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Tag: Mr Fatai Owoseni

Family accuses police of obstructing justice over Lagos property

…Police: Possession was taken illegally

The family of a former Head of Service in Lagos, the late Mr. C.O. Bajulaiye, has accused the police of denying its members access to their late father’s house in spite of a court judgment authorising them to take possession.

The family had approached the Lagos Magistrates Court in a bid to recover the property from a tenant, a company.

On May 8, the court ordered the company to give up possession of the property made up of a five-bedroom detached house, a two-bedroom guest chalet, and three-room boys quarters on or before May 10.

The company was also ordered to pay a “mesne profit” at the rate of N3million on the property located on 8, Agoro Odiyan Street, off Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island.

However, the family, in a petition to the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Mr Fatai Owoseni, accused the police of frustrating the enforcement of the judgment.

The third son of the late Bajulaiye, Segun, said the family, through the court’s Bailiffs, duly executed the judgment, took possession of the property and placed five security men to guard the property after the bailiff took inventory of the things they met in the compound.

Bajulaiye said they were shocked when policemen from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti stormed the property and arrested the guards.

“They brought along thugs armed with dangerous weapons and sealed up the property, denying us access,” Bajulaiye said.

The family added in the petition: “Senior Police officers led by DCP Salami and CSP Asuquo both of Panti, SCID, dislodged us from taking possession and arrested and detained our security guards.”

Bajulaiye said inscriptions made by the Bailiff on the walls to indicate that possession had been taken were also wiped off, adding that the company’s application for stay of execution of the judgment was earlier dismissed.

Besides, the family’s lawyers are contending that even if there was an appeal, which they said was not the case, it does not operate as a stay of execution, nor was it also the place of Police officers to pronounce the process of a competent court as unlawful and to supplant them from possession with police might under any guise.

Bajulaiye said Owoseni, in response to their petition, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID Panti, Bolaji Salami, to ensure that there was no one occupying the house, yet the order was not carried out.

But, the Police claimed that the family took possession of the house illegally, claiming that the Bailiff executed the order without autorisation from the force.

The Police also claimed that there was an appeal on the judgment, and that it was investigating the circumstances in which the execution was carried out.

However, the family’s lawyers have sent a Freedom of Information request to the police, demanding a report of investigation and its reasons for denying them access to the property.

August 29, 2017
Revealed: INSIDE STORY of abducted Lagos pupils’ rescue

DAYS after the six abducted students of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, in Epe area of the state regained their freedom, facts have emerged about the true circumstances of their release. Addressing the media after the pupils regained their freedom penultimate Friday, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, had claimed that the pupils were rescued by policemen, adding that no fewer than 20 suspected kidnappers were killed during a gun battle with the criminal elements.

However, a senior security source privy to how the schoolboys’ freedom was secured has revealed that the pupils were released by the kidnappers to the Ondo State Government after intense negotiation with them.

It will be recalled that the six pupils were kidnapped by suspected militants on May 25, 2017, who kept them for 65 days before they were released.

A few hours after the news broke on July 28, 2017 that the pupils’ freedom had been secured, Owoseni addressed a late night press conference with information that his men played the most significant role in securing the pupils’ release.

It was gathered that Owoseni did not mention the role played by Ondo and Delta states, led by the deputy governors of the two states, Mr. Agboola Ajayi and Mr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro respectively, let alone credit them with risking their lives to ensure that the pupils were reunited with their parents.

Owoseni had said: “The militants, during the encounter, also tried to steal some police and naval gunboats. On the 18th of July, the kidnappers tried to ambush the police and marine post in one of the communities in Ondo State and take the gunboat.

“The attack was led by the kingpin within that axis, Bright Dabo Adeniye and Oniwe Iyelabi, popularly called America, were killed.

“Adeniye, who led the abduction and his 16-gang members were the first group to meet their waterloo during encounter with our men. Iyelabi, popularly called America, died during the encounter with the police.

“In order to achieve swift rescue, we engaged some of the parents, and in the process, we engaged some psychologists who constantly gave us assurance.

“That led to the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, reassuring the parents recently that the children would be rescued alive.”

Owoseni’s narrative on the release of the schoolboys drew the ire of the senior security source, who described the CP’s account as self-serving, unbelievable and spurious.

Although the state government has been silent on its role in the release of the kids, security sources praised the efforts of the Ondo State deputy governor and his team for staying for about four nights in the inclement weather of the creeks to persuade the kidnappers release the pupils.

He said before the pupils were released, the militants contemplated releasing them and abducting the Deputy Governor for higher ransom until they negotiated amnesty with the state government. One of the militants was said to have suggested that the government could pay N2 billion as ransom if the school children were released and the deputy governor abducted.

The source said that Ajayi and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Donald Ojogo, and an ex-militant, who was the link between the militants and the government, went into the creeks on the order of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) to negotiate with the abductors on the release of the six pupils.

Giving details on how Ajayi risked his life to enter the creeks in spite of security advice against it, the source said the Commander of the Forward Operational Base of the Navy insisted on escorting the team to the creeks with gunboat. But the militants had warned that they would kill the children if they saw any security personnel in company of the negotiation team.

The Navy Commander said it would be suicidal for him to allow the number two citizen of the state to travel to the creeks without security details.

The source said it was the assurance given by the deputy governor that made the Navy Commander to allow him to travel without any security escort. The Navy and the security details of the Deputy Governor had to stay at Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area for the three-man team.

The source said the team traveled for over five hours in the creeks before the militants appeared to them. He said it would have been suicidal if they had gone with security men as the militants encircled them when they got to the creeks between Ajakpa in Eseodo and Ugbonla in Ilaje.

He, however, said the militants negotiated with Ajayi that they should include them in the amnesty programme of the Federal Government, before the school children were released to the government delegation.

His word: “I want to tell you between man and God that no ransom was paid as far we are concerned here. I don’t know where the issue of fresh N5 million ransom came in.

“The governor directed the deputy governor to go and meet with the boys (abductors) to talk to them. You know the deputy governor is from Eseodo Local Government, so he knows the terrain (the creeks). The deputy governor went into the creeks with one of his aides known as Donald Ojogo, without any security aide because the militants warned them not to come to them with security men. They said if they came with security, they would kill the pupils.

“They also warned the government to evacuate all the gunboats of the navy and the police from the waterways in Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states.

“They spoke with the Deputy Governor in pidgin English. They told him they were indigenes of Ondo State and they wanted to be included in the amnesty programme of the Federal Government.

“They said if the government included them in its amnesty programme, they would drop their arms and leave the creeks. The government did not pay a dime as ransom. Anybody that is saying they paid is not being truthful. It was after their release that the security agencies were informed.

“It got to a stage that the deputy governor gave himself up in exchange for the children. This was just after he was asked to raise up his hands in symbol of absolute surrender to the militants in their territory.”

The source said the pupils had got used to their abductors during their stay in the creeks. He said one of the pupils had become a general and was referred to as General Saka, as he was the leader of the pupils in captivity.

An impeccable source revealed to The Nation that the deputy governor of Delta State and his wife, who hails from the area, intervened to convince the abductors to drop their arms and release the kids.

It will be recalled that the states in the South West had earlier met at a meeting in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, on Monday, July 24, 2017, to discuss matters of interest, including the worsening security issues in the zone.

Rising from the meeting, the governors vowed to work together on security issues affecting the zone. The release of the boys, it was gathered, was a fallout of the meeting.

Contacted, the Lagos State Police spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole insisted that the police were fully involved in the rescue operation.

He said: “From inception till their release, we were involved and we are glad we got them back to their families.”

August 5, 2017
Epe kidnap: Police plans strategy to end problem

On the kidnapped six students from the Igbonla Model College, Epe area of Lagos, Idris said that police marine would be trained to flood the creeks.

He expressed concern over the location of schools close to the sea where miscreants always had easy access to such schools.

He said: “We are going to have a permanent solution to the Lagos problem by training our marine police.”

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said rescue mission was ongoing to save the children.

He explained that the police was concerned about the safety of the children in trying to rescue them.

June 8, 2017
Eyo Festival: Akiolu, Owoseni warn against violence

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni and the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu have warned Lagos Islanders against acts of violence during the Eyo festival on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the duo gave the warning on Thursday when Owoseni visited the Lagos monarch at Iga Iduganran.

The visit was in preparation for the Lagos@50 Eyo Festival which will hold on Saturday at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

The police commissioner warned the Eyo masqueraders against violence, adding that any masquerader caught would face the wrath of the law.

Owoseni also urged Lagos islanders to maintain law and order during the festival.

He advised leaders of the masquerader groups to provide names of four persons from each group that would assist the police for proper identification.

The police commissioner added that reflective jackets would be provided for those selected to assist security agents.

Earlier, the monarch said that any masquerader that took law into his hands, causing unnecessary unrest would be handed over to the police.

“Lagos@50 celebration is a thing of joy for us to thank Almighty Allah. I remembered the day the creation of Lagos State was announced, we were indeed very happy.

“On the second day, a boat was brought here and we left for the Bar Beach with all the chiefs; every Lagosian should be grateful to almighty Allah for the celebration.

“Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Mobolaji Johnson, previous governors and all those who contributed to the creation of the state, particularly Teslim Elias, were there,’’ Akiolu recalled.

He noted that about 262 years before the arrival of the British, Lagos was administered by the traditional rulers.

The traditional leader said that he had directed the head of the Eyo Masqueraders, otherwise known as “Adimu Orisa’’, to perform their usual display at the TBS square.

“We love peace in Lagos and we embrace everybody for it. I have directed the head of the Eyo to restrict the celebration to the TBS because it is spacious,’’ he said.

May 19, 2017
Ikorodu killings: Police after family for raising false alarm

Mr Fatai Owoseni, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, said on Saturday that the police were on the trail of a family which allegedly raised the false alarm that resulted in the killing of four persons in Ikorodu.

Owoseni told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the family already declared wanted had a fight with another family over an undisclosed matter, stressing that it raised a false alarm that the victims were members of the notorious Badoo cult.

“The police are after the family that raised the false alarm. We are investigating the case,’’ Owoseni said.

Sources had earlier told NAN that four persons, who were branded to be members of the notorious Badoo cult group in Adamo area of Ikorodu, were on Friday lynched by residents.

NAN gathered that members of the public, however, later discovered that the slain persons were not members of the notorious cult group but land speculators.

NAN further learnt that three houses, two vehicles and motorcycles were set ablaze in a reprisal attack by colleagues of the slain persons.

An unnamed person was said to have started a building project on Thursday in Araro area of Adamo in Ikorodu.

Some land speculators from Agunfoye area reportedly invaded the building site and demanded for royalty from the owner of the building.

A source told NAN that the man refused to give the men the money and they went away with a threat that they were coming back

” True to their threat, they mobilised and returned on Friday but unknown to them, the owner of the building had also mobilised some youths in the area,” the source said.

NAN further gathered that a clash was said to have ensued between the land speculators and the residents, forcing them to flee from the site of the building project.

The land speculators were escaping when residents raised the alarm that they were members of the Badoo cult group.

It was also gathered that the residents had lied that the slain land speculators had earlier in the day killed a family of four people.

“More residents were mobilised and they reportedly chased the land speculators to where they were caught and beaten to stupor, with four of them eventually dying.

“The death of the land speculators sparked instant crisis as hoodlums from Agunfoye mobilised themselves and invaded Adamo where three houses were burnt.

“The Agungoye thugs, who were armed with assorted dangerous weapons including guns, matches and broken bottles, attacked residents of Araro, injuring some of them in the process.

“ It took the intervention of policemen from the RRS and local divisions in Ikorodu before the angry hoodlums were dispersed,” a source told NAN.

Meanwhile, many residents of Araro have started relocating from the community following fears that the police might arrest them.

Some of them also expressed fears that the hoodlums from Agunfoye might return to avenge the death of the slain four people.

May 13, 2017
Police promise violence-free LG polls in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command says it will synergise with other security agencies to ensure violence-free Local Government elections in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said this during the visit of the Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Ayotunde Phillips, to the State Police Command on Wednesday in Ikeja.

“We will also ensure that the obligations placed on security agencies with regards to security, before, during and after the elections will be rendered in the state.

“Security agencies in the state will within the ambit of the law ensure a rancour-free society as we will provide adequate protection of lives and property,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Owoseni as saying.

He urged the media to educate voters to shun violence during elections.

The Chairman of LASIEC said that they visited the command to solicit support for the elections scheduled for July 22.

“We are here to solicit support for the upcoming local government polls as regards the security aspect and to know measures put in place.

“The police had on their part also pledged support as always and the Commissioner of Police had said that even if we did not ask, he would render support.

“The Commissioner of Police had told us the grievances of the political party executives which he met on Tuesday and we have promised to look into them when we get back.

“We will be visiting other security agencies as we are committed to conducting a free and fair election.

“We have done several stakeholders meetings and we will be having more of these meetings,” she said.

May 10, 2017
One killed, eight arrested in Lagos street fight

Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday said it arrested eight suspects following a street fight at Iyana-Ipaja which claimed one life.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, told newsmen that the fighting broke out at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday and lasted until about 2 a.m. on Wednesday.

“At about 10 p.m., we received distress call that some youths are on rampage at Iyana-Ipaja and we sent the police response team there.

“The fight raged and continued till 2a.m when normalcy was restored.

“Eight suspects were arrested and one person was killed in the course of the fight.

“Investigation, however, revealed that fighting ensued over a girl, who resides at Abule-Oki area of Iyana-Ipaja.

“The girl had gone to a party at Elere, Agege, where she was molested.

“On getting back to her area, she told the youths who later blocked the road and led a fight towards Elere during which the police moved in to stop them.

“Investigation is still on and will be extended to both sides of the community and those involved will be brought to book,” the police boss said.

May 10, 2017
Police demolish criminal hideouts in Ishawo creeks

Security operatives from the Lagos State Police Command deployed to the riverine area of the Ishawo Community in Ikorodu area of the State on Wednesday commenced total demolition of illegal waterfront shanties within the creeks where criminal elements hibernate to perpetrate their nefarious activities.

The State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni who briefed journalists in Ishawo on the ongoing operations in the creeks by a combined team of the State Marine Police, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), mobile policemen and the men from the anti-kidnapping squad in coordination with the local vigilante group, said 13 suspected kidnappers have already been arrested and are currently aiding the team to track down the remaining suspects still on the run.

It would be recalled that two weeks ago, four Police Officers and one Army Captain lost their lives after an ambush unleashed on them by suspected militants in Ishawo area.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, while condoling with the families and loved ones of the departed officers, had assured that every perpetrator directly or remotely linked to the dastardly act would be brought to justice in the shortest possible time.

Owoseni said that the Governor immediately ordered a joint operation to hunt down the perpetrators, adding that the operation was yielding positive results.

“So far so good following the attack that occurred at Ishawo where we lost four of our policemen and army captain, we have deployed operatives in the water. What you have seen now is for us to appraise what we have been doing for the past one week. So, quality arrests have been made and we are talking to them because the arrests that were made we believe that we get some evidential value from them, so they are talking to us, at least that makes us to know who we are looking for so that we won’t be just wild catching,” Owoseni said.

The Commissioner of Police who was joined on the inspection of the joint operation to the den of the militants in Ishawo Creeks by the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Mr. Tunji Disu, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, security squad leaders and some journalists, said the visit was to appraise the work done so far and the next line of action.

“Earlier this morning, they were able to get to the proper camps of these criminal elements where they saw some of them cooking food who fled immediately they saw the combined team. We just feel that we should take a decision to destroy the camps. The destruction of the camps are ongoing, that is why we are here and the officers that are handling the destruction of the camps, they are right inside the creeks now and at the end of the day, they would share the story as they finish that operations, but our movement here is just for you to see the terrain and see what the security operatives are facing with regards to policing this environment and that is why we are clamouring for the destruction of these shanties”, Owoseni said.

Owoseni said that one of the suspected militants died during a fierce encounter with the Intelligence Response team of the Inspector General of Police, assuring residents in the area that they would go all out to ensure that they fish out all criminal elements in the State.
“We still want to assure members of the public that these people have murdered sleep and they will not sleep, we will make sure that all of them are rooted out and that they face the full wrath of the law.

“The 13 suspects we have, we are interrogating them and they are making useful statements for us and we are making progress and you can see that helicopter surveillance is also supporting all what we are doing but we want to assure members of the public around this axis that the government is ready, the security agents are ready to ensure that we put an end to the madness of these criminal elements,” the Commissioner of Police said.

He said the Police have gathered necessary information on the perpetrators still on the run, assuring that one by one, they would be arrested and be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He commended the synergy of the combined efforts of the security operatives, just as he added that the efforts of the local vigilante groups who are familiar with the terrain was critical to the operation especially in aiding to navigate the hideouts of the militants.

“I want use this opportunity to thank the civilian men that have decided to join us and take us to navigate the water and also give us a lead to the centre of activities which is the creek where these criminal elements have been hibernating,” Owoseni said.

April 19, 2017
We killed Uber driver to steal his vehicle — Suspect

Detectives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested two suspects who posed as passengers and killed an Uber driver, in an attempt to steal his vehicle.

The suspects and one other, who is at large, strangled the driver, Innevosa Emmanuel and disposed him of his KIA RIO salon car marked KTU 594DM.

The suspects always go after uber drivers with the intention of killing them and stealing their cars, to resell them to new buyers.

The suspects boarded the vehicle from Ikeja to take them to Ogba, Oke-Ira during which they suddenly ordered the driver to make a U-turn and take them to Oremeji Street, Obawole area of Ogba, where he was strangled with a belt by the robbers and the vehicle was driven away.

According to one of the suspects, he said they were three that participated in the killing of the driver.

“I and Michael met at Ogba where I went to drink and we became friends. I told him how difficult things were for me that I needed to relocate to Benin to start all over again.

“It was at this point that Michael told me about a deal that could fetch me some money that we could get a car and then sell it to his boss.

“Michael then told me about one Alex (Emmanuel) who had a vehicle and we agreed to meet the following day. Since then we had been meeting and discussing how to buy the vehicle.

“On the fateful day, the Uber driver came, I was with Michael in his office and his friend Destiny was with him but I don’t know if he discussed the vehicle deal with Destiny.

“Around 9:30p.m, we called the Uber driver to come and pick us at Tantalizer eatery at Ogba. I and Destiny were inside the vehicle with the driver, but Michael was outside while I was holding the belt.

“Immediately I put the belt around the driver’s neck, Destiny dragged the belt and we strangled him. When we were satisfied that he was dead, we took his corpse to Oremeji Street and dumped him in front of a church around 10:30 p.m., without anybody noticing us.

“After killing the driver, we took the vehicle to Michael’s boss to sell it. The buyer then inquired from us where we got the vehicle from and Michael told him that we killed the owner.

“The buyer then said we should take the car away and Michael said we should take it to his house and park it outside, before taking it to another buyer in Benin.

“Later we were tracked to Benin, arrested and brought back to Lagos.” the suspect said.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, who paraded the suspects at the Command headquarters, said the command received a report of a missing Uber driver, whose car was stolen and the driver missing.

Owoseni said since then, it has been an issue of concern and detectives through their sustained efforts towards the missing driver, two days ago arrested two suspects in connection with the missing driver.

“The suspects posed as passengers strangled the Uber driver and dumped his remains at Ogba and the vehicle was taken to Delta State, where it was recovered and the suspects arrested.”

The Police boss said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

April 11, 2017
Dislodged militants now enroll as private guards – Police

Lagos residents have been warned to ensure circumspection when employing domestic workers, and to allow proper profiling of their domestic employees by the police.

Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Fatai Owoseni gave the warning Friday, disclosing that some of the militants/kidnappers dislodged from creeks now disguise as private security guards.

Owoseni said the police were already taking census of some of the estates where these kidnappers have been posted by their firms as guards, without knowing they were spying on victims.

He also disclosed that cases of criminality perpetrated by domestic helps were on the increase especially with respect to drivers fleeing with their employers’ vehicles.

The police boss warned estate managers, private guards to stop denying policemen on patrol, duty access into the premises, adding that the command was working with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to address anomalies.

Owoseni said: “Criminal elements and suspected militants/kidnappers have found themselves enlisted into services of private security company, where they choose the estates they want to go and work.

“It gives them platform to do monitoring and then give information to their cohorts outside. The command wants to advice Lagos residents on the need to profile domestic servants and drivers they employ.

“By doing that, they would be helping to secure themselves, protect valuables and assist the police in its quest to reduce crime to minimal level in Lagos.”

Giving details of arrests made by the command between Tuesday and Friday, Owoseni said a syndicate that advertises and present themselves as drivers in order to steal from their employers was apprehended.

He said: “They do so in connivance with guards in some of the houses they work as drivers. We got four members of the gang after a Hyundai jeep which was stolen from the owner’s home, was intercepted at Ondo State, enroute Abuja.

“Through diligent investigation, kingpin James Jacob was arrested. During interrogation, three others were arrested. On a serial basis, they give out themselves as drivers. After working for the family for some time, they steal the car or connive with guards.

“They have confessed that there are five other cars stolen in that manner. James Jacob has been paraded last year for a case of rape and stealing of vehicle. He raped his boss’ house help and stole the car. He was charged to court but unfortunately, he got bail and refused to learn his lessons.

“The gang had number plates belonging to government offices, which they use to move stolen vehicles to places they sell them.”

Owoseni also said the command through the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), arrested four suspected tricksters, armed robbers, who usually shoot their victims after luring them to particular locations under the guise of buying wares from them.

Wilfred Ehi, 30; Bright Eloho, 24; Olanrewaju Kamilu, 33 and Ekeme Gbmedu, 22, were arrested at Olamoti Hotel, Iyana-Iba by a decoy team.

They were said to have shot a policeman, who disguised as a phone seller and stood at a place they asked him to stay with the phone.

According to Owoseni, the command has received about 13 reports on the activities of the suspects, prompting an undercover operation to arrest them.

He said: “They ask the sellers to bring phones to the hotel. Once the person got there, they fire the person and collect the phone. They fired one of the policemen who carried phones to them as a seller. He was shot in the leg in the course of the operation.

“Police eventually had upper hand and kingpin of the syndicate was nabbed, leading to arrest of three others.

“A KIA Optimal saloon car, four expensive telephones, two wristwatches, a cannon E087D camera, laptop, WiFi and a wrap of weeds was recovered from them.

“We also arrested three suspects including the brother of producer, Seun Kareem alias Egbegbe for being his accomplices. The suspects, Lawal Kazeem, Olalekan Yusuf and Muyideen Shoyombo have confessed to the crime and would be charged to court.

“Five members of a syndicate that specialises in faking to be haulage contractors were arrested. The command has been on their trail until the last operation where the command worked with victim. “They present themselves as haulage contractors to big companies and individuals wanting to transport goods from Lagos to other parts of the country. They use their trucks or those of victims to carry goods, which they divert and sell around Shagamu and then, they take the trucks away.

“RRS tracked and arrested five suspects. Two of the diverted trucks were dismantled and sold to different spare-parts dealer. The two have been recovered. They confessed to other trucks they have diverted and butcher like that.

“Flour that was given to them to transport out of Lagos has been traced to the receiver. It has been recovered and worth N46m.”

March 31, 2017