Environment

Downpour: Lagos Puts 3rd Mainland Bridge Repairs on Hold Indefinitely

By Web News 392

Barely 24 hours to the commencement of repair works on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State Government has announced its indefinite postponement.

It was scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday 17th and Sunday 24th September.

The postponement, it was gathered, became necessary due to the heavy downpour experienced in all parts of the metropolis on Saturday.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, in a statement on Saturday, explained that the rain has affected the preliminaries of the planned palliative works on the asphalt pavement of the bridge by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation.

“A later date which will be subject to weather conditions will be duly communicated for the palliative, ” he assured.

Osiyemi, therefore, urged motorists to continue to access the bridge with observance of safety measures.

Recall that the Lagos State Government, through state Public Works Corporation, LPWC, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, had concluded plans to embark on palliative works on the failed sections of the Third Mainland Bridge for two consecutive Sundays.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, who announced this on Thursday, added that the work would take place on Sunday 17 and Sunday 24, September 2023, between the hours of 7a.m. to 7p.m., each Sunday.

According to him, “The proposed works will be strictly executed in two phases with phase one focusing on only the most critical sections on the Iyana Oworonshoki inward Adeniji Adele/Lagos Island.”

Toriola explained that the palliative works were scheduled for Sundays to minimise inconveniences for motorists.

Consequently, the state government released travel advisory to ensure seamless movement of traffic.

Recently, motorists and commuters have cried out to relevant authorities to come to their inorder to prevent possible loss of lives and property due to fatal accidents often experience on the bridge occasioned by several potholes sitting the axis.

Residents stranded

Meanwhile, flood took over major areas of the Lagos metropolis following early morning downpour, shutting down vehicular movement as well.

Some residents in affected areas in Alimosho, Agege, Ikeja, were seen bailing out storm water from their houses.The flood later receded as some motorists and commercial buses hit the roads.

Some concerned motorists decried the failed portion of the busy Ikotun Market Road in Igando Ikotun Council Development Area, LCDA, of Lagos.

Some of the motorists said the road which gave way few months ago has been left unattended to despite several complaints to the LCDA authority and the state government.

They, therefore, called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu to pay an unscheduled visit to the area and ensure prompt rehabilitation of the failed portion of road to prevent loss of innocent lives on the road.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Culture

Lagos Civil Servants Enjoy Work-Free Day for Isese

By Web News 582

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has declared Monday, August 21, as a work-free day for all public servants in the state in commemoration of the 2023 Isese Day celebration which will be held on Sunday, August 20.

This is contained in a statement circular dated August 18, 2023.

The circular, which was signed by the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, noted that the declaration of Monday as a work-free day for public servants by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was “with a view to promoting our indigenous culture and tradition while preserving our heritage.”

“In restating its commitment to continue to provide the necessary support to traditional institutions in the state with a view to promoting our indigenous culture and tradition while preserving our heritage, Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has graciously declared Monday, 21st August 2023, a work-free day for public servants in the state. Work will, therefore, resume on Tuesday, 22nd August at 8 am prompt,” the circular partly read.

According to the report, the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs had in July urged the Lagos State Government to officially recognize and declare August 20 as Isese Day holiday in the state.

The traditional rulers, who spoke at the inauguration of the state Council of Obas and Chiefs for another tenure of five years, said it had become important for the state government to recognize August 20 as Isese Day in the spirit of democracy and freedom of religion.

Speaking on behalf of the council, the Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Oba Saheed Elegushi, said, “It is a demand that has been on the table of the governor for so long.”

Punch/Taiwo Akinola

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Crime

NDLEA Nabs Woman with Cocaine in Private Part, Drug Peddler on Bail

By Web News 371

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a fake couple Mr Onyebuchi Ilonzeh and his partner in crime, who identified as Mrs Nonyelum Ilonzeh, purportedly going for medical treatment in India, for ingesting 184 wraps of cocaine weighing 3.322 kilograms with 100grams of the drug also concealed in the woman’s vagina.

The two suspects were intercepted at Screening Point 1, Terminal 1 of the international wing of the Lagos airport on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, while attempting to board an Ethiopian airline flight to India.

“Though their travel documents show consistency in their names and depict them as a couple, an NDLEA officer, however, decided to subject them to a body scan. The scan confirmed they both ingested drugs as a result of which they were later placed on excretion observation at the Agency’s facility.

“While their travel documents identify the man as Onyebuchi Ilonzeh and the lady to be Nonyelum Ilonzeh, preliminary investigation revealed that the intending passengers were not a couple but obtained the travel documents in the same surname to beat security checks at the airport. The lady later gave her real name as Nkechi Ngogbike,” the spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi revealed in an official correspondence on Sunday.

Babafemi further noted that during her interview, Ngogbike confessed that she was recruited in her church in Aba, Abia state where she lives.

The suspect, Ngogbike Nkechi aka Nonyelum Ilonzeh stated further that she is a divorcee, and that Mr Ilonzeh with whom she was travelling is not her husband but connected only for the purpose of the illicit drug business trip.

She revealed that her arranged husband, Kingsley brought the pellets of cocaine to her in her room to ingest in the hotel where they were both lodged in separate rooms the previous day Monday, July 31.

After their arrest, a thorough search conducted on her led to the discovery of a big size wrap of cocaine that weighed 100 grams she inserted into her private part. She confessed that she was promised $5,000 upon successful delivery of the drug in India.

The spokesperson for the NDLEA further noted that Mr Ilonzeh, who was into the clothing business in Onitsha, Anambra state, in his own statement, claimed that he was promised $2,000 after a successful delivery of the drug in India.

“A further search of the agency’s crime database revealed that Kingsley also obtained his travel documents with a fake identity for the trip. Indeed, it was established that he was arrested by NDLEA operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on March 19, 2022, for ingesting 100 wraps of cocaine weighing 2.243kgs upon his arrival from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on board an Ethiopian airline flight.

“His travel documents then contained his real name Ikenna Uwaezuoke. After his arrest at the Abuja airport on March 19, 2022, along with another suspect, Iro Uche who also ingested 65 wraps of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.376kgs, Uwaezuoke was subsequently arraigned before Justice Zainab Abubakar of the Federal High Court Abuja with charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2022.

“He was eventually granted bail by the court pending the conclusion of his trial. He is still on court bail when he was arrested at the Lagos airport for a similar offence on Tuesday, August 1,” Babafemi added.

While Ikenna Uwaezuoke aka Onyebuchi Ilonzeh excreted a total of 82 wraps of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.822kgs in five excretions, Ngogbike Nkechi aka Nonyelum Ilonzeh egested 101 wraps in four excretions with a big size wrap of the substance recovered from her vagina, all weighing 1.50kgs.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Transportation

Four Cheat Death in Lagos Auto Crash

By Web News 599

Four yet-to-be-identified victims of a fatal automobile accident in the Adeniji Adele area of Lagos Island were rescued by operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority on Saturday.

This was disclosed in a statement by LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq.

Taofiq added that the two male and two female accident victims were immediately rushed to the hospital.

The statement read, “LASTMA Oladunni Ademola ‘Zebra’ (Zone 1 Sura) who led the rescue team disclosed that the lone accident involved a Toyota Sienna (MUS 706 EQ).

“Ademola disclosed further that preliminary investigation revealed that the driver was on top speed and could no longer control the vehicle after noticing the brake failure. He confirmed that LASTMA officials rescued four victims (two males and two females).

“Immediately after the accident happened, our officials with support from police officers from Adeniji Adele police command quickly intervened and rescued these four victims. The rescued four accident victims were immediately rushed to a General Hospital for medical attention.”

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, advised motorists to be more careful and always check that their vehicles are in good condition before they embark on any journey.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Human Angle

Update: Installer of Elevator Responsible for Dr Daiso’s Death in Police Net

By Web News 423

Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has directed a 48-hour probe into an elevator accident at the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, Island, which led to the death of Dr. Vwaere Daiso

The investigation panel, which was given 48 hours commencing from Friday, to conclude action, is expected to submit its report of the initial findings today (Saturday) for further actions to be taken on the matter.

Also, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Olumide Sogunle, the lift installer has been handed over to the Police for questioning.

Sogunle highlighted some of the steps taken so far by the investigative panel, stating that: “A panel comprising the Chairman of the Lagos State Health Service Commission (HSC), Permanent Secretary of the Health Service Commission, Director-General of the Safety Commission, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; House officers and representatives of the medical associations, has been set up.

“The panel met with the Facility Manager, personnel of LASIAMA and the management of General Hospital, Lagos.

“The Panel had also met with the lift installer and the representatives of the company that installed the elevator.

“The Panel also invited a lift expert to the accident scene to look at the lift and give a preliminary opinion.

“Other experts would now take the elevator out for a thorough mechanical and electrical examination.

“As part of the panel’s activities from the first day when they interviewed the lift installer, they handed him over to the Police for questioning and further interrogation. This is to ensure that the installer will always be available if the panel needs him for further questions.

“Six house officers and representatives of the medical associations were appointed as witnesses. Representatives of the House Officers and medical associations were allowed to be part of the panel.

“The panel was given 48 hours to conclude action and so it will be submitting a report of their initial findings on Saturday (today). And any other step to be taken after that would be done by the appropriate authorities.

“Recall that the Lagos State House of Assembly had earlier commenced a probe into the incident with a promise to ensure justice for the deceased.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Human Angle

Dr Daiso : Medical Guild Reveals Uncertified Contractor Installed Deadly Elevator

By Web News 419

The Chairman, Medical Guild, Dr Sa’eid Ahmad, has said findings of the investigative panel on the cause of death of Dr Diaso Vwaere revealed that the installation of the malfunctioned elevator that led to her death was done by a contractor who did not have an elevator system installation certification.

Ahmad, who made the revelation during a news conference on Friday to give an update on the probe into the circumstances that led to Vwaere’s death, said the elevator failed to work during its unveiling in June 2021.

He, however, noted that the contractor attributed the elevator’s failure to work to inadequate power supply from the generator hired for the event.

“Regular maintenance was supposed to be done every four weeks on the elevator for optimum performance,” he was quoted to have said by the News Agency of Nigeria.
Ahmad said the contractor, installers, and other persons involved in the installation should be arrested and if found culpable be made to face the law.

He also noted that a series of infrastructural challenges had trailed the house officers’ quarters of the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, since rehabilitation in 2015 to 2016 while appealing to the state government to install a new elevator in the building through a certified installer and also ensure regular maintenance.

Noting that Vwaere should be immortalised to preserve her memory and her family support, Ahmad said the Guild would follow up on the investigation to ensure justice is served.

Vwaere, a medical house officer, died due to the injuries she sustained when the elevator she was in crashed in the staff quarters of the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos.

Angered by the tragic development, Vwaere’s colleagues staged a peaceful protest at the hospital.

The Nigerian Medical Association directed doctors in the three government hospitals on Lagos Island to embark on an indefinite strike over her death.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Crime

NDLEA Nabs Artistes’ Manager Peddling Drugs at Lagos VIP Clubs

By Web News 430

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a Lekki-based artistes’ manager and his Ikoyi business accomplice who specialize in distributing illicit drugs to fun seekers at VIP night clubs and lounges in Lekki and Island axis of Lagos state.

Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi said their arrest followed an intelligence about a shipment of Colorado, a synthetic strong strain of cannabis coming for them from Los Angeles, United States.

“Oseni Abdulraheem Ayodeji Babatunde (aka Papalampa) was the first to be arrested in his house at No. 3 Ope Daniel Taiwo Street, off Chisco Bus-Stop, Lekki area of Lagos when the consignment arrived on Sunday 23rd July.

“During preliminary interview with the suspect, he confessed he started the illicit trade three years ago and has been selling to patrons of clubs and lounges in Lekki and Lagos Island, some of which he identified as Quilox, Silver Fox, DNA and Hot box.

“Oseni said beside the drug business, he also organizes shows for artistes around Lagos and outside Nigeria.

“A total of ten (10) parcels of Colorado weighing 2.50kg concealed inside large tins of coffee and duvets linked to Oseni were intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja.

“During a follow up search of his residence, operatives recovered some quantities of the same substance, a digital weighing scale and other paraphernalia.

“An Ikoyi based businessman, Nnadi Kingsley Ikenna also linked to the shipment was away in South Africa when the consignment arrived.

“While operatives maintained surveillance around his 18 Okotie Eboh Close, Ikoyi residence, they also set their dragnet for him at the airport.

“He eventually arrived into the waiting arms of NDLEA officers on Thursday 27th July when he returned to the country on a Kenya Airlines flight at the Lagos airport.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Energy

Anxiety as Ex-Depot Price of PMS increases

By Web News 900

There was palpable anxiety among members of the public, following a rise in the ex-depot price of petrol by 4.3% to 490 naira per litre. As a result, some petrol stations have started selling above 500 naira per litre, 12 naira higher than the 488 naira per litre price in the Lagos area and 500 naira in Ibadan.

But findings showed that NNPC Limited still sells the product to major marketers at 446.57 naira per litre.

A visit to private depots in Lagos showed that independent marketers, who lift at N490 per litre ended up selling it at 520 naira per litre at their stations depending on the location in Lagos.

It also indicated that while NNPC Limited continues to sell at 488 naira per litre in Lagos and environs at their retail stations, the major marketers fixed their prices at between 488 naira and 492 naira per litre, depending on location.

This is even as many operators who bought at 490 naira per litre were seen reselling at 515 naira per litre in a thriving black market, a development that has put additional price markups on retail prices.

The checks further showed that many independent marketers closed their gates against motorists and other users of the product while some hawkers were seen retailing petrol at exorbitant prices ranging from N550 to N650 per litre at Maryland, Ikorodu road and other parts of Lagos.

The case is not different in Ibadan as some filling stations owned by the independent marketers have started selling between 515 and 520 naira fixed by the NNPCL while only the marketers are selling at the regulated price of 500 naira

Reports has it that officials of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, are not present to monitor and enforce sanctions against defaulters at the filling stations, a development that emboldened illegal operators to embark on sharp practices, especially pump manipulation and product diversion as many customers have started complaining on the quality of the products being dispensed to them as well as not getting money worth of the product paid for.

Culled/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Crime

Police Wield Big Stick, Disrobe Sergeant over N98,000

By Web News 861

The Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday announced the dismissal of Sgt. Ekpo Shimuyere, who was attached to the Sogunle Division, for extorting a young man of N98,000.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, told journalists that the command’s Provost Department had already disrobed the dismissed sergeant.

Hundeyin said the policeman’s action was contrary to the ethics of the profession.

He said, “The police command got the complaint from the victim and the officer denied the crime when he was contacted. The command placed him under detention so that he will not tamper with the evidence.

“We wrote to his bank and obtained his statement of account. We were able to trace the money to where the POS operator transferred it before transferring the money to the officer’s account.

“We followed due process to get his account. The victim was invited in the course of the investigation and he testified.

“The POS operator was also invited, and he said the officer requested him to transfer the money from the victim’s account to another one.”

The PPRO said the Sergeant was consequently subjected to an orderly room trial in line with extant laws.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Mr Idowu Owohunwa, has reviewed the orderly room procedure of the officer with Force No. 461654, attached to the Sogunle Police Division and has approved the punishment of dismissal from the force,” he said.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Politics

INEC Reschedules Election in Parts of Lagos, Plateau, Rivers

By Web News 784

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has rescheduled voting for Sunday in 10 polling units at Victoria Garden City, VGC, Lagos, following disagreements over the relocation of the polling units.

Voting has also been rescheduled for today in Butura Ward in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State as well as Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA) and parts of Degema LGA in Rivers State.

The Commission had moved the 10 polling units to locations outside the gate of the VGC as against their original designated spots.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, told newsmen after speaking with the residents that voting would now be held today, Sunday between 8.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.

He said the residents had earlier been informed of the relocation of the polling units to spots outside the VGC gate following an alleged hostage-taking of INEC officials during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.

”Most of them were hesitant to come here today”.

“Consequently, we sent a message to the estate leadership to inform them that today’s elections would be held in front of the gate.

“We mobilised and our officials were here before 8 a.m., but the estate’s leadership claimed that non-resident hoodlums might destabilise the process outside the gate. So, they did not feel secure.”

Agbaje added that statistics show that VGC has eight polling units at the VGC Park and two others outside the park, all designated by INEC.

He said also that statistics showed that there were 6,024 registered voters in the city, 5,624 of whom collected their Permanent Voter Cards.

“When we got here, we saw a different situation where it was even difficult for security operatives to contain.

“I had to inform INEC National headquarters about the situation and it was agreed that we should mobilise here tomorrow morning at 8.30 to conduct the election”.

“We are still appealing to the corps members to come on Sunday. But if they don’t come, we shall mobilise our regular staff because they will be free after today’s exercise,” Agbaje said.

Similarly, in Plateau State, INEC rescheduled voting in Butura Ward in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State to today, owning to logistics problem.

The state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Oliver Agundu, said that election materials such as ballot papers meant for the ward were taken to another LGA in error.

He noted that in order not to disenfranchise members of the community, the election in the area would now hold on Sunday, March 19.

He regretted any inconveniences caused by the delay and eventual shift of the election.

He urged members of the community to come out in their numbers to exercise their franchise.

In the case of Rivers State, rescheduled voting will take place in Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA) and parts of Degema LGA.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Dr. Johnson Sinikiem, said elections were not conducted in the affected places yesterday “as a result of the voters resisting deployment of election officials and materials for Governorship and State.”

He added: “House of Assembly election. Voters and other stakeholders demanded seeing the Ward Collation Officers before they would allow election to commence.

“At Ward 14 of Degema LGA, voters equally demanded that the SPO must come to the RAC with collation sheet which is the responsibility of Collation Officers, thereby not allowing election to hold.

“Standing on this premise and relying on section 24 of the Electoral Act 2022, the INEC has decided to conduct the election of Asari-Toru local Government Area and Ward 14 of Degema Local Government Area on the 19 of March, 2023.”

Nation/Adebukola Aluko
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Transportation

5 Feared Dead, Scores Injured as Train Crushes Lagos BRT

By Web News 537

By Abiola Peters

Five persons have been feared dead and many others severely injured in a fatal accident involving a BRT Bus and a fast-moving train at a PWD bus stop, in Ikeja, Lagos.

Radio Nigeria Correspondent Abiola Peters who visited the scene of the accident reports that the bus with the emblem of Lagos State Government and marked with the number 250033, was hit in the middle by the train while it attempted to cross the track, dragging it a few metres.

Eyewitnesses especially passengers on board the train blamed the driver of the bus for not heeding the blare of the horn of the train from as far as Ikeja before PWD, the spot of the tragic incident.

The driver reportedly attempted to escape but was apprehended by bystanders.

Victims of the accident include persons hanging on the train which took off from Ijoko in Ogun State.

It took over thirty minutes before any ambulance arrived at the scene, while rescue services were carried out by well-meaning individuals.

An eyewitness, Mr Musa Hayatou and many others blamed the unfortunate incident on the absence of officials of the Nigeria Railway Corporation to control movement at terminals.

Mr Hayatou also expressed disappointment over the late arrival of the emergency service providers, despite the closeness of the scene to the Lagos State General Hospital and Police State Command.

Rescue operations by a combined team of Emergency Management agencies are ongoing as of the time of this report.

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Crime

Islamic Teacher Jailed for Defiling Minors

By Web News 442

Justice Abiola Soladoye of an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court, Lagos State, on Tuesday, sentenced an Islamic teacher, Adam Farouk, to life imprisonment for defiling eight pupils in his class.

Farouk defiled the pupils, who were between the ages of 6 and 11, between November 2018 to February 2019 on Balogun Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The convict was arraigned on eight counts of sexual assault preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.

While delivering judgment, Justice Soladoye stated that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the ingredients of the eight counts bordering on sexual assault by penetration.

Justice Soladoye described the convict as morally corrupt and an embarrassment to the Islamic faith.

The judge held that the testimony of the survivors was consistent and truthful, adding that their demeanour during the trial showed that they were not lying.

She said the evidence of the pupils was corroborated as they identified the convict as their teacher who penetrated their private parts with his index fingers.

Justice Soladoye held that the evidence of the 10th prosecution witness, a midwife with the Women at Risk International Foundation, Mrs Oluchi Nwoke-Okoi, revealed that the pupils had vaginal injuries.

The judge further held that the defendant asked the pupils to turn their backs while he defiled them one after the other.

Justice Soladoye held that the convict lied to the court during the trial but that the court did not fall for his lies.

She said, “The demeanour of the defendant is nothing to write home about; his stony face appears mischievous; he is extremely unkind and ruthless, fingering his students with his index fingers.

“What an Islamic teacher, who took undue advantage of poor students in Islam and messed around with their purity and dignity.

“He is meant to teach his students morals, discipline and values, but alas, the reverse is the case.

”The dignity and safety of our students must be cherished. Dirty Islamic teacher of his kind must be locked away and made to pay for his dirty sexual indiscretions.”

The judge called on the Lagos State Government to adequately monitor educational institutions.

She also urged Muslim communities to regularly visit Islamic schools unannounced and get feedback firsthand from students and parents on the activities and conduct of their teachers.

“The need for this can never be overemphasized in view of the rampant scenes of this heinous crime.

“I salute the courage of the survivors for speaking up against the defendant without any fear of intimidation.

“Abused children are to be encouraged to speak up so that their assailants will be shamed and sanctioned accordingly.

“A teacher is a role model, setting the pace and leading by example as he is expected to impact knowledge and morals, but this defendant is nothing of such as he threw caution to the wind and messed around.

“On the testimonies of each of the prosecution witnesses and that of the sole defence witness, I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the prosecution has proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“The defendant is hereby convicted of all the charges and sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the eight counts, but the sentences shall run concurrently,” Soladoye held.

Justice Soladoye also ordered the convict to have his name written in the Sexual Offenders Register of Lagos State.

The prosecution called 10 witnesses during the trial while the defendant testified as the sole defence witness.

Punch/Adetutu Adetule

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Politics

North-West, South-West Top 93 Million Voter Register List

By Web News 711

*Lagos has 7,060,195 voters, Kano 5,921,370, Kaduna 4,335,208

*INEC rules out postponement, says no going back on poll timetable

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday released the final list of voters that will cast their ballots in the elections, with the North-West and South-West having the lion’s share of the 93.4 million eligible voters.

Presenting the voter register at a meeting with leaders of political parties at the INEC headquarters, Abuja, the commission’s Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said the number of registered youths was 37,060,399.

In November 2022, the commission published the preliminary register of voters across the 774 local government areas on its website to enable eligible voters to confirm their details, as well as for Nigerians to report ineligible persons captured in the register.

Yakubu said the commission received more than 53,000 objections to the register, after which the ineligible voters were removed.

He stated, “After the cleaning-up of the data from the last continuous voter registration exercise, 9,518,188 new voters were added to the previous register, resulting in the preliminary register of 93,522,272, which was presented to Nigerians for claims and objections as required by law.

“At the end of the period for claims and objections by citizens, the commission received 53,264 objections from Nigerians to the prevalence of ineligible persons on the register by age, citizenship, or death. These names have been verified and removed from the register.”

According to the figures released by the commission, the North-West geopolitical zone has the highest number of registered voters with 22,255,562.

As of the 2019 elections, the North-West had 20.15m voters. However, the latest report released by INEC showed that over 2m new voters registered during the recently concluded continuous voter registration.

The South-West, which in 2019 had 16,292,212 registered voters, now has 17,958,966, having added 1,666,754 new registered voters.

The North-Central, which had 13,366,070 registered voters in 2019, now has 15,363,731.

The electoral body figures also show that the South-South has 14,440,714 registered voters. The region boasted 12,841,279 registered voters in 2019.

 On the other hand, the North-East currently has 12,542,429 up from 11,289, 293 voters it had in 2019 while the South-East has 10,907,606 up from 10,057,130 registered voters it had in 2019.

By gender, men surprisingly dominate the voter register at 49,054,162 (52.5 per cent) while the figure of female voters stands at 44,414,846 (47.5 per cent).

Lagos, Kano lead

Further breakdown by states showed that Lagos has the highest number of registered voters with 7,060,195, followed by Kano with 5,921,370 and Kaduna, 4,335,208.

Others include Abia, 2,120,808; Adamawa, 2,196,566; Akwa-Ibom, 2,357,418; Anambra, 2,656,437; Bauchi, 2,749,268; Bayelsa, 1,056,862; Benue, 2,777,727; Borno, 2,513,281; Cross River 1,766,466; Delta, 3,221,697; Ebonyi, 1,597,646; Edo, 2,501,081; Ekiti, 987,647; Enugu, 2,112,793; FCT, 1,570,307; Gombe, 1,575,794 and Imo, 2,419,922.

Other states are Jigawa, 2,351,298; Katsina, 3,516,719; Kebbi, 2,032,041; Kogi, 1,932,654; Kwara 1,695,927; Nasarawa, 1,899,244; Niger, 2,698,344; Ogun, 2,688,305; Ondo, 1,991,344; Osun, 1,954,800; Oyo, 3,276,675; Plateau, 2,789,528; Rivers, 3,537,190; Sokoto, 2,172,056; Taraba, 2,022,374; Yobe,1,485,146; and Zamfara, 1,926,870.

For the age group, registered youths (18-34) were 37,060,399; Middle aged (35-49) 33,413,591; Elderly (50-69), 17,700,270; old (70+) 5,294,748.

The INEC chairman assured Nigerians that the commission was not contemplating postponing the general elections.

Yakubu also stated that the timetable for the election had not changed, assuring that the elections would hold as scheduled.

He stated, “Following the display of the voter register nationwide and the conclusion of claims and objections by citizens, a new national register of voters has been compiled.

“In short, at no time in the recent history of the commission has so much of the forward planning and implementation been accomplished 44 days ahead of a general election.

“Therefore, the commission is not contemplating any adjustment to the election timetable, let alone the postponement of the general elections.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday 25th February 2023 while governorship and state assembly elections will hold two weeks later on Saturday, 11th March, 2023.

“The repeated assurance by the security agencies for the adequate protection of our personnel, materials and processes also reinforces our determination to proceed. The 2023 general elections will hold as scheduled. Any report to the contrary is not the official position of the commission.

“As a further affirmation of the commission’s readiness to conduct the 2023 general elections as scheduled, the final register of voters has been compiled. You would recall that for the 2019 general elections, Nigeria had a voter population of 84,004,084.

“After the cleaning-up of the data from the last continuous voter registration exercise (June 2021 – July 2022), 9,518,188 new voters were added to the previous register resulting in the preliminary register of 93,522,272, which was presented to Nigerians for claims and objections as required by law.

“Consequently, the register of voters for the 2023 general election stands at 93,469,008.’’

He said the soft copy of the complete register would be presented to each political party, adding that it was organised by state, local government, ward and polling units.

The soft copy of the breakdown and analysis would be uploaded to the INEC website and social media platforms shortly, Yakubu explained.

INEC pledges

Assuring the nation of INEC’s readiness to conduct a transparent and credible exercise, he said, “I would like to reiterate our commitment to transparent, credible and inclusive 2023 general elections.

‘’We will continue to take every step to protect the sanctity of the votes cast by citizens and to deal with infractions, including the arrest and prosecution of persons that attempt to perpetuate illegality at polling units on election day, be they under-aged voters or vote buyers.”

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Crime

Raheem Update: Lagos Police to Reappraise Rules of Engagement

By Web News 375

The Lagos State Police Command has said it will reappraise its rules of engagement following the death of a lawyer, Bolanle Raheem.

Raheem was shot dead by a police officer while inside a vehicle with her husband in the Ajah area of Lagos, on Christmas Day.

Her death came weeks after a similar incident happened in the same location.

Lamenting the incidents, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Monday, said an order for the case to be investigated was in place, just as he condoled with the family of the deceased and urged citizens to remain calm.

The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, fdc, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle Raheem who was shot dead by a police officer in Ajah on Sunday, December 25, 2022.

“On the instruction of the Commissioner of Police, the errant officer has since been taken into custody alongside his team members. The CP has equally directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, for in-depth investigation.

“This has become one too many, especially bearing in mind that a similar incident occurred at the same location less than three weeks ago. The condemnable incident is against the standard operating procedures (SOP) and rules of engagement of the Force, and, to say the least, is embarrassing.

“Beyond this incident, the Nigeria Police Force will carry out a reappraisal of its rules of engagement in a bid to put an end to such avoidable ugly incidents.

“The Lagos State Police Command hereby appeals to the good people and residents of Lagos State to remain calm as the Command is already in constant touch with the Nigerian Bar Association and other relevant stakeholders towards ensuring that justice totally prevails.”

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Security

EFCC Raids Forex Traders in Abuja, Lagos

By Web News 1027 Post a comment

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday arrested no fewer than 87 forex dealers in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Lagos and Kano.

Findings revealed that the EFCC detectives stormed several forex trading hubs in Abuja, ransacking their vaults for stash of dollars and naira.

The operatives later arrested no fewer than 25 legal and illegal forex dealers in addition to the 40 arrested on Tuesday during a raid of the Zone 4 Wuse offices of the Association of Bureau de Change Operators, bringing the number of arrests in the Federal Capital Territory to 65.

During the operation, the EFCC personnel were said to have seized the phones of those that were arrested.

The anti-graft agency also nabbed about 14 forex dealers in Lagos on Wednesday while eight others were picked up at the famous Bureau de Change market located at Wapa in Kano metropolis.

The development came barely 24 hours after operatives of the anti-graft commission arrested the Kogi State House of Assembly candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Ismaila Atumeyi, with N326m and $140,500 cash.

Atumeyi, who is seeking to represent Ankpa Constituency 11 in the Kogi State House of Assembly, was arrested on Sunday, October 30, 2022 alongside one Joshua Dominic, an alleged serial fraudster in a sting operation at Macedonia Street, Queens Estate, Karsana, Gwarinpa, Abuja.

In Lagos, EFCC detectives swooped on forex dealers on Broad Street in Lagos Island as well as some Bureau de Change outlets in other parts of the states.

Forex traders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the EFCC operatives came in two buses. It was learnt that about 14 Bureau de Change operators were arrested in Lagos.

Though no reason had been given for the raids, the EFCC operation, it was gathered, was targeted at tracking illicit funds from terrorists, bandits and politicians who might want to convert their stash in a desperate move to beat the redesign of the naira announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

But speaking on the Abuja raid, the Assistant Provost, Association of Bureau de Change Operators, Zone 4, Wuse, Mallam Muhammed Nera, disclosed that 13 out of the 25 persons arrested on Wednesday had been released to the association, noting that their phones were, however, still in the EFCC’s custody.

The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren did not respond to the allegations when contacted on Wednesday.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Education

WAEC Fire Update: Mgt Says Records Intact, No Life Lost

By Web News 457

The Management of the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has assured members of the public that all important documents and records are intact after an early morning fire gutted its National Office, Yaba, Lagos on Wednesday morning.

It also confirmed that there was no life lost in the process.

A statement by Head, Public Affairs Department, Moyosola Adesina, commended the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other emergency responders for their prompt response to the situation.

According to Adesina,” WAEC wishes to inform the general public that there was an early morning fire incident at the WAEC National Office, Yaba, Lagos. 

“It was swiftly contained by a combined team of firefighters.

“Thankfully, no life was lost and all important documents and records are intact.”

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Crime

Man Dies at Party after Allegedly Mixing Hard Drugs

By Web News 797

A 21-year-old Micheal Arigbabuwo has reportedly lost his life at a birthday party after allegedly mixing two hard drugs for maximum effect.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos State, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this on his verified Twitter handle on Saturday.

Hundeyin said that the incident happened on Friday in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, stressing that three of his friends who were also at the party had been arrested.

The spokesman said that information received by the police in Ikorodu revealed that at about 7.30 p.m. on Friday, a distress call came that some group of ‘Yahoo’ boys brought a corpse to Igbogbo area of Ikorodu.

“Based on the information, teams of detectives visited and photographed the scene. Three young men of ages 23 and 24 were arrested.

“The suspects claimed that the deceased allegedly smoked loud and drank codeine at a birthday party of one of their friends held at Igbogbo area of Ikorodu.

“The suspects further claimed that the deceased began gasping for breath. He was rushed to the hospital but died,” he said.

The PPRO said that the corpse was evacuated and deposited at the General Hospital, Ikorodu, for autopsy.

Hundeyin warned youths against drug abuse, stressing that drugs will end their lives in a disaster.

“Thinking of doing drugs? Have a rethink as nothing fruitful emanates from it.

“Investigation into the case has commenced,” he said.

NAN/Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Environment

Building Collapse in Lagos Leaves 2 Dead, Others Trapped

By Web News 530

A seven-storey building still under construction has caved in, killing at least two persons in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

The building, which collapsed on Sunday morning, is situated at Oba Idowu Oniru Street, near Sandfield Bus Stop, Lekki.

The cause of the collapse is still unknown, emergency workers and security operatives have already moved to the site to possibly rescue the trapped victims.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, and Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye both confirmed the incident.

They also mentioned that six persons were trapped under the rubbles of the collapsed building where search and rescue operations have commenced at the site.

Chinasa Ossai

Lifestyle

Kemi Nelson’s death is a big blow – APC

By Web News 362

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Murtala Ajaka, on Sunday described the death of APC Zonal Women Leader, Kemi Nelson, as a big blow to the party.

Nelson, a chieftain of the party in Lagos and an ally of APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, reportedly died on Sunday at the age of 66 after a brief illness.

The sudden demise of the former executive director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund came as a shock to many Lagos APC supporters, especially at the grassroots level.

Barely after her death was announced, Gboyega Akosile, Chief Press Secretary to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, paid homage to the late amazon in a tweet on Sunday.
He said, “We lost a dear soul to the cold hands of death earlier today. May the soul of the late Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson, former Southwest Women Leader of the @OfficialAPCNg,” Akosule tweeted on Sunday.

“Rest in Peace and may God grant her immediate family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear this loss.”

The National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress, APC also released a statement to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.

The statement, which was signed by Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Murtala Ajaka, described the late Nelson as an amiable personality, whose death came as a big loss to the APC family.

Ajaka also stated the deceased was a generous politician, loyal and dedicated to APC as a governing party.

The statement partly read, “Chief Nelson stood for unity and was in forefront of championing campaigns that favoured the lives of APC members and the masses. She never gave up on any responsibility. Her contributions to the successes of APC in Lagos state and Nigeria is beyond measure.”

“In 1999, she joined Alliance for Democracy (AD) and from 1999 to 2003, she served as the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation during the tenure of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and has served as the Women Leader of Lagos State Chapter of APC and was later made the South West Women Leader of APC.”
“She was the only female serving member of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC).”
“Nelson was a remarkable woman that devoted her life to women’s grassroots mobilization, protecting the cause of women, and encouraging women active participation in politics and setting of goals.”
“The late women leader was a tireless advocate of women and youth emancipation. She stood for all those in the world of politics who are unable to realize their potential.”
“In all situations, whether on the public stage or away from the cameras, she has a passion for justice, and her deep desire for a better, fairer world for women in politics shone through, and by her attitude.”
“She has proven it beyond doubt that women could play a great role in governance and can make a difference.
“Her tireless efforts earned her the APC Women Leader position, not just in Lagos state but the entire South-West. By that, the respect of thousands of women politicians across the states who were inspired by her commitment to party politics, democracy, women’s empowerment and eradication of poverty among women defined her person.”

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

Foreign

Breach of Standards: LASG Shuts Medicine Outlets

By Web News 393

Lagos State Government through its Taskforce on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods has shut down 19 medicine outlets around Igando-Ikotun in Alimosho Local Government area of the State for non-compliance to regulatory standards.

Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, who disclosed this on Friday, after reviewing report of the recent enforcement exercise carried out by Taskforce, explained that the affected premises were sealed for various offences including; display of drugs for sales in unregistered and unlicensed shops by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN); inappropriate storage conditions of drugs; handling and dispensing drugs by unskilled persons and the sales of drugs outside the approved scope.

While noting that the operation of the Taskforce was coming on the heels of the war being waged against fake drugs and illegal drug shops, Abayomi noted that monitoring and enforcement activities of the Taskforce has been rejigged to ensure that the provisions of the law on the operation of pharmacies and patent medicine shops is strictly adhered to, in order to safeguard the health of the citizenry.

Similarly, Director Pharmaceutical Services in the Ministry of Health, Pharmacist Oyebisi Omolambe, said that the state government will not relent in its efforts to stop the inherent dangers associated with the operations from unlicensed pharmaceutical outlets and drug shops.

“This closure is thus part of the Government’s renewed efforts to sanitize the drug distribution system and curb proliferation of fake drugs in the State” Omolambe said.

The enforcement and compliance raid by the State Taskforce on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods was carried out in collaboration with the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), the Legal Unit of the Ministry of Health and the Police Officers from Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) of Lagos Police Command.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

Transportation

Sanwo-Olu Wields Big Stick on Okada Operations in Six Councils

By Web News 407

Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has banned the operations of commercial motorcycles popularly called Okada in six Local Governments.

The Governor announced the ban is “indefinite and total” during a meeting with Police Chiefs in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu asked the Lagos Police Command and other security agencies to enforce the ban.

The six local governments listed by the Governor are: Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island and Apapa.

Details later

Nation

Lifestyle

London to Lagos Biker Denied Entry into Cote d’Ivoire

By Web News 1425 Post a comment

Nigerian biker, Kunle Adeyanju who is currently riding from London to Lagos said he has been denied entry into Cote d’Ivoire.

Kunle who has been updating his followers about his journey, through his twitter handle said he had to turn back, while the Nigerian Embassy handles the issue.

Kunle started his courageous but hazardous journey on April 19th and there have been several twists and turns in the journey.

According to him, he has had a combination of a smooth and bumpy journey so far.

In Mali, for instance, he was confronted by a serious challenge whereby his rear wheel got damaged. But that has since been fixed and he has moved on.

Kunle’s announcement of his plans to auction his Eagle bike and use the proceeds for charity has generated a lot of buzz on Twitter, it has also received the backing of the online community.

Net/Olaolu Fawole

Sport

Delta Wins Maiden Edition of National Division One Baseball, Softball League

By Web News 618

Team Delta has emerged winners of the maiden edition of the Victor Chukwudumebi Achakpo National Division One Baseball and Softball League after defeating Team Lagos by sixteen runs to zero in two Innings.

The match ended when Team Lagos conceded defeat after it was trailing Delta State by sixteen runs to zero in two Innings in a game of seven Innings when the game was called off as the lead was no longer surmountable.

In the third-place fixture, Kwara came from six runs to zero to beat the Rivers State Baseball team seven runs to six in seven Innings to conclude a colourful event which saw Baseball and Softball enthusiasts throng the Saint Patrick’s College Asaba pitch to cheer the teams to victory.

The former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Chief Tunde Popoola, said despite the crisis that had rocked the sport in the country, which led to a lull for over twelve years the quality on display at the Victor Chukuwudumebi Achakpo National Division One League was commendable.

Others who spoke including the President of the Nigeria Swimming and Aquatic Federation, Chief Chinonye Dafe, and the National Coach of the Nigeria Softball team, Jennifer Ugodozie, described the league as a welcomed development as it would help to revive the game in Nigeria.

Coach Victor Chukwudumebi Achakpo, commended the participating team at the four-day league and enjoined the players to take the message back to their states and across the nation that Baseball and Softball had returned for good.

The event ended with the presentation of trophies to the winning teams and outstanding players during the tournament.

Oghenero|Asaba

Environment

Tanker Explosion Razes Houses, Shops in Lagos

By Web News 702

A petrol tanker exploded at Ajegunle Bus Stop axis along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway in the early hours of Friday 22nd April 2022.

The incident, as gathered by Radio Nigeria News Correspondent, occurred at about 2:00 am. The inferno razed many shops and also killed one person.

While confirming the incident to Radio Nigeria, the Zonal Commander, Sango-Ota Unit of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Kunle Ajibade said that when information about the incident got to the Command, he immediately deployed his men to the scene in order to ameliorate the effect of the fire incidence.

“The incident occurred around 2:00 am. The fuel tanker was coming from Lagos towards Ogun State before falling and spilling its content, thereby resulting in the ugly inferno.

“We stormed the scene alongside other relevant agencies from Lagos so as to save the lives and properties of those plying the area. Unfortunately, one person was lost to the inferno with several shops razed.”

Ajibade noted that the agencies were able to manage the incidence as it coincided with when people were going out for their various businesses.

However, it was gathered that some more lives were lost in the raging inferno as some residents besieged the scene and started scooping fuel and they were caught up in the explosion.

Ajibade said the fire was put out by the combined operatives of the fire services from both states.

Abimbola Bamigbose

Lifestyle

Biker Begins 25 Day Journey From London to Lagos

By Web News 996 Post a comment

A Nigerian biker, Kunle Adeyanju has commenced an ambitious journey, riding from London to Lagos on his bike.

It is a journey of 12,000km and he plans to do it in 25 days. The journey commenced on Tuesday, April 19th and Kunle tweeted that he is currently in Borgers, France, after leaving London and crossing the English Channel.

The long ride will take him from London – France – Spain – Gibraltar – Morocco – Western Sahara – Mauritania – St Louis – Senegal – Gambia – Mali – Cote d’Ivoire – Ghana – Togo – Benin – Lagos.

Explaining why he embarked on the long journey, Kunle said in a tweet that he wants to use it to raise twenty million naira for charity.

He said he will donate 100% of funds generated to supporting primary health, water & sanitation, PolioPlus project.

“100% of fund raised will be channeled to Primary Health, Water & Sanitation, PolioPlus project. Particularly 20% of fund raised will be targeted to support the fight to sustain Africa Polio free status.

As soon as he made his tweet, Nigerians started to react to it in different ways.

Legit/Olaolu Fawole