The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oniba

  • Oniba urges residents to seek approval for activities on swampy lands

    Oniba urges residents to seek approval for activities on swampy lands

    The Oniba Traditional Council led by the Oniba of Iba, Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Raji-Ashade, has asserted his authority over the swampy areas of land within Iba town in Lagos.

    In a statement, the council emphasised the importance of seeking permission for any activities planned on these swampy lands while encouraging residents and interested parties to contact the palace or the traditional council for the necessary guidance and approval before proceeding.

    Read Also: Nigeria on path to growth, says Oniba Ekun

    The council also reminded residents to remain law-abiding and peaceful, ensuring they seek accurate information and guidance from the appropriate authorities.

    Additionally, the council urged all Iba residents to comply with local laws and regulations, avoiding any actions that could disrupt public peace and order within the town and the broader state.

  • Oniba kidnap: Two victims died of bullet wounds, says pathologist

    Oniba kidnap: Two victims died of bullet wounds, says pathologist

    The two persons killed during the kidnap of the Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Oseni, died of bullet wounds, a Lagos High Court has been told.

    A consultant pathologist, Dr. Sunday Soyemi, told Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo that autopsy comfirmed that the palace guard, Sunday Okanlawon and a motorcyclist, Joseph Okeke, were shot dead.

    A statement by the Ministry of Justice said Soyemi spoke while being led in evidence by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem during the trial of Duba Furejo, Ododowo Isaiah Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh for the monarch’s kidnap.

    Soyemi, a senior lecturer at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) said he performed the autopsy on the duo.

    Soyemi said Okanlawo’s body was identified by his son, Seun, and the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Sergeant Ademo Rahim. Okeke’s body was identified by the IPO.

    He said: “The essential findings on Okanlawon were a circular hole on the shoulder at the back, a structure on the bridge of the nose, and a structural defeat on the upper part of the head”.

    The base of the skull, he said, showed fracture, adding that there was bleeding into the brain and extensive cerebral laceration.

    The autopsy report, he said, attributed Okanlawon’s death to “severe cranial cerebral injury following a penetrative injury to the skull”.

    Soyemi said Okeke’s autopsy report showed a destruction of the left femoral vessel.

    “There was an entry and exit wound and this is usually caused by bullet wound’’, he added.

    Soyemi said the wounds on both bodies were consistent with bullet wounds and gun shot.

    He said after the post-mortem, death certificates were issued to the bereaved families.

    Under cross examination by the defendants’ lawyer, Soyemi insisted that Okanlawon and Okeke died of bullet wounds.

    Sergeant Rahim said during investigation he discovered that Okanlawon was shot in the head.

    The defendants are standing trial on an eight-count charge of kidnapping the Iba monarch, conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, robbery, armed robbery and felony.

    The charge alleged that Okanlawon and Okeke were murdered by the defendants during the kidnap.

    Justice Taiwo adjourned the case to February 3, 10 and 14.

  • ‘Fight’ over fourth defendant stalls Oniba kidnap trial

    ‘Fight’ over fourth defendant stalls Oniba kidnap trial

    The trial of four suspects in the kidnap of the traditional ruler of Iba Town, Oba Goriola Oseni, failed to commence Friday following a disagreement between two counsel over which of them would represent fourth defendant, Yerin Fresh.

    Fresh was arraigned on October 24, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, alongside first defendant Duba Furejo, second defendant Ododowo Isaiah and third defendant Reuben Anthony.

    They are standing trial on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, robbery, armed robbery, felony and kidnapping preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.

    On October 24, Fresh was represented by Chief Selowei Baidi, who is also the counsel to the first and second defendants, while Mr J. O Egwuaroje was the third defendant’s counsel.

    The defendants were remanded in Ikoyi Prison, Lagos following their plea of not guilty.

    At the commencement of proceedings yesterday, Mrs E. I. Alakija, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DDP), announced her appearance for the state, while Baidi and Egwuaroje maintained appearances for the same defendants.

    But mild drama began when another lawyer, Mr Anthony Onwueze, also announced appearance for the fourth defendant, Fresh.

    Responding to a query from Justice Taiwo, Onwueze explained that he had been commissioned to represent the fourth defendant.

    “Prior to the court sitting, we approached Mr Baidi that we have a specific instruction from the fourth defendant to represent him in this matter. But Mr Baidi said his brief has not been perfected. We have a letter from the defendant authorising us to represent him,” Onwueze said.

    But Baidi confronted Onwueze with the Rules of Professional Ethics of the profession and insisted that Onwueze had not fulfilled the conditions precedent for over a brief from another lawyer.

    Baidi said: “I maintain my stand as the defence counsel for the fourth defendant. I am opposed to him taking over as counsel without compliance with Rule 29 of the Rules of Professional Ethics.”

    Following back and fourth arguments prosecution counsel Mrs Alakija observed that a dispute over proper representation in the case could be resolved in accordance with Section 234 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), 2011, which provides for change of counsel.

    She offered that the prosecution was willing to give counsel time to settle the matter.

    “We can give counsel time to sort out the issue of representation before the next adjournment. We still have November 11 and 14 dates for trial,” Alakija said.

    Third defendant counsel, Egwuaroje also observed that the prosecution witnesses appeared to be absent.

    In a bench ruling, Justice Taiwo said: “Both counsel are hereby advised to abide by the professional rules. Mr Onwueze should assist Chief Baidi to recover whatever fees are due to him from the fourth defendant.

    “In view of the circumstances, I would suggest that we commence trial on October 11, by which time counsel would have put their house in order. This case is hereby adjourned till November 11. Witnesses must be in court. Counsel must have resolved the issue. No bickering gentlemen.”

    The defendants were arraigned on eight count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, robbery, armed robbery , felony and kidnapping preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.

    They and others at large were accused of conspiring to commit the alleged offences on July 16, at the traditional ruler’s palace in Iba.

    Apart from the kidnap of Oba Yishau Goriola Oseni, they allegedly murdered ‎a security guard, Sunday Eniola Okanlawon and a commercial motorcyclist, Joseph Okeke and also attempted to murder the monarch’s wife, Olori Abosede Oseni.

    According to the charge, they also robbed Abosede of her mobile phone while armed with guns.

    The state said the offences contravened Sections ‎233, 230, 299, 297 (2) (b) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State C17, Vol 3 Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

  • Party galore at Oniba’s palace

    Party galore at Oniba’s palace

    Following weekend’s release of the Oniba of Iba, Oba Yishau Goriola Oseni, his family members yesterday organised a party to entertain guests and vwell-wishers who througed the palace.

    Outside the palace, some youths dance to the music from two giant loudspeakers that had hurriedly been mounted.

    Some of the excited were half naked, saved their boxers, and shorts, clutching varying brands of bottles of beer amid the party spree.

    “Our Oniba is back’ shouted one of them as he raised his beer brands triumphantly with his left hand, while using the right to wave at the traditional rulers decked in white, who had just alighted from a white jeep and were at the threshold of the palace. Their mission: to confirm and facilitate with the monarch who rejoined his family after being away on kidnappers’ den for three weeks.

    The fear and anxiety which had hitherto hovered over the palace since Oniba was abducted by unknown gunmen on Saturday July 16, suddenly gave way to banters and hugs yesterday. From time to time, members of the monarch family could be seen coming to thank guests and other visitors seated in appreciation for standing by them in their moment of grief.

    Similarly, religious leaders and traditionalist who had earlier visited the palace to offer intercessory prayers ahead of the monarch release were also on hand and in large numbers yesterday to raise their voices in thanking God for safe return of the monarch.

    Most of the vehicles in the premises had been ordered out to pave way for space for visitors that continued to surge on and off the palace. Young boys in their teens could be sighted moving in carts bearing bunches of plastic chairs. More canopies and chairs were being brought in and mounted by young boys in frenetic fashion.  Another group of young boys moved in carts containing firewood. They were being shepherded to a small opening at the rear of the palace where a fat cow had just been slaughtered and about to be butchered by three hefty men. Celebrations are indeed in the air!

    One of the monarch wives Alhaja Nofisat Idowu Oseni thanked everyone including the media for identifying with the family.

    “I’m on top of the world! My joy knows no limit,” she told The Nation yesterday.

    She continued: “We thank the people who sympathised with us and assisted us in cash and kind. I cannot say specifically the amount paid as ransom. The family made the arrangement. I do not even know those who liaised (with abductors). You know we are housewives. But I must say it was not easy raising that amount.”

    The family spokesperson Saheed Oseni said following the release of their breadwinner, a new security measure to the palace is underway.

    “We shall do that (restructure security) soonest. For now, we just want Kabiyesi to fully recover. Family members are already meeting over that,” he said.

  • They told me they were asked to kill me, says Oniba

    They told me they were asked to kill me, says Oniba

    The freed Oniba of Iba Oba Yushau Goriola Oseni shared his experience with OLUGBAMILA ADEGUNLE at his palace yesterday.  

    Sir, how was the experience like?

    When they abducted me that day (Saturday July 16), I did not actually know where they were taking me to. It was all like a dream to me. They carried me like a child -naked-because I was in my boxers. After few hours on water, they stopped in a place. I think it was their first camp.  I told them I wanted to have a bath and they allowed me. After some time, it rained and we had to relocate to another camp where they prepared a wooden bed with a mattress for me.

    I will never forget this experience that I called a ‘drama’. I was sleeping one day on the bed the abductors prepared for me. But I think at a point when the abductors were demanding a ransom and the initial negotiations did not suit them, the boys came all of a sudden, pulled the mattress off me and threw it away. Thereafter, I slept on the ground for two days.

     

    Whit this experience, what do you think government can do?

    They (government) should provide security for traditional rulers and the entire community in Iba. I will also appeal to the Commissioner of Police. We have a police post here and we want him to help us upgrade it to a police station. If this had been done, I believe they (police) would have tried their best. But they (kidnappers) have sophisticated weapons and I do not think our police can match.

     

    How do you feel now?

    I thank God for coming back to meet my family and the entire community peacefully. My family members were worried but to God be the glory that I did not feel any pain nor fall sick (while with the abductors) for the entire three weeks.

     

    People often say you are a no-nonsense and principled king and any attack against you would have been fiercely resisted. However the way you were abducted seemed so cheap. Why was this so?

    On that day (of kidnap) I told them (kidnappers) that it was God who gave them the power otherwise it would not have been possible for them. I was practically with nothing on me except my boxers when they came. When they took me there, (jungle) they told me they were asked to kill me but later they changed their mind. The change of mind, to me, was because I understand that while I was away, Christians, Muslims and traditionalists consistently prayed for me here. God answered their prayers.

     

    How much ransom was paid?

    Of course, they (my family) had to do that; but my own is that I was just released and I return home. I did not know what they paid as ransom.

    First, I wish to thank my colleagues. They assisted me physically, financially and otherwise. You can see many of them around me now.  I have been receiving phone calls since I arrived last night (Saturday night). I am happy about the love among traditional rulers in Lagos State, especially the Aworis.

     

    While you were away, some family members also suspected your kidnap was politically motivated?

    I too do not understand; but I have left everything to God. But one thing I know is that without fire, there will be no smoke.

     

    Were you aware of the environment they took you to?

    No! But, I must say they did not rough handle me at all because I told them they had to treat me as a father.

  • Kidnapped Lagos monarch regains freedom

  • Ambode: we’ll rescue Oniba from his abductors

    Ambode: we’ll rescue Oniba from his abductors

    Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode has said everything is being done to rescue the abducted Oniba of Iba, Oba Yushau Goriola Oseni.

    The governor presided over an emergency Security Council meeting on Monday attended by heads of security agencies in the state. He said efforts were on to make kidnapping a thing of the past in the state.

    Briefing reporters at the end of the meeting, Police chief, Fatai Owoseni said government and the security agencies were bothered about kidnapping, adding that efforts are on to rescue all those kidnapped recently including Oba Oseni.

    “What we want to assure the people is that we are putting efforts together to ensure that not just the monarch is rescued but also other victims of kidnapping and we will bring those criminals to justice,” Owoseni said.

    The emergency security council meeting, he said, was to appraise security issues.

    On kidnapping, Owoseni said: “All of us are bothered. As the people are bothered, government is bothered and law enforcement institutions are bothered. We are looking at the issue of kidnapping and the only thing we can tell the good people in Lagos is that government is doing everything possible and is deploying all arsenal of the state towards ensuring that we put a stop to all these and at the same time seize this opportunity to tell the fellows engaging in these activities to channel their energy to lawful conduct because there is no excuse to say that because they cannot vandalise the pipelines again, that is why they are resorting to all these soft targets kidnapping.

    “They should divert their energy into productive use. The government has opened up lots of opportunities for people that want to access soft loans for small scale businesses and industries; the Bank of Industry (BoI) for instance is there, they have been putting up adverts, let them have a change of mind, drop their weapons, access these funds that government at the state and federal levels had created and for those of them that have certificates and saying that yes we have stopped bunkering and there is no other thing for us to do, there are platforms that have been created by government for them to be meaningfully employed.”

    Also yesterday Deputy Governor Idiat Oluranti Adebule appealed to the abductors to release the monarch.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos, Dr Adebule said the monarch would be rescued soon and be re united with his family and subjects.

    As custodians of traditional norms and institution, she said, royal fathers deserved honour and respect from the citizenry, adding that the state is working with the security operatives to rescue of the monarch.

    Dr Adebule urged law enforcement agencies to ensure that the monarch is rescued unhurt.

    “To the law enforcement agencies, we know they are trying which is why we have being enjoying peace in Lagos state, but they need to step up their intelligence gathering to fast track the rescue of the monarch,” she said.