The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ikeja

  • Military police arrests, releases 28 soldiers in Lagos

    Military police arrests, releases 28 soldiers in Lagos

    The Military Police on Thursday said it arrested 28 soldiers in the streets of Lagos.

    Maj. Oyegoke Badamosi, spokesman for the 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja Cantonment, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    Badamosi said the soldiers were arrested by the military police attached to “Operation Checkmate”, to curb misconduct and unauthorised movement of personnel in the city.

    He added that the operation was aimed at checkmating soldiers who go about without staying in their duty posts.

    He, however, said those arrested had been released after confirmation from their offices that they were genuine personnel.

    Badamosi said that the operation would be a daily routine and would be extended to other parts of the state to enable the military authority to continue to enforce armed forces rules on erring personnel.

    An eye-witness, who simply gave his name as Moses, told NAN that the soldiers were arrested around Onipanu and Palm Grove areas of Lagos.

    According to him, “military police arrested soldiers on Ikorodu Expressway.’’

    Another eye-witness, Ms Victoria Joseph, said motorists and pedestrians panicked during the arrest.

     

  • Drug barons abandon cocaine at airport

    … Suspect excretes 54 wraps

    Cocaine weighing 5.9kg has been abandoned by a suspected drug trafficking syndicate.

    The drug was detected by men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

    The drug which was hidden inside industrial equipment originated from Panama, Central America.

    The discovery was made as a suspected drug trafficker excreted 54 wraps of cocaine he ingested in Brazil.

    NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr Hamza Umar, said the cocaine consignment was left unclaimed.

    “The luggage was imported from Panama. When nobody came forward to claim ownership, we invited other security agencies and carried out search. It was in the process of search that the cocaine was discovered inside industrial equipment.

    “A 36 year old man, Onyema Watson Goodman Nnamdi was also apprehended in connection with the ingestion of 54 wraps of cocaine weighing 875 grammes. Both seizures weighed 6.775kg,” Hamza stated.

     

  • Court rules on Babalakin’s applications September 23

    Court rules on Babalakin’s applications September 23

    Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja on Tuesday adjourned ruling on the applications filed by the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Chief Olawale Babalakin and co-defendants seeking to quash charges preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) till September 23.

    The EFCC had arraigned Babalakin alongside an associate, Alex Okoh for allegedly transferring N4.7 billion on behalf of convicted former Delta State Governor, James Ibori.

    They were charged to court alongside their companies, Stabilini Visioni Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited and Renix Nigeria Limited.

    Justice Onigbanjo told the prosecution and defendants at the resumption of the trial on Tuesday that the ruling on the four separate applications filed by Babalakin and other defendants were not ready.

    Onigbanjo told the two parties that he intend to deliver the ruling on all the applications filed by the defendants on the same day and consequently adjourned the matter.

    Earlier, Babalakin’s counsel, Dr. Abiodun Layonu (SAN), had apologised for his client’s inability to appear in the dock.

    Layonu told the court that his client who was within the court premises has health challenges.

    Babalakin, according to him is on crutches and the development has hindered his ability to move around.

    “It is extremely painful for him to move. At the moment, he is on crutches, My Lord,” Layonu said

  • My priorities for civil aviation, by NCAA boss

    My priorities for civil aviation, by NCAA boss

    The new Director- General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Folayele Akinkuotu, said on Thursday that his immediate priorities would be to cause radical change in the regulation of civil aviation in the country.

    The director general spoke at a stakeholders’ forum for input gathering at the NCAA Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Akinkuotu said that only radical changes in the way civil aviation is carried in Nigeria would bring about sustainable progress for the industry, affirming that the goal of safety and security for air travel would be pursued vigorously to whip operators in line.

    He said before the end of this month, the passengers’ bill of rights would be implemented to guarantee the protection of the rights of consumers.

    Akinkuotu said the passengers’ bill of rights has become imperative because of the need to protect the rights of passengers, whose patronage has kept airlines in business.

    He announced the introduction of a new directorate of General Aviation at the NCAA that would cater for the needs of corporate, charter, private jets as well as helicopters that is steadily growing in the industry.

    The director general said the new directorate has become imperative in view of the safety and compliance issues arising from that arm of the industry, requiring radical steps to move the industry forward.

     

  • Theft: Atuche, others have case to answer – Court

    Theft: Atuche, others have case to answer – Court

    A Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Monday dismissed the applications filed by the former managing director of Bank PHB, Francis Atuche, seeking the dismissal of the theft charge preferred against him and others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    In a ruling, the trial judge, Justice Lateefa Okunnu, who said the defendants must answer charges preferred against them, fixed July 17 for opening of defence.

    Justice Okunnu also stated that the defendants should provide explanations on the evidences provided by the prosecution.

    She said the explanation to be provided by the defendants would enable the court go through the matter judiciously.

    Atuche, his wife Elizabeth and the former Chief Financial Officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu were arraigned before Justice Okunnu for allegedly stealing N25.7 billion belonging to the bank.

    The defendants had through their lawyers urged the court to dismiss the 27-count charge on the grounds that they have no case to answer.

     

  • Alleged fraud: Court remands Ajudua in prison

    A Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Thursday ordered a one-time socialite, Fred Ajudua, to remain in prison, pending the hearing and determination of the fraud charge preferred against him.

    Justice Joseph Oyewole, who dismissed Ajudua’s bail application, however, assured of an accelerated hearing of the case.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ajudua and one Charles Orie, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2003.

    The two men are being prosecuted for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen – Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of 1.69 million US dollars (N252.8 million).

    The case, which had proceeded to trial, was stalled after Ajudua, who was granted bail on medical grounds, absconded.

    The judge had on December 15, 2005, revoked Ajudua’s bail and had further issued a bench warrant for his arrest on January 24, 2006.

    However, on June 11, Ajudua voluntarily appeared before the court after an almost eight- year absence and was remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison by Oyewole.

    On June 25, Ajudua’s counsel, Mr. Allens Agbaka, filed an application asking the court to restore the previous bail or grant him bail on fresh terms.

    Agbaka said his client was suffering from a complicated ailment and needed regular medical treatment in India.

    He further presented a medical report issued by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on May 14, to back his claim.

    However, the EFCC counsel, Mr. Wemimo Ogunde (SAN), opposed the bail, arguing that Ajudua had deliberately delayed the trial and would abscond again if granted bail.

    Delivering his ruling, the judge said Ajudua had not provided sufficient materials before the court to warrant restoring the earlier bail or granting him a fresh one.

    Oyewole said the court had the discretion to grant bail, which must be exercise judicially and judiciously in the interest of justice.

    He recalled that Ajudua was granted permission to travel to India for medical treatment in 2005, and thereafter, absconded.

     

  • New commandant for Lagos police college

    New commandant for Lagos police college

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has approved the appointment of Malam Yahaya Garba, a Commissioner of Police, as Commandant of the Premier Police College, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Garba has since taken over from the former Commandant, Ibrahim Yerima, who was redeployed to the Eastern Port Authority Command in Rivers.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the college’s Spokesman, DSP Samuel Jinadu, on Thursday in Lagos.

    According to the statement, the new commandant was, before now, the commissioner of police in-charge of Research and Planning at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the IGP and the Army Works Commandant, Maj.-Gen. Funso Owonubi and some senior police officers had inspected the level of work at the College on May 18.

    During the inspection tour, Owunubi said the rehabilitation had reached 90 per cent completion.

    “The remaining works in the rehabilitation of the college will be completed in the next two weeks, before handing over to the police,’’ Owonubi added.

     

  • My score card, by Ikeja NBA chair

    My score card, by Ikeja NBA chair

    The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, Mr Monday Ubani, has presented a report of his one year administration.

    During the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the branch, he said the branch acquired N6 million bus and a tricycle to ease transportation for lawyers coming to Ikeja High Court following the ban on motor cycles in the area.

    He said the Hiace Toyota Bus was acquired at N6million for the branch by one of its members, Mr Tunde John Ayeni, the Chairman of Skye Bank while another member of the branch, Mr Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) presented the tricycle. He said Ayorinde has promised the branch to buy a another tricycle before the end of the month.

    Ubani said another member, Mr Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), donated a 30kva generator to the branch while the executive purchased a 6KVA generator for the Bar Centre.

    He said the completion of the Bar Centre project was part of the campaign strategy of his administration. He said so far they have raised N10 million while the branch has been promised another N8million towards the completion of the building.

    “If all the promises we have received so far from our invited guests are anything to go by, we will commence work on the building immediately, possibly this month or at worst, next month” he said adding: “It is apromise which by God’s grace shall be accomplished before the end of this administration.”

    After the swearing in June 28, last year, the first assignment that came the way of Ubani was that of participating in the national conference of the NBA. Ubani recalled that Ikeja Branch of the bar led other branches to protest against what he termed, “callous conference fees” which the former executive of the national NBA asked lawyers to pay before attending the conference.

    “The branch protested the increase and won sympathy of other branches and some senior members of the Bar.

    The conference of 2012 remained in history as one with the least attendance and poorly organised. It also recorded a huge loss.

    “We must sustain that struggle to exterminate impunity anywhere it is found including at the leadership of the Bar and generally in the country,” he said.

    The edition of the ‘The Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture’ titled: “Democracy, economy and fundamental human rights: Whither Nigeria?” was another area where the Ikeja Branch executive of the NBA recorded huge success. Aside from the important dignitaries who graced the occasion, the turn out was impressive and at the end of the lecture, Ubani said about N1 million was realised after the programme.

    Ubani also described the Sixth Alao Aka Bashorun Memorial lecture, which was chaired by Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN), a former judge of the World Court, as intellectually rewarding. “Not only was the programme well attended, all our invited guests, including Mallam el-Rufai, former FCT Minister; Prof Akin Oyebode, an International Law expert and a Lecturer at the University of Lagos and Hon. Kanu Agabi (SAN), the former Attorney- General of the Federation, came as promised,” he said, adding that the family of the late Alao Aka Bashorun was adequately represented by the first son, Segun and Atinuke, the wife of the late Alao Aka Bashorun.

    The Continuing Legal Education of the branch, which was held in April, this year was regarded as one of the best. Twelve areas of law were handled effectively. The seminar took a cursory look at some of the thorny provisions in the 2012 Civil Procedures Rules of Lagos State and the newly Amended Evidence Act especially on computer generated evidence and allied matters. The conclusion at seminar that involved seasoned lawyers and judges was that much is still required to be done in our laws to ensure efficient and smooth operation of our administration of justice in the state in particular and in Nigeria in general.

     

    The NBA Ikeja branch chairman explained that the seminar was held in realization of the fact that if one must “be an efficient and brilliant lawyer, whether in the court or out of the court room, one needs to be updated constantly with latest developments in every area of ones practice” adding “we have to evolve a culture of this Continuing Legal Education in our Branch to bring out the best in all of us”.

     

  • Still on Police College, Ikeja

    Still on Police College, Ikeja

    SIR: On Friday, January 18, President Goodluck Jonathan paid an impromptu visit to the Police College Ikeja. My only regret is that the President did not spare few seconds to walk across the little gate that separates the College from the Police Barracks. He would have seen the nauseating environment under which our policemen and women live.

    Nigerians expect him to undertake more of such unscheduled visits to other national institutions on the verge of total collapse. But this would work only if his government would see the media as partners in progress. Asking why a television station was allowed access to film the rot at the College is like leaving the message and chasing after the messenger.

    It has been argued that the decay at the College did not just start today. And that this government cannot be blamed for the decadence. So, tell me: who should we hold accountable? Since 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been in control of government. The party also controls both houses of the National Assembly. So shouldn’t we hold it accountable and responsible for the deterioration of many of our national heritages and values?

    It has also been argued that poor funding is responsible for the sorry state of the police training college. In 2012, for instance, four hundred and ninety six million naira (N496m) was reported to have been budgeted for the College. While this is appalling, it is obvious that the police itself lack proper maintenance culture. Look at their barracks. Look at the vehicles they drive and how they handle them.

    There is a Deputy Inspector General of police in charge of these training colleges. How much supervision and managerial competence has he shown in this instance? There is a Ministry of Police Affairs in charge of police matters. There is the Police Service Commission. There are also various committees of the National Assembly that are expected to have oversight functions on these institutions. All these superstructures are there sucking public fund while the institutions under their watch are rotting away.

    Only last year, former Commissioner of Police, Plateau state, Emmanuel Dipo Ayeni, during his pulling out parade from the Nigeria Police force, had cause to lash out at the police institution he served for many years. According to him, “The way the Nigerian Police force is operating today leaves much to be desired not because its personnel are not professionally competent but due to some dangerous chemistry that has been badly mixed against the soul of this vital organization.” He dismissed the reform in the Nigerian Police force as “extremely cosmetic” incapable of taking the police force to the next level.

    Such calls are wake up call for us to sit back and take a second hard look at the country and what can be done to save it from imminent collapse.

     

    • Pascal Chimezie

    University of Education, Winneba, Ghana

  • Gadgets now portable

    Gadgets now portable

    As the world advances, things tend to get smaller and smaller to cope with the fast paced world. The smaller they are, the easier for people to carry around. Writes TONIA’DIYAN.

    one are the days when people want to keep big old fashion equipment. Everyone is moving with the trend using handy gadgets which are better, portable and come in beautiful modern designs and models.

    An example of a handy gadget is the small hand powered washing machine which is designed to save some electricity bills, because of its size; washing clothes on the go is also guaranteed.

    With the introduction of portable kitchen in the market today, large kitchens do not have to be permanently installed. So that, they can be moved from one apartment to another. The portable kitchen is preferred by households because it is handy and it enables extra workspace as well as provides solutions to storage problems. They are not only used in houses but can be used when serving buffet style dinner.

    They are available in many designs ranging from the simplest to the most elaborate, made from different materials like wood, granite and stainless steel. No matter the style or theme of your space, you will surely find the perfect type that will compliment and fit in. To achieve that sophisticated look for your kitchen area, consider using the portable kitchen , you will only be saying goodbye to the hassle of remodelling and installing old kitchen. It will bring out the best at a lesser cost.

    A peculiar tie with lots of pockets and slots for credit cards, identity cards and other valuable documents including cash is the portable tie. They come in different patterns and colours. They sell for N1,500 each and are durable.

    Mr Nduka Ukomadu. Who imports these ties is a major distributor at the alade market Allen, Ikeja. He said he is fond of the tie as such, he uses them regularly as he stocks them in their numbers .”it is one of my most treasured asset. I love them in their colours and patterns. They are just cute for my foreign currencies and travelling document. It is one thing business men shouldn’t do without, it helps a great deal.” he emphasised

    The portable toilet called “shit on the go” is also a handy piece where one can enjoy its scenery while using it.

    It is sold for N25,000……

    The portable DVD player is what many have particular fondness for especially the men. Gone are the days when a trip meant that a television was out of the question. However, within the past several years, portable DVD players have allowed people take movies everywhere and in really high quality.

    With the luxuries of portable DVD players at hand, a person can hunt, travel, and do a vast assortment of activities with convenience. It is one genius invention with which you get to work while you walk,travel, shop or jog.

    Portable TVs are a convenient way of occupying your children. They’re lightweight, easy to carry, easy to store and are relatively inexpensive-especially if you buy a used one. Knowing where to look for a used portable TV can save you money. Alaba international market, ojo and west minister, apapa stock lots of them.

    There are many small appliances found in a kitchen.

    Unlike major appliances that are typically fixtures that can’t be moved easily, small appliances refer to a class of appliances that are portable or semi-portable. While some are used handheld, most of them are used on tabletops, countertops and other platforms. Small appliances are usually powered by electricity. Others are gas-powered or battery-powered. Every type of appliance is designed to enable or assist in performing a specific function, improve a situation or provide entertainment to the user.