The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ikeja

  • SEC dissolves Ikeja Hotels Board

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the dissolution of the Board of Ikeja Hotels Plc due to unresolved internal crisis involving some majority shareholders of the hotel.

    Mr Naif Abdulsalam, the Head of the Corporate Communications of SEC disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Abdulsalam said that the dissolution was a proactive measure that had become necessary to dissuade the warring parties from taking certain actions that would give them an advantage over one another.

    “To forestall chaos in the organisation, the commission and other distinguished personalities previously held various meetings with the existing board towards resolving the crises.

    “The company continued to be plagued with unhealthy corporate governance practices in disregard with the Code of Corporate Governance for public companies.

    “As a public company, it is paramount that the activities of the company are conducted within the confines of existing corporate governance regulations in the Nigerian capital market.

    “This is to ensure the protection of minority shareholders and other investors.”

    He said that having failed to resolve its lingering crisis; the commission approved the appointment of an interim board for the company with Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN as the interim Chairman.

    He said that SEC did this through exercising the powers conferred on it by the Investment and Securities Act, 2007 to protect investors and the integrity of the securities market.

    Ikeja Hotels Plc, owners of Lagos Sheraton Hotel, has been involved in  boardroom crisis.

    The development led to some of the shareholders removing its Chairman, Mr Goodie Ibru early 2015 at an Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM).

  • MMIA Police Command prosecutes 70 in 3 months

    The Lagos Airport Police Command prosecuted no fewer than 70 persons from January to March over alleged offences at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Joseph Alabi, gave the figure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.

    He listed the offences to include assault, stealing, obtaining by false pretences and unlawful entry, which contravene Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria by-laws.

    Alabi said that the command made 76 arrests within the period under review.

    “The command was able to secure 25 convictions during the period under review,” he added.

    The spokesman said that 36 cases were still under investigation and trial.

    According to him, the command will continue to strengthen security in the airport and its environs to guarantee the safety of passengers, airline operators and other users.

    Alabi appealed to members of the public to abide by the rules and regulations of the airport

  • Community protests over government destruction of their houses

    Hundreds of residents of Otodo-Gbame in Lagos on Wednesday stormed the Government House, Alausa, Ikeja, protesting alleged destruction of their houses by the state government.

    The protesters forced their way into the House in spite of a barricade mounted by police to prevent them from gaining entrance.

    They disrupted activities at the gate of the House for about two hours.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government had evicted hundreds of residents of Otodo-Gbame area of Lekki, citing security reasons.

    The protesters, who claimed to have stayed on the waterfronts for years, carried placards with inscriptions such as: “300,000 evicted’’ and “land sold to the rich”.

    The spokesman of the group, Mr Paul Kunnu, said that they had documented their requests in a recent meeting with some government officials.

    He claimed that the requests were not given any consideration.

    “Yesterday (Tuesday), we had a meeting with government officials; they told us to bring the list of the people living in the community which is impossible for us, as we are more than 30,000.

    “The government promised to give us special assistance in terms of food stuffs, but that is not our demand. We only want our lands back.

    “At our last meeting with them, one of them told us not to mention anything about the land again or they would send us away,” he said.

    According to the spokesman, the group had requested for restoration of their lands and security measures to guard them against attacks by hoodlums.

    NAN reports that, as at the time of this report, no government official attended to the protesters but the police calmed them.

     

  • Woman charged with stealing clothing materials

    A 40-year-old woman, Oloyede Sola, who allegedly burgled the shop of one Glory Emmanuel and stole clothing materials valued at N54, 000 was on Tuesday docked at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    The accused, whose address was not given, is facing a charge of stealing.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Eruada Victor, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 22 in Makinde Street, Alausa, Ikeja.
    Eruada said the accused broke into the shop of the complainant and stole 20 yards of ‘Atiku’ type of fabrics   valued at N20, 000 and seven bundles of ‘Ankara’ fabrics valued at N34, 000
    “She was caught by the vigilance group in the area with the items and the cutlass she used to damage the door of the shop,” he said.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 stipulates a three-year jail term for offenders.
    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The magistrate, Mrs G.O. Anifowoshe, granted the accused bail in the sum of N20, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Anifowoshe adjourned the case until April 26 for mention.

     

  • UTME: JAMB cancels mock test

    UTME: JAMB cancels mock test

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has postponed the mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), scheduled to take place on Saturday April 8.

    The examination, which was scheduled to hold in some selected accredited centres across the country was shifted at the last minute, thus infuriating the candidates.

    The mock examination, which is not compulsory, was designed to acquaint prospective candidates on the demands of the examination and its processes, using the Computer Based Testing (CBT) mode.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who went out to monitor the examination in parts of Lagos, reports that candidates reported to their respective centres as early as 5.00 a.m.

    At one of the centres in Ikeja, candidates waited patiently till about 2.00 p.m. for the examination to start.

    NAN reports that when an official of JAMB at the centre was approached, to know why the examination was delayed, he said that he was experiencing network problems.

    “Not long after that, the official, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that information reaching him said that the examination had been postponed nationwide,’’ the officer said.

    He added that the postponement was due to “some unforeseen circumstances’’ and that a new date would be communicated to the prospective candidates.

    The official, however said that JAMB regretted the development and pleaded for understanding.

    The information was later communicated to the candidates, who expressed disappointment as they left the venue.

    One of the candidates told NAN that he hoped JAMB would avoid the hitch during the examination proper.

    “Imagine what just happened; we have been waiting here as early as 6.00 a.m. only for us to be informed that the examination will no longer hold.

    “I feel disappointed even though it is a trial examination, but at the same time, it is an eye opener for the organisers to be on their toes, get it right before May 6,’’ the candidate said.

    Another candidate, Samuel Joel, called on JAMB to do the needful in order to allay the fears that the development might have raised.

    Joel said that the country had come a long way to be having such challenges.

    “I do not really know the main reason for the postponement of the mock examination, but I just think that somewhere somehow, things did not just turn out fine.

    “I am not happy going home now without doing the examination after waiting for about eight hours.

    “Whatever it is that was responsible for the problem should be tackled as quickly as possible to regain our confidence ,’’ he pleaded.

  • Sales representative arraigned over theft of N10.2m

    Sales representative arraigned over theft of N10.2m

    A 28-year-old sales representative, Sanni Azeez, who allegedly stole goods worth N10.2 million was on Wednesday brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Azeez, who is facing a two-count charge of theft and fraud, pleaded innocence of the offences.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Ben Ekundayo, told the court that the accused had between December 2015 and March 2016 collected goods worth N10.2 million under false pretences.

    Ekundayo said that the accused collected packs of Bruit and Denim body spray from DARAC Distribution Ltd, at Ayodele Diyan Street, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos.

    He also said Azeez collected the goods under the pretext of supplying them to customers and remit the proceeds but made away with the goods.

    The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (as amended).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 carries a three-year jail term for theft and Section 312 stipulates 15 years imprisonment for fraud.

    The Magistrate, Mr Ade Adefulire, admitted the accused to N500, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

    Adefulire said that one of the sureties must be a grade level 10 officer in the civil service adding that the other must be owner of an account with a minimum of N200,000 in the bank account.

    He adjourned the case till May 25 for mention.

     

  • Let the music play on, Tinubu tells Obey at 75

    Let the music play on, Tinubu tells Obey at 75

    All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain and former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has described Chief Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, nicknamed Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, as an astute entertainer whose songs would remain evergreen.

    Tinubu, in a statement in Lagos to congratulate Obey on his 75th birthday on Monday,  wished him many more years on earth, urging him to “let the music play on”.

    ”I congratulate Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey on his 75th birthday. It’s a great accomplishment to so be blessed by God as he has been.

    ”Ebenezer Obey, whose professional career began in the mid-1950s when he moved to Lagos, has contributed a lot to the development of music in Nigeria and  Africa.

    ”As a musician with a deep Christian spiritual bend, Obey’s music is unique in the way and manner he turns Yoruba axioms bearing rich religious messages into dance-hall compositions.

    “His popular tracks like ‘What God Has Joined Together’, ‘Aimasiko’, ‘Eyin Pegan Pegan’, ‘Anjade Loni Eledumare’,  ‘Jesu Olore’, ‘Africa is My Home’, ‘Ambe o’, ‘I am a Winner’, etc, remain masterpieces any day.

    “When in early 1990s, he retired into Nigerian gospel music ministry, I knew it could only be short-lived, because when you have a passion for a profession, like Chief Obey’s zeal for music, whether secular or gospel, there is no room for retirement.

    ”I saw him in action in December last year at an event held at the Lagos State House, Alausa, Ikeja, tagged ‘Evening with Governor Ambode’ to end 2016 and usher in 2017; he was the cynosure of all eyes.

    ” He remained his true self, the true entertainer that we have always known, churning out one rich number after another.

    “At 75, I wish and pray that God grants Obey more years and the strength and energy to continue with his music. So to Chief Commander, I say let the music play on, ” Tinubu said.

  • Unemployed man docked over theft of neighbour’s tricycle

     A 28-year-old unemployed man, Daniel Raji, who stole his neighbour’s tricycle valued at N450,000, was on Thursday charged before an Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    The accused, residing at Rafiu Sanni Street, Omolayo in Meiran area of Lagos State, is facing a charge of stealing.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Mike Unah, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 21, 2016 at 4.00 a.m in his residence.

    Unah said that the stolen tricycle belong to Adamu Ibrahim.

    “The complainant said he usually lends his tricycle to the accused whenever he was off-duty to help him earn some money,’’ he said.

    The prosecutor said that the accused had begged the complainant to help him to get another tricycle, when he could no longer lend him his own.

    “The complainant, when he could not get the tricycle for the accused that day came home, packed his tricycle in the compound and went to bed.

    “When he woke up around 4.00 a.m to clean the tricycle, he discovered that it was no longer in the compound, while the accused also was not in his room.

    “The complainant, who suspected the accused, reported the matter to the police and was arrested,’’ he said.

    The offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 prescribes three years jail term for offenders, upon conviction.

    The Magistrate, Mrs A.O Gbajumo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000, with two sureties in like sum.

    Gbajumo then adjourned the case to March 6 for trial.

  • Appoint monarch for Ikeja, group tells Ambode

    The main elite group in Ikeja, Lagos, the Gbobaniyi Royal Association of Ikejaland, has petitioned the Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode over the delay in the appointment of a traditional ruler for the community.

    The group, in a letter dated February 13 and signed by its President, Chief Babatunde Alaran, and General Secretary, Mr. Samuel Soremi, lamented that despite having written no fewer than eight letters to the state government,  nothing has been heard from the government

    The group noted that the last Olu of Ikeja, Oba Rauf Amore, joined his ancestors in October 2014 and that ever since, the community has been without a monarch.

    It added, however, that the Body of Kingmakers in Ikeja, once led by the late former deputy governor of Lagos State, Chief Rafiu Jafojo, forwarded the name of Alhaji Samsondeen Adeleye to the Ikeja local council as the new Oba-elect, way back in December 2014.

    The group said stakeholders in Ikeja had become worried over the delay in the installation of a monarch, stressing that the situation had given room to various speculations.

    “Our deep concern is predicated upon the insinuations and speculations within the polity over the delay in the installation of a monarch,” the group said.

    Only recently, Adeleye, the Ikeja Oba-elect, denied a speculation that he was a member of opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    He said: “As a private citizen, I have been in the progressive parties all my life; and currently, I am one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains in Ikeja.”

  • Court affirms Ibru as Ikeja Hotels’ chair

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has held that Mr Goodie Minabo Ibru is the authentic chairman of Ikeja Hotels Plc.

    It nullified an extra-ordinary general meeting (EGM) by the hotel held on January 6, 2015, where Ibru was purportedly removed.

    Justice A. Abdul Kafarati delivered the verdict on December 21. A certified true copy of it was obtained yesterday.

    The judgment follows an April 24, 2015 originating summons filed by three shareholders – Prof. Isaac Adalemo, Kes Connestone International Ltd and Mr. Braimoh Ademuyewo Adesina.

    They sued Ikeja Hotels, IHL Services, Ibru, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, Mr. Olumide Braithwaite, Mr. Tunde Sarumi, inspector general of Police and Diamond Bank plc.

    They sought nine reliefs: a declaration that issuance, service of Notice of Meeting personally or by post on every shareholder is a condition precedent to a valid annual or EGM of a company; a declaration that the plaintiffs being shareholders of Ikeja Hotels are entitled to receive notice of every annual, extraordinary or general meeting; and a declaration that the meeting of January 6, 2015 held without service of notice of the meeting on them is null and void.

    They prayed the court for an order setting aside all resolutions, steps and decisions taken at the purported EGM, as well as an order setting aside the hotel’s Form CAC 7 of January 7, 2015, the purported Board resolution of January 9, 2015 and such further resolutions and actions purportedly taken at the January 6 meeting.

    Justice Kafarati held: “I have considered all the processes filed by the parties in this case and from the said processes the issue for determination are:  whether a meeting of a public company held in contravention of the provisions of sec. 218 (3) 218(1), 220(1) and 221 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act is unlawful, null and void and without any legal consequence, and whether advertising of notice of meetings in national dailies without service of personal notice suffices as notice to members of a public company under the companies and allied Matters Act, and whether a meeting help pursuant to such advertised notice and resolutions made at such meeting is unlawful, null and void and of no legal consequence…I  find merit in the plaintiffs’ originating summons and, therefore, all the reliefs are granted.”