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Tag: Ejigbo

  • Govt closes case in Ejigbo torture trial

    Govt closes case in Ejigbo torture trial

    The prosecution yesterday closed its case in the trial of 10 persons for the alleged abuse of three women-Mrs Ajoke Agomo, her daughter, Nike Salami and stepdaughter, Juliana Agimo.

    Before closing her case, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs Idowu Alakija called her last witness, Mrs Shola Jimoh, a photographer.

    Alakija told Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye that a June 14 notice of additional evidence was filed to introduce the witness.

    She said the defence objected to the tendering of the photographs taken during the investigation.

    This she said, made it necessary to summon the photographer.

    Led in evidence by Mrs Alakija, Mrs Jimoh who claimed to have 30 years experience in photography, said she took photographs of the defendants for the police during investigations.

    She said: “I learnt the art of photography at Olanrewaju Photos in 1976, I was requested by the police in February 2015 to take photographs of the defendants at the Adeniji Adele Police Station. The police pointed out those I should photograph and I obliged them using a Nicon D40 camera to take the photos. I printed out the photos from my memory card and handed them over to the police.’’

    Under cross examination by defence counsel, Mr Olukayode Ademiluyi, the photographer said the photographs were not photoshopped nor altered in any way.

    Earlier, while objecting to Mrs Jimoh giving evidence, Ademiluyi said: “I believe that if the prosecution intends to bring a witness, they have a right to do so, however, they must follow the procedure prescribed by law.’’

     The defence, according to him, received no application on the additional witness brought before the court.

    “My Lord, no affidavit and witness statement were served with the notice of additional witnesses’’, he said.

     Justice Ipaye overruled him, saying it was lawful for Mrs. Jimoh to give evidence.

     “I have listened to the submissions of counsel on the validity of the notice of the additional evidence of Shola Jimoh. Section 251 (6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) makes adequate provision for such a scenario. The notice of additional evidence is hereby admissible and valid’’, Justice Ipaye said.

    The defendants are Isiaka Waidi, (61), Buhari Yusuf (22), Abdullahi Haruna (20), Saheed Adisa (29), Lateef Tijani (37), Ahmed Adisa (65), Azeez Akinosun (36), Jimoh Busari (50), Adekunle Adenuga (38) and Oloruntoyin Dauda (46), the market’s woman leader.

    The defendants allegedly tortured and rubbed pepper on the women’s private parts for alleged pepper theft.

    Justice Ipaye adjourned the case till July 27 and 28.

  • Ejigbo torture: Witness’ absence stalls trial

    Ejigbo torture: Witness’ absence stalls trial

    The absence of a witness stalled the trial of leaders of the Oba Morufu International Market, Ejigbo, Lagos.

     The traders were accused  Julian Agoma, Ajoke Agoma and Nike Salami of stealing and allegedly tortured them.

    At the resumed hearing yesterday, the prosecutor, Akin George, told the Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye-led court that his witness, Adejuwon Olabisi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), was not in court.

    George said Adejuwon was involved in another matter in Benin, the Edo State capital.

    He asked the court for a short adjournment and to vacate earlier dates fixed for trial.

    Justice Ipaye granted the request and adjourned the matter till May 26 and May 31 for continuation of trial.

    The Lagos State government charged 10 persons to court for alleged torture, attempted murder and sodomy in February 2013.

    The accused include the market leader, Isiaka Waidi (61); Buhari Yusuf (22); Abdullahi Haruna (20) and Saheed Adisa (29).

    Others are the woman market leader, Oloruntoyin Dauda (46); Lateef Tijani (37); Ahmed Adisa (65); Azeez Akinosun (36); Jimoh Busari (50) and Adekunle Adenuga (38).

    The defendants are facing a 19-count charge bordering on conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, maliciously administering poison, obtaining money by false pretences and deprivation of liberty.

    The defendants were accused of stripping the victims naked, rubbing pepper and inserting sticks into their private parts.

    They were also accused of obtaining N50,000 from a relative of the victims on the claim that it would be used to repay the traders, whose wares were allegedly stolen.

  • Ejigbo three: Court rules out trial-within-trial

    Ejigbo three: Court rules out trial-within-trial

     THE trial-within-trial in the matter involving the tortured Ejigbo women failed to hold yesterday at a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja.

    This followed Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye’s reversal of her ruling which earlier granted the request of the defence for a trial-within-trial to determine the admissibility of the statements of the sixth and seventh defendants.

    Her decision  followed the submission of the prosecution led by Akin George that it would amount to wasting the court’s time, if a trial is conducted within the main trial on those statements.

    Justice Ipaye ruled that the trial-within-trial was no longer necessary,because the sixth defendant’s statement was not confessional as claimed earlier.

    At the last sitting, Justice Ipaye granted the prayer of  J.H Basir, counsel to the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th defendants to conduct a trial-within-trial to determine if the sixth and seventh defendants’ statements said to be confessional were given by his clients.

    But at the resumed hearing yesterday, George told the court that Bashir’s prayer earlier granted by the court would only amount to a wild goose chase.

    George said the court  could only approve trial-within- trial, if the statements were confessional.

    Citing Sections 28 and 29 of the Evidence Act, George said the defence is seeking to approbate and reprobate by asking for a trial-within-trial as that would further drag the matter.

    “The statements of the defendants before the court were not confessional.

    “Therefore, the court has the power to overrule the previous ruling on trial-within-trial.

    “I, thereby, urge the court to overrule the previous pronouncement on the matter,” he said.

    In his response, Bashir  said the prosecution failed to appeal the court’s previous ruling.

    Said he: “It is the duty of the court to determine whether a statement is confessional or not.”

    Bashir urged the court to discountenance the prosecution’s objection.

    After listening to the parties, the judge reversed her earlier ruling.

    The defence counsel then moved a motion seeking an extension of the time given for cross-examination because he is representing five defendants.

    Bashir argued that the time given to him was the same allotted to other counsel,  representing one or two defendants.

    He urged the court to allow him re-examine the third prosecution witness (PW3).

    However, the prosecution objected, saying it was an attempt to draw the court back on matters already decided.

    Justice Ipaye declined the prayer of the defence , saying

    “I have scrutinised the applications by counsels and in view of the facts before the court, I rule that the application is without evidence and is hereby dismissed.

    Justice Ipaye adjourned the matter till April 20 and 21.

  • Ejigbo three: Father alleges daughter’s death

    Ejigbo three: Father alleges daughter’s death

    Is Juliana Agomo, one of the three women stripped naked in Ejigbo, Lagos, three years ago, for alleged pepper theft dead?

    This is the puzzle an Ikeja High Court in Lagos, has to unravel in the trial of 10 persons charged with abusing the women.

    Juliana’s father Freedom Agomo told the court that he left his daughter in the village in the care of a native medicine practitioner in Republic of Benin only to be later informed of her death.

    He said he was told on phone about her death and burial few days after he returned to Lagos.

    At the resumed trial yesterday, a prosecution witness, Mr Bassey Uket, said the only information about Juliana’s death was from her father.

    Under cross examination by defence counsel, J.A. Bashir, Tunji Busari and Oluwakayode Ademiloye, Uket said when they visited Benin Republic with rights activist, Dr Joe Odumakin, they were not shown Juliana’s grave.

    He said: “We went to their home town alongside Dr Joe Odumakin, the women’s rights activist but we could not ascertain whether Juliana is truly dead or alive even though her father claimed his daughter was dead.

    “The king of her village invited us to his palace and told us that Juliana was not dead and no one should be punished in Nigeria for her assumed death.”

    The witness said there was also no video evidence of where Agomo’s statement was being taken.

    The witnessý tendered two dane guns, two knives and charms recovered from the suspects arrested during investigation into the case.

    Uket, earlier led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs. Idowu Alakija told the court that the police recovered two cartridge guns, two knives and one expended cartridge were recovered; while charms were found on the sixth defendant, who confessed that they were for his personal protection.

    He confirmed that he visited the scene with members of his team led by one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ibraheem.

    Uket said he recorded the statements of the first and second defendants; the statements of others were taken by members of his team.

    ýýJustice Oluwatoyin Ipaye adjourned till February, 16 for continuation of hearing.

    The defendants are the market leader, Isiaka Waidi (61), Buhari Yusuf (22), Abdullahi Haruna (20) and Saheed Adisa (29), Lateef Tijani (37), Ahmed Adisa (6 5),Azeez Akinosun (36), Jimoh Busari (50), Adekunle Adenuga (38) and Oloruntoyin Dauda (46), the woman leader of the market.

    They are facing a 19-count charge of conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, maliciously administering poison, obtaining money by false pretences and deprivation of liberty.

    They were alleged to have tortured Mrs Ajoke Agomo, her daughter, Nike Salami and her step daughter, Juliana Agomo for allegedly stealing pepper.

  • Perennial flooding: Oke Afa community sends SOS to Lagos state govt

    Perennial flooding: Oke Afa community sends SOS to Lagos state govt

    Given its name, Peace Home Valley Estate, Oke Afa, Isolo, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos state, should be synonymous with tranquility and comfort. But the reverse is the case considering the perennial flooding that afflicts the community yearly and is threatening to send the residents packing from their homes.

    For residents of Esther Ibekwe, Azombe, Omololu Fatumbi, Sam Chuks, Vineyard and Ase streets in the estate, it has been a continuous battle with the challenge of perennial flooding for years now. Adding to the issue of torrential rainfall is the flood water pouring from nearby places such as Jakande Low Cost Housing Estate, Ejigbo, Bucknor and environs coupled with other adjoining areas with drains directed towards the community.

    The heavy flooding from about four CDAs which empties into the Valley Estate is making life unbearable for the residents. Most often, houses are submerged and people have had to abandon their houses at various times until the flood water receded.

    The roads leading to various streets are completely inaccessible such that to navigate through, many residents resort to using rain boots while many others simply swim across to get in or out of their houses. Economic activities and movements are hampered. During the last rainy season, the problem was so serious that in some homes, the flood caused havoc leading to lose of properties and other valuables.

    Seeking relief to the problem, the embattled community has written several letters to the relevant authorities all to no avail. The Chairman of the CDA, Mr Omololu Fatumbi in a chat, noted that initially, before the problem got to this unbearable level, the state Ministry of Environment had raised their hopes of alleviating the problem by bringing in a swamp burger which started the construction of the earth channel from the Bucknor bridge but because of a contravention, it became imperative to realign the map.

    The construction project of the proposed earth channel has not been dug neither has there been any effort from the relevant agency again. According to Fatumbi, the issue at hand is not new to the government. It is an ongoing thing but since the project stopped, the situation has got worse since it was supposed to collect water from the four different CDAS.

    The implication is that the community is heavily under pressure such that even if it is a mere drizzle, the flood level is unimaginable.Sir Ikechukwu Ezeonyeka, Chairman, drainage, flooding and development committee of the Estate said that they have written many letters to both the local and state governments proposing the need for the construction of a permanent canal and exit route for all the flooded areas around all the CDAs affected by the flood since the only route that takes it to the primary canal is through Esther Ibekwe street, which is very narrow. All efforts and dialogue at the local government level didn’t yield any positive result.

    Determined to find a lasting solution to their dilemma, Ezeonyeka stated that the residents took their case to the Lagos state government. “The authorities had put a plan in place which includes a map known as the secondary earth channel which is meant to connect the Oke Afa and Bucknor Bridge down to the primary canal at Oke Afa canal but because the earth channel has not been developed, the problem persists,” he said.

    He disclosed that having taken the matter to Lagos state Ministry of Environment at Alausa, the authorities came and took a survey of the canal route as well as identifying and marking possible blockage structures with a view of finding lasting solutions to the perennial problem.

    Investigations show that the survey assessed some structures as major obstructions to the construction of the canal, making the government resolve to demolish the affected structures to pave way for the successful implementation of the project.

    Lamenting the plight of the community, John Ayalogu, a resident and Secretary of the drainage and development committee stated: “We have been on a perennial battle as regards the issue of flooding and development in this area.

    We are suffering here, people are dying. The fear of epidemic is just by our doors. We are pleading with the government to come and assist us to solve this critical problem before disaster strikes and we are all swept away by flood.

    Mrs Ifeoma Mozie, another resident, lamented the menace of the heavy flood. “Many times, my house has come under intense pressure on account of this disaster. When it rains, I would pump water with the aid of a pumping machine for days on end to avert my entire family and household being swept off by the heavy flood.

    I am pleading with the Lagos state government to come to our aid at the Peace Valley Estate. Our children are at risk of being swept off by the flood when they go to school. To compound the situation, economic activities have practically come to a halt because of this problem,” she said.

  • Petrol: Loading commences at Ejigbo, Monsimi depots

    Oil marketers have commenced lifting petrol at Ejigbo depot in Lagos and Mosinmi depot in Ogun State with as many as over 4,000 trucks on the queue, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    NAN correspondent, who monitored the loading activities on Monday in Lagos and Ogun State, confirmed that loading of petrol commenced at both depots with trucks coming from the northern part of the country.

    It will be recalled that depots in the South West were shut in Sept.18 and Sept. 22 due to pipeline vandalism in Arepo.

    Mr Ayo Alanamu, the Acting Chairman, IPMAN in Ejigbo Satelite Depot, confirmed to NAN that they received the product at the weekend and loading commenced immediately.

    Alanamu said that this would reduce stress of loading at Apapa depot, adding that marketers were now relieved.

    He assured consumers that they would now get petrol at approved depot price.

    “Over 2,000 trucks drivers have been sleeping here in the last three weeks in anticipation that they will receive the product as its very difficult to park at Apapa.

    “We hope that pumping of product to this depot will last and ease the suffering of loading at Apapa jetty.

    “We, IPMAN at Ejigbo Satellite depot, have given our words to support Federal Government in fighting vandals along the western coast,’’ he said.

    At Mosinmi depot, an official of PPMC who proffered anonymity, confirmed to NAN that pumping and loading of petrol had since commenced.

    The source said that lifting of petrol commenced immediately the directive was received from Abuja to start operation and this was done throughout the weekend and Monday morning.

    A truck driver, Mallam Kabir Sanni, told NAN that he was happy that he could load from Mosinmi.

    “Most of us came as far as from Abuja, Kaduna and Kano to load petrol since three weeks, but found it extremely difficult to load at Apapa.

    “I beg the official of this depot to work throughout the day and night so that many trucks will load and leave for their destination on time,’’ Sanni said.

  • Ejigbo three: Witness’ absence stalls suspects’ trial

    Trial of 10 persons accused of abusing three women in Ejigbo, Lagos, two years ago, was stalled yesterday because of the absence of a witness.

    Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Ikeja High Court was told that the prosecution witness (PW) was held up in traffic by a downpour.

    Prosecuting state counsel Bola Akinsete said the witness left Port Novo, Republic of Benin for Lagos but could not make it to court because of the “heavy rainfall”.

    She said the witness would arrive in Lagos yesterday and would be accommodated.

    The prosecutor prayed Justice Ipaye to adjourn the matter till today, saying the witness would be in court to testify.

    Responding, Olukoyede Ademiluyi, holding the brief of Tunji Busari, counsel to the second and third defendants, did not oppose the request, but pointed out that the prosecution should have taken steps to ensure that the witness was in court.

    “This is a case that must be tried expeditiously and not one to beý dragged”, he said noting that it was the second time the prosecution was asking for adjournment since the trial started in March.

    Citing the Evidence Act, he said: “Where the prosecution is unprepared or a witness is unprepared to make himself available, the court can discountenance such a witness and proceed with other witnesses”.

    Ademiluyi urged the court to go on with other witnesses pointing out that it appeared the prosecution was not ready to go oný with the matter.

    Lagos State preferred charges against Ahmed Adisa , Isiaka Waidi, Saheed Adisa, Lateef Tijani, Oloruntoyin Dauda, Adekunle Adenuga, Azeez Akinosun, Jimoh Busari, Buhari Yusuf, and Abdullahi Harun a for their involvement in the torture and molestation of Mrs Ajoke Agomo and her daughters.

    They are accused of conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, malicious administering of poison, obtaining money by false pretences and deprivation of liberty.

    Justice Ipaye adjourned the matter till today and tomorrow.

     

     

  • Tension in Ejigbo over sale of bank building

    There is tension in Ejigbo, the headquarters of Ejigbo Local Government of Osun State over the proposed sale of the building accommodating a new generation bank.

    Following incessant robberies, the bank management relocated the branch about two years ago to Ede, a community which is 25 kilometres away from the town.

    Since the relocation, residents have been complaining of harrowing banking experience.

    Tension started when residents said they found out that the bank was going to sell the building.

    At the weekend, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin, addressed a briefing where he told the reporters that the people were going to frustrate the bank’s plan.

    According to him, the town was against sale of the property because the land on which the building was built was never sold to the bank.

    Oba Oyesosin said in 1980 a part of the palace was carved out and given to a bank, which later metamorphosed to the new generation bank after the recapitalisation of the banking industry.

    The monarch challenged the bank to produce the land sales agreement and documents to prove if the land was ever sold to it.

    He said: “For more than 20 years, the first bank operated the branch without any robbery attack, until the merger and acquisition took place and the new generation bank took over.

    “I gave the land from the parcel of land belonging to the palace.

    “In fact, some structures had to give way without compensation to anybody before we could carve out a portion of the land for the bank.

    “In fact, a sizable part of the palace ground was affected.”

    The monarch, who said the proposed sale of the land, was for selfish reasons gave out the letter he wrote to the bank management to complain about the matter.

    The letter reads: “The space given out is mainly for building of a bank. If (the space) is sold, this will defeat the original purpose we had for the land.”

    The monarch said he released the land “purely for banking services bearing in mind its inherent social, economic and commercial benefits to my people”.

    He, therefore, advised the management of the bank to stop the transaction on the land in the overriding interest of Ejigbo.

    Though there are two microfinance banks in Ejigbo, the bank is the only commercial bank in the town.

    Its officials could not be reached for comments.

  • How OPC men, others abused us, by Ejigbo victim

    How OPC men, others abused us, by Ejigbo victim

    There was pin-drop silence in an Ikeja High Court in Lagos yesterday as one of the women physically abused by a mob in Ejigbo two years ago relived her ordeal.

    Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs Idowu Alakija, Mrs Ajoke Agomo told Justice Toyin Ipaye how she and her daughters were stripped naked and pepper robbed on their faces and private parts.

    She said they were assaulted by some members of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Ejigbo market leader and others.

    Mrs Agomo said she was at home when the first defendant (Baba Oloja) came asking for the whereabouts of her daughter, Nike.

    “I told him that I did not know Nike’s whereabouts and he started searching the house. Later, he sighted my daughter coming in through the gate. This made him to slap my face. As he was dragging my daughter away with another man named Tinrin, I rushed to tell my husband what has happened.

    “When my husband and I got to the market place they had already stripped my daughter and my step daughter (Julie) naked. They then took hold of me and proceeded to strip me naked and rubbed pepper all over my face and private parts,” she said.

    The witness said the Baba Oloja and others mixed pepper with gin before “rubbing the mixture into their private parts and stirring the place with a stick”.

    “They then beat us mercilessly with pankere (cane). We were all pleading with them but they did not listen. After some time, Baba Oloja asked my husband to bring N150,000 which we could not produce as we didn’t have. We then begged him and he collected N20,000 from us”.

    Mrs. Agomo alleged that the Baba Oloja and his cohorts forced their landlord to eject them.

    “I sought refuge at a mechanic’s workshop and it was during this process that my baby, Janet, who I was nursing, died. But I am not blaming anyone for her death. I accepted that it is the will of God,” she said.

    Mrs Agomo said she returned to her hometown where she was treated for bruises she sustained during the ordeal.

    She said Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin took their case to the House of Assembly where they were given money for treatment.

    She pleaded with the court to ensure justice for her and her daughters.

    Earlier, Justice Ipaye granted the 10 defendants bail.

    The defendants: Isiaka Waidi, 61; Saheed Adisa, 29; Lateef Tijani, 37; Ahmed Adisa, 65; Azeez Akinosun, 36; Jimoh Busari, 50; Adekunle Adenuga, 38; Oloruntoyin Dauda, 46; Buhari Yusuf, 22; and Abdullahi Haruna, 20- are standing trial for alleged torture, attempted murder and sodomy.

    All the counsel, in separate applications, urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms and in line with terms of bail granted at them by a magistrates court last June 27. They claimed to have satisfied their bail condition.

    Mrs Alakija opposed their applications.

    Ruling, Justice Ipaye said: “I will be delivering one ruling on all the applications. It is equally settled that all defendants are innocent till proven guilty. Having considered the charge preferred against the 10 defendants, they are hereby granted bail in the sum of N250,000 each and two sureties in the like sum.”

    The judge said: “The sureties must be related by blood and must have paid tax for the period of three years, with evidence of livelihood within the state.”

    She adjourned the matter till July 14.

  • APC promises to deliver Ejigbo roads

    APC promises to deliver Ejigbo roads

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly in Oshodi/Isolo Constituency, Hon. Ladi Ajomale, has said that he would use his position to influence massive infrastructural development in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), if elected into office.

    Ajomale made the declaration when he visited and interacted with the Igbo community in Ejigbo. He solicited for their support during the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections, saying his first two years in office will give the LCDA a new look.

    He urged members of the community to come out in their numbers and vote the APC governorship candidate in Lagos Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and all APC candidates during the April 11 elections.

    He said that the APC has an organised structure and that it would be neccesary for the incoming governor to work with members of the House of Assembly and the local government or LCDA as well.

    This, he said, makes it easier for him to be able to meet with the governor who is the number one citizen of the state on the areas that affect the constituency he represents

    Earlier, Ambode had promised that he would develop 20 new roads in each of the 57 local government areas and LCDAs, if elected into office

    Ajomale said he would make sure that the governor keeps his word. He also promised to work with the local government chairman and closely monitor every project in Ejigbo to ensure that they are delivered. “I am going to defend the people of Oshodi/Isolo and Ejigbo and I have to make sure that I deliver as well; this is a promise I have to keep,” he added.

    According to Ajomale, there are benefits in carrying everybody along, especially in this democratic dispensation, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation. He added that the APC as a party that promotes progress, peace and unity cannot afford to ignore the Igbo-speaking community both at the state and local government levels.

    He said: “We are here to interact with the Igbo-speaking people in Ejigbo local council area. It is important to come and see you because we need your votes, so that we will serve you. You have the opportunity to air your views and let us know what we have to do when we get into office. It is only right to come and have an interactive session with you where you will ask questions and give us your support and definitely when we get into office we are going to work together as a unified team.

    “You have just given me the satisfaction and confidence that the coming election is going to be a success story for me and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to come and see you. By the grace of God whatever we need to do when we get into office we are going to do it together.”

    Hon. Akeem Muniru, who represents Oshodi/Isolo Constituency in the House Representatives, also thanked the Igbo community for their support and cooperation, saying that the party is committed to ensuring the welfare of everyone living in the state, including the Igbos.

    He dismissed the claim that the Yorubas don’t love Igbos, adding that both tribes accommodate each other and have been living together for a very long time.

    Muniru urged the Igbos to ignore ethnic and religious sentiments by coming out in their numbers to support the APC during the coming governorship and House of Assembly elections.