The Nation Newspaper

Tag: motorcyclist

  • Motorcyclist crushes septuagenarian to death

    Motorcyclist crushes septuagenarian to death

    A 71-year-old man identified as Dayo Komolafe has been crushed to death in front of his residence by a motorcyclist, Femi Oluwole.

    The incident happened at Leo Junction, on Oyemekun Road, Akure, the state capital.

    Oluwole was subsequently arraigned before an Akure Magistrates’ Court on a three-count charge of reckless driving, causing death; driving without  a valid licence and document

    Police prosecutor, Inspector Nelson Akintimehin said the defendant, being the rider of a blue TVS motorcycle with number plate FAB117VO, allegedly drove it on a public highway dangerously.

    He said Oluwole had no regard for the circumstances of other road users and caused the death of Komolafe in front of his house.

    Oluwole pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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    His counsel, Mr. Kehinde Akintelure, asked the court to allow his client to bail on liberal terms.

    Akintelure said the family of Oluwole and the deceased were on a course to settle the matter out of court.

    Presiding Magistrate, Kolawole Aro granted the defendant bail of N500,000 with one surety.

    He adjourned the case to October 31, 2014 for hearing.

  • Motorcyclist remanded for alleged rape

    A 38-year-old motorcyclist, Kunmi Adeyemi, who allegedly raped a 19-year-old girl, was yesterday remanded in Kirikiri Prisons by an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    Magistrate P. E. Nwaka, while remanding Adeyemi, ordered that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

    He adjourned the case till March 11 for the DPP’s advice.

    The court did not take the defendant’s plea.

    The accused, who lives at 7, Olowoporoku Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos, is being tried for alleged rape.

    Prosecuting Inspector Christopher John alleged that Adeyemi committed the offence on January 28 at 3pm in his residence.

    He alleged that the defendant unlawfully had sexual intercourse with the girl.

    John added that the victim was returning from work and due to the rains, she tried to shelter from the rainfall in front of the defendant’s house.

    According to the prosecutor, after sometime, Adeyemi saw her and asked her to enter his apartment for comfort, only to be raped.

  • Motorcyclist dies in Ondo

    A 30-year-old okada rider, identified as ‘June’, died yesterday after being involved in a multiple motor cycle accidents which occurred in front of Akoko Anglican Grammar School, Arigidi Akoko. An eyewitness said the deceased died instantly while another motorcyclist sustained serious injuries and now in critical condition in a private hospital in Ikare-Akoko.

    The ongoing strike is having an adverse effect as Ikare Specialist Hospital could not admit patients. Other passengers on the motorcycles sustained injuries. The Akoko unit Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Jimoh Basiru, attributed the accident to impatience and refusal to wear crash helmets.

    He noted that his command had visited mosques, churches, market places and motor parks for sensitisation since the beginning of ember months on the need to adhere strictly to road regulations.The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Okeagbe, Adetarami Ibitayo, a Superintendent of Police (SP) who visited the scene of the accident, said many okada riders are fond of drinking alcohol.

    A community leader, Alhaji Ibrahim Kilani, expressed sadness on the large number of lives that have been wasted this year alone along Agbaluku-Arigidi-Olokun junction up to Semusemu area.

    He said over six people have lost their lives this year alone to road accidents. Residents were worried on this sad development which necessitated inter denominational prayers. He urged the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure in the state to construct speed breakers to reduce carnage.

  • Police dismiss officer who killed motorcyclist in Ebonyi

    The Police have arrested and dismissed the Police officer who shot and killed a motorcyclist in Abakaliki the Ebonyi state capital.

    The Okada rider, Mr. Ofim Ejike was shot along the popular Waterworks road in Abakaliki last night by a trigger happy police Sergeant, Onyebuchi Nweke attached to the Story kidnapping squad of the command.

    Reacting to the incident, Police spokesman, Loveth Odah said the suspect who was tried yesterday in his Department, Anti-Kidnapping, AK, has been summarily dismissed from the force.

    He stated that such dastardly would never be condoned by the police.

    Mrs Odah said that the suspect would be charged to court tomorrow (Friday) to face charges bordering on murder.

    “The incident that happened is indeed an unfortunate one; we are appealing for peace and order; there is no way the police command would condone such dastardly act; if I may tell you, the suspect, Sgt. Onyebuchi Nweke was tried yesterday at the department level and was summarily dismissed from the force. He will be charged to court tomorrow”

    “We are the only force or institution that washes our dirty linen in public; what happened is indeed unfortunate; if any Okada rider was arrested or his bike confisticated following the incident, as soon as there is calm, they will be released and their bike returned to them. Every strategy is aimed at bringing peace to the state capital”.

    “Even as senior officers of the Command went on patrol to quell the situation, they were stoned by the Okada riders; as I am talking to you now, a police officer who was hit by stone, is now on admission at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki”.

    “He is presently battling between life and death; another officer with traffic was today beaten to stupor by the rampaging Okada riders”.

    “We appeal for peace and order as no stone would be left unturned to ensure justice for the victim, Mr. Ofim Ejike whoresides at 32 Linus Ede Street, Convent Road, Abakaliki.”

    Meanwhile, Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi is still boiling as Police on Thursday clashed with Commercial Motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders who are protesting the killing of Mr Ofim While.

    The motorcyclist was accosted by Police officers of the Anti Kidnapping squad, AK, of Ebonyi State Police Command at Anan world junction by water walks road.

    A source who witnessed the incident said, the Okada rider in his 20s was carrying a female passenger when he was flagged down by the policemen, who are notorious for fleecing motorists of their hard earned money at night at the junction.

    “When they stopped him, they demanded for their usual N50n but he gave them N20n and wanted to drive off when ọ we of them opened fire on him. The bullet shattered his head and he died instantly”, said the source.

    The incident caused pandemonium along the road as residents along the adjourning streets gathered and attempted to lynch the officers. They also used tires to set burn fires on the road.

    But the arrival of a new detachment of Police officers to the scene saved the day as they used teargas to dispel the crowd while also shooting sporadically into the air to scare them away.

    It could not be immediately ascertertained if the female passenger of the slain Okada man was lso hit by the bullets of the policemen.

    Following the incident, Governor David Umahi issued a statement calling for the arrest and prosecution of the Police officers involved in the shooting.

    The motorcyclists, however, regrouped this morning and embarked on protest round the city causing traffic gridlock on major roads.

    The Police also chased them and attempted to repel them with teargas but so far it has failed to stop them.

    They always runaway when they are teargassed and regroup at another part of town to continue their protests. And yet again the police will chase them to the new location and the process will be repeated again.

    The Police also arrested a few of them but this has not deterred them from continuing with the protests. As at the time of writing this report they were seen at the Abacha roundabout near the Abakpa main market driving towards water works junction through Nnamdi Azikiwe road.

    Meanwhile, Umahi who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor last night described the incident as barbaric and calous and expressed confidence that justice will be done in the killing of the deceased.

    He said the incident has further called for more dedication, commitment and professional training for the country’s security personnel to stop further killings of innocent Nigerians on the line of their duties.

    The governor also assured that he would take up the matter to the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the trigger happy policeman who shot and killed the boy is punished inline with the rule of his engagement.

    Umahi warned that his administration will not tolerate any form of killing of innocent citizens or extra judicial killing by the security agencies and ordered the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Titus Lamorde to arrest the trigger happy policeman who shot the decaesed and other members of the team to face full weight of the law.

    While expressing his sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, Governor Umahi promised to visit the family when full information concerning his family is made available.

    He called on the public to remain calm as the situation was already under control and never to resort to taking laws into their hands.

  • Motorcyclist shot by soldier battling for life

    Motorcyclist shot by soldier battling for life

    A commercial motorcycle operator, Uzoma Ahunanya, is said to be battling for his life at an undisclosed hospital in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State after he was reportedly shot by an angry soldier.

    The Tuesday incident, which happened near Chrismary Hotel on the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, caused pandemonium.

    A source said trouble started when some passers-by tried to rescue a Yoruba traditional medicine dealer from the soldier who escorted expatriates lodging in the hotel.

    The soldier, after he was overpowered by the passers-by, went into the hotel, brought his gun and started shooting sporadically. Ahunaya and another man were injured in the process.

    “I don’t know what the problem was, but we saw the soldier beating the woman and we went to intervene. The soldier was not having his gun at the moment, but he later brought out his gun which he started shooting and aiming at people,” the source said.

    Chairman of the Okada Riders Association Ogechukwu Ogbonna confirmed the incident. He stressed that Ahunanya, who is a member of his union, is being treated at a private clinic at Obe Ukwa.

    According to Ogbonna, the bullet pierced through Ahunanya’ thighs. Another man was also injured.

    Sources at the 144 Battalion, who pleaded for anonymity, told our reporter that the soldier is not from their Battalion but on transit and escorting some expatriates.

    They said Military Police from 14 Brigade, Ohafia and 144 Battalion have begun investigating the matter, adding that they have visited the hospitals where the victims are being treated.

    The 14 Brigade would soon make official statement on the issue and would not want to predict the outcome of the ongoing investigation, the source added.

  • Two injured as motorcyclist dies in crash

    One person died at the weekend at the point of diverting traffic from Akungba-Iwaro-Okeoka-Isua Road to Ikare-Arigidi-Ikaram-Akoko in Ondo State.

    The diversion followed the commencement of the rehabilitation of the Iwaro Oka-Isua Road.

    A commercial motorcyclist (popularly called Okada) collided with an articulated truck at “Semusemu” area of Ikare-Akoko.

    He died instantly.

    The second accident involved another truck at a Muslim praying ground on Ikare Akoko-Ugbe Road.

    The vehicle was said to have skidded off the road and rammed into a nearby house. Two children were injured.

    The kids were reportedly taken to the specialist hospital at Ikare-Akoko for treatment.

    Chief Medical Director (CMD) Dr Wale Oguntuase said: “One commercial motorcyclist was brought here dead. Two children were also rushed here. The condition of one of them was critical. He had to be referred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) at Owo.’’

    Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at Ikare-Akoko, Jimoh Basiru, confirmed the incidents.

    He said his men took the victims to hospital.

    The Aare Iyalaje of Ikare-Akoko, Hajia Risikatu Mohammed, cautioned traders at Olukare Palace Central Mosque and Post Office at Ikare to desist from displaying their wares on the road.

    She hailed the FRSC for reducing road carnage in Akoko.

    The FRSC, it was learnt, had been advising road users to be careful at the wheels.

    Besides, they warned motorcyclists to use helmets to protect their heads, in case of a crash.

  • Motorcyclist gets three years for theft

    A 35-year-old commercial motorcyclist, Moruf Raji, is to spend the next three years in jail for breaking into shops and stealing provisions and bottles of wine, an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, has ruled.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. I. O. Omotosho, said Raji was found guilty of the five-count charge on conspiracy, break-in and stealing brought against him.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Raji has been in prison since his arraignment on June 9.

    He changed his `not guilty’ plea to a plea of guilty.

    Consequently, Omotosho sentenced him to three years imprisonment on count one, which he would serve at Agodi Prisons in Ibadan, but with an option of N20,000 fine.

    The magistrate also sentenced Raji on count two (housebreaking and entering a shop) to 18 months, but also with an option of N20,000 fine.

    For offence of stealing, he was given three years imprisonment and an option of N50,000 fine.

    Raji was sentenced to 18 months for breaking into another shop with an option of N20,000 fine.

    On the fifth count of stealing, Raji got three years with an option of N50,000 fine.

    Omotosho said the sentences would run concurrently with the convict spending three years.

    He added that the cumulative fines stay.

    The prosecutor, Olalekan Adegbite, had told the court that Raji committed the offences on June 6 at 3:50 a.m. at Idi- Ose, Olode junction in Moniya, Ibadan.

    He said the accused with others at large broke into two shops and stole provisions and bottles of wine belonging to Mrs. Folake Adeniji and Mrs. Folasade Obaromi.

  • Motorcyclist ‘steals’ car battery, other items

    A 34-year-old motorcyclist, Lucky Ehikioya, was yesterday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a car battery and other items worth N37,550.

    Ehikioya, who lives in the Ayobo area of Lagos State, is facing a charge of stealing.

    Prosecuting Inspector Victor Eruada, told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 28 at Oluwo Damilare Street, Bada, Ayobo, Lagos.

    Eruada said the accused stole a car battery valued at N28,000 and a phone accessory valued at N9, 000 as well as a zipp detergent soap valued at N550, property of Titilayo Omosebi.

    “The accused stole the items from the complainant’s car which was parked outside her compound overnight,” he said.

    E4ruada said the accused was apprehended by some security guards, who handed him over to the police.

    Eruada said the offence contravened Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes a three-year jail term for offenders.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate G.O. Anifowoshe granted the accused N50, 000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    Anifowoshe said the surety should be a blood relation of the accused and should show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    She adjourned the case until August 29.

  • Motorcyclist in court over stolen motorcycles

    A 35-year-old motorcyclist, Monsuru Akande, has been arraigned an Ikeja Magistrates Court for allegedly selling five motorcycles kept in his possession.
    The accused who lives at Maysan Road, Ogbere, Atan-Ota in Ogun, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
    He pleaded not guilty.
    Prosecuting Inspector Ezekiel Ayorinde told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 15, 2015 at Agbado area of Ogun.
    According to him, the accused conspired with others still at large to sell five Bajaj motorcycles which were kept in his custody without the owner’s approval.
    He said the motorcycles, valued at N640, 000, belonged to the complainant, Akintan Tunde.
    “The complainant reported that he gave the motorcycles to Akande on hire purchase, but the accused sold them and converted the proceeds to his own personal use,’’ Ayorinde said.
    He alleged that the accused absconded but he was apprehended by the police.
    The offence contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
    Section 285 stipulates three- year jail term for stealing; Section 409 provides two years for conspiracy.
    Magistrate Omolade Awope granted the accused N150, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.
    Awope said the sureties must be employed, with evidence of tax payment.
    She adjourned the case till March 13.

  • Policeman ‘shoots’ motorcyclist at Ikorodu

    Policeman ‘shoots’ motorcyclist at Ikorodu

    There was pandemonium at the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) terminal at Ikorodu Garage, Lagos yesterday, after a policeman allegedly shot the rider of a commercial motorcycle also known as ‘Okada’.

    The incident occurred at about 2:30pm.

    The Nation learnt that the policeman was riding his motorcycle on the Lagos Road Expressway, when he sighted the Okada rider on the same road.

    Angered that the victim was flaunting the Lagos State Traffic Law, which prohibits motorcyclists from plying certain routes, the policeman allegedly stopped and shot him on the right leg.

    Bleeding, the victim, got off his motorcycle and confronted the policeman.

    The Nation learnt that a mob, which quickly gathered, attempted to attack and seize the policeman’s rifle, but he threatened to shoot anyone who came close.

    It was gathered that the policeman eventually carried the injured man on his motorcycle, claiming he was taking him to the hospital.

    When The Nation visited the scene, another policeman was seen carting away the victim’s motorcycle, parked by the road.

    Several eyewitnesses, who declined to give their names, accused the policemen of plotting to turn the incident against the motorcyclist.

    They blamed the police for giving weapons to personnel without due training, insisting that the proper thing was to issue the motorcyclist a ticket.