The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Police to parade dogs, owner

    Police to parade dogs, owner

    •For attacking four-year-old boy

    The dogs which attacked a four-year-old boy in Lagos last Thursday will soon be paraded alongside their owner, the police said yesterday.

    Commissioner of Police Kayode Aderanti said the dogs and their owner, Stanley Wesley, were already being detained and facing interrogation.

    He explained that after investigations, the dogs and their owner will be charged to court, adding that operatives are trying to look at the relevant laws guarding domestic pets.

    The victim, Omonigho Abraham, who is currently being treated at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, was attacked by the dogs inside his Adegboyega Street, Akeem Estate, Igando, Lagos home.

    It was reported that the dogs, Jack and Gadaffi, dragged him in the compound for over an hour while policemen and sympathisers watched helplessly at the entrance of the house for fear of being attacked.

    His elder brother, Osemudiamen said the dogs chased Omonigho, Bobby and himself while riding bicycle inside the compound.

    Osemudiamen said Bobby and himself quickly ran upstairs and locked the door, but added that when Omonigho got to the door, they opened it for him but one of the dogs followed him into their flat. He said Bobby and himself jumped down from upstairs, but Omonigho could not and was attacked.

    It was gathered that it was the screaming by the boys that attracted passersby who thronged the compound but could do anything.

    However, the command’s spokesperson, Kenneth Nwosu said the boy was rescued from the dogs by policemen.

    Aderanti described the incident as unfortunate, adding that those who have domestic pets should learn how to keep them to avoid such occurrences.

  • We disarmed two policemen, by suspects

    We disarmed two policemen, by suspects

    A 30-year-old armed robbery suspect, Bernard Bongy, yesterday told the police how his nine-man gang disarmed two policemen and took their AK 47 rifles at the Eletu Ogabi, Victoria Island, Lagos home of Albert Omisore last Thursday.

    The suspect, who hails from Benin Republic, was paraded with his accomplices by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Kayode Aderanti, at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja.

    The other suspects are: Obinna Eyinma, 35; Emeka Uche a.k.a Small, 27; Chukwuma Akabueze, 37; David Joshua, 22; Ifeanyi Okafor, 35; Kichito Ofone Nwachukwu, 30; Moses Ogbu, 36, and Amino Bobbo, who claimed to be a receiver.

    The exhibits recovered from them include two AK47 rifles with serial numbers 56-2523999 and 070129990, which they took from the policemen, and one Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked AAA690BH.

    Police also recovered the SUV’s engraved head lamp, windshield, side mirrors, registration number engraved on its trafficator light among others.

    Following his instruction that fateful day, Aderanti said the Officer in Charge, Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Superintendent of Police (SP) Abba Kyari, swung into action and arrested the suspects.

    Through diligent investigation and deployment of advanced technology, according to him, the squad arrested the first suspect and gang leader, Obinna Eyinma, at the Jakande Beach, Ajah, where he confessed to his involvement in stealing the SUV and other valuables.

    “He later led SARS operatives to their hideout at Obalende and Kuramo Beach where the other suspects were arrested. They confessed to series of armed robbery/car-snatching operations at Ajah, Lekki and Victoria Island, including the robbery in the Ogombo area of Lagos on September 12 where two AK47 rifles were snatched from 49 riot policemen,” said Aderanti.

    The robbers, he added, also led the operatives to a bush in the Ogombo area where the two Ak47 rifles buried in the swamp were recovered.

    The police chief said the operatives caught the fleeing ninth member of the gang, Moses Ogbu in the Ishashi area of the state on October 12 with Omisore’s SUV. In his confession, Bernard said: “I am from Benin Republic. I was formerly working with an insurance company in Nigeria as a driver alongside 19 others. My vehicle had a 50-litre capacity tank, but whenever I wanted to tell my office how much fuel I bought, I would tell them 85 litres. When they found out, all of us were sacked.

    When I became desperate and jobless, I met one Alhaji Idris who lured me into car-snatching business. In my first operation, I got N100,000. I later learnt Gbelegu system (breaking and entering). It was this work that took me to Victoria Island where we operated in one house.

    “We were five that day. We held the security men who asked us to gain entry through the sitting room. Upon entering, we met a woman who started shouting.

    She later led us to the inner apartment where we met two policemen sleeping. We disarmed them and beat them up; they eventually ran away, but we collected their rifles.”

    Obinna said: “I knew Bernard when I was sleeping under Obalende Bridge four months ago. The buyer of the SUV promised to pay N1.5million. I only participated in armed robbery thrice. I am an ex-convict.”

    David, who claimed to be a Muslim, said he would have left the gang earlier but couldn’t because he needed money to solve personal problems.

    Aminu, who said he was merely a buyer, said: “I first bought gold from the gang at N42,999 and the second at N450,000. I knew that they were robbers, but the goods they sold to me were very cheap; that was the attraction. I didn’t follow them to rob.”

    The command’s spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), urged residents to be security-conscious and avail the police of credible information.

    He assured that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality, adding that the command is committed to ensuring that crime is reduced to the minimum in the state.

  • Minister flays condition of prisons

    Minister flays condition of prisons

    •Five died in riot, says inmate

    Interior Minister, Mr. Patrick Abba Moro, yesterday said government had initiated efforts to tackle the worrisome condition of inmates in Nigerian prisons in order to meet up with international standards.

    He spoke during his visit to the Medium Security Prisons, Kirikiri in Lagos for its on-the-spot assessment and ascertaining the damages and the cause of the riot that rocked it last Friday.

    The minister said: “From the information made available, the immediate cause of the riot is that an inmate came unauthorised and installed some gadgets without the knowledge of the officials. What it meant therefore was that a convict, who brought in some gadgets, instigated the inmates to complain and that led to the fracas. But, the police and other security agencies have intervened and calmed down the situation.

    “More fundamentally, there is need for us to think about the level of freedom the inmates enjoy, especially compared to the level of international practices. The two gatherings representing the inmates are the chapel and the mosque. Christianity is Christianity, and in the world over, one worship ground is usually provided for the inmates. The prison services must review the institutions of worship in our prisons.”

    “What also comes to mind is the state of facilities in some of our prisons. It requires some level of rehabilitation. At the moment, we have the issue of congestion, and it is very unacceptable that we have a prison which is accommodating 2,536 inmates. Out of this number, only 98 are convicts. We have 2,434 inmates awaiting trial,” he added.

    “When we finish our assessment,” Moro noted, “we will be able to address the problem of congestion in our prisons. The president has approved an inter-ministerial committee for this. This is one committee that will come up with some solutions. We are working on that. We must have facilities that conform to international practices.”

    However, contrary to claims by the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) that only one person died during the riot, facts emerged yesterday that five inmates were killed.

    About 9.45 pm on Saturday, according to an inmate, “Five inmates were killed. It was not a jail-break, but a riot. The new Deputy Comptroller of Prisons (DCP) ordered that some of the things we used should be seized. These items included fan, generator, pots and others. But what annoyed us was that he also banned raw food in the prisons. This means our family members or anybody can no longer bring raw food for us. The type of food they cook in this place is bad. This is why most inmates cook.

    “We heard they said only one inmate died; it’s a lie! The person who said that is a liar! Let me tell you the truth, none of us planned to escape. And those killed were deliberately shot and not because they attempted to escape.”

    On Friday, guns boomed at the Kirikiri area, forcing those residing to scamper for safety. It was later discovered that inmates were rioting. Initial report however claimed that some inmates attempted a jail-break.

    The immediate cause of the Friday riot, a source said, was when a warder tried to seize a fan belonging to an inmate called “General Overseer.” The inmates, it was learnt, started chanting “we no gree ooo …we no gree,” following which the situation snowballed with the inmates pelting stones at warders and breaking glasses.

    The prisons’ authorities, the source said, were forced to bring in soldiers, who allegedly opened fire on inmates who allegedly attempted to escape.

    Fatinikun said a probe panel had been constituted to look into the cause of the riot, adding that seven inmates sustained injuries. Three, he said, were treated and discharged, while four were hospitalised.

    He revealed that an inmate died last Saturday morning, while three were still in hospital.

  • Lions clubs lift health centre

    Lions clubs lift health centre

    •Empower 40 youths

    The Lions Clubs District 404 A1, Nigeria, has donated multi-millionaire eye equipment to Iga Idunganran Heath Centre on Lagos Island, which was built by Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu.

    Among the equipment were Slit Lamp Bio microscope, Perkins Tonometer, Visual Acuity Chart (Automated Text Chart), Professional Autolense Meter, Keeler Ophthalmoscope, Professional Keeler Retinoscope, Minor Microsurgical set, Trial Lens Box Set, Head Loupe, Near Point Charts, Automated Refractometer and Automated Vision Chart.

    Led by its District-Governor, Laitan Onolaja, an engineer, the entourage was received by Oba Akiolu who was also the special guest of honour.

    Onolaja said the gesture was part of the cardinal points of the club to assist the less-privileged.

    He thanked Oba Akiolu and Zenith Bank for providing the health centre for the people, saying: “This is a laudable achievement because it is not an everyday occurrence that an individual initiates this, and this is what prompted us to contribute our quota to complementing Lagos State government’s effort in providing first-class health for its citizenry. The equipment donated today is of high standard and nobody will need to travel abroad seeking for eye treatment.”

    He urged the state government to provide ophthalmologists that will run the clinic, while he promised his club’s readiness to render services when the need arises.

    Commending the clubs for the gesture, Oba Akiolu praised the non-governmental organisation for their care for the less-privileged in the society.

    While praising the Lions clubs for giving good medical care to the people, the paramount ruler commended the gesture of Zenith Bank under the leadership of Mr Jim Ovia on the project.

    “There is no human being that doesn’t have one form of ailment or the other. By the time I conceived of the idea of this health centre, there was no support because they wanted Motor Park. I was not deterred because I know more of this benefit will come,” the monarch said.

    Oba Akiolu, who described the equipment as high-standard, urged the ophthalmologist to take proper care of the equipment.

    In her words, representative of Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Funmi Sokunbi thanked Lions clubs for the “laudable project,” explaining that it would go a long way in fighting avoidable blindness, which she said, was on the rise in developing countries.

    The present Lagos State administration, she said, was committed to eradicating blindness in the state and partner with private organisations or individuals to make health affordable and reachable for the citizenry.

    In a related development, Lions Clubs (District 404 A1) has also sponsored 40 young people to an Aspiring Entrepreneurs Programme (AEP) at Fate Foundation, Lagos.  The participants selected from a large pool of applicants were required to present a business idea as part of the application process.

    The five-day capacity-building programme is specially designed for aspiring entrepreneurs to provide them with basic skills, tools and networks required to start and run successful businesses with best practices in entrepreneurship while sticking to business fundamentals at all times.

    The foundation, it was learnt, will conduct periodic reviews of the participants’ activities to identify how the knowledge acquired has improved their self-empowerment.

    Accommodation was provided in Lagos for the youth drawn from various parts of the country, while feeding, transportation and cost of the enterprise training was completely borne by the clubs.

  • My husband maltreated me during pregnancy’

    A 37-year-old woman, Oluwashola Kehinde, has sought the dissolution of her 18-year-old marriage to her husband, Moruf, before the Alakuko Customary Court in Lagos, alleging that her husband is callous and irresponsible.

    Mrs. Kehinde, a food vendor, said: “My husband started committing adultery a few months after our wedding. He sent me out of the home because I accused him of womanising. It was most saddening because I was already carrying a seven-month pregnancy then. His attitude is somewhat strange. He always blows hot and cold; he is very unpredictable. My sister, out of anger, once bit him hard because he is fond of beating me. That is the story behind the deep cut on his back.”

    She added: “At some point, I returned to his house after several pleas from his relations who assured me that he had changed. But the situation got worse as he formed the habit of disappearing from the house whenever I got pregnant. He would leave home for over two months on the excuse that he was broke. Even when he had money, he would only buy his own food and eat it alone, not minding how we survive. He is a callous man.

    “My husband once came home 12 days after he angrily left the house, pleading for forgiveness. He said if I wasn’t ready to forgive him, he would kill himself. I went to bed, thinking he was joking. Surprisingly, my husband hung himself to the ceiling fan in the room. He kicked the jerry can he stood on and urinated on his body. By that time, he was almost lifeless. So, I quickly used a knife to cut the rope before I called on our neighbours. My husband came around about 30 minutes after. Till date, I keep asking what would have happened, if he had died in the process.”

    Mrs Kehinde said they were given a quit notice when for many months, her husband couldn’t pay rent. She added: “It was at that time that he took a few clothes and left the house. For almost two years that we have lived as a couple, my husband doesn’t ask after the wellbeing of our children, thus prompting my sister to take custody of two of our children. I am tired of accepting him back. None of his relations knows what I am going through. I don’t want the marriage anymore; I only want him to cater for our children’s education.”

    However, Mr. Kehinde, a 45-year-old commercial driver, said: “Frustration led me to attempt suicide. I wasn’t happy for the fact my wife was the only one responsible for our children’s upkeep. But I give her money when I have. When I was driving a private vehicle, we never had problems and everything was almost perfect. Money is always the cause of our argument.

    “I left the house after the incident because her mum said my wife needed some respite. At times, she doesn’t give me food. Each time I sleep beside her, she leaves the bed. Contrary to what she said, there is no scar on my back.

    “The rope I used in hanging myself was the one my wife asked me to buy for the clothes line. I was psychologically tortured. But I have learnt my mistakes. I still love my wife because she has been good to me and I promise to turn over a new leaf.”

    The marriage, which was sealed under Native and Customary Law, is blessed with five children.

    The court President, Chief Awos Awosola, advised the couple to maintain peace and obey the law. He adjourned the case till October 30.

  • ‘Embrace use of cooking gas’

    Residents of Oto –Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have been urged to embrace the use of cooking gas in their home as it has been seen to be cleaner and safer.

    In an awareness and free gas distribution campaign, the council in conjunction with Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Development urged residents  to embrace the use cooking gas because it safe and cheaper.

    The council chairman, Mr Bolaji  Kayode Robert  said that the distribution of free Eko Gas Cylinder will benefit people the council.

    He said:  ‘‘Lagos State government has displayed usual determination and commitment in achieving set goal aimed at improving the quality of lives of its citizenry and I can categorically say that those of us at the grassroots are direct beneficiaries as can be witnessed here.

    ‘‘This administration has lived up to international standards of good governance found only in the developed countries.”

  • Photo: Imo Governor’s daughter’s wedding

    Photo: Imo Governor’s daughter’s wedding

    Imo State Governor's wife, Mrs Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha dances with her daughters and the bride Uju Okorocha during her traditional marriage at Ogboko in Ideato south LGA of Imo State recently.
    Imo State Governor’s wife, Mrs Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha dances with her daughters and the bride Uju Okorocha during her traditional marriage at Ogboko in Ideato south LGA of Imo State recently.
  • NAPTIP arraigns hotelier, others for ‘forcing’ teenager into prostitution

    NAPTIP arraigns hotelier, others for ‘forcing’ teenager into prostitution

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic In Persons (NAPTIP) has arraigned a hotelier, Chief Ibidun Joshua, at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly forcing a 14-year-old girl and others into prostitution.

    He and four others – Osasuwa Ruth, Mabel Tasowia, Segun Ajose and Taiye Adesanya – were alleged to have committed the crime at his Daka Hotel at Seme border, Badagry.

    NAPTIP said they lured two teenagers, aged 14 and 17, from Benin City, Edo State, into prostitution.

    The alleged offence, NAPTIP said, is contrary to Section 15(a) of the Trafficking In Person (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Admnistration Act, 2003.

    The agency said Ruth lured the 14-year-old on January 10, 2010 to Badagry for the purpose of forcing her into prostitution, while Tasowia was alleged to have deceived the 17-year-old on February 7, 2010.

    Joshua was accused of running a hotel where teenagers were forced into prostitution and for benefiting from the proceeds of such illicit business, Ajose, the hotels manager, was charged with encouraging underaged persons into prostitution.

    Adesanya was accused of organising the illicit business and remitting the proceeds to the hotel owner through its manager.

    Yesterday, a NAPTIP investigator, Mrs. Agboko Comfort, said Ajose and Adesanya were arrested on March, 5, 2010, adding that Joshua was arrested when he appeared at the agency’s office upon being summoned.

    The case has been adjourned till October 13 for trial.

  • Limousine, cab operators protest at Lagos Airport

    Limousine, cab operators protest at Lagos Airport

    For hours yesterday, commuters and airport workers were stranded on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road, as limousine and cab operators protested their removal from the park allotted to them at the international wing.

    Over 350 cab and limousine operators said they would not operate until officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) addressed the issues bordering on their operations at the international terminal.

    They said FAAN security personnel were trying to get them out of business in preference to car hire operators.

    The Chairman of Murtala Muhammed Airport Limousine Shuttle Association of Nigeria (AlLSAN), Mr Gabriel Agboma said FAAN’S decision was insensitive.

    He explained that over 600 cabs operate at the airport and each of them pay an operational fee of N81, 000 annually, adding that the amount is enough for FAAN to develop a befitting park for them.

    Agboma said FAAN officials tricked them into relocating to the new place, only for them to try to force them out, saying cab operators were moved from the old car park to make way for expansion of the airport.

    He said efforts by cab and limousine operators to encourage FAAN to get them a new base have not yielded fruits.

    The cab operators have vowed to stop operations until FAAN resolved all issues bordering on terms of engagement at the airport.

    He said:”’What FAAN is doing to us is bad. They want to deprive us of the use of the place and give it to car hire operators. Until we remove the barricade no cab will operate around the airport. We know that passengers and commuters will be stranded.  But we have to do this to protest our maltreatment by FAAN. We know why FAAN is doing this, they want to push us out and give way for car hire. We will resist them.”

    The protest forced many commuters and airport workers to trek from the toll gate axis to the international terminal.

    Many passengers connecting flight from the international to the domestic wing also joined the walk to catch up with their flight.

  • Court dissolves 12-year-old marriage

    Court dissolves 12-year-old marriage

    It was a really touching scene before the Alakuko Customary Court in Lagos, yesterday, as the marriage between Lekan and Iyabode Fadipe was dissolved.

    The petitioner, 65-year-old Fadipe, on the first hearing, had alleged that his wife was disrespectful and cantankerous.

    “From the outset, I warned her that I detest extra-marital affair and anything fetish. My wife knows I married her solely because my other wives and children disregarded me. I once saw a white cloth wrapped with Tira in her wardrobe, which she claimed to have collected from her Alfa when she was having some nightmares.

    “I have given her enough time to turn over a new leaf, but her attitude has never improved. So, I really want this divorce. I am ready to pay her N20, 000 monthly for our children’s upkeep. If she enrolls them in a public school, I will increase it to N25, 000.

    “This is the last chance. Her attitude has become a stigma of sorts. At my age, all I want is peace of mind,” he said.

    In tears, 40-year-old Iyabode, pleaded: “I have turned over a new leaf. I don’t want this marriage dissolved. He has been a good husband and father. I have learnt my mistakes. Please, help me.”

    However, the court’s President, Chief Awos Awosola, said: “Mr. Fadipe has made his judgment even before the court did.”

    He further said the couple should cease to be husband and wife.

     He ordered Mrs. Fadipe to vacate her husband’s house and refund N800, 000, which is for his insurance policy, within four months.

    He ruled that the children, Adeboye (10) and Oluwafemi (8), should be with their mother, but are free to visit their father whenever they desire.

    The marriage was contracted under Native and Customary Law.

     They were, therefore, advised to go their separate ways without hindrance.