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Tag: Okada rider

  • Court frees okada rider of robbery charge

    Court frees okada rider of robbery charge

    Justice Serifat Sonaike of a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has discharged an okada rider, Onyema Uduma of armed robbery charge after four years awaiting trial.

    The defendant regained his freedom last Tuesday following failure of the prosecution to produce witnesses in the matter over the last four years.

    Onyema,  31 years,  from Enugu state, was arrested and remanded at Medium Correctional Centre, Kirikiri Lagos in 2019 for alleged offence of armed robbery.

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    His counsel, Mrs Grace Adenubi of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LAC) said information against the defendant was filed at the High Court in 2020 in Charge No. LD/12886c/20 and he was arraigned early 2023.

    Mrs Adenubi said prior to his arraignment, the presiding Justice Sonaike, seeing that he is an indigent referred the case to the Legal Aid Council.

    She said the case was adjourned several times at the instance of the State Prosecuting counsels who were not able to produce any witness hence trial couldn’t go on.

     Justice Sonaike struck out the case for want of diligent prosecution upon the application of the defence counsel, Grace Adenubi and ordered the defendant  released from custody.

  • Court remands Okada rider for ‘robbery’

    A 30-year-old Okada rider, Babangida Haruna, was yesterday remanded in prison custody by an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for alleged robbery.

    Haruna and others at large were arraigned before Magistrate S.K. Matepo on a two- count charge of conspiracy and robbery by the police.

    Prosecutor Sergeant A. Odugbo told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on November 11 about 1:30hrs on LASU Igando Road, Ojo Lagos.

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    Haruna, who lives at 7th Avenue, FESTAC Town Lagos, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read.

    Odugbo alleged that the defendant with others at large armed themselves with a gun and a cutlass and robbed Samsideen Yusuf of N200,000.

    Magistrate Matepo ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison pending the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP’s) advice.

    She adjourned the matter till January 31.

     

  • Man ‘kills’ Okada rider on farm in Ekiti

    There was confusion yesterday in Agbado Ekiti in Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State when a commercial motorcycle (Okada) operator was allegedly killed on a farm.

    The suspected killer, identified simply as Toyin, was said to have hired the service of the victim to convey him to his farm on Ode Road.

    The suspect allegedly overpowered the victim and hanged him with a rope before attempting to bury the body in a shallow grave.

    The screams of the victim were said to have attracted workers in a nearby factory who raised the alarm and arrested the suspect.

    It was unclear last night what caused the killing.

    It could also not be ascertained if there was quarrel between the duo.

    The deceased was said to have left behind a heavily pregnant wife.

    A source said: “Toyin was said to have gone to the terminal of the commercial motorbike operators in Agbado this morning (yesterday) and engaged the service of his victim to convey him to his farm, located in front of the shoemaking factory of the popular politician and former senator, Gbenga Aluko.

    “People who were at the factory told us that they learnt of the incident when they heard agonising cry of Toyin’s victim repeatedly and decided to check up what had happened.

    “It was then they allegedly met Toyin throwing the body of his victim into the freshly dug hole. He was apprehended and handed over to the nearest police station in the area.

    “The police have arrested Toyin with the body taken to their station.”

    Police spokesman Caleb Ikechukwu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said he had not been briefed on the incident.

    Ikechukwu promised to get back once he gets the details on the incident from Gbonyin Divisional headquarters.

     

  • Smuggler’s vehicle crushes Okada rider in Ibadan

    A smuggler’s vehicle on Sunday night crushed a commercial motorcycle (Okada) rider on Abeokuta-Ibadan Expressway and injured a mother of three.

    The injured mother is at the Emergency Unit of the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    The accident, which caused commotion on the single-lane expressway, occurred near Eleso town.

    An eyewitness said the vehicle was from Abeokuta, while the commercial motorcycle was from Omi Adio.

    It was learnt the victim, identified simply as Ogba, became a father to a boy two months ago.

    On the scene were scores of residents, including relatives and friends of the deceased, commercial motorcycle riders and passers-by.

    They mourned Ogba.

    Also, the wreckage of the motorcycle and the vehicle were on the scene yesterday.

    The ill-fated vehicle, an Opel saloon car, was loaded with 24 bags of 50 kilogrammes imported rice believed to have been smuggled.

    The driver of the vehicle, who escaped unhurt, was reportedly detained at Omi-Adio Police Station.

    Some sympathisers blamed the accident on over-loading and speeding.

    The driver of the vehicle, registered as (Ogun) WDE 672 XA, was said to have lost control at a bend, causing the vehicle to somersault several times before crashing into the on-coming commercial motorcycle with the rider and passenger.

    Aggrieved youths attempted to burn the vehicle but the elders prevented them.

    But the youth destroyed some bags of rice before some policemen towed the vehicle, the motorcycle and remaining bags to the police station.

    It was gathered the remains of the deceased commercial motorcycle operator, which was conveyed to the police station on Sunday night, was given to the family yesterday for burial.

  • Okada rider allegedly stabs mate

    Okada rider allegedly stabs mate

    A commercial motorcyclist, Obinna Nwophoke, accused of stabbing a colleague with a screwdriver on the chest, has been arraigned at an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    Nwophoke, 30, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of unlawful assault.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, Cousin Adams, told the court that the accused committed the offences on October 10 at 9:15 pm, at “Okada Park”, Baale Road, Sari-Iganmu, Lagos.

    He said Nwophoke and Michael Udeh argued over an issue yet to be ascertained, and the former stabbed his mate with a screwdriver on the chest.

    The offences, Adams said, contravened sections 172 and 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (revised).

    The Magistrate, Mrs. O.A. Fowowe-Erusiafe, admitted the accused to a bail of N50,000 with two sureties.

    She adjourned the case till November 20 for mention.

     

  • Flood sweeps away Okada rider, bike in Ekiti

    Flood sweeps away Okada rider, bike in Ekiti

    •Body deposited at teaching hospital’s morgue

    A downpour on Monday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, swept away a commercial motorcycle (Okada) operator, Victor Ajeniyi, and his motorcycle.

    The flood destroyed property and sacked residents of Basiri, Nova Road, Afao Road and Adebayo from their homes.

    Ajeniyi was said to have attempted to force his way through the raging water, which overflowed the bridge on Elemi River along Iworoko Road, near Ayemi Motor Park.

    The body of the deceased was found yesterday by a search party deployed by Police Commissioner Abdullahi Chafe after combing the river bank for several hours.

    The Okada man reportedly lost grip of the bike and, in his attempt to rescue it from the flood, got overpowered by the raging water.

    He was said to have defied the warning of the two passengers he was conveying.

    His passengers reportedly wanted to disembark, but he was said to have insisted on continuing the ride.

    An eyewitness said: “But while trying to cross, he lost control at the Elémi Channel at Ayemi Motor Park area of Adebayo. He ignored the entreaties and admonitions from motorists and other commercial motorcyclists, who could not cross the channel but waited for the water to recede.

    “He had two passengers and they decided not to go with him. But he insisted that he had the knowledge of the way and how best to wade through the water.

    “When he lost control and the water began taking away his bike, he tried to rescue the bike. Along the line, he fell. The onlookers were helpless when he lost control. They watched helplessly from afar as he was overwhelmed by the flood.”

    Police spokesperson Alberto Adeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said: “It was an unfortunate incident because it could have been averted, if he had taken precautions.

    “We have identified him and his body has been taken to the morgue at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti.”

     

  • Okada rider brutalises The Nation man

    Okada rider brutalises The Nation man

    A commercial motorcyclist poparly known as Okada rider Sunday Adekunle, 25, has brutalised Sunday Braimoh, a worker in the Press department of The Nation.
    The incident occurred near The Nation office on Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Mushin, Lagos last Thursday.
    Braimoh was injured on his left eye.
    The victim was attacked in front of a plastic manufacturing firm by Adekunle and four other men. They beat, dragged him on the ground and left him with a bruised face.
    The case was reported to Area D Police Command, Mushin, following which operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) attached to the command arrested Adekunle.
    Braimoh has since been taken to Mushin General Hospital for treatment.
    Surprisngly, Adekunle’s colleagues bemoaned the attack, appealing to the police to jail him.
    One of them said the assault on Braimoh was unjust and barbaric.
    “The man (Braimoh) is not at fault. He was walking down the pathway where Adekunle and others sat, blocking the way. Braimoh told them to excuse him but they did not respond. Before we knew what was happening, they had all started beating him,” he said.
    But Adekunle, who lives in Ikotun, denied the allegation. He said he knew nothing about the matter.
    “I am an Okada rider. I was actually chased to the Okada park and beaten up by four guys who were upset with me for refusing to give them a free ride. It was in the process that they also punched Braimoh and beat him.”
    Braimoh, however, countered Adekunle’s explanation, insisting that Adekunle was one of those who assaulted him.
    “He is lying. He is one of the boys who brutalised me. They were standing on the walkway at the entrance of the plastic manufacturing company when I was passing by. They punched me when I asked them to leave the way, so I can have an easy passage. They beat me and dragged me on the ground, a development, which left me with a deep cut and bruises on my face. I lost a lot of blood,” he added.

  • Okada rider wins quiz contest

    Okada rider wins quiz contest

    A COMMERCIAL  motor cyclist (popularly called Okada rider ) Mr Kareem Abiola has emerged the overall winner at the yearly Adult Learners quiz competition.

    Abiola, who represented Mushin Local Government Area slammed other nine contestants with six points to take home a 32- inch led TV at the grand finale of the contest organised by Lagos State Agency for Mass Education.

    The event was held at SUBEB Hall, Maryland.

    Mrs Janet Bankole of Orile Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA) was first runners up, while Mrs Ruth Idowu of Ifako Ijaye LCDA came third, winning a microwave oven and a standing fan respectively. Mrs Musilimat Adebayo of Amuwo Odofin came fourth and was gifted with a gas burner.

    The contest centred on Maths, English and General Knowledge also gave room for other 10 contestants who competed in the Yoruba quiz version.

    Abiola, 36, nurses a big dream: he hopes to be a successful banker.

    Speaking with The Nation, Abiola who hails from Kwara State, recalled that for circumstances beyond his control, he would have long fulfilled his dream of acquiring education.

    “I managed to finish my primary education in my village in Kwara State but I had no means to further my education, I had to quit,” he recounted. From then, I started helping my parents in my dad’s cocoa farm. I got to Lagos five years ago and survival instinct pushed me to okada work. Later on, I enrolled for adult education but could not continue due to financial constraint. But last December, when I heard about adult mass education, I went to Mushin Secretariat and I enrolled.

    “Had it been things were normal, I would not have only been educated but would have become  a banker now.

    “I feel very happy today that my quest for knowledge has won me this competition. At least, I can say there has been improvement in my learning ability; this award is a proof to that,” he said.

    The Special Adviser on Education, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said the event was an avenue to witness the level of commitment and dedication of ‘our adult learners’ across the state and to appreciate them for being focused.

    “For us adult literacy is a key programme. The state Governor (Akinwunmi Ambode) has said Lagos must work for all; and for that to actualise, we do not want to leave anybody behind. Our adult population is very important to us, that is the reason we launch ‘Eko n kekoo – Lagos is learning’ which is a programme to ensure that we crash down our illiteracy rate in Lagos. Eighty-seven per cent of Lagosians are literates. Over the next three years we want to move that up to 90per cent. There is a commitment to do that.”

    He promised that from next year, more literacy centres would be created to double the existing ones, adding that the agency would also partner with religious organisations and schools.

    The state Agency for Mass Education Director, Mrs Oluwakemi Kalesanwo, said: ”If we have a whole lot of them in Lagos State that cannot read and write, then we will not make much progress because when it s time for election, these are the people that contribute more.’’

     

  • Plumber arrested for ‘killing’ Okada rider

    Plumber arrested for ‘killing’ Okada rider

    A plumber in Ikaramu-Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government of Ondo State, Kayode Agboola, has been arrested for allegedly killing a commercial motorcyclist, Akinola Emmanuel.
    Agboola, who has been detained by the Ekiti State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, was said to have hired the deceased to take him to a village in Ekiti State.
    It was gathered Agboola allegedly killed the cyclist in a bush and took the motorcycle away.
    The suspect was apprehended by NSCDC officials and reportedly confessed to the crime.
    Residents of Ajowa-Akoko are calling on the police and government to ensure that justice was done, alleging that some people were trying to cover up the matter.
    A man, simply Michael, said: ‘’He (suspect) must not be spared.
    “This man must be punished. The world is waiting for the police to ensure justice for the victim.
    “The world should hear about this nefarious, wicked, merciless and calculated cruelty. This young boy must not die in vain. His killer must be brought to book.”
    Police spokesman Femi Joseph said the case was yet to be transferred to the state command.
    He said: “The suspect and the victim have known each other for quite a while.
    “On December 4, the suspect hired the deceased to take him to his farm where he allegedly killed him and took his motorcycle to Ado-Ekiti, where he was arrested.
    “We are waiting for the NSCDC to release the suspect to us for proper investigation and prosecution.”
    The remains of the deceased had been evacuated and deposited at a morgue.

  • One killed, as Okada riders clash with Police in Ibadan

    One killed, as Okada riders clash with Police in Ibadan

    There was pandemonium at Moniya area of Ibadan Monday when a police man alleged killed one Okada rider over N50 bribe.

    Two others were also shot by police officers attached to Moniya police station, Akinyele Local Government Ibadan in the confusion that ensued.

    According to an eyewitness account, trouble started when an Okada rider who was flagged down by a police officer for carrying two passengers refused to stop but was hit with a baton on the head.

    The Okada man was reported to have fell off the bike and died on the spot.

    In annoyance, the sources further informed that the dead Okada rider’s colleagues headed towards the police station, threatening to burn down the division, but in an attempt to scare them off, the Police were alleged to have released tear gas unto the rampaging crowd and shot into the air to scare them.

    Unfortunately, two members of the association were hit by the stray bullet, and are currently under intense treatment.

    The development further increased the already tensed situation as people had to scamper for safety while the road was deserted as the effect of the tear gas forced people off the area .

    When contacted, Oyo State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police, Adekunle Ajisebutu confirmed the death of the Okada rider, but denied being hit by the police.

    According to Ajisebutu, “due to a stop and search embarked upon by the Police, an Okada rider who was carrying three passengers refused to stop as ordered by the security officers. While trying to escape, he ran into a big pot hole, he fell sustained injury and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died.

    “As a result of this, other colleagues of the dead rider attacked an upcoming police patrol vehicle, and seized an AK-rifle which was later recovered. Not done with that, they headed straight to Moniya division police station, threatening to burn down the station.

    “The DPO of the station briefed that five suspects were arrested. There was no incident of shooting at any of them or case of them sustaining any injury. Later, the DPO held a peaceful meeting with their association and NURTW around the area.

    “Normalcy had since returned to the area as the Commissioner of Police enjoined the citizens to go about their normal duty without taken law into their hands.”