The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ilupeju

  • Two teenagers in court for stealing grinding machines

    Two teenage boys, Muideen Saubana, 19, and Ayobami Adeyeye, 18, were on Tuesday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing two Honda grinding machines worth N120,000.

    The accused whose addresses were not provided, are being tried for conspiracy and stealing, offences they denied committing.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Mike Unah, said that the accused persons committed the offence on Sept. 16, at 3.00 a.m., at Temidire Folashade Tinubu Ojo, Market, Ilupeju, Lagos.

    He said that the teenagers had conspired and trespassed into the market and stole the 2 Honda grinding machines where they were kept, property of Mr Bolaji Mukaila.

    The offence contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
    The Magistrate, Mr A.A. Fashola, admitted them to bail in the sum of N50,000, with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case until Oct. 31 for mention.

  • Website designer charged with locking up woman in office

    A 38-year-old website designer, Godswill Udofa, was on Monday docked before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly locking up a woman with her guests in an office.

    According to the Prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, the accused committed the offences on June 28 at Ilupeju, Lagos.

    He said that the accused conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by locking up Mrs Mfon Mtonise and her guests in her office during a meeting.

    “The accused, who claimed that the complainant owed him N100, 000 sneaked to where she was having a meeting with her guests and locked them up inside the office with padlocks.

    “When the complainant and her guests discovered that they had been locked up, they raised an alarm, shouting for help.

    “The accused refused to open the door, claiming that he must collect his money before he would open it.

    “After several hours, the Police arrived the scene, the accused was forced to open the door and he was taken to the station,’’ the prosecutor said.

    The offences contravened Section 168 and 308(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Section 308(1) prescribes a five-year jail term for intent to commit felony.

    Udofa, who resides at Ikorodu Road, Onipanu, Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty to the two- count charge of intent to commit felony and breach of the peace.

    The Magistrate, Mrs F.F George, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties, as part of the bail conditions.

    George ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and must show evidence of two years tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

    The case was adjourned until July 10, for mention.

  • Ilupeju residents lament blackout

    IT has been 23 days of hell for residents of Obanlearo Street and Coker Road in Ilupeju, Lagos, who have been coping without electricity since one of their transformers exploded on February 23.

    Their efforts to remedy the situation, they said, had so far failed as the Ikeja Electric (IE) told them that the transformer ‘’is irretrievably damaged’’.

    The electricity distribution company, they added, has yet to do anything about the other transformer,  which it said, ‘’is rectifiable’’.

    Some residents said they had suffered losses because of the blackout, others stated that the situation had compounded their health condition.

    Eighty-four-year-old Prince Henry Odukomaiya of 2 Obanlearo Street said it had become difficult getting a good rest in the day and at night.

    “You know, such thing easily affects the health condition of people in our age bracket,” he said.

    Since February 20, he said, the whole area had been in darkness.

    “We just heard a loud noise from the transformer and all electricity appliances went off. We reported to the Ikeja Electric at the nearby Ilupeju office. They also confirmed hearing the noise and promised to look into it,” he said.

    Three days later, Prince Odukomaiya said,  he went to complain at the firm’s Obanikoro office, but to no avail.

    “Two weeks later, the IE officials came to remove the transformer and later told us that it was irretrievably damaged; that it needs a replacement. There are two transformers there. The other one, IE said, is rectifiable but they have not been able to redeem the rectifiability of the transformer. It has been 23 days of mystery and endless darkness,” he said.

    The veteran journalist said he had spent N115,000 so far on fuelling his generator. He pays N35,000 monthly in electricity bill.

    “The amount of petrol consumption daily is colossal. We are in a digital age, where everything has to do with electricity. I buy N5000 fuel daily to power my generator, yet I can’t have electricity for 24 hours. Even at that, generator is never an alternative to municipal electricity. Many things have been damaged in the house. We can’t even use it to power the air condition and other high voltage electrical appliances,” he said.

    Olajide Oluwasegun, who runs a bar on Coker Road, said he had spent over N350,000 to power his generator whereas  he pays  N40,000 monthly in  electricity bill.

    “I bought N6,500 diesel and N5,000 petrol daily to power my generators. My business can’t be run without electricity. The drinks must be iced for customers patronising this place,” he said.

    The heat, he said, was also taking its toll on his health.

    “IE should help with a better transformer that will serve us better,” he said.

    IE Undertaking Manager Desmond Abayomi Idowu told The Nation that ‘Coker 1’ transformer was faulty and  had been taken to workshop for repair.

    “How long that will be I can’t know for now but on or before Friday, we will get information on its status and I will definitely notify my customers,” he said.

  • Bus conductor bites off passenger’s lip

    Bus conductor bites off passenger’s lip

    A 25-year-old conductor, Tobi Ogunremi, who allegedly bit off a passenger’s lip and punched him on his face, was on Wednesday docked at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    Ogunremi, who resides at No. 5, Idi-Orogbo St., Rabinyan, Ijoko, Lagos is facing a one-count charge of assault.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Victor Eruada, told court that the accused committed the offences on Dec.7 at Shyllon Junction, Ilupeju , a Lagos Suburb.
    Eruada said the accused physically assaulted Olowoye Adedayo, after he refused to give him his balance money and later threw it on the ground.

    “Adedayo sustained a mouth injury following the bite, as well as several punches he received from Ogunremi during an argument,” he told the court.

    Eruada said the offence contravened Section 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Read Also: Guard jailed six months for sleeping on duty

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

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

    He said the sureties should be gainfully employed and must show evidence of a two-year tax payment to the Lagos State Government, as part of the bail conditions.

    Anifowoshe adjourned the case until Jan. 17, 2018 for mention.

  • Family of dead pupil exonerates school’s management

    The family of the three-year-old pupil, Master Darasimi Ogunwunmi of Fahsal Nursery/Primary Children, Ilupeju Estate, Idiroko Ikolaje in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, who died after he drank caustic soda in error, has exonerated the school management of any blame over the incident.

    The deceased’s mother, Mrs. Toyin Ogunwunmi, stated this at a reconciliation meeting presided over by the Zonal Education Officer, Ipokia, Mr. Akindele Obadiah Sunday, as the school prepares for re-opening for new academic session.

    Ogunwunmi urged the state government to re-open the school to commence its new academic calendar.

    Ogunwunmi further stated that the crisis between the family and the school authority has been resolved amicably against the backdrop that the bone of contention was still lingering, noting that no amount of money given to them and closure of the school could bring back their son to life.

    While urging the Ogun State government to re-open the school, Mrs. Ogunwunmi emphasised that the closure had affected the academic calendar of the school and other pupils, saying that the continued closure of the school would negatively affect proper upbringing of the children.   “We are pleading to the state government, on behalf of the school authority of Fahsal Nursery/Primary School Ikolaje to re-open the school for the children’s grace. It is now affecting our future leaders which are our children. Government should please re-open it in a matter of urgency”, Ogunwunmi pleaded.

    She expressed appreciation to the state government for standing firmly by the family during its trying moment, saying that government’s intervention, through the closure of the school, was timely.

    Mrs. Ogunwunmi added that the family had accepted the death of their son in good fate, noting that it’s God that giveth and taketh life. She praised the Oniko of Ikolaje, Oba John Olakunle for his concerns and supports to the family.

  • Man arraigned for stealing N1.2m generator brain box

    Man arraigned for stealing N1.2m generator brain box

    A 25-year-old generator repairer, Emeka Okoli, who allegedly entered into a bank and stole a generator brain box valued at N1.2million, was on Monday in Lagos released on a N200,000 bail.

    Okoli, of no fixed address, entered a `not-guilty’ plea to the two-count charge of intent to commit felony and stealing.

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling, also asked the accused to produce two sureties as part of the bail conditions.

    The Magistrate, Mrs O.J Awope, said the sureties must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    According to the prosecutor, Insp. Ezekiel Ayorinde, the accused committed the offences on May 29 at Ilupeju, Lagos.

    He said that the accused unlawfully entered the First Bank premises at night and stole a giant generator’s brain box valued at N1.2million, property of First Bank Plc.

    “The accused jumped into the bank and went to the generator post, he came with sophisticated instruments to disconnect the brain box.

    “The two security guards on duty heard sound from the generator stand and they decided to check what was happening.

    “Immediately the accused sighted them coming towards him, he dropped the brain box and jumped the fence to escape.

    “The guards gave him a hot chase and he was apprehended and handed over to the police.

    “The brain box was recovered,” he said.

    The offences contravened Sections 308(2) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 308(2) prescribes a seven-year jail term for convicted offenders.

    The case was adjourned until June 19, for mention.

     

  • Refurbished Ilupeju Library reopens May

    The renovation of the Ilupeju Public Library, shut on February 8, has been completed.

    The library, which was refurbished by the Lagos State government in partnership with Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, will open to the public next month.

    The renovations included an overall upgrade of the structure and provision of facilities such as computers and a solar powered inverter to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the facility.

    In a statement signed by Mr Tajudeen Lawal, Director,  Lagos State Library Board, Special Adviser to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Education, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, noted that the pact with the insurance firm was in line with the government’s ‘Adopt A Library’ initiative, which is part of efforts to make knowledge accessible to Lagosians.

    He stated that the initiative falls under a tripod pillar of Access to Knowledge, which also includes Project 350, a public/private-partnership initiative to build and upgrade libraries and ICT Centres in secondary schools across the state; and the creation of an online library which will serves as an education portal and a repository of knowledge.

  • SPAR opens store in Ilupeju

    SPAR opens store in Ilupeju

    SPAR has opened its ninth store in Ilupeju, Lagos Mainland with funfare. Residents trooped to the hyper store for the event. The first 1,500 shoppers, with N3,000 purchase receipt each got free mobile phones.

    There were Laptops for the first five customers to purchase any brand of Lenovo, 5 per cent of beddings/duvet/towel; N5000  gift cards free for first 20 customers on purchase of any mobile phone worth N50,000 and above , 25 per cent off on Casio watches, up to N10, 000 free gift cards on laptop and accessories.  The most interesting is the flexible easy monthly payment scheme for purchase of electronics, home appliances, laptop, printers and other electronics.

    At the opening, Manager, ARTEE group, Mr. John Goldsmith said the turnout of shoppers was overwhelming as the retail giant is soon to open its Enugu store and others in Calabar, Asaba, Ilorin and Abeokuta.

    Goldsmith said  SPAR in Ilupeju has not only come to transform the area, but  has come with a Cooperate Social Responsible (CSR) to offer a day lunch to Radiant Achiever’s School to help fight malnutrition in the school.

    His words: “Ilupeju is a beautiful catchment area and for a retailer, it is an ideal location. It is a residential area with huge number of offices and factories. It is also a connecting area to Mushin, Ikorodu, Apapa, Oshodi and Agege Motor Road. It is a very important junction linking the places together”

  • Policemen detained for shooting at bus

    Policemen detained for shooting at bus

    THERE was panic in Ilupeju, Lagos yesterday as policemen shot at a passenger-laden commercial bus.

    The policemen are being detained at Ilupeju Police Station on the order of Lagos Command spokesman Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP). Nwosu told our reporter last night that what the policemen did was wrong.

    The policemen pursued the bus from Ikorodu Road into Adegboyega Street in Ilupeju, shooting, as passersby and residents running for cover.

    They fired at the Oyingbo-bound vehicle, with number-plate KRD 516 XF when the driver allegedly refused to stop as ordered. The bullets hit the front tyre which got burst while the bus was on motion.

    The incident happened at 9am on the one-lane Coker Road in Ilupeju in Odi Olowo-Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA). The bus was carrying traders who went to buy food stuff at Mile 12 Market in Ketu.

    When the driver eventually stopped in front of a church on Adegboyega Street, four policemen, riding in a pick-up marked, “Police Ilupeju Division” with number-plate MUS 04 AW, descended on the driver and his conductor, with the butts of their rifles.

    The passengers fled the scene to avoid being beaten by the policemen, who also used the sharp ends of their guns to deflate the bus remaining tyres. It took the residents’ intervention to rescue the driver from the policemen.

    Tempers rose when the residents demanded to know the offence of the driver, who was identified as Fatai Olatunji. The policemen tried to whisk him away, but residents resisted the move. The officers were also prevented from towing the bus to their station. Hot arguments ensued between the residents and the policemen, which almost led to confrontation.

    Afraid of being attacked by the mob, one of the officers, Adams Ajih with Force Number 358918, called their station, claiming that the driver attempted to kill them.

    Speaking to our reporter, Ajih said: “The commercial bus driver took the wrong lane and faced the police vehicle. We tried to stop him but he fled. This is why we chased the bus. But, it is not true that we fired shots at the vehicle. Rather, the driver attempted to kill us by driving on our lane.”

    When our reporter told the policemen that Coker Road is one-lane, Ajih insisted that the driver was driving on “one-way road”.

    Olatunji denied taking one-way, alleging that the policemen attempted to extort money from him.

    Olatunji said: “I was coming from Ketu and passed through Ilupeju to avoid the traffic gridlock on Ikorodu Road. As  I drove on Coker Road, I discovered a vehicle had broken down on the road. I moved to negotiate to the opposite lane to avoid the faulty vehicle and rejoin the lane in the front; then, I saw the police pick-up coming from the opposite direction.

    “I moved back a bit to allow the policemen go, since they have the right of way. But, they asked me to stop. I asked what my offence was, but they could not mention anything.

    “One of them came down and broke my side mirror. Another officer also shot at the vehicle, which made me drive away from the scene. The policemen made a turn and ran after my bus. I later found out the front tyre had burst after being hit by bullets.”

    A passenger, who gave his name as Taofeek, said the passengers were terrified by the policemen’s action.

    As the mob grew, the policemen left, saying they were going to get a towing-vehicle to remove the bus from the road. They did not return.

    Another officer identified in the police vehicle is Monday with Force Number 362282.

     

  • When Ilupeju celebrated Jakande at 85

    When Ilupeju celebrated Jakande at 85

    Thirty-one years after his tenure as first elected governor of Lagos State was abruptly ended by a military coup, the administration of Alhaji Lateef Jakande remains a reference point for subsequent administrations in the state. This was reiterated again last week at a lecture to mark his 85th birthday. OZIEGBE OKOEKI was there.

    When the first executive governor of Lagos State Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande turned 85 last week, not a few were there to celebrate and rejoice with the man better known as Baba Kekere or Action Governor of Lagos in the second republic.

    Though various activities were held to commemorate the birthday of the Octogenarian politician by family, friends, associates and colleagues in the journalism profession, one of the standout events of the near week-long celebration was a lecture put together by the Ilupeju community where he resides, to celebrate a man that has brought honour, fame and glory to them.

    Under the auspices of the Greater Ilupeju Association, the  special birthday lecture which took place at the Ilupeju Recreation Hall had in attendance prominent stakeholders and other residents of the community, including the Onipeju of Ilupeju, Chief Korede Bisade-Phillips, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson,  (vice chairman of the association) other Ilupeju residents  and well-wishers from outside Ilupeju.

    Two papers titled ‘Leadership, good governance and development: the Jakande legacies’ by Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, a former lecturer in Lagos state University and now of the Department of History, Osun State University,and  ‘Progressive governance in Lagos state, LKJ in retrospect’, by Prince Oluyole Olusi, All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos Central Senatorial District Leader were delivered at the occasion.

    Both lecturers agreed in their presentations that the records and achievements of  Alhaji  Jakande as governor of the state remain a reference point in the history of governance in Nigeria and Africa. They specifically mentioned his landmark achievements in education, housing, transportation, infrastructure and style of governance.

    According to Oyeweso, “Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande’s administration in Lagos state is a reference point for purposeful leadership, good governance and effective service delivery. It was an administration that recognised the needs and aspirations of the people, especially the poor. It was also an administration guided by such values as financial discipline, prudent management and knack for excellence”.

    And Olusi who was represented by Hon. Ayodeji Joseph, chairman of Apapa Local Government said, “as manifested in the progressive developmental achievements recorded in Lagos state, within a record time of four years only, LKJ set a standard for all progressives in Africa to emulate. The records and achievements of LKJ have become a reference point in the history of governance in Nigeria. The landmark achievements in housing, education and road construction are still topical. They dominate discussions, debates and articles in the press, radio and television even after over 30 years that the great LKJ ceased to be governor”, Olusi said.

    He described Jakande’s style of governance as all inclusive, “allowing all vital sectors in governance (to) have effective say by holding regular consultative meetings with civil servants. All programmes of the government and proposed government legislations were tabled and discussed as well. It was the supreme people parliament of the period”, Olusi said.

    Oyeweso said that in spite of the problem of leadership and governance that is plaguing the country, Jakande remains one of the few leaders Nigeria has produced “whose sterling qualities and records of achievement can serve as compass for the promotion of purposeful leadership, good governance and development in the nation. He was in charge of the administration of Lagos state between 1979 and 1983, and throughout this period he implemented several landmark programmes that ensured that the state would continue to be the centre of excellence, laying examples for others to follow”, the Professor said, adding that, “at a time when the country needs a leader to reposition it for national greatness, a person in the mode of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande should be considered. More than ever before, there is need to regain the legacies of purposeful leadership and good governance as epitomised by Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande”.

    While extolling the virtues of the elder statesman, Chairman of the occasion, businessman Sir Kensington Adebukunola Adebutu who was represented by Dr. Yemi Ajayi said, “Your Excellency Sir, at 85, you still look strong and willing to continue to serve. It is therefore my greatest joy to stand here today and join others in wishing you many happy returns of the day and more useful contributions to the development of Nigeria in the years ahead. This country definitely needs more strong-willed heroes of your type who are genuinely concerned with the future of Nigeria. You are indeed a true leader whose life of exemplary service is worthy of emulation by all who desire progress for our country,” he said.

    According to Adebutu, Jakande is a man of uncommon pedigree. “He has a Midas touch and has worked hard over the years to consistently leave a mark behind anywhere he found himself. This is one unique quality possessed by Champions all over the world.

    “As executive governor, he impacted on the lives of Lagos residents and for this effort he was acknowledged by all as a great achiever. He was regarded then and still seen till today as a man of the people who is adored and respected by people of different shades and persuasion because of his commitment to the common good.

    Adebutu who gave Jakande a N5million cheque as birthday gift added that, “any country without men like Alhaji Jakande who possesses the necessary zeal and commitment to make things work for the good of all, is a country without a future. The man we are celebrating here today is a highly focused administrator who probably came before his time

    Also speaking the Onipeju of Ilupeju, Chief Korede Bisade-Phillips said Ilupeju is blessed to have “the most important governor of the state of excellence residing here. He was the first executive governor of the state and made a mark that has not been surpassed by any other, he is the chairman of Greater Ilupeju Association”.

    The lecture, Bisade-Phillips said was to promote Jakande’s ideals “which have not been surpassed by any government in Lagos. Ideals so much important and effective that there is need to keep having them in  day to day living and pass them on to yet unborn children for the betterment of Lagos and Nigeria. It (lecture) is an history making event and will remain a yearly event henceforth,” he said.

    Responding Jakande thanked the Association and everybody present for celebrating him, he prayed for continuous progress for the state and Nigeria. He expressed joy, happiness and excitement that such a celebration would be held in his honour, “I never envisaged the turnout, I never believed I would sit down in 2014 to listen to people saying they attended Jakande school. When we started it people said it could not be done but thank God today we are seeing a success story”, he said.

    The occasion was also used to inaugurate the Organising Committee of the Jakande lecture series which Bisade-Phillips said will henceforth be a yearly event meant to protect the ideals of Jakande. The members of the committee are: Chief Korede Bisade-Phillips -Co-ordinator, Chief J.O. Shobayo -Chairman, Evangelist Bunmi O. Kupoluyi -Secretary, other members are Deaconess E.F. Agboola, Hon. Babs Larinde, Mrs. Omolara Vaughan and Chief Silva Aderotimi.