The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Driver

  • Driver steals flag, books, rulers, registers

    A 47-year-old driver, Ugochukwu Obuji, who allegedly stole a Nigerian flag, copies of school curriculum and other items, yesterday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    Obuji, who lives at Orile Iganmu, Lagos, is facing a one-count charge of stealing.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Inspector Edet Akadu alleged that the accused stole tags, rulers, registers, books and other school items worth N1.28 million.

    He said the accused committed the theft last November 19 at the Young Shall Grow Transport Company premises, Ijora-Badia, Lagos.

    Akadu alleged that the accused also stole Christmas caps and banners from Mr. Bolarinwa Jibola.

    Read also: We will create better environment for artisans, says Akeredolu

    “Obuji was asked to deliver the items at the park from where it would be sent to the owner in Jos, but he diverted the items to an unknown destination,” he alleged.

    Magistrate K.O. Ogundare granted Obuji N200, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    He said the sureties should be employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    Ogundare adjourned till January 24.

     

  • Abductors kill ex-militant’s brother, driver

    A former ex-militant leader, Africanus Ukparasia, and his family spent the Yuletide in agony, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    Ukparasia, known in the creeks as General Africa, was said to have buried his younger brother, Godgift Lagos and his (Lagos’) driver, Christopher Etima, during the festivities.

    It was gathered that the duo were killed in painful circumstances at Onuebum in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. They were shot dead by suspected kidnappers.

    The deceased were reportedly sent by the ex-militant leader to hand over ransom to the abductors to free a victim.  The hoodlums collected the ransom, but in an unexplained circumstance killed them.

    The abducted victim was said to be a family member of an unnamed official of the Bayelsa State Government. The victim was abducted in Patani, Delta State and taken to the Onuebum creeks in Bayelsa.

    Ukparasia took over the negotiation for the freedom of the victim.

    Sources said the police were kept in the dark throughout the process.

    “The ex-militant leader sent two persons and gave them a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) to go to Onuebum and deliver the ransom to the kidnappers. We don’t know how much he agreed with the abductors.

    “After waiting in vain for the arrival of the men, he called their phones, but none of them answered. He then informed the police, who tracked them to the area, only to find them in a pool of blood inside the vehicle. Right now the whereabouts of the kidnapped victim are unknown”, a source, who spoke in confidence, said.

    Police spokesman Butswat Asinim confirmed the development.

    He said the two bodies were evacuated to the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa.

    Asinim, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the police had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers.

    He said: “On December 16, about 0100 hrs, Lagos Godgift, male and his driver, Christopher Etima, male, went to pay ransom to kidnappers at Onuoebum, but they were killed by the suspected abductors at Onuoebum.

    “The scene was visited and the two bodies were deposited at FMC mortuary, Yenagoa. A black Toyota Sequoia Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) registered as LAGOS EKY 382 CZ was removed to Kolo Divisional Headquarters. The command has launched a manhunt for the kidnappers.”

    On December 22, Ukparasia and friends decided to bury the victims. First, they took the body of 35-year-old Christopher Etima, popularly called Biggie, to his hometown in Ikom, Cross River State. It was a solemn and tearful occasion. Crying and wailing filled the air as the body of the young man was brought to the community.

    The Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Oil and Gas/Conflict Resolution, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe and other high profile delegates from the state, including family of the former ex-militant leader were part of the funeral trip.

    Oruminighe addressed the bereaved family. He was quoted to have said: “Even to us that are standing here, we still have a dead one to bury, the same father and mother to Africa. He died with Biggie the same day. His body is still in the mortuary.

    “But we felt that since Biggie came from a far distance, we should handle his own matter first before we return to our son. I want to plead with you to keep holding yourselves together.”

    After the interment of Etima, Ukparasia and friends returned to handle the funeral of his brother. Lagos was buried at Azikoro Cemetery in Yenagoa. Ukparasia’s friends, including Oruminighe and Caretaker Chairman of Brass, Victor Isaiah, were present at the funeral.

     

  • Driver faces N1.6m theft charge

    A 44-year-old truck driver, Bello Wasiu, yesterday appeared at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly diverting his employers’ goods worth M1.6million.

    Wasiu, whose address was not provided, pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecutor Chinedu Njoku alleged that the accused committed the offence with others at large from January to May, on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    He said the accused stole 562 crates of soft drinks valued at N1.6 million, belonging to Transnational Haulage Nigeria Ltd.

    “The accused was asked to deliver the goods to a customer on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, but he diverted them and converted the money to his use,” Njoku said.

    Magistrate Folashade Botoku granted the accused N500, 000 bail, with two sureties in the like sum.

    She said the sureties should be employed and should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The case continues on February 4.

  • Driver needs N10m for kidney transplant

    A 44-year-old driver, Mr. Wale Ogungbesan, is seeking help  to raise N10 million for kidney transplant.

    He said he spent N71,000 twice weekly on pints of blood and dialysis when he has the money.

    This, he said, included N36,000 for two pints of blood and N35,000 for dialysis.

    Ogungbesan said he was now receiving blood and dialysis once in a week because of lack of funds.

    He said whenever he missed the dialysis because of money, his leg becomes swollen.

    Ogungbesan said he would start vomiting blood and his breathing would be fast and at that point, his family would rush him to Lagos from Ogun State for dialysis.

    He said: “I used to work in an insurance company in Lagos as a contract staff. But for the past four months, I have not been to the office because of my illness. It started on June 9. I travelled to Abeokuta on official assignment. When I returned, I had a terrible stomach upset. I could not sleep, stand or even do anything.

    “When I got home the second day, the pain was so severe that I visited a private hospital near my house at Sango in Ogun State. I was given drugs to ease the pain, but the pain did not stop. The next day, I was asked to run some tests, and I did. I was sweating profusely and breathing very fast.

    After the test, they said the problem might be with my appendix and they started treating appendicitis. But the pain continued. I later went to a hospital behind Sango garage, Abeokuta where they detected that my two kidneys were not working well. I was told I needed dialysis. I was coughing and vomiting blood. My friends, children and wife rushed me to a specialist medical centre. I did the tests again and the hospital confirmed that I had problem with my kidneys.”

     

     

  • Man arrested for killing trailer driver in Anambra

    A 25-year old man, Alonna Onuigwe, has been arrested by the police for allegedly killing a trailer driver at Oba, Anambra State.

    The deceased, Felix Aigbogie, 23, a native of Calabar, Cross Rivers State, was reportedly killed along Onitsha/Owerri road at about 2am following a scuffle.

    The Nation gathered that the suspect, of Umumpama Village Oba in Idemili South local government area of the State, conspired with his accomplices to attack the driver.

    Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Haruna Mohammed, said the suspect has been arrested, while his accomplices were still at large.

    “On the 7/12/2018 at about 9:30pm, Police detectives attached to Ojoto Division arrested one Alonna Onuigwe ‘m’ aged 25 years of Umumpama Village Oba in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State.

    “Suspect allegedly conspired with others still at large, attacked and killed a trailer driver one Felix Aigbogie ‘m” aged 23 years of Calabar, Cross Rivers State on the 7/12/2018,” he said.

    He said the case was being investigated to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident.

    “Effort are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects and bring them to justice,” Mohammed assured.

    Similarly, a 24 year old man, Chukwudi Onuchukwu was also arrested for allegedly inflicting injuries on one Dr. Nnabuchi Obinna.

    The suspect, a native of Obofia Nnewichi Nnewi, was reportedly apprehended by the police in conjunction with vigilante group in the area.

    The Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the arrest, said the suspect attacked the victim with a sharp cutlass while attempting to rob him of his Toyota Corola car.

    He said the cutlass was recovered from the suspect as exhibit in his possession, adding that the victim was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

    Mohammed added that the case was being investigated after which the suspect would be charged to court for prosecution

  • ‘One chance’ bus driver, conductor face theft charge

    A fake commercial bus driver and his conductor were yesterday arraigned at a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court for allegedly dispossessing a passenger of his phone valued at N56,000.

    The accused, Boniface Ape, 33, and Innocent Ago, 27, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and theft. They pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecutor Fidelis Dike said the accused committed the offence on November 2, at 10pm at Ajah, Eti-Osa, Lekki, Lagos.

    He alleged that the duo disguised as a driver and a conductor plying Ajah, Lekki and CMS route, lured a passenger, Eromosele Iragbonse, into their bus and forcefully collected his phone.

    Read also: FCT Police nabs four ‘One Chance’ suspects

    The accused, Dike said,  tried to push the complainant off the bus and he shouted, attracting a police officer nearby, who arrested the suspects.

    He said during investigation, a stolen Samsung phone was found on them.

    The offence contravene sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Magistrate T. A. Anjorin-Ajose granted the accused N50,000 bail, with one surety each in the like sum.

    He ordered that the surety must be a relation of the accused.

    The case continues on December 5.

  • Driver held for attempted rape

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court has remanded in prison a 19-year-old driver, Wahid Rasheed, who allegedly attempted to rape three female factory workers in the staff toilet.

    He will remain in custody until he fulfils his bail conditions.

    Rasheed, of 23, Efun Street, Ibadan, Oyo State, is being triad by Chief Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi.

    Prosecuting Inspector Raphael Donny said the defendant committed the offence on November 5 at 11am at 6, Ayodele Diyan Street, Ikeja Industrial Estate, Lagos.

    He alleged that Rasheed attempted to rape Olusola Bolaji, Victoria Daniel and Alawode Abosede, of Imperio International Limited.

    Read also: Businessman in court over rape of minor

    Donny alleged that Rasheed entered the female toilet on the pretext of searching for water  and sexually harassed the complainants, injuring one of them for refusing his sexual advance.

    He said the victims shouted for help following which the defendant was caught by the company’s guard and handed over to the police.

    Rasheed pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Osunsanmi granted him  N100,000 bail,  with two sureties in the like sum.

    The sureties, she said, must be employed with evidence of three years’ tax payment. Their addresses are to be verified by the registrar.

    Osunsanmi adjourned till December 10.

  • Driver held for allegedly raping minor

    The police in Lagos have arrested a commercial bus driver for alleged defilement of his neighbour’s two-year-old girl.

    Sola Ewulo, 38, a resident of Taiwo Street, Agbado-Ijaiye was arrested on October 24 after the victim’s mother reported that sperm was seen dripping from her body.

    Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal alleged that the victim’s mother left her in the custody of the suspect to buy provisions, an allegation Ewulo refuted.

    Edgal alleged: “The victim’s mother on that day left her in the care of the suspect and dashed into the neighbourhood to buy provisions.

    “When she returned she could not find her daughter and the man she left her with. Later, she saw her daughter on the corridor of the house scratching her private part and complaining about the pains she was experiencing.

    “On closer examination by her mother, she noticed a whitish substance dripping out of her private part.”

    Alarmed by the discovery, Edgal said the victim’s mother asked her who did that to her and she mentioned Ewulo.

    He said the suspect would be arraigned soon.

    Ewulo, however, denied the allegation, insisting that he went out for a job he was called to do.

    He said: “I was not even around. It is not true that the mother left her with me. She usually leaves her with neighbours, not anyone in particular. That day, I was not even around.

    “I was told that sperm was seen on the girl’s body and she said I was the one that did it. I do not know anything about it. I have three daughters, so how will I do that to a little girl?”

  • Driver gets one-month jail for stealing policeman’s wallet

    A commercial bus driver, Obinna Obasi, was sentenced to one month imprisonment for stealing a police officer’s wallet containing some items, including N33,000 and $20.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Ope Agbe, who sentenced Obasi, said he was guilty as charged, following his plea of guilty.

    Agbe sentenced him to one month imprisonment without an option of fine.

    The prosecutor, Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji, had told the court that Obasi committed the offence on August 28 at Chevron Roundabout, Ajah, Lagos.

    Osuji said that Obasi drove his commercial bus, marked LSD 61 XT, dangerously and damaged an SUV marked FKJ 916 AP, which belongs to Ms Nneka James, a Superintendent of Police.

    Osuji told the court that Obasi had pleaded with the complainant to follow him to his panel beater to fix the SUV for him.

    He said that the complainant agreed and carried the accused at the back seat of her car to the panel beater’s shop.

    “On getting to the panel beater’s shop, the accused told the complainant that he needed to visit a bank to collect money in order to pay the panel beater.

    “The accused ran away and abandoned the complainant at the panel beater’s shop.

    “The complainant later found out that the wallet she kept at the back seat and its contents were missing.

    “The wallet contained a driver licence, Voter Card, Retired SPO ID card, three ATM cards, N33, 000 and 20 dollars,” Osuji said.

    He said that the offence contravened Section 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

  • Driver accused of manslaughter

    A 42-year-old commercial driver, Hakeem Salau, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly killing a pedestrian.

    He was charged with reckless driving and manslaughter.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Michael Unah said Salau, who lives at 9, Olumo Street, Dalemo in Ogun State, committed the offence on August 28 at Kola Bus Stop on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

    Unah said the accused, who drove in a reckless manner, knocked down a 57-year-old woman.

    “The woman was crossing the road when the accused drove recklessly and knocked her down. She died on her way to the hospital,” the prosecutor said.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate A. A Fashola granted the accused N750,000 bail, with two sureties in the like sum.

    Fashola said the sureties should show evidence of tax payment.

    The case continues on November 26.