Environment

Ikoyi High-Rise Collapse: Osinbajo Saddened, Condoles With Affected Families

By Web News 544

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is saddened by the events that occurred in Lagos on Monday, 1st of November 2021, where a high-rise building under construction on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, collapsed.

He condoles with the families and relatives of all those who have died, were injured or affected in the collapse. Prof. Osinbajo considers this painful loss of lives a horrible tragedy.

Also, the attention of the Vice President has been drawn to an obviously sponsored falsehood regarding the recently collapsed building published by Sahara Reporters on November 4th, 2021, to the effect that:

1. The VP owns the land upon which the collapsed building in Ikoyi stood.

2. That the said land was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors; and

3. That the Vice President, at some point, intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property. 

Let it be made absolutely clear that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo does not own and has never owned the said land.

He has also never been involved, in any shape or form, in the development of this or any other land since he became Vice President.

At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade. Ojo or anyone for that matter.

All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.

Also, the Vice President has never spoken to the Governor of Lagos State or any other official of the State Government regarding the unsealing of the said building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, which subsequently collapsed. He has, indeed, never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building for that matter, in Lagos State.

The Vice President restates categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building or development.

The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilise a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals a dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.

Sahara Reporters were undoubtedly well rewarded for their criminal and inhumane conduct. Typical of a hatchet job and deliberately irresponsible journalism, the publication was not signed by anyone.

The Vice President has referred this disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.

Laolu Akande,

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,

Office of the Vice President.

05 November 2021

Politics

S-West Governors, Oyo Deputy, Visit Tinubu In Lagos

By Web News 977

The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan alongside the five other governors of the South-West converged on Lagos State House Marina, to discuss issues that affect the region.

Engineer Olaniyan who represented Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State governor was joined by Governors Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun and the host, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).

While speaking to the press after the event, the Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, declared that the meeting was to discuss the way forward for the South-West and discuss matters that affect the region.

The Ondo State Governor said they discussed matters pertaining to the common heritage of the west, the Oodua group of companies and issues bothering on the security of the western states.

The chairman stated that the content and agreement of the deliberations, which was held behind closed doors for about 2 and a half hours, will not be made public.

After the meeting, the Forum visited the National Leader of the APC and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at his private residence on Bourdillion Street, Ikoyi.

Arakunrin Akeredolu said, “we deemed it fit to visit our leader who has returned home successfully and who is hale and hearty and to the glory of God almighty”, that is why we have visited him.

He said the whole South-West believes in the leadership of Tinubu, and he has shown that he is doing his best to lead us, as he is not only a leader of the South-West but a leader of the entire nation and the southwest lays first claim to him.

‘Seye Ajagbe,

Media Officer to the Deputy Governor

Crime

22-Year-Old Herdsman Bags 4-Year Jail Term Over Kidnapping

By Web News 618

An Osun State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo has sentenced a 22-year-old herdsman identified as Mohamodu Zuberu to four-year imprisonment for kidnapping a 13-year-old boy in the state. 

Upon arraignment on September 3, 2020, the convict had pleaded guilty to a lone charge of kidnapping preferred against him by the police after an interpreter explained his alleged offence to him. 

The police prosecutor, Mr John Idoko said, the Mohamodu on 21st August 2020 at about 3:00 AM at Iwari village via Ikoyi unlawfully kidnapped one minor to an unknown destination in such manner as to prevent any person entitled to have access to him thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 364(2) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. Il laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002. 

The case was adjourned to September 24, 2020 and later to September 30 for presentation of fact. 

While the prosecutor was giving the facts, he tendered a touch light, Phone, Pullover and a stick and he informed the court that the convict demanded a ransom of 2 million naira which was later reduced to 350,000 naira.

The convict begged the court to have mercy upon him for his act. 

The presiding magistrate, Mr Opeyemi Badmus, in his judgment said, with the circumstance of the case and the plea of the accused, the offence of kidnapping had been established against him. 

The court found him guilty of kidnapping the 13-year-old, saying kidnapping or abduction of a fellow human being for ransom is a heinous crime and should not be encouraged in our society and as such Mohamodu Zubaru is sentenced to 4 years imprisonment with hard labor without an option of fine.

Adenitan Akinola