The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Adeyemi Ikuforiji

  • Money laundering: Court frees Lagos Speaker Ikuforiji

    Money laundering: Court frees Lagos Speaker Ikuforiji

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday discharged and acquitted the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, of money laundering charges.

    Ikuforiji was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside one his aides – Oyebode Atoyebi.

    They were accused of receiving over N600million from the House between April 2010 and July 2011, without passing through a financial institution.

    Only two witnesses testified for the EFCC, namely its official Adebayo Adeniyi and a former Permanent Secretary and Clerk of the House Adewale Olatunji

    Justice Ibrahim Buba, while ruling on a no-case submission made by the defence, held that the prosecution did not sufficiently prove its case against the defendants.

    Details later…

  • One of Nigeria’s best brains, says Lagos Speaker

    One of Nigeria’s best brains, says Lagos Speaker

    The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has  described the late Vice-Chairman of The Sun Publishing Company, Mr. Dimgba Igwe, who was killed early yesterday by a hit-and-run driver near his Lagos home,  as one of the very best of media professionals to ever come out of Africa

    In a statement on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Adebayo, Ikuforiji declared: “The sudden death of one of Africa’s best professional media men, internationally acclaimed Dimgba Igwe, is a national tragedy all Nigerians had wished, never happened.

    “It is even the more painful and most unfortunate that such a seasoned, hale and hearty professional could be killed while jogging near his home. That he was not even ill at all before his death makes it all the more painful,” Ikuforiji further said.

    He called on the relevant security agency  to  “do everything possible to  bring the killer to justice without delay…”

     

  • ‘Let Ramadan lessons remain with you’

    ‘Let Ramadan lessons remain with you’

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji advised Muslims yesterday to allow the teachings and lessons they learnt during the Ramadan to remain with them throughout the year.

    Addressing reporters after the Eid-el-Fitri prayer at the Oregun Central Mosque, Ikeja, Ikuforiji said: “The lessons from Ramadan are varied. We were taught to persevere, we were taught to refrain from anything that is ungodly, we were taught to be tolerant, to be calm and peaceful throughout the period. Above all, we should allow all these teachings and lessons to follow us for the rest of the year.

    “In the last 30 days, we were sober. We reflected on the word of God. We imbibed the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). So, all and sundry should remain with those teachings we imbibed throughout Ramadan.”

    On the abduction of over 200 Chibok schoolgirls on April 15 by the Boko Haram sect, Ikuforiji said: “It is saddening and it has left a very big dent on the image of our nation. And throughout this period, all we have done is to pray that those who abducted the girls should return them safely to their parents.

    “All Muslims and non-Muslims should intensify their prayers for the safe rescue of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls and their quick reunion with their families.

    “I have no doubt that with our persistent prayers, combined with the government doing the needful, there is no doubt that the seized Chibok schoolgirls will be rescued soonest and there will be an end to the menace of the Boko Haram insurgency.

    “We should also bear in mind that it is only by purging ourselves of all acts that are contrary of the will of Allah and refraining from activities that can endanger our well-being and others that can speed up the emancipation of Nigeria.”

  • All must contribute to building Nigeria, says Ikuforiji

    All must contribute to building Nigeria, says Ikuforiji

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji has said all hands must be on deck to build the “Nigeria of our dream”.

    Ikuforiji spoke yesterday at the opening of a five-day retreat on “Transformational leadership and organisational change” for Assembly members and staff at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Festac.

    The retreat was organised by Judge Business School Education Limited, United Kingdom, an affiliate of Cambridge University, in collaboration with the Lagos Assembly.

    Ikuforiji said: “It is my belief that the task of building a Nigeria of our dream is one that must be done and Lagos cannot do it alone. We can set the pace for others to follow and get others to come along with us.”

    He said that was part of the reason the leadership of other Houses of Assembly in the Southwest were invited to the retreat, adding: “We decided to invite our brothers from other Houses so that they will share their experiences with us and assist in taking decisions that will help their own Houses to come along the path we want the Lagos House to lead.”

    The Clerk, Ganiyu Abiru, said: “The Assembly has made progress in dynamic legislation and good governance, which have transformed the state beyond imaginable proportions, especially in the last seven years.

    “This is not unconnected with the enormous investment in the training and retraining of honourable members and staff on relevant programmes that have impacted positively on the understanding of the science and art of legislation.

    “Through various programmes organised by the House, members and staff have grown in confidence in the discharge of their assignments in a way that the Assembly is able to give true meaning to the role and place of the legislature in a democracy and representative governance.”

    On the theme of the workshop, Abiru said it could not be more appropriate, particularly at a time when elections are approaching.

    He said the topics of the workshop were carefully chosen to address issues disturbing legislative excellence.

     

  • Kefee’s loss, a national tragedy-Ikuforiji

    Kefee’s loss, a national tragedy-Ikuforiji

    The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has described the death of popular Nigerian music star, Kefee, as a calamity.

    In a press statement signed on his behalf by Mr. Rotimi Adebayo, his Chief Press Secretary, the Speaker said:  “For us as a nation to lose such a hugely talented music star like the Branama Queen, Kefee Obareki a.k.a. Kefee at a time when her popularity was soaring internationally is indeed a very huge tragedy.

    “What has made her demise even more painful, is the fact that she was just emerging as an internationally reputable artiste, who would have had so much to show the world had she lived long enough. For us as a nation to therefore lose her at this time is not only unfortunate, tragic and sad but also a calamity.”

    Ikuforiji however called on all admirers of Kefee, her family members, friends and the entire people and government of Delta State to see her death loss as an act of God.

     

  • Otedola: Lagos Speaker commiserates with family

    Otedola: Lagos Speaker commiserates with family

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji has commiserated with the family of former governor Michael Otedola.

    The former governor died on Monday.

    He was 87.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Adebayo, the Speaker said: “The news of the death of Chief Michael Otedola, former governor of Lagos State, was received with shock by my family and I, as well as all my fellow legislators in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    “Though Sir Otedola is bidding the world goodbye at the ripe age of 87, it is most regrettable that he left us at this time, when we hoped that he would still be with us for a longer period to keep drinking from his wealth of experience as a highly patriotic statesman.”

    Ikuforiji said it was pertinent to note that the late Otedola was a statesman and a lover of peace.

    He said: “It is very sad indeed to lose a great soul like Sir Otedola at this time. We are, however, grateful to Almighty God for preserving the late Sir Otedola till the time of his passage.

    “I, on behalf of my family, my fellow legislators, the management and staff of the Lagos State House of Assembly, commiserate with the family of Sir Otedola, of Odoragushen, Epe, Lagos.

    “May Almighty God grant his peaceful soul eternal bliss. May He also grant all members of the family he left behind the fortitude to bear this painful and irreparable loss.”

     

     

     

  • Ikuforiji, Atunwa greet Christians

    Ikuforiji, Atunwa greet Christians

    THE speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji and his Kwara State counterpart, Razak Atunwa, has congratulated all Christians in Nigeria for being alive to celebrate yet another Easter.

    In a press statement signed by his chief press secretary, Mr. Rotimi Adebayo, Ikuforiji declared, “As Christians the world over mark yet another anniversary of the Risen Christ, I heartily rejoice with all Nigerian Christians on the celebration of yet another Easter.”

    Ikuforiji added, “While therefore rejoicing with you all, for being alive during this year’s celebration, we must give glory to the Almighty God for preserving us all to be hale and hearty during this year’s festivities.

    “As you all therefore celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead to redeem Christians from their sins, I therefore urge you all to continue to pray for our great country, Nigeria, to enable her overcome the current security challenges that she has been facing.”

    In another Easter message, the speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Barrister Razak Atunwa, urged all Christians to imbibe the virtues of perseverance, tolerance, steadfastness and love exhibited by Jesus Christ to restore stability, peaceful co-existence and accelerated development of Nigeria.

    In a statement by his media assistant, Alhaji Abdulrahman Sanni, the speaker urged Nigerians not to use the occasion for mere merry making but for sober reflection on issues aggravating political and social upheaval, economic stagnation, suspicion, and civil unrest among the diverse ethno-religious groups that had been co-existing in the country more than a century ago.

    The speaker, while urging the clergy to always preach love and tolerance, further noted that no nation could attain progress without love, trust, tolerance and understanding of each other’s differences.

     

  • Adeyemi Ikuforiji became Aare

    Adeyemi Ikuforiji became Aare

    The speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji was honoured with a chieftancy title, Aare of Alaketu and his wife as Yeye Aare of Ketu Eruyun, Epe. The well attended event was held at RCM Primary School. Ketu Eruyun Epe Lagos. By: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

  • Ikuforiji’s trial stalled

    Ikuforiji’s trial stalled

    The money laundering case against Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji before a Federal High Court in Lagos was stalled yesterday, as the judge was attending a seminar organised by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

    At the resumed hearing before Justice Ibrahim Buba, prosecuting counsel Godwin Obla (SAN) said he was aware of the seminar and consented to an adjournment.

    Without objecting, defence counsel Wole Olanipekun (SAN) urged the prosecution to produce his remaining witnesses on the next date.

    Olanipekun said: “I do not know how many witnesses my learned friend has left, but if he will produce them on the next adjourned date, we will not mind being the tenant of the court.”

    Justice Buba adjourned the case till today, urging the prosecution to produce its witnesses.

    Ikuforiji and his personal assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi, were charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 54-count of money laundering, to which they pleaded not guilty.

    They were granted N1 billion bail each with two sureties each.

    EFCC alleges that the duo, between April, 2010 and July, 2011, accepted N273.3 million from the Lagos Assembly without the money going through a financial institution.

    EFCC alleges that Ikuforiji misappropriated N500 million of the Assembly’s funds.

  • Lagosians urged to register land titles

    Lagosians urged to register land titles

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji has urged residents to register their land titles.

    Ikuforiji spoke yesterday at a public hearing on a bill to harmonise laws relating to land matters, which was held at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium of the Assembly Complex in Alausa, Ikeja.

    He said if the registration of land titles was perfected, landowners would live in peace.

    Ikuforiji said: “We are putting this law in place to harmonise the four existing laws on land matters to make the process easier, because we want our people to live in peace.”

    The Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Lands and Housing, Kazeem Raheem Adewal, who stood in for the Chairman, Bayo Oshinowo, said when the bill becomes law, it would make the registration of land titles easier, adding that existing land laws would be repealed.

    Mr. Sanai Agunbiade dispelled the fear expressed by some stakeholders, explaining that the law would not affect previously registered titles.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands and Housing, Akeem Muriokunola, said beyond practice procedure, there is no significant change to existing land laws in the bill.