The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oshodi

  • Oshodi residents square off with PSP operator over tariff increase

    Oshodi residents square off with PSP operator over tariff increase

    • By Elizabeth Ebiniyi

    Some residents of Oshodi, Mafoluku, Shogunle and Ewu-tuntun axis of Lagos are at war with the management of Excellens Links International Company, a PSP operator and one of the franchisees of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) over purported tariff increase.

    Speaking at a press briefing, Mr. David Fadile, legal representative of the management described as unwarranted the widespread campaign of calumny against the company by a group acting under the aegis of the Concerned residents of Oshodi, Mafoluku, Shogunle and Ewu-tuntun (OMSE).

    According to him, the group led by one Babatunde Faleye and a handful others, in recent times, have taken certain actions capable of breaching public peace and therefore need to be called to order.

    Fadile, who recalled that as one of the first generation of PSP operators in the country, his client has been servicing the Oshodi communities within the last 25 years meritoriously, said trouble began in mid-2022, when LAWMA reviewed all tariffs for refuse collection.

    “Following complaints by the operators on the need to help salvage the business as a result of the high cost of operations, LAWMA in its own wisdom revised tariffs across the state. But no sooner did LAWMA announce the new tariffs that some people began to raise dust insisting that the tariffs were illegal.”

    Determined to seek redress on the matter, the OMSE group instituted a lawsuit against Excellens Links International Company, Tunap Waste Company with LAWMA and the Attorney General of Lagos as co-defendants before Justice D. T. Olatokun of the High Court of Lagos state, Ikeja judicial division, in suit No. ID/7076GCM/2023, Fadile stated.

    The claimants would later file a motion on notice for withdrawal on September 8th, 2023 before Justice D.T. Olatokun but the counsel to the defendants filed a countermotion seeking fresh reliefs from the court to compel the claimants to desist from character assassination of his clients across all social media platforms.

    “On Wednesday, December 18th, 2023, the court subsequently granted leave to the applicants to withdraw the suit against all the defendants with an order to the claimants not to use the social media to campaign against the business of Excellens Links International Company, Tunap Waste Company who are both listed as 3rd and 4th defendants in the suit as well as awarded the cost of N50, 000 each to same as compensation for filing processes and appearing in court.”

    Read Also: FG tongue lashes PDP Govs, demands impact of increased revenue

    However, in what Fadile described as flagrant disobedience to the court, he revealed that the claimants have been granting several media interviews as well inciting other residents from paying for service rendered by his client.

    “The notice by the OMSE group asking residents not to pay my clients for the months of January and February is totally in breach of the subsisting contract it has with LAWMA. As a law-abiding corporate citizen, my client is ready to take all necessary action to seek redress for the spate of unwarranted abuse by this tiny cabal trying to frustrate the good works of Excellens Links International Company. We therefore strongly appeal to Faleye and his co-laborers to stop this campaign of calumny or be ready to face the long arm of the law.”

    Responding in an interview, the counsel to the claimants, Festus Ogun Esq. said insinuations that Faleye may have acted in breach of the court order was ridiculous because he was never a party to the suit instituted in the first place.

    “Faleye is not a party to the suit so no judgment can be binding on him. Of course, as a responsible citizen, it is within his right to advocate for better service delivery from service providers if he feels strongly that things are not done properly. To the issue of withdrawal of suit and award of cost; that is normal in court process and it is not a judgment in itself,” he said.

  • Ex-Oshodi council boss returns from U.S. for 60th birthday

    Ex-Oshodi council boss returns from U.S. for 60th birthday

    Former chairman, Oshodi Isolo Local Government, Afeez Ipesa-Balogun, has returned from the United States to mark his 60th birthday.

    Family, friends, and political associates of Ipesa-Balogun, a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer, have lined up events to celebrate his Diamond jubilee anniversary.

    The ceremony will feature a book launch. The book entitled: “Afeez Ipesa-Balogun: Mr Speaker”, is an exploration of the archives chronicles of his political journey, which is unique because it captures the story of progressive politics in Lagos State over the last 30 years.

    According to one of the organisers, the book is an insider’s account of what is the most powerful movement in Nigeria today: The political family of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Read Also: Oshodi/Isolo council chair risks jail over alleged contempt

    Ipesa-Balogun, a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, is also giving out 25 scholarships to secondary school students to simulate the youth interest to learn our contemporary political history in the Third Republic and beyond.

    The students will get N50,000 each.

    The book presentation will hold on February 6, at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The celebration will also include Special Jumat Service on February 9 at Masjid Monsurat Ipesa-Balogun, Awoyaya, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. The mosque was built in honour of his late wife.

    On February 10, there would be a Charity Walk ending with a free medical treatment and distribution of foodstuffs to the community at the Oshodi Isolo Local Government Area Secretariat, Oshodi.

  • Security not responsible for voter apathy, says Lagos CP

    Lagos Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu on Saturday denied that observed voter apathy in some areas of the state was connected to lack of security presence during the presidential election.

    Violence sprung up in some polling units in the state during the March 23 Presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections following the disruption of voting exercises by hoodlums.

    But the commissioner who toured the state during election, told reporters that watertight security was provided for this Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections to ensure voters’ safety.

    Muazu, alongside his boss Lawal Shehu, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone Two, toured Oshodi, Okota, Ijora, Apapa and Surulere areas of the state, said he was satisfied with the professionalism of security operatives deployed for the exercise.

    Read also: Poor turnout in Alimosho

    “It is not true that voters did not come out because of fear or insecurity. We provided adequate security and have been assuring electorates to come out and vote. We had assured that security measures will be doubled and also ensured that armed policemen were stationed not far from polling units to wade off miscreants.

    “So far, the exercise has been peaceful. We have not had any issues. We have made adequate plans to contain any post-election violence though we do not envisage any. We also have security operatives on standby who would be deployed if the need arise.

    “We are back from convoy patrol of the polling units. The next phase will be to move from local governments to state collation centre.

    “Like I said, we have made adequate arrangement to ensure that we re-inforce those polling centers and we cannot expect any problems.”

  • Hoodlums didn’t intimidate voters, traders at Oshodi, says lawmaker

    A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 1, Olusola Sokunle, has debunked an allegation that hoodlums, led by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is also an official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), intimidated voters last Saturday.

    He said it was also untrue that hoodlums prevented Oshodi traders from opening shops on Monday.

    The lawmaker, in a statement yesterday, said the allegations were untrue, adding that such never happened in his constituency.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member representing Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency, Mr. Mutiu Shadimu, made the allegations at a news briefing on Monday.

    He alleged that voters were intimated by hoodlums led by an APC chieftain in Oshodi and the treasurer of NURTW in Lagos, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo, who also allegedly led the hoodlums to prevent traders from opening their shops on Monday.

    Saying the incident did not happen in his constituency, Sokunle said he had a duty to inform the public that the allegations were untrue.

    He said: “It is on record that Shadimu is known for falsifying claims when it comes to politics, just to curry sympathy and divide constituents along ethnicity.

    “Oshodi was peaceful during and after last Saturday’s elections. There was no report of violence either by the security agencies or the media until Shadimu came up with the divisive narrative of intimidation of voters by MC Oluomo, which to us is unfounded and a figment of his imagination.

    “On Sunday, the supporters of our great party, APC, were only seen celebrating the victory of our candidate, Dr. Bashiru Dawodu, who defeated Shadimu and his PDP in a landslide victory.

    “Because Shadimu saw our supporters and well-wishers rejoicing over the loss of PDP in Oshodi, he resorted to making unguided utterances and inciting the Igbo against the Yoruba and some APC leaders in the constituency.”

    Sokunle urged security agencies, especially the Department of State Services (DSS), to investigate Shadimu for making allegations that could cause ethnic clash in the constituency and lead to a breakdown of law and order.

    “I advise Oshodi residents to live as one family and go about their activities without fear. There is nothing like ethnic rivalry in the constituency. Oshodi is a peaceful place for everyone to live and do business. We shouldn’t allow a loser to use us for his selfish and personal gain.”

     

  • Oshodi market shut as thugs harass traders

    SOME markets in Oshodi, Ajegunle and Isolo in Lagos were shut yesterday as hoodlums  barred traders from displaying their wares.

    In a thrift reaction, the police  says the the disturbing developmnet was the handwork of mischief makers and asked the peoples to go about their business.

    It was gathered that the hoodlums, suspected to be members of Transport  Union stormed Kairo Market Oshodi,  warning traders not to open shops.

    They were with Akpasa and  market streets in Ajegunle.

    The hoodlums, Oshodi traders alleged, were armed with guns and cutlasses. They reportedly terrorised the area between 5:50am and 9am.

    Many shops were locked despite the presence of policemen and soldiers when The Nation visited the market.

    A man, who posted the incident on social media, Mr. Egwuonwu Ugochukwu, said he witnessed the incident on his way to work around 5:50am, adding that the thugs drove everybody away.

    Traders condemned the incident.

    “We don’t have peace of mind at the moment because these hoodlums can show up anytime. This is why we are not displaying our goods. We cannot open our shops because we are afraid that the hoodlums may attack us and loot our goods,” said an electronics dealer.

    Another trader said the hoodlums brandished cutlasses and other weapons. He alleged that some persons were injured.

    A resident, Felix Onyeabor, said most of the traders were not in the market  when the hoodlums stormed the place.

    He said: “It happened in the morning. The majority of the traders were not around. Area boys stormed Oshodi and attacked shop owners, destroying goods.”

    A commercial bus driver, who claimed he heard the noise while still at home, told The Nation that he stayed back to avoid being attacked

    He said: “I was at home when my friend called me around 7:45am that I should not come out yet because hooligans were terrorising people, obstructing their means of livelihood. When I eventually came out, I saw policemen and soldiers patrolling the streets.”

    The hoodlums also stormed Iyana Isolo with cutlasses, but  the policemen stationed under the bridge repelled them.

    A statement last night to police said security had been tightened in the state, adding: “The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to the news making the rounds on the Internet that a group of boys, popularly called ‘area boys’, are attacking traders at Oshodi, preventing them from opening their shops.

    “The command wishes to debunk the rumour in its entirety, as nothing could be farther from the truth.”

    The statement signed by spokesman Chike Chima, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), added.

    “Although the command received distress calls from concerned Nigerians, whose apprehensions were understandably heightened by disturbing rumours emanating from some social media platforms, the command swiftly and massively deployed its personnel drawn from various units in Oshodi and its environs to assuage the feelings of residents and further assure Lagosians of its readiness to decisively deal with any person who attempts to breach the public peace.

    “In order to sustain the peaceful atmosphere, the command will maintain a high level of police presence in all parts of the state, with emphasis on crime-prone areas.

    “The command warns criminally-minded people and disgruntled elements to steer clear of the state or be prepared to contend with security forces.”

  • Hoodlums clash over money in Oshodi

    Ahead of Saturday’s elections, some residents of Baderin Street in Oshodi, Lagos Mainland, have expressed worry over protracted clashes between two groups of hoodlums suspected to be members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

    They said they would relocate their families from the neighbourhood for fear of attack.

    The Nation learnt that crisis broke out in the area on Sunday night after a House of Representatives candidate gave the hoodlums ‘appeasement’ money.

    It was gathered that a faction was alleged to have removed part of the money, which led to a fight.

    Three persons were reportedly injured, while shops, campaign billboards and posters were damaged.

    A source said the politician sent the money to the hoodlums.

    A resident, who identified himself as Femi, said the clash continued on Monday morning, forcing shop owners to flee for safety.

    He said: “We have not enjoyed peace since Sunday night. People are already moving their families out of this area for fear of another attack. The fight occurred between NURTW hoodlums loyal to two parties. A politician gave them money and they disagreed on the sharing formula.

    “They pelted one another with stones and bottles. A man was stabbed. Many people sustained injuries while running away from the scene. The clash happened around 6pm. It continued on Monday morning. People closed their shops and ran away because the hoodlums carried weapons.

    “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel later came to restore peace. After leaving, the hoodlums returned in the evening and started fighting again.

    “On Tuesday afternoon, they continued the fight. The police and soldiers thereafter intervened by quelling the fight. People are afraid because this is election period. These hoodlums may return again.

    “I don’t think anyone died in the clash, but it was really serious.”

    Another resident, Emeka, appealed to Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu to ensure that more policemen are deployed in the area.

    When our correspondent visited the area yesterday, there was tension. Most people declined to comment on the issue.

    Some All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the community, who spoke to our reporter, alleged that thugs loyal to a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate caused the fight.

    They said the candidate came with some thugs around 5pm on Sunday, who vandalised APC’s campaign posters and billboards.

    However, a petty trader accused APC supporters of causing the crisis, alleging that they stabbed a PDP supporter.

    Police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), confirmed the incident, saying only one person was stabbed.

    Oti said 20.persons were arrested, adding that peace had been restored.

  • Row over demolished building at Oshodi

    A row has broken out over the demolition of a building at 68, Boladale Street, Oshodi, Lagos, after a court’s verdict  on the matter.

    The plaintiff, Mr. Adetayo Ogunlana, claimed that the building was demolished by one Raphael Okeke to avoid being served the judgment.

    He told The Nation that the building was inherited by the three widows of the late Benjamin Awogbesan Ogunlana.

    “Two of the widows and their children agreed to sell the property, our side rejected that proposal and we took the matter to the Ikeja High Court in 2014. In April, last year, Okeke told me that he was taking possession of the building he bought from the other parties. I told him to stay off because the matter was in court,” Ogunlana said.

    He said on September 14, 2018, the court declared that the status quo be maintained.

    “The judge said the building belongs to a polygamous family and no party has a right to sell it without the consent of others,” Ogunlana said.

    He said he informed Okeke, who denied knowledge of the verdict.

    Ogunlana alleged: “We went back on November 2, last year, to get the bailiff to serve him on Monday, only to get an emergency call from my wife the following day that some people led by Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo were about to demolish the building.

    “My belongings got destroyed and those of 18 tenants were also destroyed. They told the people that one man instructed them to come and demolish it because he had bought the house. My wife said the people, armed with weapons, chased the inhabitants away and started removing the roofing sheets before demolishing the building.”

    He described the action as “barbaric and lawless.”

    “I reported the matter to the police and he was invited. Later, he and Akinsanya called me for negotiation and promised me N5million. I told them that the matter would be resolved by the court and went away,” Ogunlana said.

    Akinsanya’s Personal Assistant, Jimoh Buhari, told The Nation that his principal did not go there to supervise the demolition.

    “As a community leader, Akinsanya saw a crowd at the place. He went there to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order. He has nothing to do with the owners of the building and the purported buyer,” he said.

    Contacted, Okeke said his lawyer would speak on his behalf.

    “I will send my lawyer’s number to you to speak on the matter,” he told The Nation last December.

    Since then, Okeke did not send the lawyer’s contact or return missed calls.

    He also did not reply messages sent to him.

  • Hoodlums disrupt Lagos Senator’s town hall meeting

    Hoodlums on Monday disrupted a town hall meeting by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola AKA (Yayi) at the Indoors Pavilion Sport of Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) at Oshodi.

    The Senator, representing Lagos West Senatorial District, was said to be meeting with artisans, market women and physically challenged people within the district.

    The meeting, which ended abruptly, also had in attendance members of Community Development Associations (CDAs) as well as leaders of Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa communities.

    According to eyewitnesses, the hoodlums stormed the meeting in the middle of the programme.

    Read Also: Hoodlums attack Adamawa community

    The hoodlums, they said, disrupted the meeting when they couldn’t get money from Adeola, who had come to address people on his plans and programmes, if re-elected.

    “The hoodlums, disturbed by their inability to get money from the lawmaker, opened fire into the air in the presence of the men of the Mobile Police Force.

    “But for the swift intervention of the police, the hoodlums could have attacked the Senator. The hoodlums exchange fire with the police,” one of them said.

    Senator Adeola was later whisked away by the Police.

    Several bullet cannons littered the premises venue of the meeting.

  • Fire guts house at Oshodi

    •Belongings worth thousands of naira destroyed

    Fire yesterday gutted a bungalow at Baderin Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos.

    A source said the inferno was caused by a power surge, adding that the fire started after electricity was restored.

    The source said the fire started from the back of the building and destroyed items before the arrival of Lagos State Fire Service officials, who put it out.

    The Nation learnt that officers and men from Makinde Police Station, Mafoluku, Oshodi assisted the fire officials to maintain law and order.

    Tenants and sympathisers reportedly battled to prevent the fire from spreading to other buildings.

    Read also: Nigeria’s taxpayer population hits 33m, says Fowler

    They evacuated belongings such as mattresses, fridges, fans, clothes, furniture and other items from the building:

  • Air Force men clear drainage in Oshodi

    It was a sight to behold yesterday as some senior air force officers joined Oshodi Local Government officials to clear refuse on the streets.

    Residents, commuters and passers-by stood on the roadside to watch them at work.

    The air force men were led by Air Commodore Sunday Makinde, Commander of 615 Base Services Group (BSG), Ikeja. Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Chairman Idris Muse-Ariyoh led his team for the exercise. The air force men also held free medical screening for traders on diabetes, obesity and hypertension.

    Makinde said the exercise was to ensure a clean environment and reduce disease.

    “What we are here to do today is what we call civil – military cooperation. It’s part of our Chief of Air Staff’s vision to promote service delivery and enhance civil – military relations in the country and our immediate environment. We have a medical outreach going on,” he said.

    According to him, the sole responsibility of the military is to protect the nation.

    “What the society stands to benefit from this gesture is to know that the military is for the society; that they own us and to have the feeling that the military is here for them.

    “The society should see us as Nigerians. We all have siblings and relations living with them. To be in the military, you must first be a civilian,” Makinde said.

    Describing the exercise as wonderful, Musa Ariyoh said it was an exercise for the air force men to assist their host community.

    “Their activities are not only about carrying guns, they also engage in humanitarian services like what we are witnessing. Despite this, they open their base for our people who have health problems to come over for free medical care. They’ve provided free health care for Oshodi people today.

    “They have been cleaning the areas, especially Adeyemi Street, which is a very long road. We understand that the drainage has been blocked for a very long time due to residents’ poor sanitation habit, as they dump refuse in the drainage. As you can see, we have over 200 air force men here. They are really doing a great work in our community,” Muse-Ariyoh said.