The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Land

  • ‘Our writers are the best in the land’

    ‘Our writers are the best in the land’

    In its ten years of existence, The Nation has proved its mettle by being both professional and commercial success. OLUKOREDE YISHAU tells the story of the newspaper’s many professional honours

    Gbenga Omotoso, Sam Omatseye, Steve Osuji, Olatunji Ololade, Adekunle Yusuf and Seun Akioye work for The Nation.  But that is not all they have in common. Year in, year out, they win awards for the newspaper. They are some of the many award winners who ply their trade in this newspaper. Their incisive stories and columns have made this newspaper a force to reckon with.

    Omotoso, Omatseye, Ololade, Yusuf and Akioye share this winning streak with the likes of Collins Nweze, Taiwo Alimi, Gboyega Alaka, Olukorede Yishau, Emmanuel Oladesu, Chikodi Okereocha, Taofeek Salako and Evelyn Osagie.

    This enviable club also parades stars such as Shola O’Neil, Joseph Jibueze, Azeez Ozi-Sanni, Muyiwa Adetula, Sina Fadare, Adedeji Ademigbuji, Oluwakemi Dauda and Kunle Akinrinade.

    From its investigative desk to its business desk to its political desk, great stories have been churned out and external assessors have had no choice but to authenticate them as some of the best pieces of journalism produced in the country. No wonder in its 10 years of existence, its reporters have won several laurels at the Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMA), the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), the CNN African Journalist of the Year, Wole Soyinka Awards for Investigative Journalism, Quill Awards, Golden Pen Awards, Schneider Awards and Rotary Awards.

    Aside reporters and writers who have won awards in the newspaper’s name, there are others who now ply their trades but have won laurels elsewhere. This class includes multiple award-winning Muyiwa Lucas, who now oversees the property section, Lucas Ajanaku, who was a finalist in the CNN African Journalist of the Year, and Raymond Mordi, now Deputy Political Editor.

    Omotoso, who edits this newspaper, and Omatseye, who chairs its editorial board, have shown the light to the reporters by winning awards regularly. For no less than five times, Omatseye won the Columnist of the Year. He has also won the DAME Informed Commentary Prize thrice. In 2010, he won the commentary category of both NMMA and DAME.

    Omotoso won the 2012 Alade Odunewu Informed Commentary Award at the 21st DAME. The piece that earned him the prestigious award is “A comedian’s fate”, which he wrote on November 3, 2011. The piece, said the organisers, wittingly analysed the “Baba Suwe vs NDLEA” saga.

    The DAME judges described Omotoso as a “witty columnist and one of the most experienced editors around”. The audience burst into laughter when extracts from the article were read in the hall.

    His winning came some days after Omatseye won the Columnist of the Year at the NMMA, a development which made Managing Director Victor Ifijeh remark that “it shows the strength of our writers, who are clearly the best in the land”.

    Significantly, twice the newspaper won the Newspaper of the Year at NMMA and DAME. At the NMMA last year, the newspaper proved that the best writers and reporters have found a home in The Nation. Of record 35 nominations, this newspaper won in 13 categories at the prestigious NMMA  the highest by any publication. It won Editor of the Year, Investigative Reporter of the Year, Columnist of the Year and 10 others.

    Omotoso is the reigning Editor of the Year (NMMA). He won in the same category three years ago. Assistant Editor (News) Yishau won two prizes at the event witnessed by former Governors Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Gbenga Daniel. He won the Columnist of the Year, with a piece titled “Time to deploy Mbu to Maiduguri”. He also won the Olu Aboderin Prize for Entertainment Reporter of the Year with his entry titled “October 1 and other stories”.

    Yusuf won the Investigative Reporter of the Year category with his story on how lead poisoning has killed many in Zamfara. Last November, he won the Wole Soyinka Investigative Reporter of the Year for his three-part series on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Nweze won two awards: Banking and Finance Reporter of the Year and Money Market Reporter of the Year. Salako won the Capital Market Reporter of the Year prize. O’Neil won the Buba Marwa Prize for Defence Reporter of the Year with his story “Inside the mess soldiers call home in Warri”. O’Neil was also runner-up in the Environment Reporter of the Year category.

    Osagie won the Female Reporter of the Year prize. She was also runner up in the Education Reporter of the Year category. Fadare won the Olagunsoye Prize for Culture Reporter with his story “ Magun: Myth or reality”.

    Oladesu, who is the Group Political Editor, won the Lateef Jakande Prize for Political Reporter of the Year.

    The Ernest Sisei Ikoli Prize for Newspaper Reporter of the Year was won by Jibueze, who also last year won the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) in the judicial reporting category. He won both prizes with his piece “How sabotage, blackmail and undue delays are killing the judiciary”. Okereocha, a serial award winner, won the Chevron Prize for Oil and Gas Reporter of the Year.

    In 2014, at the NMMA in Owerri, the newspaper won eight awards from a record 17 nominations. The newspaper proved that it parades some of the best commentators in the industry, with Editorial Board member Osuji emerging the Columnist of the Year. Omotoso was runner-up in this category.

    Yusuf won the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Prize for Culture and Tradition Reporter of the Year and the Chevron Nigeria Prize for Oil and Gas Reporter of the Year. He won the Culture and Tradition Prize with a story titled “Help, Nigerian languages are disappearing!” published on November 13, 2013. His story, “How Nigeria lost $11b to vandalism and theft” won the Oil and Gas Prize. Yusuf, earlier in 2014, won the Quill Award in the Industry reporting category.

    Ololade , who in 2014 won the CNN African Journalist of the Year award in the health and medical reporting category, got two awards at the Owerri event. His “Kalakuta Republic: A decade after” published on October 26 won the Olu Aboderin Prize for Entertainment Reporter of the Year. He also won the Gani Fawehinmi Prize for Human Rights Reporter of the Year with his “Fractured lives”, published on September 14, 2013.

    Akioye also did this newspaper proud at the 2014 event held at the International Convention Centre, Owerri by emerging winner in two key categories. Akioye emerged the Alex Ibru Investigative Reporter of the Year, with his entry, “Money, money everywhere, yet flood pains remain”, which traced how donations made by governments and philanthropists after the last major flood in the country were spent. He also emerged winner of the NAFCON Prize for Environment Reporter of the Year. His entry, “Even the rich envy us the way we live”, was published on April 20, 2013. Akioye won the Golden Pen Reporter of the Year with the same story. The same story also won DAME that year.

    In August 2013, Akioye emerged the winner of international environment award, the WASH Media Award organised by the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), Geneva  and the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). The award was presented during the World Water Week in Stockholm.

    At the 2014 NMMA, The Nation’s Dauda clinched the Maritime Reporter of the Year Award.  At the 2013 NMMA, which held in Ikogosi, Ekiti State, The Nation won six top awards, including Newspaper of the Year. Omotoso won the Dele Giwa Prize for Editor of the Year. The Editorial Board, which has won laurels for its editorials on critical issues, won the prize for Editorial Writing. Yishau won the Intercontinental Bank Prize for Capital Market Reporter of the Year. Ms Joke Kujenya, then an Assistant Editor (Investigations) with this newspaper, clinched the Peter Odili Prize for Power Reporter of the Year and Nweze won the UBA Prize for Money Market Reporter of the Year.

    At the 2014 DAME, where it won the Newspaper of the Year, the organisers said “: In emerging The Newspaper of the Year for the first time at DAME, The Nation put up an impressive fight, elbowing out The Punch in a close finish. The Nation won five DAME award in Informed Commentary, Development Reporting, Health Reporting, Political Reporting, and Judicial Reporting. It also came second in six categories, namely; Informed Commentary, Development Reporting, Child Friendly Reporting, Business Reporting, Editorial Writing, and Press Investigative Reporter of the year. Finally, it also recorded two third place positions in Press Investigative Reporter of the year award and Development Reporting. Established in 2006. The Nation has gradually emerged as a paper of record, parading some of the most enterprising reporters and columnists in the land. Guided by its Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director Victor Ifijeh and the Editor, Gbenga Omotoso, and Sam Omatseye, its chairman of the Editorial Board, and a host of other key officers, The Nation is truly one of Nigeria’s leading newspapers giants.Omotoso also emerged the Editor of the Year. Editorial Board Chairman Sam Omatseye won the Informed Commentary Prize. The newspaper’s reporters also won four other awards in Development Reporting, Judicial Reporting, Political Reporting and Health Reporting categories.”

    Of the 19 awards up for grabs that night, The Nation won seven, the highest by any newspaper, just like it did at that year’s NMMA.

    With the array of investigative and incisive pieces churned out by its reporters last year, it will not be surprising if baskets will be needed to carry its awards this year. Already, the floodgate has opened with Ololade winning the Quill Awards.

    Ololade’s several other awards are: Diamond Award for Media Excellence Anthony Enahoro Prize for Political Reporting (2012); Winner, Diamond Award for Media Excellence UNICEF Prize for Child-friendly Reporting (2012); Winner, Ernest Sisei Ikoli Prize for Newspaper Reporter of the Year(NMMA-2012); Winner, B.A.T Prize for Industry Reporter of the Year (NMMA-2012); Winner, Ernest Sisei Ikoli Prize for Newspaper Reporter of the Year, Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA-2011); Winner, Ibrahim Buba Shekarau Prize for Education Reporter of the Year, NMMA-2011; Winner, B.A.T Prize for Industry Reporter of the Year NMMA-2011; Diamond Award for Media Excellence Prize for Best Judicial Reporting of the Year (2010); Winner, Ernest Sisei Ikoli Prize for Newspaper Reporter of the Year (NMMA-2010); Winner, Gani Fawehinmi Prize for Human Rights Reporter of the Year NMMA-2009; Winner, Olu Aboderin Prize for Entertainment Reporter of the Year NMMA-2009.

    His entry, which won the CNN award, “‘This marriage will kill me – Tragedy of Nigeria’s child brides” took an in-depth look at the trauma suffered by Nigeria’s child brides. As well as often being married to men decades older, they are also brutally circumcised. This practice can cause severe medical complications. This, combined with the fact that many have bodies too young to cope with childbirth, means that they are left enduring lifelong, excruciating pain. These girls are also often betrayed by their families, finding themselves ostracised and forced into desperate situations to survive.

    He is set to leave for London for a training programme as a result of his outstanding performance at the Quill Awards.

    This year sure promises to be another year of reward for excellent reporting and writing.

  • ‘Hard times await land grabbers’

    The Deji of Akure Kingdom in Ondo State, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi has vowed to curb the activities of land grabbers, popularly called Omo Onile in his domain.

    The monarch stated this during his visit to the Brigade Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier-General C. Ofoshe in Akure.

    The monarch lamented that the activities of the notorious Omo Onile are fast becoming a menace to the society and a dent on the image of the city.

    He said he would not fold his arms and allow the hoodlums to turn his land into a lawless society where crimes thrive.

    “I am aware that they move round the town extorting money from unsuspecting individuals and even threaten land owners with dangerous weapons.

    “They have turned this into a daily routine and a robust source of income for them. We must put an end to it, the Deji said.

    Oba Aladetoyinbo therefore, solicited the assistance of the military in ensuring that these hoodlums are flushed out of the society.

    He said: “I am fully aware that some of the lands are under-utilised by the military.”

    The monarch said the military is currently occupying about a quarter of the land mass of Akure.

    Brigadier Ofoshe thanked the monarch for his visit and the good working relationship between the military and the traditional ruler.

    He said that had contributed immensely to the relative peace which Akure had enjoyed. He, therefore, enjoined Oba Aladetoyinbo to take up the issue of land grabbing with the appropriate authority.

    On the issue of land grabbers, the Brigade Commander promised to co-operate with the Deji and relevant security agencies in curtailing the excesses of the gangsters.

    “I want to assure your Majesty that we will apprehend them and deal with them decisively,” he said.

  • Govt won’t acquire land for ranch use, says Ogbeh

    he National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) has warned distributors of fake seeds of severe penalties. The council said it was taking steps to  protect farmers against such seeds which cause crop losses.

    Its Director-General, Dr. Olusegun Ojo, said violators of the Nigerian Seed Act No. 72 of 1992, now being amended by the National Assembly, would not go free. Ojo, who spoke during  enlightenment programmes in Kano, Jigawa and Kebbi states, described adulteration of seeds as an act of sabotage.

    He said adulteration of seeds would not be tolerated, as agriculture is becoming the economic base of Nigeria. Seed, Ojo said, is the backbone of the sector.

    He said the council would regulate the quality of seeds  such that  black-marketing of seeds would be checked, as this is having a negative impact on farmers.

    To ensure that only quality seeds of proven cultivars get to farmers during the  wet season, NASC embarked on nationwide  enlightenment campaigns in Kano, Jigawa and Kebbi states.

    The campaigns were meant to educate the public on the activities of the unscrupulous seed merchants in the Northwest and to discourage such inappropriate trade tactics. The exercise, which lasted for four days, was spearheaded by Director-General, NASC in company of his senior officials, a team of plant breeders from the Institute for Agricultural Research & Training (IAR&T) Ibadan, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR/ABU), Zaria and National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi.

    Through the training, the trainee agrodealers were educated and taught on criteria to consider before buying improved seeds from the seed companies. They were also taken through awareness creation on how to differentiate quality seeds from adulterated and fake seeds.

    Places visited were Hadejia in Jigawa State, Dan Hassan in Kano State and Jega in Kebbi State at pre-control plots sites established to authenticate, assess, evaluate and monitor quality attributes of all notified and traded crop seed varieties produced by National Agricultural Research Institutions (NARIS) seed companies, and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) for marketing.

  • Police parade suspected land speculators

    The Ogun State Police Command at the weekend paraded some suspected land speculators, popularly called Omo Onile.

    The suspects – Taofeeq Bankole and his alleged accomplice identified simply as Segun – were paraded by the Onipanu Divisional Police Headquarters at Obere town in Ado/Odo-Ota Local Government Area.

    The police displayed the cutlass, knives and other weapons allegedly found on them during the parade.

    At a briefing, the Akogun of Ota, High Chief Wadudu Ajani Deinde, said the suspects had been molesting land owners in Obere, Sokenu and Leshi villages.

    The monarch said they had been demanding illegal fees and disturbing land owners from working on their land, if they failed to pay.

    Dende said majority of such suspects were not indigenes of the community.

    According to him, gone are the days when someone would extort money from land owners before they could build on them.

    Dende said: “It was wrong for anybody or group of persons to be disturbing or be demanding unjustly money from anybody who had bought land anytime he or she wanted to work on the land.”

    The chief urged the police not to sweep the case under the carpet, adding that the suspects should be arraigned to serve as deterrent to others.

    The area’s Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Baba M. Mayaiki, a Chief Superintendent of Police, advised the suspects’ families and land buyers to remain calm while investigation was being conducted on the matter.

    The police chief said the suspects were paraded for breaching the peace in the community, adding that they would be charged to court after investigation.

  • Bill seeks 10-year jail term for land grabbers

    •Bureau makes N3.148b in four months

    A bill seeking 10 years imprisonment for land grabbers popularly known as Omo Onile is pending before Lagos State House of Assembly, Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau Mr. Bode Agoro has said.

    The bill is expected to be passed into law in the third quarter of the year.

    It is titled “Bill for a law to prohibit forcible entry and occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties in Lagos State and for connected purposes.”

    Agoro, who was giving account of his one-year stewardship under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, said the attacks on government allottees by Omo Onile were unbecoming, adding that the government would no longer fold its arms and watch.

    “The incessant complaints and constant agony being felt by people of the state necessitated the Lagos State House of Assembly to embark on the bill. This law will definitely go a long way in stopping this terrible menace in our society. Let the Omo Onile be warned because we are determined to win the battle against them. We are coming for them and we are facing them squarely,” Agoro said.

    He regretted that Omo Onile have constituted themselves into nuisance, disturbing public peace at will.

    Agoro said between January and last month, the bureau realised N3.148 billion from land sales.

    Between last May and March, it generated over N8 billion; Governor Ambode signed 5,625 Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) within the same period. Agoro attributed the feat to the government’s strong will, immense capacity for hard work and desire to accelerate the process of issuing land title.

    “The need for the acceleration of the titling process is that a high number of property owners in the state have realised the importance of having titles for their lands, especially the business community, as registered land titles are major documents needed as collateral for obtaining facilities from financial institutions,” he noted, adding that the Directorate of Land Services, a department in the Bureau, has also introduced a new form, known as IC, which incorporates the passport photograph of the purchaser to be affixed on the deeds of agreement.

  • Resort Savings eyes growth with Abuja land deals

    Resort Savings & Loans Plc, a mortgage bank quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), plans to further leverage its turnover with ongoing sale of properties in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    Head, business development, Resort Savings & Loans Plc, Bisi Bello, said the mortgage bank has begun the marketing and sale of undeveloped plots of land at different locations in Abuja. The land  located at Kuje, Kurudu-1 and Kurudu Hilltop belongs to Mahfas Investment Limited.

    She said the mortgage bank will market the land as well as allow instalmental payment upon the down payment of 30 per cent by prospective buyers.

    “All that is required from the prospective buyers is to open account with Resort Savings and make available the 30 per cent down payment while the balance could be spread over a reasonable period,” Bello said.

    She urged all prospective home owners to open account with the mortgage bank as well ensure the deposit of the 30 per cent initial payment to be part of the beneficiaries of the plots.

  • Bill seeks 10-year jail term for land grabbers

    •Bureau makes N3.148b in four months

    BILL seeking 10 years imprisonment for land grabbers, popularly known as Omo Onile, is pending before the Lagos State House of Assembly, Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Bode Agoro, has said.

    The bill is expected to be passed into law in the third quarter of the year.

    It is titled “Bill for a law to prohibit forcible entry and occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties in Lagos State and for connected purposes.”

    Agoro, who was giving account of his one-year stewardship under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, said the attacks on government allottees by Omo Onile were unbecoming, adding that the government would no longer fold its arms and watch.

    “The incessant complaints and constant agony being felt by people of the state necessitated the Lagos State House of Assembly to embark on the bill. This law will definitely go a long way in stopping this terrible menace in our society. Let the Omo Onile be warned because we are determined to win the battle against them. We are coming for them and we are facing them squarely,” Agoro said.

    He regretted that Omo Onile have constituted themselves into nuisance, disturbing public peace at will.

    Agoro said between January and last month, the bureau realised N3.148 billion from land sales.

    Between last May and March, it generated over N8 billion; Governor Ambode signed 5,625 Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) within the same period. Agoro attributed the feat to the government’s strong will, immense capacity for hard work and desire to accelerate the process of issuing land title.

    “The need for the acceleration of the titling process is that a high number of property owners in the state have realised the importance of having titles for their lands, especially the business community, as registered land titles are major documents needed as collateral for obtaining facilities from financial institutions,” he noted, adding that the Directorate of Land Services, a department in the Bureau, has also introduced a new form, known as IC, which incorporates the passport photograph of the purchaser to be affixed on the deeds of agreement.

  • Bill seeks 10-year jail term for land grabbers

    •Bureau makes N3.148b in four months

    Bill seeking 10 years imprisonment for land grabbers popularly known as Omo Onile is pending before Lagos State House of Assembly, Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau Mr. Bode Agoro has said.

    The bill is expected to be passed into law in the third quarter of the year.

    It is titled “Bill for a law to prohibit forcible entry and occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties in Lagos State and for connected purposes.”

    Agoro, who was giving account of his one-year stewardship under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, said the attacks on government allottees by Omo Onile were unbecoming, adding that the government would no longer fold its arms and watch.

    “The incessant complaints and constant agony being felt by people of the state necessitated the Lagos State House of Assembly to embark on the bill. This law will definitely go a long way in stopping this terrible menace in our society. Let the Omo Onile be warned because we are determined to win the battle against them. We are coming for them and we are facing them squarely,” Agoro said.

    He regretted that Omo Onile have constituted themselves into nuisance, disturbing public peace at will.

    Agoro said between January and last month, the bureau realised N3.148 billion from land sales.

    Between last May and March, it generated over N8 billion; Governor Ambode signed 5,625 Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) within the same period. Agoro attributed the feat to the government’s strong will, immense capacity for hard work and desire to accelerate the process of issuing land title.

    “The need for the acceleration of the titling process is that a high number of property owners in the state have realised the importance of having titles for their lands, especially the business community, as registered land titles are major documents needed as collateral for obtaining facilities from financial institutions,” he noted, adding that the Directorate of Land Services, a department in the Bureau, has also introduced a new form, known as IC, which incorporates the passport photograph of the purchaser to be affixed on the deeds of agreement.

  • DIG, lawyer, family in land row

    A Lagos family has accused Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Jubril Adeniji and a lawyer, Paul Ogundele, of using thugs to drive them out of their land.

    In a petition to Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), the Wahab Lemomu family of Ita Pampa village in Ibeju-Lekki claimed that Adeniji Ogundele and the Eleku family are sponsoring some people to threaten them and destroy their properties.

    The family said it was granted an excision by the Lagos State government in 2007, which was gazetted, adding that it built on parts of the 25 hectare-land and sold some.

    It claimed that in 2012, the family and Oba Tajudeen Elemoro were taken to a Lagos High Court in suit LD/1946/2012 by Tajudeen Eleku, Segun Eleku, Korede Ayo, Lateef Eleku and Femi Bakare over a land at Oko Olomi.

    The Imams accused Adeniji and Ogundele of selling their land and threatening those who bought land from the family, asking for the IGP’s intervention to protect their rights to own properties.

    “After the court processes were served on us, Ogundele abandoned this case and some land grabbers backed by Adeniji and Ogundele invaded our properties at Ita Pampa with guns and other dangerous weapons and started destroying them.

    “They threatened to kill us and waste our lives should we fail to vacate the land for them. We and all those we sold our land to have been sent packing by force for the past three years. Ogundele and the thugs are still occupying our properties till date without any court order to that effect.

    “Since this problem started, we have reported at the Elemoro Police Station but one Alli who is the DCO (Divisional Crime Officer) there has always blocked our ways. The DPO (Divisional Police Officer) and DCO at Elemoro have refused to protect us and our properties from destruction but have instead protected the thugs backed by Adeniji and Ogundele,” the Imams claimed.

    The family said it petitioned the Area J Command when the division did nothing, adding that it learnt there was “an order from above” stopping the division from intervening in the matter.

    “We had to petition the AIG Zone Two at Onikan to investigate the officers at the Elemoro division, but it was the same result we got. As a result of the helplessness, we decided to investigate who was giving the “order from above” and “we found out it was DIG Adeniji”.

    The petitioners urged LPDC to probe Ogundele for alleged professional misconduct, indiscipline, inciting violence and defrauding.

    They accused the lawyer of continuous and flagrant disregard of the rule of law.

    Reacting, Ogundele said the case has been assigned to Justice Christopher Balogun, describing the petitioners’ claim as falsehood.

    Abiodun Imam is at large at the “moment because he was arrested for malicious damage and subject likely to cause breach of peace.

    “He was granted administrative bail at Elemoro Police Station and the case was charged to court because he destroyed 14 properties. When the case was charged to court, he absconded and was declared wanted.

    “Instead of coming to answer the charges against him, he ran to the Federal High Court and filed a fundamental rights suit against the IGP, myself and Okomi Eleku family. The case has been struck out for lack of diligent prosecution. They are running from the civil case before Justice Balogun. They went and filed another fundamental rights suit at the Lagos High Court.

    “Ita Pampa is 1.44km to Oko Olomi. It is a long distance to my client’s land.

    “I have responded to the petition against me they forwarded to LPDC. I have used the instrumentality of the law to fight my case. I have not at anytime resorted to violence. We are in court. I am making arrangements to sue them for libel because they are attempting to malign my reputation that I have built for the pass 24 years. I will sue them for N100 million damages,” he said.

    Adeniji denied the allegations against him, insisting he has nothing to do with the parties.

    He said: “I do not know any of them and I don’t know the type of support the other party is alleging me of. I have no dealings with any of the parties.

    “I was at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) before; I do not know if any such matter came before me. But if it did, am sure I handled it the best way I thought and moved on.

    “I was surprised when I saw the petition that I was supporting land grabbers. I do not have any land in that area. I have no business there at all. I am a police officer. I think they are just looking for somebody to embarrass.

    “Please, I need them to come forward with the kind of support they alleged I am giving. If they say their case is in court, am I a judge? I have absolutely nothing to do with them. I don’t know them and so, I leave them for God.”

  • Lagos earns N8b from land transactions

    The Lagos State government yesterday said it generated N8, 114,191, 292.35 as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)  from land transactions between  May last year and March this year.

    The Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Bode Agoro who spoke at the ongoing ministerial press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, in commemoration of the first year anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in office, said the feat was achieved through ingenuity.

    He said the Bureau was able to rake in the revenue through the ingenuity introduced by the present administration which has devised means of blocking leakages in the financial system of the bureau.

    According to Agoro, to actualise the vision and underscore its desire for a truly citizen-centred government, while considering the importance of land as a precious God-given resource, the bureau maximised the potentials of the state land resource and provided easy access to it for economic and social benefits of Lagos residents.

    “We are resolved and committed to improve our ways of doing things, but more importantly, we pledge to infuse more transparency, accountability and integrity, individually and collectively, into land administration in the state.

    “We assure the business community and corporate Lagos that the ease of doing business in the state will be improved upon.

    “We are proud to inform you that our indefatigable and technology driven governor has approved the development of the Integrated Land Administration and Automation System which provides for a fully integrated end to end land administration platform for sustainable and automated land administration environment among others,” he said.

    Agoro who frowned at the menace of land grabbers, popularly called Omo-onile, said to fast-track the prosecution of any offender of the law relating to land grabbing, the state the judiciary has been fully equipped to deliver prompt judgment in accordance with the Section 52 and 53 of the criminal law of Lagos.