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Tag: Driver

  • AVM Martins, driver die as SUV plunges into lagoon

    AVM Martins, driver die as SUV plunges into lagoon

    Retired Air Force officer, Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Olufunsho Martins, and his driver, have died after their Ford Explorer Sports Utility Vehicle ( SUV ) plunged into the Lagoon on Saturday night.

    Their bodies were yesterday recovered.

    The incident occurred about  10:55pm near the University of Lagos (UNILAG) waterfront on the Third Mainland Bridge.

    The businessman and his driver were said to be heading for Lagos Island, when their vehicle collided with another on the bridge.

    The SUV, it was gathered, sommersaulted several times before it  skidded  into the lagoon.

    It was learnt that officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and fishermen recovered the bodies from the submerged vehicle at about 2:30am.

    According to a source, they both had their seat belts on and  no injuries.

    The source said: “All the car air bags  came out. It was a serious accident. The bonnet pulled out and the roof was flattened, which indicated that the vehicle might have tumbled at least three times before nosediving.

    “The vehicle was over 75 percent submerged into the muddy part of the lagoon. When we brought it out, we had to first raise the flattened vehicle to avoid inflicting injuries on the bodies.

    “The LASEMA General Manager has been in touch with his family and officers from the Nigerian Air Force.”

    It was gathered that some personnel from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and AVM Martins’ family took his bodies away.

    A prominent Lagosian, AVM Martins retired from the NAF in 2003 and had  been  in the real estate and hospitality sectors.

    He developed the Golden Park Estate in Sangotedo, a hotel/events centre at Ikeja, and other businesses.

    LASEMA General Manager Adesina Tiamiyu confirmed the incident.

    He said: “This is a sad incident. I can only tell you that we recovered two bodies. I cannot say who they are because it won’t be fair to the families to learn about the demise of their loved ones from the media.”

    It was learnt that the retired AVM returned to the country last Tuesday from the United Kingdom (UK) to attend a funeral.

    His cousin took to social media to mourn his death. He praying to God to comfort his family.

    He wrote: “So tragic, so sad. We lost my cousin, AVM Olufunsho Martins late yesterday through a Third Mainland Bridge accident.  May the good Lord grant repose to the soul of the departed and give succour to the bereaved. He giveth and He taketh. But Lord, why do the good ones leave so early?”

  • Driver in court for ‘killing’ septuagenarian

    The police in Lagos have arraigned a 27-year-old driver for alleged reckless driving, resulting in the death of a septuagenarian.

    The accused, Abuduljamin Jubril, is facing a two-count charge of reckless driving and causing death at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court

    The prosecutor, Godwin Awase, told the court that the accused drove a DAF diesel truck in a reckless manner and caused the death of a 72-year-old man, Mr. Rafiu Ajala.

    He said the accused committed the offences on September 24 at Kola bus stop on Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway.

    “The accused drove the vehicle on a highway without regard for other road users; he lost control and rammed into the victim, who wanted to board a bus.

    “The victim died on his way to hospital,” Awase said.

    He told the court that “the accused drove the vehicle without a driver’s licence.”

    The prosecutor said the offences contravened Section 20 of Road Traffic Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2012.

    The accused, who lives at Medile in Kano pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Mr. J.A Adigun, granted the accused N100,000 bail with two sureties.

    He adjourned the case till October 23 for mention

  • Driver charged with ‘removing passenger’s teeth’

    A 35-year-old driver, Jimoh Rafiu, who allegedly ‘punched off’ his passenger’s teeth, has been arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.

    Rafiu, who lives at 5, Olaleye Street, Oko-Oba, Agege, a Lagos suburb, is facing a two-count charge of assault.

    The prosecutor, Victor Eruada, told the court that the accused committed the offences on September 14 at Salolo bus Stop on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos.

    He said the accused assaulted Abraham Kunle, after he refused to refund his money when he had a puncture.

    “Kunle sustained mouth injury following the  punches he received from Rafiu during an argument.”

    The offences contravene sections 171 and 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. G.O. Anifowoshe, granted him bail at N25, 000 with two sureties.

    He said the sureties should be employed with an evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State government.

    The case was adjourned till October 20 for mention.

  • ‘I caught my wife, driver making love’

    A businessman, Moses Ojiekomhan, yesterday told an Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, that he caught his wife, Joy, in bed with his driver Emeka Osuh, at their Lagos home.

    Ojiekomhan, the Managing Director of Legend Logistics and Integrated Concept Limited, Ikeja, stated this during Joy’s arraignment on a two count-charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    Joy pleaded not guilty.

    The mother of two, through her counsel Mr. J. Uwabuche, accused Ojiekomhan of abducting their 18-month-old baby.

    According to the police, in a charge marked G38/2017, last June 30 around 11:30am, Joy,  37, conspired with Osuh, who is now at large, to steal N1,136,400 belonging to Legend Logistics and Integrated Concept.

    According to prosecuting counsel, Mr. E. I. Onine, the alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 411 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Uwabuche, who urged the court to admit Joy to bail on liberal terms, said the matter was between husband and wife, and that reconciliation was ongoing between their family members.

    This was not opposed by Onine.

    Before her ruling, Chief Magistrate Helen Omisore turned to Ojiekomhan and sought confirmation of the duo’s relationship.

    Ojiekomhan replied: “We once lived together as husband and wife but we are now separated. They have charged me to court for child abduction. I caught Emeka, who is a driver in my company, sleeping with her in my house.”

    The prosecutor added that police investigation found that the two were once husband and wife, but separated after Ojiekomhan found Joy and Osuh in his bed.

    Uwabuche, however, pointed out that Ojiekomhan took away their 18-month-old baby from the defendant.

    “An Ogba Chief Magistrates’ Court, in Court 4, has even issued a warrant of arrest against him,” the defence counsel said.

    He stated that Joy’s arraignment was a ploy by the police to prevent her from appearing in court today to testify as a witness on the child abduction charge against him.

    Following the conflicting claims, Magistrate Omisore called for the case file, examined it, and ruled on the defendant’s bail.

    She said: “The defendant is hereby granted N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum. One of the sureties must be a relative to the defendant, have three years tax certificate payable to the Lagos State government. Both the home and office addresses of the sureties must be verified by the prosecutor.”

    The case continues on September 27.

  • ‘I caught my wife, driver making love’

    ‘I caught my wife, driver making love’

    A businessman, Moses Ojiekomhan, on Tuesday told Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, that he caught his wife, Joy with his driver Emeka Osuh,  making love at their Lagos home.

    Ojiekomhan, the Managing Director of Legend Logistics and Integrated Concept Limited, Ikeja, stated this during her (Joy) arraignment on a two count-charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    Joy pleaded not guilty.

    The mother of two, through her counsel Mr J. Uwabuche, accused Ojiekomhan of abducting their 18-month-old baby.

    According to the police, in a charge marked G38/2017, last June 30 at about 11:30am, Joy,  37, conspired with Osuh, who is now at large, to steal N1,136,400 belonging to Legend Logistics and Integrated Concept.

    According to prosecuting counsel, Mr. E. I. Onine, the alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under sections 411 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Uwabuche, who urged the court to admit Joy to bail on liberal terms, said the matter was between husband and wife, and that reconciliation was ongoing between both of their families.

    This was not opposed by Onine.

    But before writing her bench ruling, Chief Magistrate Helen Omisore turned to Ojiekomhan and sought confirmation of the duo’s relationship.

    Ojiekomhan replied: “We once lived together as husband and wife but we are now separated. They have charged me to court for child abduction.

    “I caught Emeka, who is a driver in my company, sleeping with her in my house.”

    The prosecutor added that police investigation found that the two were once husband and wife, but separated after Ojiekomhan found Joy and Osuh in his bed.

    Uwabuche, however, pointed out that Ojiekomhan took away their 18-month-old baby from the defendant.

    “An Ogba Chief Magistrates’ Court, in Court 4, has even issued a warrant of arrest against him,” the defence counsel said.defence counsel said.defence counsel said.

    He stated that Joy’s arraignment was a ploy by the police to prevent her from appearing in court today to testify as a witness on the child abduction charge against him.

    Following the conflicting claims, Magistrate Omisore called for the case file, examined it, and ruled on the defendant’s bail.

    She said: “The defendant is hereby granted bail in the sum of N500, 000, with two sureties in the like sum. One of the sureties must be a blood relation to the defendant, have three years tax certificate payable to the Lagos State government. Both the home and office addresses of the sureties must be verified by the prosecutor.”
    The case continues on September 27.

  • Driver arraigned for ‘eating without paying’

    Driver arraigned for ‘eating without paying’

    The police in Lagos yesterday arraigned a 32-year-old bus driver, Alex Okoroafor, who allegedly ate a N200 plate of food and sneaked away without paying.

    The accused, a resident of Sango-Ota, Ogun State, is standing trial for alleged cheating and assault at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    The prosecutor, Clement Okuoimose, alleged that the driver sneaked away after eating the food at Hajj Camp, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on August 25.

    He said the accused cheated Mrs. Queen Emmanuel, who sold the food to him.

    “The accused absconded without paying for the food he ate,” Okuoimose alleged.

    He said Emmanuel saw the driver a few days later and demanded her money, but he assaulted her.

    “When the complainant demanded her money, the accused denied and took a plank with a nail and hit her, injuring her leg.

    “The accused was then arrested,” Okuoimose said.

    The offences contravene sections 173 and 323 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(revised).

    The accused pleaded not guilty and was granted bail by the Magistrate, M.I. Dan-Oni, at N50,000 with two sureties.

    He ordered that the sureties must be employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State government.

    The case was adjourned till September 27 for mention.

  • Driver, conductor strip selves naked in Oyingbo

    A commercial driver and his conductor on Tuesday stripped themselves naked in order to protest their arrest by two policemen in Oyingbo in the Lagos Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    The driver, who committed a traffic offence, and the conductor, who had earlier abused the policemen, passionately begged the law-enforcement agents who insisted on taking them to their station.

    The onlookers and passers-by joined the two culprits in pleading with the policemen who vowed to make them suffer for their offences because, according to them, they had warned the driver and his conductor to desist from breaking traffic rules and using foul language when talking to them.

    When the offenders sensed that the policemen would not listen to their impassioned and tearful pleas and those of the onlookers and passers-by, they went berserk and removed their dresses.

    These actions provoked an uproar. While the commotion was on, the policemen and the culprits were being blamed for their actions by the people watching.

    Ultimately, one of the policemen said: “Lunatics, leave this place,” waving a hand towards some people.

  • Driver jailed for stealing employer’s car

    A Grade 1 Area Court in Kubwa, FCT, yesterday sentenced a 28-year-old driver, Peter John, to three months’ imprisonment for stealing his employer’s car.

    The convict, who lives at Gbazango, Kubwa, Abuja, was convicted for theft.

    The judge, Mohammed Marafa, however, gave the convict an option of N10,000 fine.

    He said although the convict was a first offender, he deserved to be punished, warning him to desist from crime.

    Marafa ordered that the car be released to the complainant, Christopher Josephine.

    The prosecutor, John Okpa, told the court Josephine of Pent Estate, Kubwa, reported the matter at Kubwa Police Station on July 12.

    He said the complainant employed John as a driver and entrusted her Toyota Camry car, valued at N800, 000 to him to use in taking her children to school.

    Okpa said John stole the car, adding that it was recovered from him by the police at Ankpa in Kogi State.

    He said the offence contravened Section 289 of the Penal Code.

    John pleaded guilty and begged for leniency, saying he lost his father and brother at the time he stole the car.

    He said he has a wife and children, who depend on him.

  • Driver, guard held for ‘stealing’ hotel’s bus

    Driver, guard held for ‘stealing’ hotel’s bus

    The police in Lagos yesterday paraded a driver and a security guard at Best Western Hotel for allegedly stealing the company’s unregistered bus.

    Fabian Arinze and Chiedozie Izuegbu allegedly connived to steal the bus on August 12, and took it to Onitsha in Anambra State to start a transportation business.

    It was gathered that Arinze, who was recently employed at the hotel, drove the bus out of the premises and never returned.

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni said a manhunt for him was launched as soon as the case was reported and his employment record was reviewed.

    “It was discovered that the gate man, Chiedozie Izuegbu, was his guarantor and the information he provided led to the suspect being tracked to Onitsha in Anambra State.

    “He was arrested, the bus recovered and during interrogation, he disclosed that it was a plot between them to steal the bus.”

    Owoseni urged residents to embrace profiling of domestic help and employees for easy tracking should a crime be committed.

    Admitting the crime, Izuegbu said he did it because the hotel was not paying their salaries regularly.

    He claimed that despite the fact that the salary was less than N25,000, the hotel usually owed them, making life difficult for him.

    Izuegbu said: “Our plan was to use the bus and start a transportation business. The hotel used to owe us salary. The amount is small, yet they do not pay us regularly. It was frustration that led me to do it.”

    The police also arrested a suspected armed robber, Segun Egan and recovered two locally made pistols, three mobile phones and four cartridges around Alagbado.

    Owoseni said the arrest was made on August 25, by operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Ikeja, who were on patrol.

    According to the Commissioner, the team encountered a gang of armed robbers and a gun battle ensued.

    He said one of the suspects, Femi alias Lighter was killed during the battle, Egan apprehended while others fled.

    On preparations for the Eid-el-Kabir, Owoseni said adequate security arrangements have been made to cover all 345 identified prayer grounds as well as recreation centres during the holiday.

    He assured Muslim faithful that the police and other security agencies in the state would ensure that all roads leading to the prayer grounds were secured.

    Owoseni said: “While wishing our Muslim faithful happy celebration, I want to assure them that every operational plan has been put in place including identification of the 345 Eid playing grounds in Lagos.

    “Adequate security arrangements have been made to cover the grounds and ensure that all roads are covered by presence of policemen with a view to effectively manage traffic and give assurance to Muslim faithful that they won’t have hindrances to places of worship or recreation.

    “The command will not give room to criminal elements to molest or attack anyone in the state within the period. Criminals are warned that the police and sister agencies are fully on ground and well positioned at strategic locations to catch anyone wanting to commit crime during the holiday.”

  • Re: FRSC, please release my driver’s licence

    SIR: Sir, I want to use this opportunity to thank The Nation, for the publication of the above referred letter on Tuesday August 1,; barely two days sending same to the newspaper. As a matter of fact, I was called on by the officers at the Ekiti State office of FRSC, Drivers’ Licence Unit before mid-day of same day the publication came out, to come for re-capturing.

    However, the previous data remained in the system exactly at the point the process got to, before the power supply interruption of February 15. Besides, seven of such cases were resolved (as I was told) alongside mine, that same day, as a result of the publication.

    I hereby thank The Nation and the FRSC officers at both ends, for their prompt actions.

    I also wish to appeal to other print media to which the same letter had been forwarded to, not to go ahead with the publication of same, having being issued my Temporary Driver’s Licence that same day, Tuesday, August,1.

     

    • Babalola Jacob O.

    Ado Ekiti.