State Commissioner of Police with a view to finding out why the illegal demolition was carried out.

    “We are disappointed that over eleven months after our visit, we are yet to hear from the House nor from any other government official, including the governor to tell us why our hard-earned resources channelled into providing ourselves and our children shelter should be illegally demolished while the matter is still a subject of litigation at the Badagry High Court.

    “We view this posture of the Lagos State Government as a total abdication of its oath of office to make laws for the protection of lives and property of all Lagosians in any event.”

    The residents explained that the land allotted to the Police is in  Agemowo\ Agelado, another community.

    They lamented that majority of the residents were now living under trees, in churches, mosques and motor parks, adding that they were facing hardships, while some of them who could not bear the tough situation  had died.

    While calling on the government to come to their aid, the residents appealed to Governor Babatunde Fashola to set up a panel to investigate why the police left their allotted land for theirs.

    The police action, they claimed, breached the law.

     

  • Yuletide: Prices of clothes, foodstuffs soar in Makurdi

    Yuletide: Prices of clothes, foodstuffs soar in Makurdi

    Ahead of the yuletide celebrations, prices of clothes and food commodities in most markets and sales outlets in Makurdi, Benue state capital are already on the increase.

    A survey of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi showed that the prices of baby wears and ladies shoes went up by at least 30 percent compared to their previous prices same time last year.

    The investigations also showed that fresh tomatoes, cooking oil, rice and tubers were affected by the price increase.

    A pair of baby shoes, which sold for N2,000 same time last year, has now gone up to N3,000, while a girl’s gown which previously sold for N3000 went up to N5000.

    A basket of tomatoes at the Makurdi modern market, sold for N1, 200 has increased to N1, 700, while the price of rice ranged between N10, 000 and N10, 300.

    Similarly, a basket of pepper which sold for N550 increased to about N600 and N630 while a basket of onions previously sold for N500 went up to N600.

    The survey also showed that a bag of oranges increased from N3, 000 to N4, 000, while beauty products also had marginal increment of N500 on them.

    A cross section of the traders told NAN that several factors were responsible for the price increases.

    Mr. Duben Onyia, a dealer in children wears attributed the price increase to bad roads, insecurity and increase in the demand on the products.

    “The roads are worsening by the day and insecurity and scarcity contributes.

    “Civil servants used their November salaries to shop for kids for the yuletide, which also makes the prices to soar.

    However, Mrs. Stella Ordue, a member of Market Women Association, Makurdi complained of low patronage, blaming the situation on non circulation of money due to politics.

    Another trader, Terna kartyo, said bad roads and the hike of the transportation of goods to the markets were reasons for the increase in prices.

    At the Railway Market, there was relative stability in prices of commodities but traders generally complained of low sales

    Mrs. Patricia Tsegba, a dealer in frozen foods, attributed the poor sales to the state of the economy, especially the insecurity and power supply.

    “Insecurity and power supply are major issue in the country.

    “Even though we have not increased prices, patronage is still very low, a carton of frozen chicken still sells between N7,5 000 and N8, 500.”

    Mrs. Sesugh Ater, who sells cassava flour and dry seeds, also complained of poor sales.

    A meat seller, Idris Hassan, attributed the hike in prices of food items to transportation problems.

    Mrs. Msuur Tyough, a hair dresser said, it had been observed that ladies now make expensive and long lasting hair to avoid the last minute rush.

    “At the beginning of each first day of December, prices of hairstyles usually go up, such as braids, fixing of Kinkin and other weav-ons,” she said.

    “I fix kinkin (dreadlocks) for N1500 ordinary period but now it’s between N2500 and N3000 “.

    The survey also showed that the prices of home decorations and kitchen utensils remained unchanged.

    Meanwhile, a consumer, Mrs. Erdoo Iber, has appealed to the state government, to re-introduce the price control system, to regulate prices, especially during festive seasons.

  • Manko to new officers: fight crime

    Manko to new officers: fight crime

    Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone Two Umaru Manko yesterday urged newly promoted officers to be more diligent.

    He gave the charge while decorating the officers at the Zone’s Headquarters of the police in Onikan, Lagos.

    Manko advised the 20 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) that were promoted to Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and the ACPs promoted to Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) to be more alive to their duties.

    The police chief urged them to be polite to the public, fight crime with passion and be prepared to face new challenges.

    The DCP, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti in Yaba, Lagos Mainland, Olugbenga Adeyanju, told them not to demolish the existing structures in their new postings.

    The DCPs are: Bello Yahaya, Kurawa Abdullahi Sarki, Onaade Samson Awoniyi and Audu Adamu Madaki.

    The ACPs are: Adegoke Fayoade, Ochogwu Abbas Ogbeh, Sule Garba Tunduwada, Kayode Mustapha, Mohammed Raji Kamal, Chukwudi Chris Ariekere, Usman Ndanbobo, Omolara Oloruntola, Ayuba Usman, Amaechi  Oliver, Onyeugo Victor, Obinna Ikegwuonu, Folashade C. Adams, Fidelis Okafor, Philip Eze, Joseph Nnadozie Ibekwe, Azuka Jude, Basil Idegwu, Muazu Usman Mohammed, Adamu Isa Ngojin and Olusokan Adekunle.

  • Fashola opens register for sex offenders

    Fashola opens register for sex offenders

    Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola signed yesterday an executive bill to officially establish a register for all sex offenders.

    At the ceremony at the State House in Alausa, Ikeja, he said the executive order establishing the register makes it mandatory for such offences to be reported irrespective of the offender and the way the issue is settled.

    The register, according to him, is expected to complement the existing crime data register to make it easier for law-enforcement agents to prosecute sexual offences, such as harassment, defilement of children and rape.

    The prevailing security challenges, he said, had pushed sexual offences against vulnerable members of the society to the background.

    The governor added that policies including the post-partum depression defence, six-month maternity leave and the domestic violence and child abuse laws were put in place to protect women and children.

    According to him, the successful implementation of the order requires the cooperation of all stakeholders.

    He advised women to speak up against acts which may compromise their rights in the work place, warning that it will no longer be business as usual for those fond of harassing vulnerable members of the society.

    Fashola said it was no longer fashionable for victims of rape and other sexual abuses to keep quiet, noting that the government had carried out necessary legal reforms to address such issues.

    Introducing the bill, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Ade Ipaye said measures had been put in place for the order’s successful implementation.

    According to Ipaye, a Domestic Violence and Sexual Response team, comprising policemen, officials of the Office of the Public Defenders, Directorate for Citizens’ Rights, medical personnel and others had been constituted.

    He said sexual offences were prominent in Alimoso, Kosofe, Agege and Oshodi-Isolo local government areas, adding that over 100 cases of such offences were being tried in the state’s high courts.

  • ‘My father, villagers pushed me into robbery’

    ‘My father, villagers pushed me into robbery’

    Two robbery suspects may have reached the end of the road following their arrest by the police.

    The suspects, who specialised in snatching Toyota cars, have been singing like birds since their arrest.

    They are Titus An thony (28) and Felix Airouhodion (23), who are being held in Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) cell in Lagos.

    Anthony, claimed that his discomfort with his father’s polygamous lifestyle and witch-hunting by other villagers forced him to take to armed robbery.

    Anthony told The Nation: “I stayed at Sakponba in Eredo Local Government Area of Edo State. I met David and later, Uche. It was David that brought the idea of car snatching.

    “Our first operation was in the Mafoluku Oshodi area of Lagos. We were trekking and looking for where to rob and get money. As we were going, we saw a Toyota Corolla car parked in the area. Its door was not locked. David entered when he saw that the door was opened and connected the ignition wires.

    “The car’s engine started and Uche took over the steering. We drove to Oja Ifo in Ogun State where we sold it to our buyer called Alhaji. He paid us N180,000 cash. The Alhaji usually sent Uche to collect the cars from us. When Uche got to Ifo, we invited him to Sango where we drove the vehicle to. My share was N55,000. Uche and David got same each, while the balance was given to Aye boys around Bolade area of Oshodi. These are the boys who know us as armed robbers and we normally give them small money to enjoy.”

    The boys, the suspect said, always helped them to monitor the police, especially any time they finished operations.

    During another operation, Anthony said they removed a car from where it was parked in the Maryland area of Lagos at 9 pm.

    “I was the one that opened the car with umbrella wire. We were five on that fateful day – Uche, Felix, David (aka Rice) and I. They were standing by the road-side waiting for me to start the car.

    “I have a wife and a four-year-old son. I am a responsible armed robber. Though I have not paid the official bride price, I will do it when this case is over. I have not married my wife officially, but I give her every respect a married woman deserves”.

    Recounting their third operation on Airport Road near Mafoluku, Oshodi, he said:  “We saw a man near a bank wanting to withdraw cash with his ATM card.”

    The suspect added: “As we were contemplating on how to strike and thinking whether or not he was the owner of the car, the man noticed us, became afraid, dropped the car’s key and ran away. We took the car to Alhaji, who is a car dealer at Ifo, but runs a car showroom in the Seme area.

    Saying that he learnt fashion design and bricklaying, Anthony claimed that it was frustration that pushed him into armed robbery.

    He said: “My father has three wives. He is from Edo State, but my mother is from Enugu State. The other wives of my father are from Edo State. They discriminate against us because my mother is not from Edo State.”

    On why they preferred Toyota vehicles, he said: “They move in the market. We sell them easily. Moreover, when buyers want to sponsor any operation, they always ask us to go for Toyota products.”

    Airouhodion,  Edo State, and lives on Arowojobe Street, Oshodi with his wife and two children said: “Titus is my master in armed robbery. He was the one who recruited me. I met him at a spot in Bolade where we smoke Indian hemp. There, I met Titus who asked me why I was suffering; I told him that I had no money to feed my family since I was sacked by my former employer.”

    “I am a member of Celestial Church of Christ; that is why I am wearing white garment. I was arrested on my way to the church for a service. I am ashamed of myself. I don’t know why I fell into this big temptation. It is frustration that pushed me into armed robbery. If I’m set free, I won’t rob again,” Felix said.

  • Lagos communities yet to get PVCs

    Lagos communities yet to get PVCs

    Many residents are still unable collect their permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) in some parts of Lagos for the third day running yesterday.  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials did not show up in Gowon, Shagari and Gemade estates, and Okunola community in Alimoso Local Government Area of the state to distribute the PVCs.

    The estates and Okunola are neighbouring communities in the council, which is one of the remaining nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) where distribution was supposed to begin last Friday.

    At Okunola, cards were being issued at one collection point; the situation was not better in Shagari Estate. The officers only showed up at one registration point on 401 Road in Gowon Estate on Friday to distribute a few cards. The large estate has more than 30 registration units.

    They came around 10am to one registration point at 31 Road roundabout and two other registration units on 52 Road by 2pm. After pasting the list of registered voters, they were said to have left immediately without giving out a single card.

    Earlier on Friday morning, pasted an INEC poster at the same registration point on 52 Road, informing voters about the duration and time for distribution of cards.

    Voters who trooped out on Friday and Saturday as early as 8am to collect their cards left in annoyance after a long wait.

    A resident who spoke under anonymity, said: “This is very frustrating. I left everything I had to do this morning to come here only to meet this situation. Not even a single INEC official was around to explain to us what is really happening.

    “I think this is a deliberate plot to disenfranchise voters in Alimosho because they know that Alimosho has the largest population of voters in any constituency in the country and it is an APCs stronghold; if not, why is it that in areas where PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) has some strength, this is not happening?

  • Protective equipment for waste haulage operators

    Protective equipment for waste haulage operators

    Lagos State Government has launched Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for use by waste haul.

    The gadgets are expected to protect operators from the waste evacuated from septic tanks by haulage trucks as it is laden with top pathogenic organisms that can cause stomach pains, asthma, typhoid fever hepatitis and cancer.

    During the launch at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja, the Coordinator, Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), Nurudeen Shodeinde, an engineer, said: “Operators involved in evacuation, transportation or treatment will always be relevant. It is therefore essential to ensure that such operators are properly kitted to carry out their functions.

    “In line with this, the state government has provided some PPEs which include coveralls, boots, and hand gloves for operators in the state, to stimulate the imbuement of its use. All haulage truck owners and operators must realise that it is their responsibilities to provide the equipment,” he said.

    Shodeinde said the use of the PPE was in the operators’ interest, as it protects them from contracting those illnesses. He said it is now an offence for any operator to function without using the PPE.

    He said henceforth, an effective monitoring and compliance mechanism would be set up by the Wastewater Management Office, in conjunction with other federal and state agencies; and the Sewage and Wastewater Dislodgers’ Association of Nigeria (SWADAN), to enforce its use.

    Shodeinde said it was imperative that people played a role in ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment.

    He urged them to ensure that they did not pollute their environment with untreated water for their safety.

    He urged them not to empty their septic tanks into the drain, and warned against channeling untreated wastewater from kitchen and bathroom into the public drains or by-pass into the soak-away.