The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ladipo market

  • A-G takes over Ladipo market murder case

    Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem has taken over the prosecution of Monday Lawrence, the suspected killer of Anene Utazi, a trader at the popular Ladipo Auto Parts Market in Lagos.

    Lawrence, alongside others still at large, are standing trial before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos High Court for the alleged murder of Utazi during a crisis at the market last year.

    They are facing  an eight-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

    The state alleged that Lawrence and others still at large on February 18, last year at Odo-Aladura, Ladipo, Mushin, murdered Utazi.

    The accused, who has since been granted bail, was also alleged to have matcheted about five other traders at the market.

    Last week, Ladipo market union leaders through their lawyer, Monday Ubani, petitioned the Attorney-General that the matter was not being handled properly.

    Ubani claimed that the defendant was granted bail in a suspicious manner while several witnesses are being harassed and threatened by the defendant.

    At the resumed proceedings of the matter last Friday, the prosecuting team led by Mrs R. O Aroyewun,  told the court that  Kazeem has indicated interest to personally handle the case.

    Aroyewun told the court that 37 witnesses have been lined  up to testify in the trial.

    “ My Lord, the attorney-general has expressed interest to personally handle this matter. Our witnesses are 37 and they are ready to testify before the court,” she said.

    She appealed to the court for an adjournment to enable the prosecution sort out a few issues with the witnesses.

    The defendant’s lawyer, Mr. Spurgeon Ataene, did not oppose her application.

    Justice Taiwo asked the prosecution team to streamline its large number of witnesses.

    She adjourned till June 21.

  • Businessman in court for stabbing colleague with broken bottle

    A 29-year-old businessman, Chukwubuke Nweyeofor, who allegedly stabbed one Mnaduabuchi Nwogu with a broken bottle, was on Monday charged before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    The accused, who resides at No 27, Eligauze St., Ajao Estate, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of breach of peace and assault.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Rita Momoh, told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 3, at Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos.

    She said that the accused assaulted the complainant by stabbing him with a bottle all over his body.

    “The accused inflicted severe injuries on the complainant,” Momoh said.

    The prosecutor alleged that trouble started after the accused and complainant made N2, 000 profit on a business they did together, and the accused refused to give the complainant his share.

    “They helped a man to buy some motor parts and gained N2, 000 from the business.

    “When the complainant went to get his N1, 000 from the accused, he claimed he had spent it.

    “He insisted on collecting his share of the money, but the accused got angry and used the broken bottle on his eye, head, neck and stomach.

    “The complainant fainted; some traders in the market rushed him to the hospital and reported the matter to the police,” she said.

    The offences contravened Sections 166 and 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused, according to the provisions of Section 172, may bag as much as four years imprisonment, if found guilty.

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

    The Magistrate, Mr MKO Fadeyi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until April 5, for mention.

     

  • Traders shut Ladipo market to honour late colleague

    Traders at the Ladipo auto market in Mushin, Lagos, last Saturday shut the market for four hours to honour their late colleague, Mr. Anene Utazi, who was killed by hoodlums last year.
    A memorial service held from 8am till noon after which the traders marched round the area, starting from the market through Ladipo junction and back to Toyota bus stop, on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, before returning to the market through Aswani.
    The traders were led by the market’s President Kinsgley Ogunor and other officials. They carried candles and placards with inscriptions as: “We don’t need miscreants in Ladipo market”; “Anene Utazi: Let justice be done”.
    Ogunor said: “Today, we are remembering Anene Utazi whose life was cut short by hoodlums. He laid down his life so we can have peace. We are honouring him and if we shut down Ladipo market for him, it is not too much.
    “Though he is no more, I believe his spirit is with us for as long as we remember him.”
    Ogunor thanked the Lagos State Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni, his Justice counterpart and the director of Public Prosecutions for standing by the association.
    The president, who sadi peace had returned to the market, warned cultists to steer clear of the market. “Retrace your steps; Ladipo market will smoke you out. What we do here is business; we need peace.
    “If the environment does not have peace, how can we do business?”
    According to him, the incessant crises does not speak well of the market and that was why they wanted the market rebranded. He admonished members to imbibe the spirit of tolerance.

  • Two feared killed, 15 injured as hoodlums clash in Ladipo market

    Two feared killed, 15 injured as hoodlums clash in Ladipo market

    Two persons were yesterday feared killed and 15 others including a man, John Vincent, injured after some hoodlums clashed at the Ladipo Market in Mushin, Lagos.

    The crisis, which began around 8am over illegal ticketing, snowballed into an ethnic fight between Igbo traders and Yoruba residents.

    Residents of Odushina, Olapeju, Oloje, Akinwunmi streets and environs fled as vehicles were vandalised.

    As of the time The Nation visited the area, tensions were high as residents threatened showdown. They claimed that one Kazeem Owoseni, 28, and another unnamed man were butchered to death. Others, including Aguda and Alabi were lying unconscious at the hospital.

    A young man, Babalola, who claimed to be a Navy Captain, lost his Mitsubishi Outlander car.

    Babalola, who said he brought the vehicle to his mechanic on Monday, gave a 24-hour ultimatum for its replacement or a fresh violence will erupt.

    The residents who took to the streets to protest the destruction of their homes, called on the government to relocate the market.

    It was gathered that trouble started after the hoodlums scrambled over collection of ticket money from a car that parked in the area, which left one person injured.

    In retaliation, one Aguleri, leader of the Ladipo Executive Council’s Taskforce, who claimed to be acting under the orders of the union’s President allegedly, led the hoodlums that wreaked havoc.

    Another account of the fracas indicated that it started at Olapeju Street after a sand seller identified as Iyiola Okunade alias Baba Kekere stopped Aguleri’s boys from blocking his wares.

    According to the aged man, Aguleri aka Miracle, who said he was acting under the instruction of the Union President (Segun), pushed him and he retired into his home.

    “The union is biased and they are the problem here. The Igbos are hiding under the union to wreak havoc.

    “I usually come out in the morning around 6am to pack sand from the gutter with my wheelbarrow because that’s what I sell in front of my house. So, I had used my barrow to block my frontage so that no car will park there and cover my wares.

    “Suddenly, one man came and said I must leave there. He pushed me and people came to settle it. So, I went into my room and then I started hearing shouts,” he said.

    Another victim, Bishop Julius Oridota, pastor in charge of Christian Evangelical Assembly lamented that the hoodlums burnt his vehicle and attempted to set his church ablaze.

    Accusing the police of injustice, he claimed that after showing them the arsonist and they was arrested, the said Aguleri bribed the police and they were released.

    “They initially arrested the guy who set the car ablaze but when Aguleri bribed them, they left him,” he said.

    An inconsolable man who claimed to be Owoseni’s brother threatened to avenge his death, accusing policemen from Olosan station of corruption.

    “Kazeem heard noise that there was a fight. He came out to know what was happening and they butchered him to death. They killed my brother. Aguleri and his people have killed my brother.

    “Policemen from Olosan gave them cover. Our police are not helping us. I saw three police people. Aguda came there to find out what was happening and they cut his head. Same thing happened to Alabi. Alabi is in a comma,” he said.

    Chimezie Felix, a trader, who came to buy spare parts from Ladipo market, was stabbed at the back while carrying his goods to his shop. He was rushed to Mount Sinai hospital at Olanibi Street.

    Mushin Local Government Executive Secretary Jide Bello, who visited the scene, urged the people to maintain peace, assuring them that investigation will be conducted and those found guilty punished.

    “I am not aware of casualties at the moment but you can see that a lot of destruction happened here. I am only suing for peace now. We are going to investigate the cause of the problem and find lasting solution. I do not believe in tribalism. We are all one Nigerians and so, we will pursue peace,” he said.

    At the time of filing this report, policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Area D Command were on ground to avoid a recurrence.

    Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP) said no death was recorded, adding that four persons sustained injuries.

    She said: “No single death recorded, four men injured and rushed to the hospital. The fracas ensued after a fight between two people over buying of foods. The command’s operatives from Area D, RRS moved in and normalcy has been restored. The Commissioner of Police has ordered full scale investigation into the matter.”

  • Many Ladipo market fire victims lack insurance knowledge

    Many Ladipo market fire victims lack insurance knowledge

    Over 60 traders at the Ladipo Market in Mushin,Lagos who lost goods worth millions of Naira to fire last week have no knowledge of insurance, The Nation has learnt.

    The fire, which started at about 2.00am last Wednesday, affected over 50 shops where various auto spare parts were stored.

    The traders lamented their losses. ‘’We are not aware of insurance and how it can help our businesses,’’ they said.

    A trader, who simply gave his name as Chinedu, said he lost all his money to the fire disaster.

    He said: “I came this morning to start my daily routine business only to realise that there was a fire outbreak, which had already destroyed my goods.

    “I learnt the fire started around 2:00am on Wednesday till day break before it was put off by the officers of the Lagos State fire service. They said there was a spark of light from the electricity pole which possibly led to the fire outbreak.

    “I have lost my hard earned money and wares to this tragedy which I know nothing about. The goods are the investments that I have worked several years for. I don’t have insurance because I don’t know that it can help me at a time like this.”

    Another trader, Emeka, could not control his emotions as he broke down and wept profusely. He claimed he had just borrowed money from a friend to buy new wares in his shop only for him to face this kind of calamity.

    ‘’I have goods worth over four million naira and everything has been lost, he said.

    Asked if he has insurance, he said: “I don’t have insurance. I don’t even know what I can gain from it until now. If I knew, I would have insured my goods.”

  • Fire destroys 50 shops in Ladipo market

    Fire destroys 50 shops in Ladipo market

    ABOUT 50 shops were destroyed by fire at Ladipo Auto Spares Market, Mushin, Lagos.

    Goods, particularly assorted vehicles spare parts, were burnt at the Osoro section of the market.

    The Nation learnt that the fire that started around 2am was caused by gas explosion.

    Another source said it was caused by the irregularity of power supply.

    The traders were shocked when they got there in the morning, lamenting loss of goods worth millions of naira.

    A trader, Chukwu Ebuka Ekeneze from Enugu State said that the fire was caused by “gas explosion.”

    “The fire was caused by gas; there is a woman who cooks nearby we heard her gas was left on and that lead to the fire outbreak,” he said.

    Another aggrieved shop owner, simply known as Emeka said “We got to the shop this morning and found our things burnt; the fire started 3am this morning, we could not salvage anything. My neighbour kept N2 million in his shop but getting here it was all burnt, we picked the money and all we could feel was the ashes. The security men on duty immediately alerted fire fighters, but they arrived the scene around 6am.”

    Ifeanyi Maduka said: “Well I can’t give you facts, but judging from all that has happened here since, we cannot ascertain the cause of the fire, this fire started around 2.am. This is typically a business environment; there is no possibility anybody could have been here to ascertain how it started, but some said it began from the electric pole, and giving the fact that there is gas around, it helped the fire to escalate. The information did not get to shop owners until about 5am.”

    Mr Nkire Ezeigbo, Public Relations Officer, Ladipo Auto Dealers Association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the fire started at about 3.30 a.m. from the Osoro/Akinwumi area of the market.

    Mr Felix Okoro, Chairman of the Osoro section of the market, said no casualty was recorded but goods worth millions of naira were consumed by the inferno.

    The Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, said his men had responded promptly, adding that the fire was completely put out at 10 a.m.

  • How hoodlums invaded Ladipo market, by trader

    How hoodlums invaded Ladipo market, by trader

    A trader injured during last Thursday’s violence in Bakkasi section of Ladipo Market at Mushin, Lagos, yesterday relived how he was attacked by hoodlums.

    Chinonso Chukwuanni told The Nation that he was terrified on hearing gunshot and seeing a large crowd wielding machetes and bottles.

    He said: “I was in my shop that fateful day, trying to attend to a customer when I heard gun shots.  Terrified by the gun shots, I ran out of my shop to escape and I saw a large crowd invading our market.  They were wielding machetes and bottles, firing sporadically into the air.  I ran towards the Toyota Expressway but got injured in the process.

    “What surprised me the more was that when I looked closely at the hoodlums, I saw some of them in army uniforms with no name tags.  Everybody was just running around without a particular direction just to escape the stray bullets.

    “A fellow trader who was not so lucky was hit in the face; he is still in coma in the hospital. Several others sustained injuries and we don’t know why this is happening. Most of the victims were traders in Ode Aladura section of the market known as Bakkasi.”

    Another trader, Chukwuma Uroko, called on the Lagos State Government and the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the hoodlums and their sponsors are brought to book.

     

  • Ladipo Market: Igbo group warns agent provocateur

    Ladipo Market: Igbo group warns agent provocateur

    A group, Igbo Progressive Leaders’ Council , has urged those using the crisis at the Ladipo Spare Part Market, Mushin, Lagos Mainland, to fan the embers of ethnicity to refrain from such act.

    Speaking through its President-General, Eze Uche I Dimgba, the group described as unfortunate the fact that some elements have read political meanings to the local crisis within the market.

    Eze Dimgba,  in a statement, said: “We have noticed with gross dismay the divisive move of certain groups and some individuals, who parade themselves as enemies of unity in Nigeria and we wonder what really their mission is.”

    Dismissing the erroneous belief that Ladipo market belongs to the Igbo, the group said the issue at the market has nothing to do with support or lack of it for the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the March 28 and April 11 general elections.

    Dimgba accused those he called ethnic jingoists as hiding under partisan politics to cause divisions amongst the traders and their hosts, pointing out that it was not only the Igbo that did not vote for the APC in Lagos.

    His words: “They are just heating up the polity and causing friction between Ndigbo and their host community. The issue at stake has nothing to do with the support of the Igbo for the Peoples Democratic Party or not.

    “It is purely the traders’ problem with their landlords. The Lagos State Government should not be brought into the picture.

    “Leadding our people out to match to the streets for solidarity over every little thing that could have been solved amicably without much ado, is not a trait of good leadership. We therefore warn our people to be careful of who they follow and why they are following such people.

    “We wish to categorically state that electioneering campaign is over. Whichever party you belong to, whether you lost or won, from whichever divide you are from, we calling on all Igbo to desist from anything that will cause trouble, or misunderstanding in Lagos.

    “Over the years, the Igbo in Lagos have maintained a peaceful co-existence and will continue to enjoy same. We hereby warn desperate politicians who are hell-bent on dividing the Igbo into hundreds of uncoordinated groups for selfish goals to desist from promoting negative propaganda against the government of Lagos State.”

  • Lagos plans reconstruction of Ladipo market road

    Lagos plans reconstruction of Ladipo market road

    Lagos State Government on Sunday indicated plans to reconstruct the popular Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market Road and other connecting roads to enhance vehicular movement within the axis.
    The plan was disclosed when government officials inspected some road networks in the Papa Ajao and Ladipo Spare Parts Market areas in Mushin and Oshodi/ Isolo Local Government Areas of the State with a commitment to commence rehabilitation that would make the roads motorable.
    Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Bamgbose-Martins who led the inspection said plans are underway to get the contractor working on the Daleko Road back on site to finish the remaining portions of the road.
    “We need to get the contractor back on site, have them fill it up at least so that it becomes motorable”, he said.
    Martins who was joined by the General Manager, Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Ayotunde Sodeinde, the Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna and other officials of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, said palliative measures would be applied by the Public Works Corporation on other roads and craters in the Papa Ajao area.
    On the state of Ladipo Market Road, he ruled out the option of carrying out palliative work saying that what the road needs is total reconstruction.
    “One of the things you would observe here is that the road here is gone, in terms of standard road, it’s gone. It’s not a case for palliative; it’s not a case for patching. This is a case where the road has to be totally reconstructed.
    “In other words, we need to redesign it to fit into the habits and the use that is here. It’s a market. There are rocks here, so it is still motorable, even if it rains, it is motorable. So PWC can’t come here and put asphalt because it’s not going to last. If they put asphalt, the next rain, it will wash off,” he said.
    He however said the State will list the road in its plan of work for next year as some other roads in the State need urgent attention.
    “It is still passable now, but what we need here is a full construction. When we are going to do anything, we are going to redesign it and then we have to reconstruct from the beginning, that’s the situation here, but for now, at least it’s motorable”.
    “If we allow Public Works Corporation (PWC) come in here, we would just come and waste resources, but we’ll redesign it. We’ll probably take the option of using concrete pavement, we call it reinforced concrete, rigid pavement and the reason why we consider that is because there’s a market here and what it means is that heavy vehicles will come here, you’re going to have tankers, trailers come in here with heavy axle loading”.
    “Some of them would even park here. Any road here that we don’t put in a lasting solution will fail. So this would be one of the things we would begin to look at next year, it’s not going to be an immediate thing, but between now and then we’ll do the design of the road. Even the soil effect is affected, we’ll have to rip it off and do it all over again”.
    He cautioned the traders in Ladipo Market area against parking containers and articulated vehicles on the roads, saying the roads are not designed for such heavy stationery load.
    “The roads are not designed for trailers to park on them. This is what we saw when we went to Apapa. You have trailers parking on the Bridges permanently and that’s what you call static loading, it’s not designed for that. The bridge won’t collapse, but overtime, there’ll be fatigue. The same thing that can happen to the bridge, can also happen to the roads,” he said.

  • ‘Ladipo market not demolished, closed’

    ‘Ladipo market not demolished, closed’

    The Lagos State Government yesterday debunked the allegation that some parts of the popular Ladipo Market in the Mushin Local Government area had been demolished and put under lock and key.

    The Executive Secretary of the Council, Hon. Jide Bello, in a statement, said business activities went on unhindered at the market yesterday as traders were at their stalls carrying out their business transactions.

    He said the local government decided to redevelop the market which had become an eyesore due to the unwholesome activities of some of the traders and the degradation of the environment which did not fit into the mega city plans of the state.

    He said the council intended to undertake the development of the market in phases and because of that, had not collected any form of rent from the traders in the market since the beginning of 2015.

    Bello added that the council’s authorities convened several meetings with the leaders of the various associations in the market towards ensuring that a private developer commences the phased development, but it was evident from the body language of the leaders that they were buying time and trying to frustrate the redevelopment plan.

    He said there would be no going back on the decision of the council to redevelop the market to meet the mega city status of Lagos, assuring all traders in the market that Mushin remains a home for all of them.

    The council chief, however, said due process was followed in the council’s decision to redevelop the market, urging the traders to operate within the ambit of the law.