The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Ex-Lagos Deputy Governor Ojikutu for trial today

    Ex-Lagos Deputy Governor Ojikutu for trial today

    The Special Fraud Unit (SFU) yesterday arrested former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu, who was declared wanted on June 19, last year.

    Ojikutu, who was seized in her home on Lagos Island by detectives of the unit, was declared wanted for allegedly obtaining N130million from a man, Cajethan Okekearu, under false pretences.

    Ojikutu, 67, allegedly connived with her son, Samson Adebisi Ojikutu Jnr, who is currently in USA, to commit the fraud.

    The suspect and her son were parties to the sale of a land and both signed the agreement given to the complainant and obtained N130 million from him.

    Ojikutu, who claimed it was a genuine plot identification error, refunded N50 million to the complainant and promised to refund the balance as soon as she disposed of her two properties, which she had put up for sale. She said she had injected the said money in her business.

    Police said before the case was reported to the unit, Ojikutu had made an undertaking and payment plan at a police station which was billed to run from September, 2012 to November 2012, but according to them, she defaulted owing to lack of fund.

    The Commissioner of Police (SFU), Mr Tunde Ogunsakin, said: “The whole illicit deal got blown open when the complainant began developing the land and was on the verge of completion when the bona fide owner of the land surfaced and indeed it was discovered that the land that the suspect sold does not belong to her. She actually sold Plot 23 Block 4, while Plot 24 Block 4 already has a property on it.

    “Investigation revealed that the land she sold did not belong to her; it belonged to one Mr. Afolabi. It was also discovered that the Plot 24 Block 4, which actually belonged to the late Samson Adebisi Ojikutu Snr, the suspect’s husband, who died in 2008, was sold by him in 1995 and the suspect was a living witness who appended her signature to the sale of the land. A financial institution, which was in possession of the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) after payment, also tendered the original C of O which the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State had earlier declared missing and even sworn an affidavit to.”

    The suspect sued the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police (SFU) and the complainant at the state High Court, Igbosere, Lagos, with suit M/581/2013, praying the court to restrain the police from any further investigation into the matter and the violation of her fundamental human rights.

    Justice Obadina on December 17, 2013, dismissed the suit for lack of merit, ruling that the police has the power to prosecute the applicants, Alhaja Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu and her son, Sampson Adebisi Ojikutu (Jnr) since police investigation revealed that there is prima-facie case of obtaining money by false pretences against them. She added that the court would not restrain the police from carrying out their statutory functions.

    Ogunsakin, who said the SFU had made futile efforts to arrest her after the Justice Obadina’s ruling, said she would be arraigned at the Federal High Court, Lagos, today.

  • Council’s 2014 budget

    One of the reasons we called on stakeholders before the preparation of the 2014 budget is to have a budget that will have direct positive impacts on their lives,” the Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Hon Olatunde Adepitan, has said.

    “Without calling the people together, any budget prepared is like building a castle in the air. Mushin people’s ideas and pieces of advice are required,” he explained.

    Adepitan said the resources of the local government are limited, thus projects that are germane to the growth of the community will be given priority attention.

    A stakeholder, Mrs Morakinyo Abiodun, urged the council to give priority attention to the Itire Primary Health Centre in the 2014 budget, as residents of Eyin-Iga in Itire demanded an event centre in order to stop people from blocking the roads during ceremonies.

  • How two ex-bankers ‘stole’ N28.81m

    Chief Magistrate Court, Ikeja heard yesterday how two former employees of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc) ‘stole’ N28.81 million belonging to the bank.

    The defendants, Olanrewaju Shittu, 26, and Babatunde Salami, 25, are standing trial before Chief Magistrate Mrs A. Oshodi-Makanju.

    The prosecutor, Police Superintendent J. Onilegbale, told the court that the money, which was meant for Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), was stolen in bits by the defendants between February and September 2009, until it accumulated to N28.81 million.

    They are facing a seven-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

    The prosecutor told the court that Shittu and Salami conspired to defraud the bank of the said sum contrary to the law.

    He further alleged that Salami received N700,000 from Shittu, knowing same to have been stolen from the money meant for ATMs, thereby committing an offence.

    He claimed that Shittu opened different accounts with First Bank of Nigeria Plc with the intent to defraud the defunct Intercontinental Bank.

    The prosecutor also alleged that Salami received the various sums of money from Shittu, knowing well that the money was meant for ATMs.

    He alleged that Shittu also stole N110,000 from the Lawanson, Surulere Branch of the defunct bank on September 4, 2009 at about 09. 07 am, adding that the money was, recovered by Mr Akinshola Akinshina, then Acting Operation Officer of the branch.

    The offences, he said, were punishable under Sections 390, 422, 427,469, and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 17 Vol 2 Law of Lagos State, 2003.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty. Chief Magistrate Oshodi-Makanju adjourned the matter till March 12 for continuation of hearing. The defendants will remain on the N1million bail each earlier granted them.

  • Expectant mother, three others die in cult clash

    Expectant mother, three others die in cult clash

    No fewer than four persons, including an expectant mother, were feared killed on Monday night when suspected cultists clashed on Amodu Street in Idi Oro near Mushin, Lagos State.

    Passersby were caught in the crossfire as rival cult groups exchanged gunfire. Many were injured in the ensuing melee.

    For more than 30 minutes, residents were terrified by sound of gunshots before policemen from the Alakara Police Station in Mushin arrived. The Nation learnt that the cultists opened fire on the policemen, who returned fire.

    Eyewitnesses said the victims were residents of the area, hit by stray bullets. The Nation gathered that the clash started when some cultists from Fadeyi near Palmgrove, known as Toba boys, invaded the area to revenge the killing of one of them, identified as Segun Obama, on January 3.

    The hoodlums, our correspondent gathered, initially visited the area, at the weekend, to kill a member of the rival group. But their target left before their arrival at a game house, where he was said to be playing with his friend. Disappointed, the gun-wielding hoodlums allegedly killed the friend to send a message to their target.

    On Monday, the hoodlums returned, searching for their target, who reportedly alerted his gang members to attack the invaders. Residents, who did not want their names mentioned, said the boys shot at one another for several minutes before the police arrival.

    The Nation gathered that there was no casualty from both groups, but the victims were residents who were either relaxing at the front of their houses or returning from work. The identities of the victims could not be confirmed at press time but some residents said they were not members of the cult groups.

    An eyewitness, who simply identified himself as Kabiru, said the expectant mother was hit by stray bullet as she attempted to rescue her son, who was playing outside the house. A senior police officer that does not want his name in print said the police would soon arrest those behind the killing. Hoodlums, who were just released from the prisons, he said, had been fingered as brains behind it.

    He said: “When the hoodlums were still in the prisons, absolute peace returned to the Mushin community. But as soon as they were released, they resumed their violent activities.”

     

  • Fashola for church conference

    Fashola for church conference

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola is expected at the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria tomorrow at the flag-off of its week-long 2014 General Conference, its Supreme Head, His Eminence Amos Akinsanya, told reporters yesterday.

    He said the conference with the theme: “I will make them one nation”, would focus on the development of the church’s Ecumenical Centre and proposed Moses Orimolade University in Omu Aran, Kwara State.

    “There will also be seminars and human capital development programmes for the youths. The event will be declared open tomorrow by the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola,” he said.

    At the conference were members of the National Executive Council of the church and presiding clerics, including Babaladura Olorunfunmi Basorun, Babaladura Lekan Akintayo and Baba Alakoso Solomon Alao among others.

  • Alleged $1.69m fraud: New judge for Ajudua’s case

    The trial of a Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, over a $1.69 million fraud, could not proceed at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja yesterday. Reason: His case was re-assigned to a new judge, Justice Kudirat Jose.

    He could also not be rearraigned because counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Wemimo Ogunde (SAN) was absent in court.

    Ajudua’s last court appearance was in September, last year, when he argued his bail application before a vacation judge, Justice Ganiyu Safari.

    When the matter came up before Justice Jose yesterday, Ajudua looked pale and tired as he was assisted into the court by a prison official.

    While the matter lasted, Ajudua lay on the bench reserved for defendants.

    Justice Jose adjourned his re-arraignment till February 5 to enable her update herself with the case.

    Ajudua and his associate, Charles Orie, were charged before Justice Olubunmi Oyewole in 2003 for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen, Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of the money between July 1999 and September 2000.

    The transfer of the case to Justice Jose was necessitated by Justice Oyewole’s withdrawal. His withdrawal was said to be in connection with a petition written to the EFCC by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen.Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd), alleging that Ajudua used the names of the judge and others to defraud him of about $8.39 million.

    During yesterday’s proceedings, Ajudua’s counsel, Mr Richard Ahonaruogho, was also in court.

    Ajudua’s and Orie’s cases were truncated in 2005 after Ajudua travelled abroad for treatment.

    On June 11, 2013, Ajudua appeared before the court after an almost eight-year absence.

    His efforts at obtaining bail failed as Justice Oyewole ordered him to be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison. He was later granted N50 million bail by Justice Safari on health grounds.

  • Council lifts health centre

    The Chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government, Mr Oladele Adekanye, has inaugurated a 100KV power generator donated by the council to the state health centre situated on Cemetery Street, Ebute-Metta.

    Saying it was his administration’s modest contribution to improving service at the hospital, he said he once observed that the hospital might not offer quality service without electricity. He said the patients and staff at the centre deserved good environment, noting that the centre was one of the oldest in the country, which was built during the Yakubu Gowon government.

    Adekanye assured the hospital’s management of the council’s continued assistance in whatever form.

    The council chief explained further that his passion for health-related issues prompted his administration to procure a parcel of land at Otto, through the community’s traditional ruler, Oba Ganiyu Odesanya, for building a modern health centre.

    He said the health centre on Simpson Street, Ebute-Metta was renovated by his administration with 100KV generators for regular power supply.

    The hospital’s Medical Director, Dr Cartreen Abilogun, said Adekanye was the first to contribute to it apart from its owner – Lagos State Government.

     

  • Lagos immortalises 2002 bomb blast victims

    Lagos immortalises 2002 bomb blast victims

    •Governor opens 2.1km road, bridges

    Victims of the 2002 Lagos bomb blasts were immortalised yesterday, 12 years after the tragedy.

    The road and the bridges where they died while running away from the blast scene, were named ‘January 27 Link Bridge.’

    Tears flowed at the ceremony as bereaved families relived the January 27, 2002 incident which rocked the Ikeja Army Cantonment. They recalled last moments with their loved ones, who died in the Oke-Afa canal in the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state.

    Governor Babatunde Fashola, who commissioned the 2.1-kilometre Ejigbo-Ajao link road and its two bridges, was pensive. So were others during the one-minute silence and prayers for the victims.

    Mr Nurudeen Oyegbemi, who chairs the Association of the Bomb Blast Victims’ Families, was in tears. He lamented “the failure of the state government to fulfil its promise to the families of the over 1000 victims”.

    He recalled that during the 10th anniversary of the incident, Fashola promised to compensate the remaining 84 families after taking care of 70, adding: “That has not happened.”

    Oyegbemi’s vice, Christopher lse, sought automatic employment for the victims’ children in the interest of justice and fairplay.

    Fashola said it was impossible for the government to compensate survivors of the victims every year, promising that genuine beneficiaries “not yet captured before now will be sorted out”.

    “There must be a clear closure of the payment of compensation because no amount of compensation will bring the dead back, but we can only cherish their memory by executing lasting projects in their memory; that is exactly what we have done. But you must assist us to verify who the real beneficiaries of compensation are,” the governor added.

    Fashola said the calamity was avoidable, if the authorities had been alive to their responsibilities.He added: “It was the responsibility of the PDP government to manage bombs and explosives and to look after the Nigerian military, but they dropped the bombs. Since then, they have pretended as if nothing was wrong.”

    The neglect, he said, prompted his administration to intervene by rebuilding the schools and hospitals within the Ikeja Cantonment, which were destroyed by the incident.

    “My predecessor promised you that day that a bridge would be built to link Ejigbo to Ajao Estate; I have come here today to fulfil that promise,” he said.

    Fashola berated the Federal Government for neglecting the roads in the area, which he said were damaged by the tankers lifting fuel from the NNPC Depot in Ejigbo. “It shows the kind of respect and concern that the party that manages the Federal Government has for you; they will come back to you to ask for votes,” he said.

    Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Dr Obafemi Hamzat said the road would end congestion along the Ejigbo corridor to enable travellers from Ikotun connect the Airport Road without going through Isolo.

     

  • Why I stole SAN’s vehicle, by suspect

    Why I stole SAN’s vehicle, by suspect

    A suspect, Wasack Lawal, who formerly dealt in hard drugs, has told operatives of the Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), why he stole a Land Cruiser Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonging to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    The 42-year-old suspect, who hails from Ajase in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, told The Nation: “What really led me into stealing cars of people or company I worked for was the insult I got from one woman who employed me as her private driver. She is hot tempered; she used to slap me as she would do to her slave or house-help. She slapped me so hard one day that I decided that the only way to take revenge on such heartless people is to steal their cars and use the money to play big boy in town. That was how I started stealing cars,” he said.

    What led him into the net of SARS, he said, is the Land Cruiser SUV belonging to the SAN who resides in Surulere, Lagos. “The lawyer employed me at a monthly salary of N35, 000. I worked with the man for only two days before I showed him the type of driver I am. I drove his vehicle to Mowe in Ogun State and parked it in the house of Mr Ayo, who earlier bought a Fore-Runner SUV from me. Some policemen came to arrest me at my Agbado house on January 2 this year. I made only N1.8 million in three years,” Lawal said.

    A police source revealed that Lawal was employed by the SAN on December 10, last year. “When he drove the lawyer to a function on Ozumba Mbadiwe Way, Victoria Island, he disappeared with the vehicle, leaving him and his wife stranded. He reported the matter at the Bar Beach Police Station the next day at about 12.30am and the suspect was arrested on January 2 at Agbado,” the source said.

    On his life in the past he said: “I was a wrist-watch seller but when I learnt driving, I started working at a national newspaper in Lagos as a driver on a very poor salary. I got another driving job with a company that produces juice on a monthly salary of N27, 000. It was one Suraju, a fellow driver that I employed me. I was not comfortable there, so I started planning how to steal one of their cars. I eventually got one and contacted a buyer who later asked me to bring the car’s key to a place in Ikeja. When I met them, they put drug into my drink and I slept off. As I was sleeping, they took the key and disappeared without giving me a kobo.

    “I got another job at Ilupeju where I drove a white-man. After working for two days, I drove away his Nissan Path Finder SUV to Agbado. A buyer, Rasheed, bought it for N2 million, but did not pay immediately. He later gave me a Honda Baby Boy car worth N500, 000, pledging to pay the rest later, but the total cash I collected from him was N1.5 million.”

  • Spare parts dealer hides heroin in stomach

    Spare parts dealer hides heroin in stomach

    •Syndicate abandons drug at airport

    A 38-year-old auto spares’ dealer, Ohagwu Ernest Ifeanyi, who attempted boarding a Qatar Airline Flight to China with 735 grammes of substance suspected to be heroin hidden in his stomach, has been arrested. The drug, weighing 10.005 kilogrammes, is valued at over N80 million.

    A suspected drug syndicate also abandoned 9.27 kilogrammes of heroin brought in from Pakistan at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) discovered the drug inside an abandoned luggage on the conveyor belt during the inward screening of passengers on an Emirate Flight.

    NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport Mr Hamza Umar described the seizure is a good way to start the year, considering the value of the drug.

    “The heroin seizures comprising 9.270kg imported from Pakistan and 735 grammes ingested by one Ohagwu Earnest Ifeanyi weighed 10.005 kilogrammes. The suspect was arrested following a positive test for drug ingestion,” Hamza stated.

    Ifeanyi, who hails from Enugu State, said: “I sell auto spares at Onitsha where I live with my wife and two children. My involvement in drugs was to enable me recover the N2 million loss I incurred in my business. A friend of mine who is based in China introduced me to drug trafficking. They were to pay me 2,500 dollars. They gave me the heroin to swallow in a hotel room in Lagos, but I was arrested at the airport.”

    Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said: “Drug cartels only abandon their highly valued drugs when it becomes impossible to beat security checks. This seizure clearly underscores the agency’s steady progress in counter-narcotics operations.”

    “Besides taking the seized drug out of circulation, we have also prevented the suspect from facing possible death penalty in China for drug trafficking. The agency will leave no stone unturned in the fight against drug barons,” Giade added.