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Tag: Disu

  • Lagos asks IGP to take over probe of Disu’s death

    Lagos asks IGP to take over probe of Disu’s death

    •White Paper on LFTZ out

    The Lagos State Government has asked Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase to take over investigation into the death of former Lekki Worldwide Limited Alhaji Tajudeen Disu last October 12 at the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ).

    In a White Paper on the recommendation of the tribunal, which probed the October 12, 2015 disturbance at LFTZ, the government said it was imperative that Arase took over the case because of the conflict over Disu’s death.

    Leaders of the Okunraye community where Disu died on October 12, 2015 had claimed that the late Disu was killed by a stray bullet from mobile policemen attached to the area, but the police denied the allegation.

    The government reiterated its commitment to granting investors access at the zone.

    It directed the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives to ensure that outstanding compensation issues were resolved forthwith.

    A statement by Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr Steve Ayorinde said the ministry was also directed to ensure that the Resettlement Committee is reconstituted in line with the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable it perform.

    The government directed that “a LFTZ Peace and Security Committee comprising the police and representatives of investors of the affected villages be constituted to receive complaints. It will also resolve issues referred to it, as spelt out in the MoU”.

    It directed the Lands Bureau to prioritise the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy of excised land.

    According to the White Paper, the government accepted the tribunal’s recommendation that cash payments, no matter how meagre, should no longer be received. All payments should be by cheque, duly receipted by the payee in a format that carries the said payee’s name, picture and signature, it said.

  • Former Nigeria Coach, Disu slams young coaches

    Former Nigeria Coach, Disu slams young coaches

    Former Nigeria U-20 coach, Tunde Disu has expressed disappointment with the lack of top young coaches in the country after 63-year-old Kadiri Ikhana led Enyimba FC to the 2015 NPFL league title.

    Disu was Nigeria’s coach at the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup on home soil where the country were dumped out in the quarter-final 3-1 by Mali.

    Speaking with footballlive.ng, Disu maintains that the slim figure of young local coaches is a problem that should be addressed in the interest of football in Nigeria.

    “Indeed it is a troubling statistics and it seems like it’s not about to change soon.”

    The Coach stressed that a major reason behind the shortage is lack of interests in studying to sharpen or horn their abilities in the trade.

    “Meanwhile, it may not shock you because most of the young coaches I come across are simply disinterested in learning or going for courses that would originally make them better at their jobs,” Disu said.

  • We did not kill Disu, say police

    We did not kill Disu, say police

    The Lagos State Police Command has repudiated the claims of leaders of Okunraye Community in Ibeju-Lekki on the death of  Lekki Free Trade Zone Managing Director Tajudeen Disu.

    It said contrary to the community’s allegation, the police did not kill Disu.

    Its spokesman Joseph Offor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), condemned the allegation, describing the report as cheap blackmail and diversionary.

    “They are not serious. Who inflicted machete cuts on retired Col. Usman, the Chief Security Officer of Dangote Refinery? Was it the police that injured him? Their allegation is diversionary. It’s cheap blackmail.

    “Is it the police who asked the villagers to gang up to stage a violent protest? Is it the police who asked them to come from their homes with charms and ammunition?

    “All those things they are trying to say is simply cheap blackmail and diversionary.

    “It is not true and investigation is still ongoing. When the autopsy is conducted, we will get to know how he died,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone.

    “They should own up because before they left their various homes that morning, all of them were armed to the teeth to do exactly what happened that day which was to kill and maim.

    “The police cannot join issues with them on that kind of cheap blackmail.’’

    Disu died of gunshot wounds when gunmen attacked him during a peace mission to one of the communities in the Free Trade Zone Area in Ibeju-Lekki.

  • Disu: Ambode sets up enquiry panel

    Disu: Ambode sets up enquiry panel

    Lagos State government has set up a five-man panel of enquiry to investigate the civil unrest in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, on October 12, which led to the murder of the Managing Director of Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu.

    Disu was reportedly killed while resolving a land dispute between members of Okunraye community and some private companies embarking on various projects within the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ).

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said it became necessary for his administration to set up a tribunal to investigate the cause of the unrest to prevent a recurrence.

    He said the unrest, if not managed and addressed, could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

    The governor added that as a responsible government determined to enforce the rule of law, the state should take firm and purposeful steps to enquire into the origin, factors and circumstances leading to the disturbances.

    “At a time when this government is attracting a lot of foreign direct investments and opening up the economy of our state, we cannot afford to have such disturbances. We will not tolerate any violent acts which disturb the security of life and property in the state.

    “Having sought advice from the Attorney-General, a Tribunal of Enquiry has been constituted to investigate the causes of this incident and other recommendations therein,” Ambode said.

    The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, gave the terms of reference as: “To find the remote causes of the disturbance; to enquire into all incidental matters that might have led to the event; to collect memoranda from individuals/ stakeholders from various communities and the public on the issue; to invite the public and stakeholders to give evidence leading to the disturbance; to proffer solutions to forestall a recurrence; and finally to make necessary recommendations to the government based on the findings of the tribunal.”

    Kazeem said the tribunal has 45 days to submit its report, with additional days added subject to the governor’s approval.

    The tribunal has retired  High Court Judge, Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi as chairman.

    Members are Otunba Tunde Seriki, Otunba Yemi Lawal, Fuad Kassim and Mrs. Rafeequat Onabamiro.

    A Chief state counsel in the Ministry of Justice, Adebayo Haroun, is to serve as secretary.

    Justice Olateru-Olagbegi thanked Ambode for the opportunity to serve the state.

  • Police deny killing Lekki FTZ boss

    Police deny killing Lekki FTZ boss

    The Police in Lagos have denied reports attributed to the leaders of Okunraye Community in Ibeju-Lekki, alleging that the police killed the Lekki Free Trade Zone Managing Director, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu.

    The Lagos State Police Command’s spokesman, DSP Joseph Offor, condemned the allegation, describing the report as cheap blackmail and diversionary.

    The reports making the rounds has it that stray bullet from the police killed Disu on Oct. 12.

    “They are not serious, who inflicted machete injury on retired Col. Usman, the Chief Security Officer of Dangote Refinery? Was it the police that inflicted the injury on him?

    “Their allegation is diversionary, it’s a cheap blackmail.

    “Is it the police that asked the villagers to gang up in their numbers to stage a violent protest? Is it the police that asked them to come from their homes with charms and ammunition?

    “All those things they are trying to say is simply a cheap blackmail and diversionary.

    “It is not true and investigation is still ongoing. When the autopsy is conducted, we will get to know how he died,’’ Offor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone.

    The Lagos PPRO added; “They should own up because before they left their various homes that morning, all of them were armed to the teeth to do exactly what happened that day which is to kill and maim.

    “The Police cannot join issues with them on that kind of cheap blackmail.’’

    NAN reports that Disu died of gunshot wounds he sustained when gunmen attacked him during a peace mission to one of the communities in the Free Trade Zone Area in Ibeju-Lekki.

  • Police killed Lekki Free Trade zone boss Disu, says community

    Police killed Lekki Free Trade zone boss Disu, says community

    •Sues security agents, Dangote Group

    The death of the Managing Director, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu was caused by police bullet, leaders of Okunraye community in Lagos have claimed.

    This claim was contained in an affidavit in support of a Fundamental rights suit filed before a Lagos High Court against the Police, Directorate of State Security (DSS) and Dangote group.

    The leaders who condemned the detention of  members of their community, alleged that contrary to reports on the incident that occurred on October 12, it was stray bullet from the mobile policemen that hit Disu from behind and killed him instantly.

    In the suit filed before Justice Raliatu Adebiyi, brought under Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 23(1)(4)(5)(6) (7), 12 (1) and 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2004, one Alhaji Surajudeen  Salami, who deposed to the affidavit recalled that the Lagos State Government, sometimes in 2007, forcefully acquired their land from them.

    Joined as plaintiffs in the suit with Salami are Jubrila Balogun, Akibu Razak, Baale Yesiru Amusa (suing for themselves and on behalf of the people of Okunraye Town).

    The community also sued the Inspector General of Police, Lagos Police Commissioner, Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS), the Nigerian Army and Ibeju Lekki Local Government.

    Salami said the people of Okunraye had their homes and native buildings on the land, which was also their source of livelihood.

    According to him, Disu was killed on a day the community leaders were to meet with Dangote Group, to discuss  job-related issues for eligible community youths in the massive project the company was erecting on their land.

    Salami said they had made several attempts to discuss with Dangote management but to no avail, adding that the development forced the youths to barricade the entrance into the project site of Dangote in an attempt to compel the company to discuss with the community.

    At about 9am, Salami said he was informed that a large group of mobile policemen had surrounded the entrance to the project and were burning down the barricade as well as other obstruction.

    He recalled that the policemen stormed the community on the fateful day and started releasing tear-gas and shooting in the air, adding that at the time the shooting was on-going, the Divisional Police Office in charge of the area was at the palace of the Baale of Okunraye to discuss on how the issue could be resolved.

    At that point, Salami said: “Some members then rushed to the Baale’s house to inform him of a mayhem on-going outside and how the policemen had burnt down the barricade.  The DPO left Baale’s house to go and confirm the report.

    “When I got there, I met the Managing Director of Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) Limited, Mr Tajudeen Disu; Alhaji Jegede, Chairman of Resettlement Committee, and the Baale of Igiye Community.

    “When we were imploring Disu, Alhaji Jegede and the Baale of Igiye Community to stop policemen from shooting because the members of Okunraye community did not want to fight and  wanted to discuss with  management of Dangote, the police refused to stop shooting and then a stray bullet hit Mr Disu from behind and he died instantly.”

    He said the bullet also hit a young woman from the community and she sustained injury on the arm.

    Salami, who said he saw the policeman that pulled the trigger that killed Disu, alleged that the policemen stop shooting when they realised that a stray bullet had killed Disu.

    He added that himself and others left the scene immediately to take the injured woman to the hospital, and that by the time they came back, the remains of Disu had been removed from the scene.

    In the suit, the plaintiffs want an order directing the respondents to release them unconditionally from custody; an order declaring their arrest and continuous detention as wrongful and a sharp contravention of their fundamental human rights, as well as a declaration that the invasion of their community on October 12, 2015 and their subsequent arrests constituted a threat to life, freedom, private and family life.

    They also want a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from arresting, detaining, harassing, invading Okunraye community or otherwise violating their fundamental human rights.

    When the matter came up before Justice Adebiyi yesterday, the applicants’ lawyer, Akinlabi Apara informed the court of an ex-parte application and other processes filed in the suit, but the judge said she would not take any hasty decision in the matter without studying the file.

    She said the matter was just brought to her knowledge and that she needed time to understand the issues involved and adjourned till today.

     

  • Slain Disu buried

    Slain Disu buried

    The remains of the Managing Director, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Tajudeen Disu, were interred yesterday at Ikoyi.

    At the event were Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule, who represented Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Tunji Bello, former deputy governors Femi Pedro and Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu.

    Others include former commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Babatunde Balogun; former Mineral Resources Commissioner, Taofiq Tijani; Mrs. Derin Disu; Chief Remi Makanjuola; as well as Chairman, Lekki Free Zone Development Company, Olusegun Jawando, who led other members of the concession to the event.

    The cleric, Dr. Zikrulahi Adenugba,  delivering the sermon at the funeral ceremony at the City Hall, Lagos Island, said the deceased died a martyr, adding that anyone who died in such circumstances in Islam is considered one.

    He urged the government to keep alive the legacy Disu laboured for.

    The cleric further urged the government to support his family and ensure they are well catered for.

    Similarly, an Islamic leader, Ahmed Olore, pleaded with Disu family to avoid being embroiled in rancour, urging them to embrace unity always.

    To Balogun, the deceased was a philanthropist, peaceful and good family man.

    “He was good to a lot of people. He was generous to a lot of people and they would miss him badly. He was a very good friend of mine. We were classmates in school.

    “He was my best man on my wedding day. We have been very close; we grew up together on Lagos Island.

    “Alhaji Tajudeen was an honest, dedicated man and very committed to whatever he was doing. He worked relentlessly to ensure that Lekki Free Trade Zone project got to fruition but unfortunately he did not live to see the end of the project.

    “I pray that God upholds his family, sustain them and give them the fortitude to bear the loss.”

  • Disu: Court remands 17 in police custody

    Disu: Court remands 17 in police custody

    •Lagos Assembly: check arms proliferation •Ashafa, APC condemn killing 

    An Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s Court in Lagos yesterday granted the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) leave to remand in custody 17 suspects held for the killing of the Managing Director, Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, Mr. Tajudeen Disu.

    Gunmen attacked Disu on Monday at a peace mission to one of the communities in the Free Trade Zone area in Ibeju Lekki.

    Ruling on an application by the prosecuting counsel for leave to remand the suspects, the Magistrate, Mrs Folashade Botoku, said: “Having listened to the arguments of both the prosecuting and the defence counsel, I quite agree with the defence on the issue of jurisdiction of this court to hear a case of murder.”

    The magistrate, however, said what was before her was not a charge but an application to remand the suspects in custody to enable the police conduct thorough investigation.

    According to her, Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice 2011 (Sections 1 and 2) empowers the court to entertain such application.

    On the application for bail as requested by the defence counsel, the magistrate said while Section 264 empowers the court to grant the leave to remand the suspects in custody, the same section does not empower the court to grant bail, since it lacks jurisdiction to hear murder case.

    The prosecution counsel further argued that Section 27 of the Magistrate Court Law 2009 empowers the police to present before a magistrate court within a reasonable time person(s) arrested for murder.

    He further argued that the court has the jurisdiction to grant the police an order to remand such suspects in custody for a minimum of 30 days.

    The court ordered that Dele Ajayi; Tajudeen Jegede; Saidi Akanni; Oyelade Taiwo; Sunday Bulus; Abiola Ogunsanwo; Okunaya Stephen; Taiwo Gafar; Agunrege Banji; Gafaru Ahmed; Moses Okoro; Talabi Quadri; Ipaye Oriyomi; Quadri Yusuf and Tunde Yusuf be remanded in police custody for 30 days, pending further investigation.

    Members of the House of Assembly yesterday observed a minute silence in his honour.

    The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, ordered the honour, following a motion on Matter of Urgent Public Importance moved by Rotimi Olowo (Somolu 1).

    The House directed that a condolence letter be written by the Clerk, Ganiyu Abiru, to the family.

    The lawmakers described the late Disu as a peace lover and committed patriot with genuine love for the development of Lagos.

    They urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to arrest the perpetrators and address small arms proliferation in the state.

    The House observed the growing problem of land grabbers (omo onile), saying it would pass into law the bill before it to address the menace.

    Moshood Oshun (Lagos Mainland 2) berated the Baale (ruler) of the area for saying that his people were fighting for their land.

    According to him, the Baale should by now be “behind bars for saying that they were fighting for their land after somebody had been killed”.

    The senator representing Lagos East, Gbenga Ashafa and the All Progressives Congress (APC) condemned the killing.

    Ashafa, in a statement, said: “The sad news of the untimely passing of my good friend, fellow progressive and fellow constituent reached me with shock.

    “It shook me to the core as his loss leaves a huge gap amongst the tribe of intellectual and successful Lagosians.

    “Disu was a visionary; a man who saw possibilities when others saw obstacles. It was his can-do spirit that gave needed impetus to the Lekki Free Trade Zone and many other laudable initiatives in the area.

    “His passing proves that life is transient. It urges us all –leaders and followers – to do the best with every second granted us by the Almighty.

    “The dearly departed has run his race and did his best. May Allah grant him Al-jannah Firdaus.”

    The APC’s Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, urged security agents to arrest the killers.

    In a statement, he said: “The killing portends grave danger to the effort to develop the state and country.

    “We believe that the perpetrators are sworn enemies of progress.

    “We believe that the law must exert maximum pressure to send the message that such extreme cases of bestiality are not tolerable under the new order evolving in Nigeria today.

    “Disu was a tested and competent technocrat who had worked hard for the progress and development of Lagos.

    “His commitment to the effort to provide a conducive environment for investments in Lagos is unquantifiable and his dreams of a Lagos that drives innumerable investments and limitless opportunities remain indelible.

    “Lagos will miss this rounded technocrat.”

     

  • Disu passes vote of confidence on new NFF board

    Disu passes vote of confidence on new NFF board

    Former junior international and Ex Abiola babes player, Tajudeen Disu says the new Nigeria football federation executive committee will by extension benefit the domestic league in Nigeria based on the background of some of the members in the newly elected executive committee.

    In a chat with footballlive.ng, Disu reiterated that the present board is comprised of people who understands the league very well and will do better to help address the common issue of players been owed backlog of salaries because of their experience of the league.

    “They are people who understand the league and have wealth of experience. What is happening to all the teams right now isn’t good because at the end of day, they will still owe their players backlog of salaries and even bonuses”

    “I personally feel that we have people on this present board that are more experienced and as a result, will perform better”

  • Bella Adenuga-Disu grooves again

    Bella Adenuga-Disu grooves again

    Bella, daughter billionaire owner of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr, appears to have staged a return to the social scene after a long absence. After her high-octane wedding a few years ago, she reduced her social outings to concentrate on her marriage to Jameel Disu, the man that means the whole world to her.

    Known to be selective about the invitations she honours, Bella put up a rare appearance at popular fun spot, D’place by Papas Entertainment, Lekki, Lagos, penultimate Friday. It was her first visit since the lounge was opened, and she went with a retinue of mobile policemen as escorts in two pickup vans.

    On her entourage were popular singer, Dr. Sid, and Glo ambassador, Chidinma, among others. With an air of charm and grace, Bella sauntered into the venue and was met with looks of admiration that showed how adept she is in the style department.