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Tag: Ikorodu

  • How we robbed banks in Lekki, Ikorodu, by suspects

    How we robbed banks in Lekki, Ikorodu, by suspects

    Four suspected members of the gang that attacked two commercial banks in Ikorodu, Lagos State, relived  yesterday their bloody exploits, claiming responsibility for other bank robberies.

    Monday Omoboye, 39, aka Alarm Blow;  Bright Agbojule, 25, Monday Ikuesan, 37, and Promise Abiwa,  20,  were paraded by Police Commissioner (CP) Kayode Aderanti. 

    Their arrests came after soldiers intercepted one of the gang members who had mint notes with bank seals on them.

    Following a tip-off by the soldiers in Ondo State to the Lagos CP, the four suspects were rounded up. Two Lexus Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and an Infiniti SUV with registration numbers KRD29DA, 642DQ and EKY641DB were recovered from them.

    The suspects claimed that their 18-man gang, aside raiding the banks in Lekki,  Ijede and Ebute (both in Ikorodu), also engaged in pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.

    Giving an account on the operation, Agbojole, who said they were boys in the gang, told reporters that their leaders were Million and Kakado.

    Agbojole claimed that he was contacted a week to the operation, adding that he joined because of poverty.

    According to Agbojole, he was a timber worker at Ebute-Metta before joining the group.

    Asked about the woman, was who was said to have led the gang, Agbojole said: “There was no woman in the group. Our leaders are Million and Kakado.

    “We planned the operation from Ishawo creeks. Million and his men came to us and told us about the operation. Million brought guys from Warri.

    “It was from the creeks that we planned the whole thing and this is my first operation with them. I was among those who kept watch along the road. I was given a Pump Action gun. We had eight guns and two Pump Action rifles.

    “I am a student of College of Education, Ekiadolor. I did not follow them to Lekki or any other robbery but I know it was the gang that attacked those banks.

    “We left very early for the Ikorodu operation and it was some of Million’s boys who went into the police station; I did not go with them.

    “Million and Kakado brought the dynamite used to open the bank doors and  the guns. They were the ones who also taught us how to use the guns.

    “I do not know how much was gotten because it was the leaders who counted and shared the money.  My share was N2million from where I bought a Lexus jeep for N1. 5million;  I bought jerry can for my brother to start oil bunkering; gave my wife N30, 000 for her JAMB exam and also gave my friends money.

    “I was arrested in Ikorodu, where I live. My friend Akpan called me and I didn’t know that it was because the police were looking for me.”

    Omoboye, a boat operator, said he usually ferried the gang for their operations.

    He confessed that he had participated in all the robberies, adding that he received N400,000 for the Lekki robbery, N400,000 for Ijede and N2million for the Ogolonto attack, totalling N2.8m.

    He said the group usually lodged close to their targets, noting that for the Lekki attack,  they camped in Epe.

    “We went to Epe area and lodged there. I was the boat operator and I drove them in all the operations. I don’t usually leave the boat  and one or two men are left to stay with me because the gang will contact them and they will alert me when it’s time to move.

    “I was contacted about one month after the Lekki operation and informed of the Ijede attack, I got N400,000 each from Lekki and Ijede. But for the Ebute business,  I was given N2million.

    “I was not the one they called on the telephone.  It was one of their men before we rode to the jetty side to carry them. My boat is a fibre boat. I usually take them to the creeks in Ishawo but they don’t allow us close to where they share money.

    “Our business in the Creek is illegal bunkering,  pipeline vandalism and armed robbery.  I took part in all the robberies because I was their boat operator.

    “Yes I am married with five children but my wife does not know what I do,” he said.

    Ikuesan, another boat operator, said his only role was ferrying the hoodlums after their boat broke down when they robbed the banks in Lekki.

    He claimed that he operated a gun boat, whose owner contacted him to carry the armed robbers when their boat broke down in February.

    “I am not a member of the group but I know I have carried them once. I was contacted by the owner of the gun boat to carry them because their boat broke down in the water.

    “The owner was given N400,000 but he gave me N180, 000 and Baba Ibeji added N10,000, making N190, 000. I have never followed them for any operation.”

    Briefing reporters, Aderanti said: ”So, on June 26, one of the armed robbers, Promise Abiwe, was traced to Igbokoda in Ondo State where he was arrested.

    “On June 28, one of the key members of the gang  Monday Omoboye (aka Alarm Blow) was arrested in his hideout in Ikorodu.

    “The said Monday is the boat operator who drove their speedboats in both the Lekki on June 1 and the robberies on June 24.

    “On June 29, at about 4pm, one Agbojule Bright was traced to another hideout and was arrested with the Lexus Jeep, which he bought from his own share of the loot.

    “These armed robbers have confessed to various armed robbery attacks both on water and highways across the country. Further investigations geared towards arresting the remnants of the gang is in progress.”

     

  • Breaking news: Armed men invade bank in Ikorodu

    Suspected armed robbers Wednesday morning invaded a major commercial bank at Ogolonto area of Ikorodu, a Lagos suburb, scaring people away with gunshots.
    This attack is coming barely three weeks after a group of armed robbers attacked two commercial banks -First and Wema banks- in Ikorodu.
    It was learnt that the bank is located close to Dangote factory in the area, just as sources said the hoodlums have held the area hostage for close to an hour.
    Although a security source last week told The Nation that the hoodlums who invaded the two banks have been uncovered and would soon be arrested, there may be a possibility that the robbers could be the same people.

    The Police in a tweet on its handle PoliceNG said ” #Ikorodu Lagos now secured after our officers responded to ?Bank robbery this morning. Police units remain on ground.”

  • “No row over Ikorodu monarch’s installation”

    “No row over Ikorodu monarch’s installation”

    There is no row over last month’s appointment and presentation of staff of office to Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi as the 19th Ayangburen of Ikorodu town in the Lagos East senatorial district, by former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, Chief Babatunde Akuko, a member of the Lasunwon ruling house and traditional ruler of Owutu community in the area, has said.

    Reacting to a recent newspaper publication, Aluko who was named as one of the authors of the said publication, also said it is not true that himself and some other erstwhile contestants to the throne, called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to withheld the approval of Shotobi as Ayangburen of Ikorodu. “The report is nothing but outright lie,” he said.

    The traditional ruler who spoke to The Nation yesterday, said the publication is the handiworks of trouble makers who are not even members of the ruling house. “The authors are mischief makers who are obviously not members of our family. That is why they wrongly and criminally named me as one of the authors of the fictitious publication. If they are members of our family, they will not need to lie against anybody who is not party to their allegations,” Aluko said.

    He added that though he was one of the contestants amongst others including Oba Shotobi, he is satisfied with the emergence of the new Ayangburen as the process that produced him was satisfactorily done by all the parties involved. According to him, all those who contested the throne with Oba Shotobi are now ready to work with him in the interest of Ikoroduland.

    “There is no row whatsoever. All contestants name were forwarded by the ruling house to the Kingmakers for consideration. And the Kingmakers unanimously chose Shotobi as the next King, in accordance with Obas and Chiefs law of Lagos State.

    His selection was subsequently approved by the Lagos State Executive Council on the 25th of May, 2015 and former Governor Fashola presented him with the Staff of Office the next day,”Aluko said.

     

    I think with that, the process was duly concluded and all matters rested. That is why I actively participated both morally and financially in his installation process and I will continue to support him as long as I live,” Aluko explained.

    He then called on Governor Ambode to ignore the antics of the faceless authors of the mischievous publication while also calling on the perpetrators of the act to shun sentiments and embrace peace in the interest of Ikorodu.

  • Row over Ikorodu monarch’s selection deepens

    Row over Ikorodu monarch’s selection deepens

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has been asked not to present staff of office to the new Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi.

    Some aggrieved aspirants are claiming that Shotobi’s selection did not follow due process.

    In a June 3 letter to Ambode, Prince Tajudeen Odofin and Chief Joseph Aluko said Shotobi should revert to the Odofinship chieftaincy title he was holding before his purported selection.

    The petition was copied to the Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs; Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo; Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro; Oba of Igbogbo, Johnson Fatola Adeboruwa; Olubeshe of Ibeshe, Oba Richard Ogunsanya; Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs: Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Executive Secretary, Ikorodu Local Government; Secretary, Chieftaincy Committee of Ikorodu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice.

    The petitioners noted that since the creation of Ikorodu, an Odofin has never been made Oba and challenged Shotobi and the kingmakers to cite a precedent. They maintained that the process adopted by the kingmakers was alien to the Oba and Chiefs Law of Lagos State.

    The petitioners listed 17 reasons why Shotobi cannot be Ayangburen.

    They said the May 22 ruling of Justice Akintunde Savage of Ikorodu High Court did not pronounce him the new Ayangburen but only stated that “the Adegorushen branch of Lasunwon Ruling House has the right to present the names of candidates for the stool of obaship”.

    The law, they argued, was not allowed to take its course as there were two suits on the Obaship of the town and Shotobi’s selection. The cases, according to them, include the appeal served on Monday, May 25, 2015 in suit number IKD/454/GCM/2014 and a sister case of allegation of fraud against Shotobi in suit number IKD/57/2007.

    The petitioners claimed that as Odofin, “Shotobi witnessed the burial rites of the late Ayangburen”, adding: “This is a sacrilege.“As the Odofin, he has performed the traditional rites of lighting the Ofufu; is he going to light another which is sacred?” they asked.

    They alleged that Shotobi refused to resign as Odofin as instructed by a committee set up in November 2014 by the Council of Obas and Chiefs Ikorodu Division, before vying for the stool.

    “It is also an established fact that he was never selected from the general Lasunwon Ruling House, “hence he does not have the nomination and backing of the whole house”.

    “The same Prince Shotobi Kabiru Adewale is one of the kingmakers in which case, he did not resign his position when they were constituted in December 2014, hence he cannot be a judge in his own case. It will be deemed under the law that he influenced the decision of the kingmakers,” the petitioners claimed.

    The selection, said they cannot stund because  the Oluwo, who is he head of Osugbo fraternity (kingmakers) had distanced himself from the exercise as “he was never invited nor informed by other kingmakers during the selection process”.

    The process of authorising the Oba-elect was not followed as it did not pass through the monthly meeting of the Lagos Council of Obas and Chiefs usually held on the last Thursday of every month, the petitioners added.

    They said: “The Council of Obas and Chiefs Ikorodu Judicial Division did not preside or ratify Shotobi’s selection. To the best of our knowledge, the executive process was also boycotted as we have no record to that effect”.

     

     

  • Woman led Ikorodu banks robbery, says eyewitness

    A woman led Monday’s robbery of two banks in Ikorodu, Lagos, it was learnt yesterday.

    Two persons died in the incident.

    The woman was seen giving orders to her colleagues after leaving one of the banks.

    The Nation learnt that the robbers snatched two vehicles, including a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and drove towards Ijede.

    An eyewitness said the lorry driver had just parked by the road side.

    He alighted and was heading towards a canteen near the bank when he sighted the robbers coming and shooting into the air.

    The driver turned and made for his vehicle but was shot before he could start it.

    The other victim was trying to leave the troubled area when he was caught in a crossfire between the robbers and police.

    The police were said to have been delayed by traffic snarl caused by speed breakers.

    They were coming from Itamaga to where one of the robberies took place at Omitoro.

    Police spokesperson Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP),  said the police were able to foil one of the robberies.

     

  • Ikorodu gets new monarch

    The Lagos State Government has approved the appointment of Prince Kabiru Adewale Sotobi as Ayangburen of Ikorodu. He succeeds the late Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi, who passes away on August 2, last year.

    Prince Sotobi, the 20th Ayangburen, hails from the Lasunwon Ruling House.

    Government also upgraded the Baale of Imeke to a second class Oba with the title of Onimeke of Imeke. It appointed Chief Abraham Olatunji Adewale Ogabi for the position.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy Lateef Ibirogba told reporters that the appointments take immediate effect.

     

  • Ayangburen of Ikorodu: Court battle resumes tomorrow

    Justice Akintunde Savage of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikorodu will tomorrow rule whether or not to allow new persons to join the defendants in the suit contesting the nomination of the Odofin of Ikorodu, Chief Kabiru Shotobi by the kingmakers, as the next Ayangburen of the town.

    The persons seeking to be joinders (defendants) are from another sub-royal family different from the Lambo and Adegorushen royal families of the Lasunwon Ruling House of Ikorodu.

    Messrs Mathew Adetayo Shodipo, Omobo Sokelu, Shakiru Shodipo, Nurudeen Fakomaya and Albert Aina had, for themselves and on behalf of the Lambo Branch of the Lasunwon ruling house of Ikorodu challenged the nomination of the Odofin of Ikorodu, Chief Kabiru Shotobi for the stool of the Ayangburen.

    The first to 12th respondents in the suit are Ezekiel Shodipo, Tajudeen Odofin for themselves and on behalf of the Adegorushen branch of Lasunwon ruling house. Other respondents include the Odofin, Chief Kabiru Shotobi; the Olisa and regent of Ikorodu, Chief Oludele Odusoga; Solomade of Ikorodu Chief Afolabi Adekayaoja; Apena of Ikorodu, Chief Karimu Ore; the Oponuwa, Chief Jacob Kolawole Adaraloye for themselves and the kingmakers of Ikorodu.

    Other respondents are the Ikorodu Local Government; Ikorodu Division of Council of Obas and Chiefs; Secretary, Ikorodu Chieftaincy Committee; Lagos State Ministry Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

    At the last hearing of the matter March 11, 2015, counsel to persons seeking to be joinders (defendants) in the suit,  Sulaiman Talabi, was granted leave of the court to respond to the various  affidavits filed by the different parties in the matter. None of the counsels to the different parties in the matter was opposed to the application for joinders.

    The trial Judge, Justice Savage had however ordered parties in the Obaship tussle of the ancient town to refrain from doing anything towards the vacant stool of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu pending the determination of the substantive suit filed by the applicants.

    In their originating summon, which was supported by a 22 point affidavit and filed through their lawyer, John Osighala, the claimants asked for six issues to be determined by the court. They asked the court to determine “whether the consent judgment of a Lagos High Court, Ikorodu division in suit IKD/57/2007 (Mathew Adetayo Shodipo and others versus Ezekiel Shodipo and others) is subsisting and valid; whether parties and privies are bound by the aforesaid judgment until same is set aside on appeal; whether fourth to eighth respondents-kingmakers are bound by the aforesaid judgment being parties in suit no IKD/57/2007 and whether eighth and ninth respondents are not bound as well being parties/ privies thereon”.

    They also prayed the court to determine “whether third defendant/respondent is not bound and stopped from being presented, nominated and selected as a candidate from Lasunwon Ruling House to any future chieftaincy title” and “whether indeed the Adegorushen Branch of the Lasunwon Royal Ruling House is not precluded by the decision in IKD/57/2007 from presenting a candidate for the now vacant title of Ayangburen of Ikorodu”.

    The claimants also sought five reliefs which were hinged on the affirmation of the six issues raised before the court. They sought a declaration that the consent judgment of the Lagos High Court dated April 1, 2009 in suit IKD/57/2007 is subsisting, binding and in force; a declaration that by clause 2 of the consent judgment, the first, second and third respondents conceded the right to the claimants in future to the next chieftaincy title that is due and available to the Lasunwon Ruling House.

    They also sought a declaration that the kingmakers, fourth to seventh respondents were bound by the decision in suit IKD/57/2007 as the seventh to tenth defendants and that they cannot now consider any candidate from the Adegorushen branch of the Lasunwon ruling house and a further declaration that the third respondent, having by the aforesaid judgment, been installed as Odofin of Ikorodu cannot in defiance of the judgment, present himself as a candidate for the vacant Ayangburen Royal Chieftaincy title “and he is thereby stopped from contesting any other vacant Chieftaincy title available to the Lasunwon family.

    They therefore prayed the court for an injunction restraining the fifth to 10th respondents by themselves, agents, privies, from considering the third respondent nor any candidate from the Adegorushen branch of the Lasunwon Chieftaincy family for the candidature of the vacant stool of Ayangburen of Ikorodu.

    But in their counter affidavit to the originating summon, the deponent Prince Odofin Adegboyega Aliu, averred that contrary to paragraph 17 of the affidavit in support of the originating summon, the first to the  third respondents and all other defendants are not in breach of the judgment in  exhibit A, paragraph 2, the first to fourth defendants conceded the right to the next chieftaincy title to that is due and available to Lasunwon ruling house to the claimants and listed the titles available as Otunba of Ikorodu.

    He said that contrary to paragraph 18 of the affidavit in support of the originating summon, the defendants ought not to be restrained as they have not breached the order of the court.

    He said counsel to third to seventh defendants informed him that judgment in suit IKD/57/2007 relates to chieftaincy title and not an Obaship stool or position; that a chieftaincy title is different from Obaship stool or position and that the nomination/selection of the third defendant by the family and kingmakers was not a breach of the judgment in suit IKD/57/2007.

  • Ikorodu royal family launches legal battle over new Ayangburen

    The choice of the new Ayangburen of Ikorodu looks set to be a long drawn battle as some aggrieved members of  the Lasoro Ruling House have taken the Oba-elect, Chief Kabiru Shotobi to court contesting his right to the throne..

    The applicants in the suit now before Justice Akintunde Savage of Ikorodu High Court are from the Lambo Lasunwon royal family of the Lasoro Ruling House whose turn it is to produce the next Oba for the town.

    Chief Shotobi and other defendants in the suit are from Adegboruwa royal family of Lasoro ruling house.

    Sources close to the warring members of the ruling house disclosed that the matter came before Justice Savage last Thursday.

    It was learnt that the trial judge has fixed February 19, 2015 for commencement of hearing in the matter.

    It was gathered that the applicants are contesting the nomination of Chief Shotobi, who is also the Odofin of Ikorodu and who until the present development was a very important member of the kingmakers.

    By virtue of this position, it was alleged that he was not expected to vie for the Obaship of the ancient town.

    The claimants are also contending that the Oba-elect allegedly breached the terms of an agreement signed by some elders of the two royal families which formed the basis of a judgment delivered by Justice Habeeb Abiru (now a Justice of the Court of Appeal) in 2007 in suit number IKD/57/2007.

    It was said that when the Oba-elect was to become the Odofin, the Lambo Lasunwon royal family challenged his right to the title.

    Sources close to the family said one important aspect of the agreement which later became judgment of the court was that when next a traditional title came the way of the ruling house, the Odofin should not vie for it.

    It was alleged that the Adegboruwa royal family conceded the right to vie for the next traditional title to the Lambo Lasunwon royal family in the agreement.

    The Olisa of Ikorodu who is also the regent of Ikorodu, Chief Oludele Odusogo insisted that the Kingmakers did all that was required of them before selecting the Oba-elect.

    Chief Odusogo told The Nation that the name of Chief Shotobi was among 24 names presented by the Adegboruwa royal family to the kingmakers and that his choice was a unanimous one.

    He said the kingmakers have forwarded his name to the state government for approval.

    Asked about the 2007 agreement between the members of Lambo Lasunwon and Adegboruwa royal families which formed the judgment of the court, Chief Odusogo denied knowledge of the judgment insisting that he is not a member of their family.

    When contact on Monday night on phone, the Oba-elect, Chief Shotobi directed all enquiry to the family.

    There are two ruling houses, Rademo And Lasoro, that can vie for the royal stool of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu.

    The Lasoro has two royal families viz the Lambo Lasunwon and Adegboruwa royal families.

    It was gathered only the Adegboruwa royal family has been producing the obas so far from the Lasoro ruling House owing to an historical antecedent which led to the exclusion of the Lambo Lasunwon royal family.

    Sources said after some mediation, the issue was resolved and the family was included to vie for chieftaincy titles in Ikorodu.

  • Agbaje promises light rail for Ikorodu

    Agbaje promises light rail for Ikorodu

    The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has said his government would construct a light-rail system to tackle the traffic gridlock in Ikorodu and connect it with other parts of the metropolis.

    On a visit to his paternal roots as part of his ongoing tour of local governments, Agbaje said he recognised the harrowing experience the people suffered daily in a bid to access other parts of the state.

    Agbaje hails from the Lasunwon Ruling House. His father, Prince Joseph Kosebinu, is a descendant of the roayl family.

    According to him, part of the holistic solution he would proffer to the problem, if elected, would be the construction of a railway system to link the town with other parts of Lagos.

    In reference to the road construction going on between Ikorodu and Ojota, he said: “This road that they have been constructing for all these years have been inflicting suffering upon the people of Ikorodu. It is not designed to solve the traffic gridlock.”

    Agbaje said, although the current regime in the state had embarked on some infrastructural developments, projects on ground were not commensurate with money reported to have been earned in the last 16 years.

  • NBA Ikorodu endorses Osinbajo

    NBA Ikorodu endorses Osinbajo

    The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu branch, has endorsed  Gen Muhammadu Buhari and Prof Yemi Osinbajo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In a statement yesterday by the Chairman, Dotun Adetunji, the NBA said it took into cognisance the deterioration in government and unconstitutional activities of the Federal Government to endorse the APC candidates.

    Adetunji said: “The NBA Ikorodu Branch took cognisance of the elephantine deterioration, unprecedented decay, immeasurable irresponsibility, illegal actions and inactions coupled with limitless unconstitutional activities of the incumbent administration.”

    He said the APC has presented candidates with “known unassailable track records of achievements, transparency, honesty, integrity, vision, selflessness, human capital development, institutions building and multiple-legacies development capacity.”

    Adetunji said Osinbajo’s universal reputation for personal integrity  qualifies him as the most appropriate to work with  Buhari to rescue Nigeria .