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Tag: Fatai Owoseni

  • Police probe alleged N30m ‘Save Mayowa’ fund scam, freeze account

    Police probe alleged N30m ‘Save Mayowa’ fund scam, freeze account

    The police in Lagos State has commenced investigation into an alleged scam regarding the sum of N30 million appeal fund raised for a patient at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Miss Mayowa Ahmed.

    Following an order by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni that the matter be investigated, the police yesterday invited the founder of LIFESTAKE foundation, Ms Aramide Kasumu, and two of Mayowa’s relatives, Mr Iwaloye Seun and Mrs Zaneen Ahmed, to assist in the investigation.

    A statement issued yesterday by the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, Mr Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police also said the the Access Bank account opened for the fund raiser as well as the management of the GoFund Me account were being investigated.

    Trouble had started when Mayowa’s family members posted her picture on the social media, saying she needed N30 million for her treatment at Emory International Hospital, Atlanta, USA.

    Realising that Mayowa is an alumnus of her secondary school, popular Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimakhu, was said to have involved herself actively in the campaign for Save Mayowa fund and grew very familiar with the patient and members of her family.

    Aimakhu was, however, shocked to visit Mayowa at LUTH after the campaign had generated more than N30 million only to be told that she could no longer see the patient because the family had instructed that no visitor should be allowed access to her.

    The situation prompted Aimakhu to suspect a foul play on the part of the family and raised the alarm that the fund-raiser was a scam perpetrated by Mayowa’s family members.

    Badmos’s statement yesterday said the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, had directed that full scale investigation be launched into the report that the Save Mayowa campaign is a fraud.

    “Founder of LIFESTAKE foundation, Ms Aramide Kasumu, and two members of the ailing Aramide Shukura Ahmed’s family, Mr Iwaloye Seun and Mrs Zaneen Ahmed, were earlier today invited to the command’s headquarter on a fact finding mission,” the statement added.

    “Consequently, the command has placed a red alert on the Access Bank account opened in the name of Mayowa, as it has been frozen while effort is ongoing to contact the managers of Gofundme online account so as to ensure funds raised through that platform is not fraudulently diverted.

    “Investigation will be extended to LUTH hospital, Idi-Araba where the patient is currently undergoing treatment.

    “The command wishes to inform all the good spirited people who had donated generously to this cause that it will ensure it does not return as a hoax and every outcome of the investigation shall be made open. “

    A popular blogger, Linda Ikeji, had reported on Thursday that some people involved in raising money to save Mayowa had told her that it was a scam.

    According to the report, Mayowa’s condition was terminal and doctors at LUTH, where Mayowa is on admission after she was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer had given up on her case, adding that the family was aware of this but went ahead to raise funds for her treatment.

    Youtube videos on Thursday showed the actress Toyin Aimakhu being accosted at LUTH by some people who accused her of telling Linda Ikeji that Mayowa’s case was a fraud.

    The actress was also seen in the video denying talking to Linda Ikeji.

    Mayowa’s story had gone viral last weekend when she made a video of herself pleading for funds to save her life.

    According to her, she needed N32 million to save her life and had been able to raise over N6.5 million. This prompted Aimakhu to pay Mayowa a visit at LUTH on Monday.

    Aimakhu posted pictures of her and Mayowa on her Instagram account and pleaded with Nigerians to help fund a Go Fund Me account opened for that purpose.

    “This is Mayowa,” she wrote. “I don’t know her. I have never met her. The only thing I know about her is that she is my fan. I am an actress and I believe this is the time to use my voice. We need your help.”

    However, on Thursday, Aimakhu again posted that there was a fake Go Fund Me account using Mayowa’s case and the public should be aware of this.

    “Please, to the public, this is so so fake. No more gofunds on behalf of Mayowa and whoever is behind this, shame on you. Please disregard any information about her.

    “If you need any information, kindly get in touch with me. I will bring more information tonight again. Whoever created this account, shame on you again.

    “And lastly to all our pastors, alfas and traditionalists and everyone, please, she needs our prayers more now, and I’m sure God wants to use Mayowa’s case to let us know we Nigerians love ourselves and we are the best country in the world.”

    The development left many many Nigerians confused as to what to believe.

    A snapshot of the Go Fund Me account that was raised for Mayowa said she was diagnosed with bilateral Ovarian Mass Carcinoma and needed 100, 000 dollars for treatment at Emory International Hospital, Atlanta, USA.

    But according to Linda Ikeji, “there is no letter from Emory Hospital inviting her over. Mayowa does not have a US visa and the cancer has even spread to her liver.’

    The blog added that ‘some of Mayowa’s family members are being detained at Area D in Mushin (Lagos) while they investigate.’

    But the Ahmed family members on Thursday denied that the Save Mayowa appeal was a scam.

    In a statement, they said that the sole purpose the funds were raised was to take Mayowa abroad for proper medical care.

    “As a family, we want to make these affirmative statements,” the statement reads, noting that some people doubted her surviving her present condition.

    “Mayowa is presently at LUTH receiving treatment for her seven-hour trip to Abu Dhabi. We also engaged the services of Flying Doctors to accompany her on the trip based on recommendation by doctors in LUTH.

    “She is receiving treatment to allow her to be able to travel as advised by doctors. She’s been transfused to help improve her PCV.

    “The funds raised are solely for Mayowa’s treatment and for no other reason. We await her visa to commence the journey as we are in touch with the doctors abroad and they are awaiting her arrival.

    “We appreciate the contributions made by Nigerians on this journey. Mayowa will live to tell this story and you shall be one of the audiences by His grace.

    “We have been misled by the so-called top hospitals in Nigeria and have only helped to make the issue worse. We require every support to help to give our dear Mayowa another attempt to regain her life and live the remaining as God has ordained.”

    In an interview granted to online news platform, Pulse.ng, Mayowa’s sister, Mariam Ahmed, said her sister has sickle cell and ovarian cancer and said Linda Ikeji cooked up her story.

  • Lagos to enforce Okada restriction, street trading laws

    Lagos to enforce Okada restriction, street trading laws

    The Lagos State Government at the weekend said it would henceforth strictly enforce the law on environmental offences, restriction of operation of commercial motorcycles, popularly called Okada on certain routes and street trading.

    Rising from the monthly Security Council Meeting attended heads of all security agencies in the state and chaired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the Government urged residents to willfully comply with the extant laws in the state to make the enforcement of the law easier.

    Briefing Government House Correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, urged the public to desist from patronising traders especially where street trading is not allowed.

    Owoseni also counseled Lagosians to stop patronising commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada operators on routes where the law restricts them from plying.

    Owoseni, who briefed journalists alongside heads of the Army, Navy, Airforce and other security agencies in state, said: “The Council appraised the security situation in the state and looked at the challenges we are still having and from discussions and conclusions that were made, the Council agreed that lot of progress had been made.”

    “We have covered lot of miles regarding security and safety in the state. For now, the State is relatively peaceful.

    “We want to sustain that tempo; we want to improve on that tempo. We have looked at those areas we need to improve upon and basically those were the issues the Council considered,” Owoseni said.

    When asked on the directive by Governor Ambode at the Town Hall Meeting in Ikorodu last week that Okada should not ply Mile 12-Ikorodu route, the Commissioner said: “Yes, we deliberated on that and I can tell you that we specifically considered the need to improve on enforcement of the laws of the state, especially the areas where we have been having challenges with members of the public with regard to enforcement. ”

    “Specifically, I’m talking about the street trading, the restriction of commercial motorcyclists to certain areas. You see, there is need to have the buy-in of members of the public in all these and the Council considered the need for us to still tell the citizens that in as much as we want to enforce, there is also need for members of the public to willfully comply with extant laws of the State.

    “When they comply and conform to the laws, it will be easier for security agencies to enforce. Where the law says there should not be street trading, people should not patronise street traders; where the law says Okada should not ply certain routes, people should not patronise commercial motorcyclists in those areas.

    “But most importantly, as the Security Council has always emphasised , there is need for everyone to be security conscious and raise awareness about security in their surroundings,” Owoseni said.

  • Police kill three armed robbers, nab 779 suspects

    Police kill three armed robbers, nab 779 suspects

    Three suspected armed robbers were killed during gun duels, and 779 suspects arrested across Lagos in the last three weeks.

    This disclosure was made by the state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni on Wednesday during an interaction with journalists at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja.

    He also stated that the police recovered 27 guns, 64 rounds of various ammunitions and 33 different brands of vehicles within the period.

    Among those arrested were 23 suspected armed robbers, two ‘cultists’ and 754 persons apprehended during raids of criminal hideouts in the state.

    The police boss stated that 260 persons were released unconditionally from the 754 raided after they were found to have legitimate source of livelihood.

    “494 of them were charged to court and we secured conviction on 298. The courts discharged 151 persons and 45 are still awaiting trial. In an effort to enforce the state Traffic Law 255 motorcycles were impounded for plying restricted routes,” he said.

    Owoseni who said the most prevalent crimes in the state since March 18 were cult and gangster related clashes, as well as stealing by domestic employees from their masters, noted that the command has been able to recover about 95 percent of cars stolen from the owners by their drivers.

    “Among the suspects arrested within this period were a group which specialises in dispossessing commercial motorcyclists of their bike. Their modus operandi is that they pretend to be passengers wanting to patronise motorcyclists.

    “Then, after they are carried, they use a certain spray on the rider which makes him unconscious after which they dispossess of his bike.

    “When they are done, they meet one Justin, who generates fake receipt and fake plate number for them and they start operating the motorcycles.

    “Five of them, including Justin were arrested and three of the snatched motorcycles were identified by their owners. Police discovered 50 other motorcycles in Justin’s house, as well as fake number plates and receipts. 

    “Also, 13 suspected ‘one-chance’ operators  who are still being interrogated were arrested at different areas in the state. We apprehended about five of them who operate at Shoprite Ikeja, arrested some in Surulere and recovered two buses. Two other persons were arrested who received the stolen items from the one-chance operators.
    “Six suspected cultists were arrested in Lagos Island and they have been charged to court. There was serious confrontation between Salu Court boys and Okesuna boys on March 23, leading to their arrest. But on Tuesday, three more suspects General, Ejah and Taribu were arrested and are currently in police custody, helping detectives to get others.

    “Five suspected armed robbers who attacked a hotel in Ajangbadi and dispossessed lodgers of their valuables were arrested on April 12. We also got some of the boys who ambush bank customers and trail them with their power bikes to rob them of their money,” said Owoseni. 

  • Rescued Ikorodu schoolgirls are recovering – Ven. Olusa

    Rescued Ikorodu schoolgirls are recovering – Ven. Olusa

    • As police close in on fleeing suspects

    The three female students of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary (BMJS) who were rescued from kidnappers’ den on are recovering, The Nation has learnt.

    The teenagers who were initially taken to their school to be reunited with their parents, were later conveyed in a white school bus to hospital inside Police College, Ikeja, to shield them from media exposure.

    It was learnt that the girls who were traumatised are currently undergoing therapy.

    The Nation gathered that all three girls were yet to resume school and were in the same location, within the country, surrounded by their parents and loved ones.

    Confirming this development, Oluwatimilehin’s father, Ven. Victor Ayo Olusa, who’s the executive secretary, Anglican Schools’ Management Board said medical examination has been conducted on the teenagers.

    He explained that they were avoiding anything that would remind the teenagers of the period they were in captivity, assuring that the girls were recovering.

    “No, they have not resumed school yet and all three of them are in the same location. They are in the country.

    “Like any other person, we were in a state of anxiety and tension when they were held hostage. It was unimaginable and very traumatic.

    “But as Christians, we were optimistic and have faith that they will come back. We believed that no matter how bleak a situation, God will intervene.

    “The girls were traumatised when they were rescued. It was not easy for them. Imagine someone who used to sleep on the bed to start sleeping in an unconducive place.

    “They are recuperating. Yes, medical examination has been conducted on them. They are happy being surrounded by their loved ones but at times, they feel down when they remember that they were isolated.

    “All three of them are classmates. We do not want subject them to anything that will make them recall while they were in captivity,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni has said the police was on the trail of other culprits in the girls’ kidnap.

    Owoseni stated this while addressing reporters at the police command in Ikeja, explaining that the police shielded the girls from the public because they are 14 years and to avoid their being stigmatised.

    He assured that the operation was far from being concluded, adding that a lot of information have been gathered towards the apprehension of fleeing suspects and their accomplices.

    The commissioner dismissed fears that Ikorodu has turned to a safe haven for kidnappers.

    “Our greatest challenge was in rescuing the girls unhurt, and not in combating the criminals. We were being cautious because we knew that facing the kidnappers headlong could lead to their harming the girls.

    “Rescuing the girls is one leg of the operation.  Work has just begun now because we are on the trail of the other culprits.  We have built on a whole lot of information and our job is not completed until all those involved are rounded off, as well as their aiders,” he said.

    The Nation gathered plans were underway to launch a simultaneous operation in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo and Delta to fish out dislodged vandals and criminals element hiding in the creeks.

    It was gathered that the operation has become expedient following the spate of armed robbery and kidnappings perpetrated through the waterways.

    It was learnt that the criminals go into hiding in those places after each operation, because they know that the areas are not easily accessible to security agents.

  • Ikorodu girls: We’re on the trail of other suspects, says Lagos CP

    Ikorodu girls: We’re on the trail of other suspects, says Lagos CP

    • Denies alleged police partisanship in Mile 12 clash

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni yesterday said the police was on the trail of other culprits in the kidnap of three girls from Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary (BMJS) Ikorodu.

    Owoseni stated this while addressing reporters at the police command in Ikeja.

    Oluwatimilehin Olusa, Tofunmi Popoolaniyan and Deborah Akinayo were rescued on Sunday morning at Igbo-Okuta Bridge, after spending six days in the Adamo creeks with their kidnappers.

    Owoseni who explained why the police shielded the girls from the public, assured that the operation were far from being concluded.

    According to Owoseni, the command has built on a lot of information, assuring that all those who took part in the abduction as well as their accomplices will be apprehended and brought to justice.

    The commissioner dismissed fears that Ikorodu has turned to a safe haven for kidnappers.

    “Our greatest challenge was in rescuing the girls unhurt, and not in combating the criminals. We were being cautious because we knew that facing the kidnappers headlong could lead to their harming the girls.

    “Rescuing the girls is one leg of the operation. Work has just begun now because we are on the trail of the other culprits.  We have built on a whole lot of information and our job is not completed until all those involved are rounded off, as well as their aiders,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the commissioner took a swipe at those accusing the police of taking sides in the Mile 12, Agiliti crisis, describing the allegation as cheap blackmail.

    Owoseni who insisted that he led the operation and not the Area Commander nor the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ketu as alleged, insisted that his men dis their job devoid of sentiments.

    He also pecked the figures of suspects arrested at 174, adding that investigations were ongoing to ascertain their culpability.

    “Mile 12 is relatively calm and the process of healing has commenced in terms of dialogue. 174 suspects were arrested and at the moment investigations and auditing are ongoing.

    “It was miscreants that were involved in that fight and not normal Yorubas or Hausas. Even when the fight was on, some Hausas hid Yoruba children in their shops, likewise some Yorubas hid Hausa people in their homes.

    “All those trying to play on ethnic or religious sentiments are using cheap blackmail. It is mere fabrication that police or security agencies took sides in that fight. We did our job there devoid of sentiments,” he said.

  • Mile 12 Clash: Lagos meets market, community leaders

    Mile 12 Clash: Lagos meets market, community leaders

    The Lagos State Government Friday met with all the stakeholders from Mile 12 market, Agiliti community, Maidan and its environs aimed at finding a lasting solution to the violence that led to the closure of the Mile 12 market with a promise that a harmonious and effective solution would be put in place in the next few days.

    Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, who presided over the meeting held at the State Secretariat, Alausa, said that all the leaders agreed on the need to cohabit in peace irrespective of their religion, culture or tribes.

    Bello urged the leaders to go back and assure their people to maintain the peace, stating that the State Government would consider the inputs of all those present in arriving at a decision.

    Addressing the leaders which included those of the various sections of the Mile 12 market, traditional rulers from Agiliti, Maidan, leaders of the transport unions, commercial motorcyclists, community development associations and leaders from the communities, Bello said leaders also agreed to go back to their communities and assure their people of government’s desire to ensure that lasting peace reigns in that community.

    The SSG who said the issue of disagreement is not new in the area said what is uppermost is that everybody should see the next person as his brother, hence everyone at the meeting must leave with an open mind of cohabiting peacefully with their neighbours and avoid bloodletting.

    He reiterated the directive of the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode that the market remains closed and all trading activities be suspended to aid security agencies restore calm to the affected areas.

    He gave an assurance to the market leaders from Mile 12 that the State Government is studying the situation and would address all the issues that have arisen decisively with a view to ensuring that it does not recur again.

    Speaking at the meeting, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr I.O Edgal who stood in for the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni said the Police High Command has secured the Agiliti area and its environs and peace has now returned to the community.

    He said the clash and resultant loss of lives was very unfortunate and that going by the level of destruction on ground, it was not commensurate with what was reported to have precipitated the clash.

    Other participants at the meeting including the Iyaloja of Mile 12 market, Alhaja Iyabo Ahmed, Baale of Maidan, Chief Baale Ogunjobi, Baale of Agiliti, Chief Jimoh Onikosi, Serikin Nupe, Alhaji Jibril Magaji, Chairman, Shukura yam, Alhaji Mohammed Damdana, Chairman of CDA Central, Elder M.A Showande, were all resolute in appealing to the State Government to ensure that the issue is resolved on time so that they can go ahead with their various businesses.

    Other Government functionaries in attendance include the Special Advisers to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Hon Kehinde Joseph, Community Development and Communication, Hon Kehinde Bamigbetan and Permanent Secretaries from Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Fola Adeyemi and Cabinet Office, Mr Olushola Odupitan.

  • Abducted school girls: Kidnappers demand N200million ransom

    Abducted school girls: Kidnappers demand N200million ransom

    The kidnappers of three girls from Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary (BMJS) have demanded N200 million as ransom.

    Timilehin Olisa, Tofunmi Popoolaniyan and Deborah Akinayo, all SS2 students were whisked away at about 9:30pm on Monday from their classroom while they were having prep.

    Timilehin, it was learnt is the daughter of the State’s Anglican School Management Board.

    It was learnt that the kidnappers contacted the father of one of the girls on Tuesday, demanding N200 million in exchange of the three students.

    They were said to have gotten the number of the man they contacted from his daughter, and allegedly made it known that their target was the school.

    It was learnt that the criminals’ first call to the man was ended abruptly and they called him again to pass their massage.

    This development was said to have provoked an emergency meeting between the school’s management, victims’ parents and security agencies led by the Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni, which lasted till the early hours of Wednesday.

    Three other meetings were held between 11am and 4:15pm with the school authorities, the combat squads and heads of intelligence agencies.

    However, it could not be ascertained if the school would negotiate with the kidnappers, although they were expecting their call at the time of filing this report.

    Meanwhile The Nation learnt that security agencies have been completely surrounded the school.

    It was gathered that the suspects’ location have been identified and several crack teams of military personnel, police and DSS and the local vigilante group known as ‘Oyabo’ have been deployed into their hideout.

    The Nation also learnt that the criminals were still within Lagos and shocked to a corner.

    It was learnt that the parents and teachers have intensified prayers for the release of the girls, just as academic activities did not start until past 10am.

    As at 4pm, normalcy has however returned to the premises, save for the heavy presence of security men around the administrative block and outside the school gate.
    Some parents who spoke on condition of anonymity blamed the management of the school for lack of adequate security.

    They said on various occasions, the school management was advised to raise the school fence at the School of Science and Technology, but their suggestion was ignored.

    But the school principal, Venerable Olaoluwa Adeyemi who looked very disturbed vented his anger on reporters whom he accused of sabotaging rescue efforts.

    CP Owoseni also put forward the same line of argument, telling journalists who were within the premises to go as information will be communicated to them in due time.

    Adeyemi exploded after several pressures from reporters on him to comment on the issue.

    He said: “The girls have not been found till this moment and why do you want me to start addressing the press? Is that the only job we are going to do all day? People are busy searching for the girls while you are busy asking questions.

    “You cannot keep disturbing us here all you need do is to join us in prayers. Honestly, you people are not helping matters. Infact, you’re adding to the problem by disturbing what people could have done at the right time.

    “The Deputy governor was here and we recounted the whole issue in her presence and the press men asked various questions. Both the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioner of Police has addressed the press but for everybody to be coming here as if this place is a pilgrimage area is not good enough.

    “Let us respect people and the situation, let us look for solution but everybody just want something they will go out there and broadcast the wrong thing even Channels Television did not report the right thing.”

  • Police unveil new uniform for SARS operatives 

    Police unveil new uniform for SARS operatives 

    Following public outcry on the shabby dressing as well as impersonation of operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Sqaud (SARS), the Nigeria Police Friday unveiled a uniformed dress code for the unit.

    The new uniform, which has unique numbers for the Federal SARS as well as the various state, was introduced in furtherance of efforts by the Inspector General of Police ( IGP ) Solomon Arase to emplace an accountable police.

    While unveiling the new kit at the police headquarters in Lagos, the Commissioner Fatai Owoseni said the force has recorded negative image through the actions and conducts of personnel in SARS.

    Aside professionalising SARS by splitting it into the Striking and Investigation departments to curb excesses of the operatives, Owoseni said the IGP introduced the set of uniforms so that SARS operatives can be identified.

    “The IGP came up with the outfits in which the public can easily identify and recognise SARS operatives when in operation. He wants to give them decent identity by taking them out of the practice of just wearing anything, thereby checking impersonation.

    “Henceforth, any police person displaying just black t-shirt and claim to be personnel of SARS is not. This uniform will also help check the excesses of illegal policemen. We are improving our policing method to be public friendly,” said Owoseni.

  • Police seek inclusion in lawmaking process

    Police seek inclusion in lawmaking process

    For the Criminal justice system to be effective, there is need for the Nigeria Police to be included in the process of law making.

    This was the view of the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni who hosted members of the state Law Reform Commission (LAWRECOM) on Thursday.

    Owoseni noted that the setbacks evident in the justice sector were majorly as a result of the lack of consultation of prosecuting agencies by lawmakers.

    While noting that the police does not have control over the lawmakers, Owoseni said some of the laws the legislature usually create turn out to be bottlenecks for the police.

    He condemned the proliferation of government owned agencies by legislative Acts, noting that the police still receive the bashing for their failures.

    According to him, the police receive most of the condemnation from the public, even when the agency was not to be blamed.

    The criminal justice system has always passed the bug with one agency blaming the other.

    “If a judge does not sit, it is the police. If the prison authority fails to bring an awaiting trial inmate to court, it is still the police that is blamed. If there is jail break, the police is blamed.

    “The problem is that lawmakers do not come for police imput before making laws. We only enforce. Most times, these lawmakers create just to suit their whims and caprice and failure of each is blamed on the police. This is the kind of burden the police carry,” said Owoseni.

    While commending the members of the commission who were led by its chairman, Gbolahan Elias, Owoseni said their visit would cement the relationship between both parties.

    “Visits like this cement our relationship. It will help us see the areas where there have been gaps and to also see the areas we need capacity building for our police officers. Since we enforce the law, it will enable us to give them input,” he said.

    According to the Commissioner, most of the grey areas in the Administration of Criminal Justice have been corrected particularly in Lagos State, just as he stated that the holden charge provision in the law was commendable.

    “Most of the areas where we used to have challenges in prosecuting such as holden charge have been taken care of in the new law.

    “Now, we are allowed to take our suspects to court for remand and we have a window of opportunity within which we are enabled to complete investigation.

    “That is why institutions like this and interaction of this nature is of great help.

    “The new law has put us on our toes. It is in line with the policing philosophy of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase, which is intelligence led.

    “Police men do not have to arrest suspects and arraign them before looking for evidence for trial. We are interested in knowledge based policing, so, we won’t have a situation where u charge a suspect to court and start scouting for evidence to prosecute. We are supposed to prosecute and not persecute,” he said.

    Earlier, Gbolahan explained the need to partner with the police, noting that their imputs as the enforcement agency was necessary in the planned review of the state’s Criminal Justice Law.

  • Shot tricyclist alive – Police

    The police in Lagos on Wednesday debunked rumours of the death of a tricyclist, Godwin Ekpo, who was shot by a trigger- happy Corporal at Isheri-Osun.

    Ekpo with his wife, Idongesit were shot last Wednesday at Obalagbe Bus Stop, Isheri –Osun, for refusing to give the Corporal N100 bribe.

    While his wife, a nursing mother, died instantly after the bullet struck her neck, Ekpo was rushed to the hospital for surgical operations on his jaw bones.

    He was however reported to have died in the hospital, after the police allegedly abandoned him.

    But the state’s Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, outrightly denied the tricyclist’ death, insisting that they were together on Tuesday.

    He also debunked insinuations that police abandoned the victim in the hospital, noting that the Force has ensured Ekpo receives the best treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba.

    [ad id=”403656″]According to Owoseni, plans have been concluded to enroll the victim’s children into police school on scholarship, just as they were also working on rehabilitating him after his treatment.

    He said: “Ekpo, the husband of the Isheri-Osun victim is still alive, hale and hearty. I was with him yesterday (Tuesday). We walked round the hospital. He is fine. The Inspector General, Solomon Arase, also spoke with him on phone while I was there and we have been keeping track on him.

    “As at Sunday, his jaw bones that were affected by the bullets were successfully fixed, and the surgery was supervised by the Chief Medical Director of LUTH himself.

    “It is because of the degree of seriousness the police and the IGP attaches to the issue that we have ensured he enjoys the best treatment.

    “Also the police had initiated moves to fast track the registration of his children in police school. We have spoken with him on that and also working with on how best to rehabilitate him.”

    The Nation however gathered on Wednesday that Ekpo was moved to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital after his surgery.