The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Gang clubs man to death

    Gang clubs man to death

    A gang of armed robbers in Ajegunle, a Lagos suburb  has killed an unidentified man while attempting to dispossess him of his valuables on Sunday night.

    The bandits numbering over 40 had allegedly invaded the area, dispossessing residents of their valuables including cash on different streets.

    It was gathered that the deceased man bumped into the hoodlums and was killed.

    The incident, residents say has become a weekly affair with the hoodlums terrorising them every other Sunday night, adding that the hoodlums  usually move with cutlasses, iron rods, axes and other dangerous weapons.

    It was gathered that immediately the gang began the atrocious act, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ajegunle Division, Abayomi Agbana, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), led a team of policemen to the scene.

    Sources said upon sighting the police patrol vehicle, the hoodlums fled through different direction, adding that Policemen  removed the body of the deceased at the scene and deposited it in a general hospital mortuary.

    A week ago when similar incident occurred, police arrested three suspected members of the gang.

  • Man charged with alleged kidnap

    Man charged with alleged kidnap

    A 34-year-old man, Cephas Jonah Udoka, has been arraigned at the Surulere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos for alleged kidnap.

    He was arrested at the National Stadium in Surulere for allegedly abducting 19-year-old Ugochi Paul in order to have sex with her.

    The police said on August 3, the accused person, at about 7:30am in the Lagos Magisterial district did unlawfully take Miss Paul out of the custody of her guardian, Ada Iwuoha without her consent.

    According to the prosecution, it was “with the intention to have carnal knowledge of the said Ugochi Paul.”

    The alleged offence is punishable under section 267 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.

    Udoka pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    He was granted bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must swear to an affidavit of means and their addresses verified by the court.

    The magistrate Mrs R. B. Umar adjourned for trial.

     

  • Tribunal on vadalism of BRT assure fair hearing

    Tribunal on vadalism of BRT assure fair hearing

    The tribunal of inquiry into the road traffic accident and vandalism of Bus Rapid Transit(BRT) buses  has assured all those involved in the July 4, 2014 incident at Palm Grove of fair hearing.

    The chairman, Justice Ebenezer Adebajo (rtd.) gave the assurance at the inaugural sitting of the tribunal held at the state secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

    Justice Adebajo urged members of the public who witnessed the incident to come before the tribunal with information on what they witnessed.

    He said the tribunal would ensure confidentiality of witnesses where it is required.

    The chairman said that the era of unknown soldier, where they engage in barbaric act, is gone in Nigeria.

    He urged the members of the public who are witnesses to the incident not to entertain any fear, stressing that they would be well protected against any form of intimidation.

    Adebajo said this is the only way to ensure the tribunal  does a thorough job and makes apprpriate recommendation that would  ensure such ugly incident does not happen again.

    Although, the military was not present at the inaugural sitting of the panel, Justice Adebajo said the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Keneth Minimah and the Brigade Commander of the 9th Mechanised division, Ikeja Cantonment, Brigadier General Lubo said they would appear before the tribunal.

    Another member of the panel, Jude Igbanoi also said  the tribunal expanded its scope of activities as it is prepared to take memoranda from people who want to remain anonymous.

    Igbanoi said, during sitting, the tribunal would protect and take evidence from anybody who does not want to make public his identity.

    The director, Centre for Free Speech, Richard Akinola who represented the civil society, recalled the burning of Kalakuta republic in 1977 by soldiers advised the tribunal against returning a verdict  of “unknown soldiers” in the matter.

    “Because if at the end, the tribunal finds the driver of the BRT guilty of negligence, he would be charged accordingly and so, it  should be the case for soldiers found culpable”, he said.

    The Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mr. Dayo Mobereola. who recounted a television programme on investigation of plane crashes urged for a thorough investigation by the tribunal to ensure that such incident does not happen again.

    His position was supported by his counterpart at LAGBUS, Mr. Babatunde Disu who also urged the public to assist the tribunal to enable it do a good job and make appropriate recommendation that would stop such impunity in future.

    Chairman Ikorodu Branch, Dotun Adetunji who represented the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) urged the tribunal to do all within its power to encourage people to come to give evidence.

    Adetunji said that it is only when justice is done that people would have confidence in the system, adding that the decision of the tribunal to make recommendation to avoid a re-occurence is a good step in the right direction.

    Chairman, Lawyers in the Media, John Unachukwu counseled the tribunal to ensure that adequate security is provided for members of the public who may be vulnerable.

    “All interest group must be protected in order to get to the root of the matter”, he said.

     

  • Four shot dead over politician’s N50,000 gift

    Four shot dead over politician’s N50,000 gift

    Four persons were reportedly shot dead when hoodlums clashed over a N50,000 cash gift by a politician in Mosafejo, Amukoko in Lagos, at the weekend.

    Those injured are in hospital.

    The politician was said to have given the money in appreciation of his constituents’ support.

    The trouble started when the hoodlums disagreed over how to share the cash.

    A group threatened to cause trouble when those with the money insisted on taking a larger share.

    It was gathered that a similar incident occurred last year when one person was killed over a N20,000 cash gift by the politician.

    A resident, who pleaded for anonymity, said one of those killed was a member of the vigilant group simply identified as Omoba.

    The source said Omoba, who resided at Opeleye Street, Ajegunle went to the scene to restore peace but was caught in the cross fire.

    The hoodlums, it was learnt trailed another man to an Indian hemp joint on Ogungbe Street and also killed him, the other two were killed at Ajenifuja Street in Amukoko.

    A resident, Tunde Saheed, advised the politician to look for other ways of rehabilitating the hoodlums and stop giving them money.

    “If not for poverty, would they have descended so low?. If he really wants to assist them he should find other means. He should not allow his gesture to cause death in this community again because it is wrong”, he said.

    A source at Amukoko Police Station confirmed that the matter was being investigated.

  • Clerics urge motorists to cooperate with LASTMA

    Clerics urge motorists to cooperate with LASTMA

    Clerics have appealed to motorists and traders to cooperate with officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA).

    Speaking at a community outreach programme organised by the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) at Mile 12 Market, the clerics said the partnership would lead to less friction between them and LASTMA.

    The outreach was part of the mentorship session with leaders of market and transport unions, community associations and youth groups.

    Present were the National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen, Sheikh Abdulrahman Ahmad, former Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde, National Chief Missioner of NASFAT Alhaji Abdullahi Akinbode, Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Uche and Senior Apostle Adeniyi Ajibade who represented Pastor Gabriel Olubunmi Fakeye of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ayo-ni-o.

    Makinde said to foster cordial relationship between the people and law enforcement agents, the public must refrain from unhelpful habits.

  • Rape victim family accuses police of cover-up

    Rape victim family accuses police of cover-up

    The family of a 12-year old rape victim is accusing the police of trying to sweep the case under the carpet.

    The maid was allegedly raped by Kingsley Anyanwu, 33, the brother of her master, at their Mazamaza Lagos home about three months ago.

    The maid was hired by Anyanwu’s elder sister, who is a banker to take care of their aged mother.

    She fled from home to a church in the neighbour after the incident.

    Investigations started at Satellite Police Station before the case was transferred  to the Human Trafficking Section of the  State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) at Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, following a petition by NOPRIN, a network of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to the Commissioner of Police.

    The family is alleging that the police are not sincere in their investigation despite a medical report showing that the maid was sexually assaulted.

    The suspect’s sister, the family claimed, may have bought the police over to get her brother off the hook.

    The maid was initially examined at a Health Centre at Adeniji Jones, Ikeja, where it was confirmed that she was defiled. She was referred for expert management.

    Despite the report being sent to the Police by MIRABEL Centre, investigations appear to be stalled as nothing has been heard from the police.

    MIRABEL facilitated the maid’s second examination at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) where it was reconfirmed that she was raped.

    National Coordinator of NOPRIN Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the last the NGO heard about the case from the Investigating Police Officer  (IPO) was that investigators went to the suspect’s residence and interviewed his mother.

    The woman was said to have heard the girl was screaming while she was allegedly being raped.

    The maid’s aunt said the police took photographs of the scene which she paid for. Copies of the photographs were also given to the police. The police promised to invite her and the suspect’s family for ‘settlement’, but she is yet to hear from them.

    The family is appealing to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti, for justice.

  • Embrace cooking gas, residents told

    Embrace cooking gas, residents told

    Lagos State Commissioner for Mineral Resources and Energy Taofiq Tijani  has urged residents to embrace the use of cooking gas to curtail health challenges.

    Tijani, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Iyabode Obasa, spoke during  the ‘Eko Gas’ distribution programm at Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    The government was desirous of eliminating the dangers posed by the use of kerosene and firewood.

    Tijani said: “We are distributing the gas to Lagosians free of charge, this is to encourage them to embrace the use of gas instead of firewood. The smoke inhaled from firewood and stove has dire health implication.

    “It will equally preserve our green pasture, life would be more secured in terms of healthy living. It is even cheaper and would enhance their economic position. We have designated depots where they can easily fill their cylinders if they exhaust the ones they have,” she said.

    The chairman of Ojodu LCDA, Olamuyiwa Oloro, said the council would add to the number of cylinders received from the state government.

    He said the council would embark on enlightenment campaign to ensure that precautions on the use of cooking gas are adhered to, saying a team has raised for the task.

    Oloro said the programme is aimed at alleviating poverty, adding: “We are sure that it will serve as vehicle through which the people of the council are mobilised.”

    “The importance of this “Eko Gas” distribution shall be to mobilise people of Lagos State to cultivate the use of cooking gas.

     

  • Policemen detained over snatched rifle

    The policemen who lost an AK47 rifle to motorcyclists aka okada in Lagos six days ago have been arrested and detained.

    The five policemen, led by an Inspector, are being held in the cell of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja.

    They may face orderly room trail after investigation.

    Detectives are grilling them on how they allowed civilians to snatch a rifle from them.

    Last Sunday, the policemen who were patrolling in a vehicle marked “OPS Attack” impounded a commercial motorcycle for plying an illegal route.

    The rider was said to have mobilised his colleagues and they chased the patrol vehicle to Ojekunle junction, near the Ladipo Auto parts market where they tried to recover the motorcycle from the policemen.

    As they were dragging the motorcycle, one of the motorcyclists snatched a policeman’s rifle and attempted to open fire.

    The policemen were said to have fled and returned to beg social miscreants to assist them recover the rifle.

  • Pilgrims warned on use of sanitisers in Saudi Arabia

    Pilgrims warned on use of sanitisers in Saudi Arabia

    Intending pilgrims have been advised not to be panicky over the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) when they get to Saudi Arabia.

    Operations Manager of Hajj Mabrur Ventures Ltd (HMVL) Alhaji Zulkifli Adewunmi gave the advice when the pilgrims asked if they would be provided sanitisers before leaving Nigeria.

    Adewunmi spoke at a seminar organised by HMVL for the pilgrims at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Mosque Auditorium in Akoka, Yaba.

    The use of sanitisers, he said, should be pronounced here and not Saudi Arabia.

    “We should avoid putting ourselves in an inconvenient situation by unnecessarily displaying sanitisers at the airport in Saudi Arabia. By the time their immigration officials noticed many pilgrims holding sanitisers, they might subject you to undue rounds of check that would add to the stress of travelling. If you must go with sanitisers, be decorous in its usage,” he said.

    A Consultant Nephrologist at Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos, Dr AbdulWasi Busari, educated the pilgrims on the use of sanitisers.

    According to him, pilgrims should handle sanitizers just like pomade or Vaseline and other personal belongings.

    Busari said: “It is not something that should be displayed that people will now know that you have something that you are carrying; you do not create unnecessary panic for other pilgrims from other countries. It is more or less like your personal belonging like bathing soap or whatever so it should not cause any controversy. In fact, people need to use the sanitisers more here than in Saudi Arabia because we’ve not heard of any established case there, the sanitiser they are talking about is something they should start using now and if they have the opportunity to take it along, they should put it in their bag, and not display or use it often to avoid panic.”

    He enjoined them to continue their personal hygiene on getting to the Holy Land.

    “They should not unnecessarily expose themselves to the intensity of the weather, you know sometimes it could be very hot in that place so they are always advised not to go out when the weather is too hot and that they should find time to go for Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka’abah) maybe in the morning or at night that the weather is already cooler, then they should not unnecessarily exert themselves because Hajj exercise itself is a rigorous one, they should not spend so much time and energy engaging in all sorts of shopping so as not to break down when it’s time for the main exercise,” he said.

  • MEND threatens to bomb Lagos Judges

    MEND threatens to bomb Lagos Judges

    Some judges of the Lagos High Court have come under threat of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) over their alleged refusal to issue letters for the administration of its late members’ estates.

    MEND yesterday gave the judges 12 days to issue such letters or be bombed.

    Decrying what it called the delay in issuing the letters, MEND threatened to launch coordinated attacks on the judges’ houses and vehicles at the expiration of its ultimatum.

    In a statement by one Commander Wilberforce,  MEND accused the judges of continually failing to sign the letters of administration years after they have been approved.

    It said it was surprised that the letters had not beeen signed several months after they were approved.

    MEND accused judges of laziness and corruption, adding that they allegedly demanded bribe from the applicants to sign the letters.

    According to MEND,  so many beneficiaries lost their lives this year while the children of the deceased have been chased out of schools for lack of funds because of “the inhuman and wicked attitude of the probate judges”.

    “Some”, it noted, “have gone into crime just to survive”.

     “For over two years a good number of our members have been processing the Letters of Administration of their deceased families. All they keep hearing is “Come tomorrow,” as a result of this inhuman and wicked attitude of the probate judges who refused to sign the letters lying dormant in their offices.

    “ A number of times the judges collected bribes from them but still refused to sign the letters. We can no longer condone this wickedness of the highest order, this is the reason we are writing all authorities of the Lagos State Government and Judiciary to intervene or else we would be forced to launch series of attacks on these corrupt judges and their families. We know their houses as well as their modus operandi,” MEND warned.

    It said the timely intervention of the Lagos State Governor and the Chief Judge could save the situation.

    “We sincerely advise the Governor and Chief Judge to intervene or else we shall spill blood.

    “Serial violence is the only language Nigerians understand, since they have decided to murder the beneficiaries through their inactions then they leave us with no choice than to meet wickedness with higher wickedness.

    “In the coming weeks we shall publish the names and addresses of ALL probate judges.

    “Evil prevails when good men do nothing. We hereby issue a 12-day ultimatum to them to sign and release all Letters of Administration published last year”, it warned.

    MEND said its threat was not about ethnicity, asking other ethnic militant organisations not to intervene in the matter.

    “No ethnic militant group should intervene, this is not a matter of tribe, this is about humanity,” it said.