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Tag: FESTAC Town

  • The truth about FESTAC woes

    The truth about FESTAC woes

    • By Gboyega Amoboye

    On the Voice of the People, FM Radio station on July 1, the guest of the 7.am newspaper review said FESTAC TOWN was left by the government to decay because 90% of residents are from the Southeast/South-south. I did not know why he decided to add the South-south. When asked by the presenter of the programme, Judeh Ikamijudeh who were the Representatives of the town in the national and state assembly respectively, he interrupted furiously that ‘the issue of representatives does not arise but national interest as residents irrespective of where they come from are Nigerians”.

    Unfortunately I cannot remember his full name but he was introduced as a former journalist a leading newspaper.

    Normally I do not comment on matters like this so that I would not be misunderstood by my friends and some other good people from the Southeast. However for the need to enlighten him and others who might be tempted to think likewise, I find this necessary.

    If he says 90% of residents are from the Southeast/South-south, it means all the primary and secondary schools in FESTAC , the Mother and Child Hospital, The Primary Health Care Centre are staffed and all facilities patronised by 90% of the people from the Southeast/South-south.

    FESTAC town was purely planned as a residential town for 50,000 people with shopping centres provided in every community and open fields for recreation. But today the population has exploded to over one million because of the influx of the 90% of the people from Southeast/South-south as pointed out by the radio analyst. Consequently every space and walkways have been taken over by traders and beer parlours just as other facilities have been overstretched. As if the black race has been cursed by heaven’s decree never to enjoy good environment, the buffer zone that shields FESTAC from insecurity and degradation has been demolished to provide more space for buying and selling while the virgin land, reserved for the town’s phase two development has been butchered for haphazard developments.

    When I visited Ikorodu recently, I was surprised to see roads that only Okada could previously navigate replaced with well-constructed wide roads and solid drainages – Agric, Agbede, Igbogbo, Igbo Olomu, Selewu inclusive. When I congratulated my friend and host that Lagos State government had visited them, he said it was not the state government that did it but Hon Jimi Benson, their representative in the Lagos State House of Assembly who was equally doing charity or giving palliatives. When I asked the same question in Surulere, residents were quick to point at the ‘miracle worker’ and former Speaker of the House of Representative, Hon. Femi Gbajabimila who did not only bring their roads back to life, but also went as far as providing water, street lights and even renovating and modernising private homes built in the 60-70s as a matter of good representation and humanity.

    Read Also: Ponzi schemes: Senate probes N1.3tn CBEX scam

    The question is who are the senators and representatives of Amuwo Odofin where FESTAC is headquartered? What have they been doing with their constituency allowances?

    The question our commentator did not want to answer from Judeh is that most of the 90 % Southeast/South-south residents of FESTAC town voted against the political party, APC in power in Lagos who provides and maintains the primary and secondary schools the hospital and primary health care that are serving them and their children, to vote for Labour Party identified with their kinsman Peter Obi. Therefore their own constituency allowances are not for FESTAC Town where they live and enjoy government facilities. The relationship between the government and the people is that of rights and obligation. It is the right of the government to provide basic amenities for the people while in return the people are expected to vote for the government that is proving the good governance being enjoyed as a matter of encouragement. Only judiciary can afford to be blind, not democracy.

    Would they say the APC government in Lagos State does not deserve support for providing education, health care, and employment virtually at no extra cost for their families? Have they forgotten soon that former governor, Babatunde Fashola constructed the link road from FESTAC to Okota Ajao Estate and Airport Road?

    But what about senators for the area who are from the APC? What has been happening to their constituency allowances where ordinary state House of Assembly member, Benson is doing wonders in Ikorodu? I learnt some of them give some palliatives but is constituency allowance not paid annually?

    The Amuwo Odofin Local Government too could not be absolved from blame. Residents are quick to remember the good work of the former chairman, Comrade Ayodele Adewale but could not say the same thing about his successor, Eng. Valentine Buraimoh who incidentally was not only a friend of Ayodele but also his Director of Works before the handover to him apparently to continue ‘the good work ‘. Unfortunately like Wike and Fubara in Rivers, so also in Amuwo Odofin. In fairness to Valentine however, he built the new market also occupied by 90% of people from Southeast/South-south, the well-staffed and efficient medical centre and a modern administrative office nearing completion. Perhaps it could be a matter of priority or misplaced priority.

    But why should Lagos State abandon FESTAC Town, a unique and historic landmark not only in the state but also the country? God told Abraham that if there were 10 righteous people in Gomorrah, he would spare the city. Governor Sanwo-Olu: Are people who voted for you in FESTAC not more than 10?

    What about the owner of the estate, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA)? If Wike is doing wonders in Abuja, why should the new management of the FHA be dragging its foot?

    I read sometimes ago that on the completion of the town in 1977, the project consultant Eng. Coker said that “my only fear is who will maintain FESTAC?”

    He left behind an effective direct labour unit with heavy duty road maintenance equipment but all were sold together with their expansive yard after the exit of Mr Fortune Ebie. Indeed ‘Cry the beloved town’. May the soul of Fortune Ebie, the first and magical General Manager of the town rest in peace and forgive his successors.

    •Amoboye, a veteran journalist, writes from Lagos

  • Varsity honours CIA registrar

    Nature and history have their typical ways of shaping the destiny of a man. The combination of the two phenomena has been generous and kind to the Registrar/Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Administration (CIA), Lagos. Adm. Dr. Akobundu Okoronkwo.

    Described as one of the finest administrators the world has produced and the foremost administrator in Nigeria, Dr. Okoronkwo was traced by the authorities of the prestigious Fopase University, Benin Republic based on their investigations on his exploits in the academic and administrative spheres. Having concluded their enquiries on this leading but unassuming administrator of global standard, the university authorities unanimously agreed to honour him with professorial chair in Administration.

    In the circumstances, on July 5, the prestigious Fopase University, Benin Republic which is one of the highly rated institutions in the world, bestowed on Dr. Okoronkwo a full-fledged Professor of Administration.

    The event took place at the prestigious Golden Tulip Hotel, Amuwo-Odofin, FESTAC Town, Lagos during a mini-convocation ceremony.

    Announcing the award, the President and Founder of Fopase University, Prof. Kossi Rowland Dogble, who presides over the Council of the 5th oldest and 9th best university in the entire Benin Republic as well as the first bilingual university in West Africa, said the university was impressed with the great achievements of Adm. Prof. Okoronkwo whom he described as the father of Professorial Administration in Nigeria and, indeed, West Africa.

    Handing over the certificate of Professorship and professorial chair in Administration of the University to the award recipient, the Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof. Simon Akpona assured Adm. Prof. Okoronkwo that his efforts in pioneering professionalism in administration in West Africa and indeed Africa shall never be in vain.

    The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, English Section Dr. Orjiugo .C. Samson said Fopase University was happy to be associated with Nigerian College of  Administration (The Statutory Professional Training School of Chartered Institute of Administration) because of the pedigree and high professional standards for which the college is known all these years.

    The Head, Professorial Training and Education Adm. Dr. Okeke Chika Joseph, who presides over the affairs at the Nigerian College of Administration said the award was a dream come true as Adm. Prof. Okoronkwo invested his life savings to achieve the feat.

    The Deputy Vice-Chancellor overseeing all the collaborating degree programmes of the institute Adm. Prof. Nwose, Ifeanyi Chukuma noted that professional qualification does not come easy. He enjoined registered students at the College to work hard to achieve the feat.

    “The opportunity we have given for you to use a stone in killing two birds by achieving both professional and academic qualifications on graduation from the Nigerian College of Administration should be a morale booster. That the Federal Government rates graduates of the College on salary grade level nine; a step above graduates of Nigerian universities, is an advantage that should be explored by all, especially working and non-working class in order  to better their lots and get to the peak of their careers.

    Barrister (Mrs.) Eunice Ike of the Federal Ministry of Education who represents Federal Government of Nigeria in the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Administration was assisted by representatives from University of Benin and Lagos State University and University of Lagos in decorating Adm. Prof. Akobundu Okoronkwo with his new professorial regalia.

    In his acceptance speech, Adm. Prof. Okoronkwo said he regarded the award as a clarion call to do more since the little he has done was being highly appreciated.

    He thanked all who came from far and near to add credence to the occasion. Adm. Prof. Nwose thanked the management of Tansian University Umunya Anambra State represented by Chartered Institute of Criminal Justice and Criminology Administration and Institut Superieur Fopase University, Benin Republic for the collaboration programme with the Nigerian College of Administration.

  • ‘Evans shot me, pretended to be a doctor’

    A prosecution witness, Chief James Uduji, on Friday told a Lagos High Court in Igbosere that suspected ‘billionaire’ kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans, shot him during his kidnap and afterwards pretended to be a doctor.

    Uduji told Justice Adedayo Akintoye that Evans was the driver of the Lexus 470 SUV which he and three other members of his gang used during the operation.

    The witness testified at the commencement of the prosecution’s case against Evans and his co-defendants; Joseph Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.

    The four were arraigned on June 26 following the dismissal of Evans’ objection to a five-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping and attempted murder, preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.

    The defendants and others at large allegedly committed the offences on September 7, 2015, at Seventh Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.

    The allegedly conspired and kidnapped Uduji, obtained a ransom of $1.2 million dollars and shot him on the shoulder while trying to kill him.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    Evans is also facing another charge of conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder, before the same judge.

    In this charge, he is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.

    Led in Examination-in-Chief by prosecution counsel Adebayo Haroun, Uduji narrated yesterday how he was kidnapped on September 7, 2015, by four armed men on his way home from his factory at Agbara in Ogun State.

    He said the incident took place very close to his house at 7th Avenue area of Festac Town, Lagos.
    Uduji said the alleged kidnappers drove a Lexus 470 SUV and fired several gun shots during the kidnap operation.

    The witness said he was surprised to see the men shooting towards his vehicle, adding that he thought they were the police.

    Uduji said: “I was inside my Hilux van with my two drivers when the men came and pulled me out of my vehicle and dragged me inside their own vehicle.

    “I was not blindfolded at this point, so I saw the men clearly and the man at the steering wheel with a gun was Evans; he is the only one I can recognise among the four,” Uduji said.

    The witness testified that it was when he was dragged out of his vehicle, that he noticed that he was stained with blood.

    “I then realised I had sustained a bullet wounds,” he explained.

    Uduji said the kidnappers called a doctor on phone who treated his bullet wound at their destination.

    The witness said he was given two tetanus injections for seven days, adding that Evans was the so called doctor who treated him.

    He said that he stayed for 45 days in captivity and a ransom of 1.2 million dollars was paid before he was released by the alleged kidnappers.

    Uduji told the court that the ransom was paid in three instalments by his brothers, adding that he was released eight days after the ransom was paid.

    The witness was cross-examined by all the defendants’ counsel, Mr Olarewaju Ajanaku who represented Evans, Mr Ogedi Ogu who represented the second defenant and Mr Emmanuel Ochai for the fourth defendant.

    Ajanaku observed that the specific date when Uduji was released from the kidnappers was not mentioned in the statement he made at the police station.

    He also stated that the date which the witness told the court that he made the statement at the police station was different from the date contained in the statement.

    Read Also: Judge angry over delay in Evans’ trial

    According to the charge, the defendants also allegedly fired shots at Mr Donatus Nwoye which hit him on the hand.
    The court heard that they also shot Jereome Okezie, Uduji’s driver, on the hand and head.

    At the conclusion of Uduji’s testimony, the prosecution called Jerome Okezie, as its second witness.
    Okezie testified that he sustained bullet wounds from the kidnappers’ gun shots, adding that he pretended to be dead after he was shot.

    He said he was taken to the hospital by some people after the kidnappers took his boss away.

    The offences, according to the prosecution, contravened Sections 230 (a) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Justice Akintoye adjourned further proceedings till September 17.

  • Edgal: Rent your homes, vehicles to drug peddlers, face prosecution

    Says drugs, arms proliferation behind insecurity in Nigeria

     

    Lagos Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal on Tuesday warned landlords and vehicle owners to shun renting their properties to drug peddlers or face arrest.

    Edgal spoke during an interactive session with stakeholder within Area E Command, Festac Town.

    According to the police boss, property owners where drugs are found would be prosecuted as collaborators, adding that he was bent on flushing peddlers out of the state.

    Edgal said his drive to eradicate use of illicit drugs was as a result of the fact that easy access to narcotics, weapons was responsible for insecurity across the country.

    He warned hotels selling alcoholic beverages to underage persons as well as those housing teenage prostitutes to desist from the action or risk closure of their premises and revocation of licences.

    Edgal said: “The major problem we are having in crime today is cultism and drug proliferation especially among youths which has become a scourge.

    “It has become so bad that for every 10 young persons, four are involved in cultism and drug abuse.

    Read Also: Edgal reorganises Anti-Cultism Squad

    “The fight against drug abuse should be a collective one. Join the police and other law enforcement agencies to eradicate drug peddlers from our communities. A situation where these peddlers now go to primary and secondary schools to sell these illicit substances to our children should not be condoned. We cannot continue this way.

    “We must fight all these social vices that make our communities unsafe. Henceforth, we would arrest owners of buildings where drugs are sold. Owners of vehicles containing drugs would be prosecuted.

    “The country is currently battling several security challenges because of easy access to drugs and weapons.

    “Then, cultists should know that there are not welcome in Lagos. Henceforth, any cultist arrested would be tried on a special law that makes it difficult for them to get bail.”

    Giving police scorecard in the last six months, Edgal said 513 suspected cultists were arrested between January and June, adding that 455 of them have been charged to various courts in the state.

    “Cultism has now extended to neighborhoods and primary schools. Recently 27 cult members were arrested during initiation rites at Epe.

    “We cannot continue to create enabling environment for these hoodlums. This is why you have to be vigilant and say something when you see something,” said Edgal.

    On next year’s election, the police boss said the command had commenced pre-election plans to ensure there were no security issues.

    To policemen in the state, Edgal said they must respect the rights of the citizenry and avoid extortion to foster community partnership.

    “Policing has gone beyond carrying guns and pursuing people on the streets. It is about creating safe environment for people to grow and positively contribute their quota in the society. We are servants of the people and not their lords,” he said.

  • Man in court for alleged laptop theft

    Man in court for alleged laptop theft

    A 38-year-old man, Samuel Urhuogo, on Wednesday appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for alleged theft of five laptops worth N505,000.

    Urhuogo, who resides at Festac Town area of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye, told the court that the accused committed the offences with some others still at large on October 20 at Durbar Road, Amuwo Odofin, Festac Town, Lagos.

    Kokoye said that the accused broke into the shop of the complainant, one Ada Opurozor, and stole the laptops.

    He said the accused was caught by some security guards while he was trying to escape with his accomplices.

    “The accused was later handed over to the police, while accomplices escaped with the laptops,’’ he said.

    Kokoye said the offences contravened Sections 287, 309 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

    Section 287 stipulates a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 309 prescribes seven years imprisonment for burglary.

    Read also: Court remands man for tricycle theft

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty the charge.

    In his ruling, the Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A Etti, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000, with two sureties in like sum.

    He adjourned the case until December 29, for mention.

    NAN

  • Flood sacks Motorists on Lagos roads

    Flood sacks Motorists on Lagos roads

    Motorists and commuters had a hectic time travelling on major Lagos roads on Monday.

    This follows a torrential rainfall that started at dawn and lasted till mid-day, leaving all major roads flooded on Monday.

    The flood became a major headache on such roads as the Agege Motor road (as the flash flood practically took over three major bus terminals – Ladipo, Shogunle and PWD, on the Ikeja bound axis of the three lane expressway.

    Several vehicles which could not navigate the flood, broke down and were seen been attended to by their owners inside the flood.

    The flood left a major traffic gridlock that snaked from Ladipo to G. Cappa, on the outward bound carriage of the express, as well as from Ladipo to Capitol Road, on the Agege Motor road, and up to Egbeda, on the Iyana-Ipaja end, inward bound Oshodi.

    Many motorists bemoaned the terrible traffic situation that has become a common feature along the Agege Motor road, a federal road axial in the state.

    They recalled a similar occurrence last Thursday, which left the entire axis prostrate for about 20 hours after similar rainfall.

    Solomon Oladele, a commuter said he spent five hours on a 35 minutes distance (Agege to Oshodi).

    Lamenting what he described as a recurrent nightmare, Oladele wondered why the government has remained unconcerned to the plight of Lagosians who make use of the road.

    When reminded that government had awarded a contract for the construction of a BRT lane on the Oshodi road, Oladele said the contractor should show more sympathy to the plights motorists and commuters using the road, by urgently carrying out remedial work on the spot causing gridlock on the road.

    “Let the state government direct the contractor to begin urgent remedial works on the collapsed drainage that was causing the flood in the area, while the continue the major work on the road. That way, they would convince us they do not intend to see us dead before the new road is delivered next year,” Oladele said.

    Similar gridlock was recorded across the state. Many stranded commuters were trekking, when it became apparent they could not get any bus to their destination.

    A middle aged woman backing a baby broke down in tears when speaking with our Correspondent. She said she had trekked from Ikeja to Ladipo and was lost how she could get to Oshodi from where she could pick a bus to FESTAC Town.

    “I am tired, I trekked from Ikeja to this place (Ladipo), and am still going to FESTAC Town, I don’t know how to make it to Oshodi,” she said breaking down in tears shortly before a good Samaritan motorist offered her a ride.

    Many motorists living around border towns with Ogun State told our Correspondents that the rain has added to their travel challenges. They said they may not return to their various homes on Monday as they cannot face another round of stress on the road.

    “I have called my wife and told her I may not return home tonight.” Tunde, told our correspondent on Monday.

    Another motorist said he might have to wait till midnight before going home to prevent stress.

    The state government have however urged motorists and other road users to exercise patience as normalcy would soon return to the roads. Government says the traffic gridlock is the usual pattern along the area, any time there is rainfall.

     

     

     

  • My daughter never showed signs she could sell my house — 85-year-old who recently regained possession of her house after 20 years

    My daughter never showed signs she could sell my house — 85-year-old who recently regained possession of her house after 20 years

    Following the judgement by the Court of Appeal on May 3 2017, which saw Mrs Carol Eno Effiong’s duplex returned to her after 20 years, Medinat Kanabe sought audience with the octogenarian. Just how does it feel to be betrayed by one’s only daughter?.

    THE story of how Mama Carol Eno Effiong lost possession of her semi-detached three-bedroom duplex in Festac Town, Lagos for 20 years is one that evokes deep emotion and pity. It also underlines the age-long adage of ‘trust nobody’, as it was her biological daughter that perpetrated the evil, in collaboration with some despicable lawyers, by selling the house and bolting away. Since the story went viral about three weeks ago, many have not ceased to wonder how a daughter could do such to her mother.

    Now 85, Mama Effiong, who worked as a nurse with the Federal Ministry of Health for 32 years, had purchased and paid for the duplex with deductions from her salary for years, ostensibly to secure her days in retirement. But as it turned out, over two decades of that stage of her life has been spent in penury and destitution, as she has had to squat in churches and scavenge whatever she could, to survive.

    Courtesy of human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, she recently got a judgment in her favour to take possession of her house at the Court of Appeal, eight long years after she first got a judgement at the High Court, which she said “the buyer appealed.”

    The Nation caught up with her at the Assemblies of God Church in Apapa, where she has been squatting.

    Her story

    “I was trained in Awka-Ibom but came to Lagos later and got employment with the Federal Health Management Board, where I worked for 32 years.

    I lost my husband in 1965 and decided not to remarry but faced my job as a nurse, so I could take care of my only child and daughter, Carol Effiong.

    During the Festac 77 period, the Federal Government published in the papers that there were houses available for allocation, so I went and took a form which I filled and my late nephew returned to the headquarters for me. By the Grace of God, I was one of the lucky winners of a house, a semi detached three bedroom duplex.

    I began a monthly payment to the Federal Housing Authority Headquarters, which I did until the payment was complete. I kept the document in a small box in the house and never bothered to lock because I was living in the house alone with my daughter and we were very free with each other.

    One day I was arranging things in the house and suddenly realised I couldn’t find the original document in the box. I started looking for it and when I couldn’t find it, I went to report at the Federal Housing Authority headquarters, where I was given some new documents. I also placed a caveat and loss of document report in Vanguard newspapers.

    I never knew that my daughter had sold the house through a forged power of attorney to a 419 and ran away. He sued me through the fake attorney and obtained judgment against me. I was thrown out of the house and my properties left to rot in the rains and sunshine because I didn’t have enough money to rent another house.

    It’s been 20 years now and I have been sleeping from one Assemblies of God church to another and surviving through the help of good Samaritans.

    During the early years, God sent someone who introduced me to the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who took interest in the matter and began to assist me. The case was first heard at the Apapa Magistrate Court; then it was transferred to Lagos High Court in 1997. Barrister Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa was assigned to continue the case in 1997, approved by Chief Fawehinmi. He is also a Good Samaritan. It has not been easy, but God used him to help me get a favourable judgement, delivered by Hon. Justice Candide Johnson in 2009. I was told to go and take over my house but the buyer filed another appeal against the judgment in 2009 and kept living in the property.

    It took another eight years before judgment was given, which dismissed the appeal as totally lacking in merit. The court of appeal affirmed the judgment of the trial court and ordered that I be given back my property.

    For the first time, I saw my lawyer cry. It was as if it just dawned on him that an old woman like me had to pass through so much. May God bless him. But I still want to thank the late Chief Fawehinmi for his empathy and caring heart even in death.”

    ‘My daughter’s action took me by surprise’

    Asked if her daughter ever betrayed any such attitude or needed money desperately at some point, she said ‘No.’

    “She didn’t mention anything suggestive of such to me. She was in her early 30s and was in the University of Benin. I tried my best to give her everything she needed. She had friends that used to visit her; some gave her good advice, others probably gave her bad advice. I don’t know the friend that advised her wrongly. I just know that I tried to please her because I had no other person to take care of. She was all I had. I don’t know whether she was satisfied or not.”

    On whether her daughter has called her since she executed the despicable act, she answered in the negative. “Since she left, she has never called me and I have also never called her. But some years ago, she sent some people to come and apologize to me at my church in Festac. She said she was very sorry for what she did to me and I have forgiven her. I guess she is also afraid of coming to me because she fears that people around will discipline her. She doesn’t have my phone number and I don’t have hers either.”

    Asked if Carol is married now, she said no but has a son for her boyfriend.

    On what she plans to do with the house when she finally takes possession, she said she will sell it, settle all her debts and relocate to her home town and prepare a place where she will live until her last day.

    “I would also love to give some money to my lawyer. For all these years, he has been helping me without collecting any money and I wish to pay him back if he will allow me. Other lawyers approached me, requesting to assist me for a fee but he never did.”

    Narrating the events that followed that harrowing eviction, she said, “I didn’t have anywhere to go; I used my entire gratuity to pursue this case. I started to squat in different branches of the Assemblies of God church until I found myself in Apapa. People who come around to the church help me with my feeding and I also use the money to take care of myself.”

    According to Mama Carol, the most painful day of her life was the day she was thrown out of the house with her properties without anywhere to go to. “My belongings were left lying there for years, with the rains and the sun beating them. Everything went bad. Even if I decide to go back to the house, I don’t have anything to move in there. I lived in the house between 1985 and 1997, when I was thrown out.”

    On her state of health, she said she falls sick from time to time and goes to the hospital. Her bills, she revealed are paid by ‘Good Samaritans’, who always rise up to assist her.

     

    Case should never have been appealed – judges

    When The Nation contacted her lawyer,  Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, he sent  information containing facts of the case.

    It reads as She was allocated the five bedroom apartment located at 21 Road, 2nd Avenue, E Close, House 22, Festac Town, Lagos, by the Federal Housing Authority.

    The Respondent claimed that he bought the house through Madam Effiong and her only daughter.

    Madam Effiong filed a case at the Lagos State High Court through Gani Fawehinmi Chambers in 1997. Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa prosecuted the case in the High Court and judgment was delivered in 2009 by Hon Justice Candide Johnson and the defendant was ordered to vacate the house for Madam Effiong to be restored into possession. The defendant appealed against the judgment to the Court of Appeal in March, 2009 and judgment was delivered by the Court of Appeal on 3rd May, 2017.

    The lead judgment of the Court of Appeal was delivered by Hon Justice Yargata Byenchit Nimpar, to which Hon Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba and Jamilu Yammama Tukur concurred.

    Per NIMPAR J.C.A.:

    There is nothing in this appeal that can ensure any benefit to the appellant. It is surprising that in spite of the record of proceedings and the judgment of the court below, the appellant still pushed on with the appeal. Where a case is bad, it is the duty of counsel to advice his client and thus save the time of the court. The appeal fails and it is dismissed.

    Per Garba, J.C.A.:

    In fact, from the record of appeal, one cannot avoid having the impression that the appeal was brought mainly to enable and allow the appellant who was forcefully and wrongly put into possession of the house of the respondent, to remain in the house for as long as possible, with the sole aim of frustrating the respondent’s efforts of recovering her deserved possession and ownership. This appeal was brought eight (8) years ago, on the 16th March, 2009 and the respondent has been kept out possession of her house for that period.

     

  • Student arraigned for removing friend’s teeth

    Student arraigned for removing friend’s teeth

    For allegedly punching off a friend’s four teeth at a go, an 18-year-old secondary school student, Emmanuel Edu, was on Friday hauled up before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    The accused, who resides at Festac Town, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of assault and causing grievous harm.

    He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N100,000.

    The Magistrate, Mr M.A. Etti, who gave the ruling, also granted the accused one surety in like sum as part of the bail conditions.

    Etti said the surety must be gainfully employed and should also show evidence of a two-year tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The prosecution had alleged that the accused had given Innocent Obinna several blows in the mouth and removed four of his
    teeth on the spot.

    According to Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye, the accused committed the offences on June 23 at 512 Road, Festac Town, Lagos.

    Kokoye said the complainant and the accused, who are friends were playing football when an argument arose.

    “Efforts by other students at the scene to settle the dispute were unsuccessful.

    “Obinna reported the case to the police and Edu was arrested.”

    The offences contravened Sections 173 and 244 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 173 prescribes a three-year jail term for assault occasioning harm.

    The case was adjourned until July 7 for mention.

     

  • COWAP organizes walk for elderly

    COWAP organizes walk for elderly

    The wake of Thursday saw a group of senior citizens take a walk around Amuwo Odofin and its environs. It was a walk and campaign for health and healthy living. It was organized by The Charity Organisation for the Welfare of Aged People (COWAP), in conjunction with the Amuwo Odofin Local Government.

    The day started on a very energetic mode as the elderly were seen to be engaged in exercises to warm up in readiness for their walk.

    According to the coordinator of the event, Mr. Esan Olushola, the aim is to keep the Elderly fit enough to live and lead a healthy life. Participants for the walk were from the age of 50 and above.

    Mr. Esan further explained that the COWAP walk for life started in the year 2010, and has taken place in different parts of Lagos. It is a monthly event in which only registered members have access to other health privileges like free medical checkups, consultations, and other focused group discussions that addresses health challenges affecting the elderly and ways to manage their health.

    A participant and one of the founding members of COWAP, Rev Aderohunmu Afolabi, who is 85 years old said he is not just an enthusiast of the initiative, but also exercises regularly indoors, and ensure that he takes a healthy quantity of water as recommended by his doctor. In his words ‘I enjoy doing all I do especially the walk and the exercise’. He urged the federal Government to support the COWAP organization and its sundry initiatives.

    Apart from encouraging members to exercise regularly, COWAP also provides a platform and a hub in which its members can interact with seasoned doctors from the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LUTH). COWAP is in partnership with a life Matron Mrs. Lawal who owns a registered pharmacy in Festac Town.

     

  • Court finds Cynthia Osukogu’s killers guilty of murder

    Court finds Cynthia Osukogu’s killers guilty of murder

    Justice Olabisi Akinlade of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere has found Okwumo Nwabufo, 39 and Olisaeloka Ezike, 28, guilty of the 2012 murder of Cynthia Osukogu, who Nwabufo befriended on Facebook.

    They court found them guilty of chaining, drugging and strangling the deceased to death at Cosmilla Hotel, FESTAC Town, Lagos, on July 22, 2012.

    Judgment is ongoing.