FRANK MBA POLICE SPOKESMAN

A 36-year-old woman, Olukemi Gbelee, who was reported missing last Thursday while on her way to the voter registration centre at Baruwa in Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area has been found dead.
She was alleged to have been abducted and killed by suspected ritualists, the second such incident in the last four months.
The mutilated corpse of the lady was found six days later (Saturday) inside a bush at the Mechanic Village around Two-storey bus-stop in the LCDA.
Her two eyes were removed by the ritualists.
She was said to have left home as early as 4 a.m. to pick a number and register for the exercise later in the day.
her parents’ residence on 56, Candos Road, Baruwa, Ipaja, her visibly shaken and hypertensive father was not allowed to speak with our reporter. but her younger brother, Omotayo Gbelee, said: “On Sunday evening, a friend came to visit us at home and we discussed the need to go to the registration centre very early in the morning and pick a number so that we will be able to perform the exercise on time.
“That friend told us that she got there around 4 a.m. the previous day and picked number 20. Initially she (the deceased) felt reluctant to go to the centre that early but my father encouraged her to register and she obliged before everybody went to sleep.
“The following day, when we checked and she was not on her bed, we felt that she had left for the registration centre. At about 5.45 a.m. when my younger sister was going to work, we found out that the exit door was not locked from outside.
“Ordinarily, the padlock was supposed to have been locked, but it was hung on the door, meaning that something happened while she was trying to padlock it,” he added.
Omotayo said all efforts to get her on phone proved abortive as it had been switched off. After a search party came up with nothing, the matter was reported at the Ipaja Police Station.
They also went to the registration centre where she was supposed to write down her name and pick a number for the exercise, but her name was not on the list, an indication that she didn’t get to the place before the sad incident.
“We checked everywhere, including all the three police stations in Ayobo-Ipaja, including hospitals but we could not find her. We posted the information on facebook and other social networking sites and we also visited media houses.
“A female police sergeant, Evelyn Famogbiyele, was assigned to investigate the incident and we equally involved the SSS and other relevant agencies. On Saturday, at about 12.30 p.m. the Ipaja-Ayobo Council boss, Prince Bisi Yusuf and a police officer came visiting and told my father that they had a clue, and I followed them.
“When we got to the mechanic village around Two storey bus-stop, inside Baruwa, we found the corpse of my sister inside a bush with all vital parts of her body missing. Maggots were even coming out of her decomposing body. In fact, it was a gory sight.
Omotayo described his late sister an easy going person.
“She was very friendly, highly reserved and doesn’t keep many friends. She usually stays at home and in our mother’s shop. If she is not in our mother’s shop, she will be inside the house. If she’s not reading a novel, she will be reading the bible.
“She was a prayerful individual and we are going to miss her a lot, especially her leadership qualities as the eldest child of the family. She is a staunch believer too,” he lamented.
A community leader and CDA executive in the area,Kareem Bankole who was worried about the incident said since the area was linked with Ayobo Town, it has been exposed to ritual killers.
“Four months ago, a girl was also killed in similar circumstances and her body tied in a sack and dumped inside the gutter. We are therefore calling on the appropriate security agencies to come to our aid,” he said.
the chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA, Bisi Yusuf, described the incident as unfortunate and that his administration is currently working with the police on how to comb the area and bring the perpetrators to book.
He denied the allegations that corpses are usually found in the mechanic village. “I have not heard about such before. That has not been reported to me and I don’t want to think it is true. The only corpse I saw there was this particular one,” he stated.
Reacting to the allegation that the DPO of the Ayobo-Ipaja Police Station urged the residents of the area to hire OPC, he said, “well I cannot speak for the DPO but if he calls for vigilance I don’t think there is anything wrong with that, except we want to be hypocritical.” The DPO could not be contacted at the time of filing this report.

.....................................................................................................................................................................................Court orders sports ministry to maintain status quoA Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday ordered the Ministry of Sports to maintain the status quo on the Premier League sponsorship deal pending the determination of a suit filed by Total Promotions Limited.Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako also ordered the Nigeria Premier League Board (NPL) and the Nigerian Football Association to also maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit.The NPL last week cancelled the award of the Premier League sponsorship rights to MTN Nigeria Ltd on the ground that due process was not followed.The board also ordered that a fresh bidding process be completed within two weeks.Total Promotions had filed the instant suit against Taoheed Adedoja, the Minister of Sports, NPL and NFA, claiming that it had a duly contractual agreement for the league sponsorship rights in the next four years on behalf of MTN.The matter could not, however, go ahead at the resumed hearing as the NPL had no legal representation.Justice Murtata-Nyako ordered parties involved in the matter to put their houses in order before the next adjournment.She fixed Feb. 9 for hearing of the preliminary objection filed by the defendants.The defendants want the court to strike out the suit on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain it.

Ahmadu Giade, NDLEA chairman.

NDLEA Arrested 6,788 Suspects In 2010
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has disclosed that in 2010, it arrested 6,788 suspected drug traffickers and seized 178,120.725 kilogrammes of drugs.
The chairman of the agency, Ahmadu Giade who addressed journalists at a world press briefing at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos, South-West Nigeria, this morning said the suspects included 6,296 male and 492 female.
Giade said the breakdown of the drugs seized in 2010 showed that cannabis topped the list with 174,664.59 kilogrammes.
Psychotropic substances followed with 2,560.622 kilogrammes. Cocaine seizure amounted to 706.77 kilogrammes while heroine stood at 202.08 kilogrammes.
In 2009, the agency arrested 7,042 drug suspects comprising 6,700 male and 642 female; a total of 115,910.23 kilogrammes of drugs were seized.
The 2010 figures should that there was a slight reduction of 254 in the number of persons arrested as against 2009; 6.61 per cent.
However, while 342 females were arrested in 2009, 492 females were arrested in 2010.
The figure showed that Kano, with 618 suspected drug traffickers, made it the first on the arrest table in 2010. This is followed by Katsina and Rivers states which nabbed 399 and 299 drug suspects respectively.
In terms of drug seizures, Ondo State has the largest quantity with 67,979.795 kilogrammes of drugs seized.
Edo State came second with 39,501.006 kilogrammes while Delta State took the third position with a total seizure of 10,096.544 kilogrammes.
The seizures were mostly cannabis sativa.

FEMI OTEDOLA

Ex-AP Director Sues Otedola
The former Executive Director of Finance and Information Technology of African Petroleum, Clement Maku Aviomoh has sued the Chairman African Petroleum Plc. Olufemi Otedola for N500 million.
He took Otedola to a Federal High court in Lagos, South-West Nigeria, and also asked the court to declare him unfit to hold any executive position in any public quoted company in Nigeria.
Aviomoh is urging the court to order Otedola and his company to pay him the sum of N500 million as damages for the psychological trauma and embarrassment his purported dissimissal has brought to bear on his 26 years of unblemished record as a chartered accountant.
In a renewed legal battle through an amended statement of claim filed before the high court by Mike Ozekhome(SAN), the plaintiff averred that sometime in 2009, some companies owned by Otedola i.e.Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, Platinum Fleet Ltd and Fineshade Energy Ltd started selling products to AP at a very exorbitant prices, most times higher than the pump price at filling stations.
The resultant effect is the loss of earning and profits on the part of AP.
These losses reflected in the management accounts but the Managing Director, Tunde Falasinu refused to accept the account, instead Miss Temilola Oluyemi was transfered to the Finance Department as finacial operations manager.
This was done to polarise the Finance Departmnent and to prepare alternative accounts to show fake and non existing profits.
The transfer of Temilola Oluyemi to the Finance Depentment was done without the approval of the Board.
All these actions were being taken because the plantiff had requested that Otedola whose companies were owing AP the sum of N15 billion should be told to refund the money or supply the products as this was the primary cause of the loss of status.
Because of the plantiff’s insistence on best practice in account reporting and against the running of parallel account intended to generate a falsified account showing that AP was healthy finacially and to hoodwink the unsuspecting board members, he was issued queries several times.
Despite the fact that Otedola had been repeatedly told that he had no power to issue him a query but has been doing so in order to browbeat him.
Mr Aviomoh averred further that while his suitagianst the defendants challenging his purported suspension is still pending before the court, the defendants issued and served him a letter of dismissal dated 28 september 2010, when they are aware of the interlocutory order of the court restraining them from suspending or dismissing him pending the hearing and determinnation of the substansive suit.
Thereafter the defendant on 7 October, 2010 issued a disclaimer against him in a national newspaper.
Justice Okechukwu adjourned the matter till 15 February for hearing.

Akpoyibo, Mba Set To Leave Lagos Police
There are strong indications that the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, has ordered Lagos State Police Commissioner, Marvel Akpoyibo, to vacate his duty post following his redeployment.
Sources said the order became necessary, following pressure on the IGP by some notable government officials, over the implications of Akpoyibo continuing to flout his re-deployment
According to our sources, the Lagos Police boss is to immediately hand over to Solomon Arase, a Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Our reporter further learnt that the handing over ceremony is to hold soon at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja, Southwest, Nigeria.
Akpoyibo is expected to proceed for a course in February at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, near Jos.
In a related development, Frank Mba, police spokesman for Lagos State, is speculated to be preparing his hand over note.
He is to proceed to the Anti-Fraud Unit in Abuja. Samuel Jinadu, the deputy police public relations officer in Lagos State has been tipped to take over from Mba
Mba said, he said he was not aware of his transfer or that of his boss.
He said there had been speculation in that regard for some time now and that such transfers emanate from Police Headquarters in Abuja.
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Mobile Police Kills Danfo Driver
One of the mobile policemen deployed to the crisis-ridden Fadeyi axis of Lagos, has killed a 35 year old commercial bus driver identified as Anayo Uzoma. The incident occurred at about 9.25 a.m. today.
The deceased was just driving out of his street when he was hit by a stray bullet in the neck.
The policemen were said to be shooting sporadically in the air when one of their bullets hit the deceased father of three.
His corpse was first taken to the Alakara Police Division, Mushin, and was later moved to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) mortuary in Idi-Araba, Lagos.
Speaking after the incident, the boss of the late Anayo, Abada Goodluck, described the deceased as gentle, humble and honest person.
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Jilted Man Burns Ex-Lover’s Shop
A jilted lover has been arrested by the police at Isheri Oshun, Lagos for allegedly setting his girlfriend’s shop ablaze because she refused to marry him.
Nsidibe Achibong was alleged to have poured some petrol and used matches to ignite fire on the shop owned by Margaret Caleb at 50, Lafunke Street, Ijegun, Lagos.
The seemly frustrated man carried out the act after fruitless attempt to convince her to marry him.
Margaret was once married to a man who abandoned her with two kids and went abroad where he has remained for many years now. Since then, the husband has not contacted her.
While facing the agony of taking care of the two children the husband left behind, Nsidibe approached her and told her that he wanted to marry her.
Margaret said on the day of the incident, Nsidibe came to her shop where she was doing her fashion design business and poured petrol and burnt the place. But before the fire could be extinguished, everything in the shop had been destroyed. After committing the act, he escaped.
He was later arrested by the police who preferred a charge of arson against him.
He was arraigned in the magistrate’s court at Ejigbo.
The offence he committed was said to be contrary to section 443 and 451 of the Criminal Code.
When he was arraigned before the presiding magistrate, S.O. Solebo, she noted that the offence he committed was a capital offence and ordered that the police should take him to the high court at Ikeja.
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Ajeniya Traders Commence Committal To Prison Against Bank Official
Twenty-six traders at Ajeniya Market has commenced committal to prison proceedings against the Managing Director of Union Bank of Nigeria, Olufunke Osibodu, and one of the senior legal manager, Nneka Ojioko, for disobeying the order of a Lagos High Court.
Meanwhile, the counsel for the traders Femi Olufokunbi has petitioned the Commissioner of Police Special Fraud Unit, Milverton, Ikoyi, complaining of issuance of dud cheque by Union Bank and the two signatories to the said cheque.
In an affidavit attached to the motion for contempt sworn to by one of the traders, Onyeka Dike Silvanus and filed before a Lagos High Court, the deponent averred that he is one of the traders whose stall and goods were vandalized in 1999, causing damages and loss in respect of which they got jugement in the sum of N16,332,350 against Union Bank on 13 May, 2010 after eleven years of protracted and delayed litigation.
Onyeka further averred that on 24 November, 2010 their counsel, Femi Olufokunbi, and the court’s team of bailiffs and policemen led by Sherrys Adebola levied execution of the judgement by attachment and seizure of the goods of the bank.
However, the bank later dishonoured the cheque it issued and signed by two of their signatories. It is therefore responsible for the contemptuous refusal to release and pay the proceeds of the judgement debt draft.
Thereafter all efforts made by the judgement creditor to reap the fruit of their judgement prove abortive.
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Ritualists’ camp
For passers-by, Obadore Bridge along LASU - Iba - Isheri road, Lagos is just any other bridge for the convenience of motorists. But the bridge is a personification of evil.
It gives a picture of evil on all fours. It depicts desperate wickedness, bestiality, heartlessness and man’s inhumanity to man. Indeed, it shows a picture that diminishes man.
Findings revealed that Obadore Bridge is not just a linking bridge. It’s a slaughter house where people are daily killed and their bodies dismembered for money-making.
At the time of writing this report, the body of an unknown person, with some of the vital parts missing, lies near the bridge at Obadore to tell the story of this evil place.
There, evil men ambush unsuspecting members of the public, hack them down and dismember their bodies. The area is usually littered with corpses that have missing parts, such as private organs, breasts, tongues and eyes.
It was gathered that agents of ritualists, who operate commercial buses, take innocent passengers to Obadore, where such victims are killed and their vital parts cut off. Also, the killers waylay commercial motorcycle operators and their passengers. Such victims are knocked down the bike and dragged into the forest and killed. Also, some commercial motorcycles collude with the ritualists and take unsuspecting commuters to the place to be killed.
Findings revealed that when such commercial motorcycle operators get to the foot of the bridge with passengers, they would stop their bike, pretending that they have developed mechanical faults. At that instant, the ritualist would swoop on the passenger and drag him or her to the forest, where such a person is killed.
Saheed Musbau, a resident of Obadore, said he missed death by the whiskers when he was attacked near the bridge last December. Telling his story, Mustan said that evil operators around the bridge knocked him down from his motorcycle and tried to drag him into the bush. According to him, he was lucky that the blow from a club used by the ritualists landed on his back instead of the head, where they had aimed. He fell, quite alright, but did not lose consciousness. According to him, when his attackers, thinking he was unconscious swooped on him and were dragging him into the bush, he quickly got up and ran away.
The commercial motorcycle operator said of Obadore, he said: “In some cases, you will find motorcycles belonging to the victims, without any trace of the owners. They would have been killed and vital parts of their bodies removed.”
Musbau, who is a commercial motorcycle operator further said: “They usually dump their victims’ bodies in the forest. People usually perceive offensive odour any time they are passing through the bridge because of the decomposed bodies of victims of ritual killings.”
Another resident of the area, Mrs. Goodness Lawrence, offered further perspectives to the nefarious activities going on there. She said: “There is no doubt that the Obadore Bridge and its environs are dangerous spots. Apart from the ritual killers parading the place, cultists from the Lagos State University (LASU) also carry out their initiation there. Thieves also camp there in the night and rob people. In fact, you are as good as dead if your vehicle breaks down near the bridge at night.”
She added that when the second bridge was being built at Obadore, following the dualisation of the LASU- Obadore- Isheri expressway, a mass of human bones were discovered at the foot of the bridge.Checks also revealed that illegal bunkering also goes on in the forest. The illegal bunkerers operate in the night, stealing petroleum products from pipelines.When Saturday Sun visited the bridge recently, a group of young men were seen smoking Indian hemp. At the Oko-Efo end of the bridge, some people were seen enjoying roasted (dry) meat and palm wine, while exotic cars lined the roadside.
A source, who craved anonymity, squealed that there could be more to the daily rendezvous going on there than meet there ordinary eye. When contacted on telephone, the public relations officer of the Lagos state police command, Mr Frank Mba, said that the command is aware of the allegation that rutualists prawl the area. He, however, volunteered that the command had intensified overt and covert security patrol of the area area, adding that hoodlums and sundry criminals have been arrestd. He appealed to members of the public to coperate with the police by providing information that could lead to the arrest of enemies of society. He argued that the criminals are not spirits but human beings living in the midst of people. .....................................................................................................

NDLEA BOSS

JTF intercepts drugs worth N2.6bn at Tin Can Port
Joint Task Force, on Customs Physical Examination of goods,has, impounded 165 kilogrammes of substances suspected to be Cocaine at Tin Can Port, with a street value of about 10.2 million pounds (about N2.55 billion).
The drugs, which were concealed in 36 cartoons, came in from Bolivia and impounded based on a tip off to the Customs, which then notified other security agencies.
The consignment, which came in Container No. MSCU 128723/1 aboard a vessel, MV Aldebaran, according to official sources, arrived the Tin Can Port, en-route Apapa Port on December 25, 2010, with a declaration that it came with building materials, particularly marbles.
Meanwhile, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade, said that the intelligence that led to the drug burst was supplied by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. He stressed that the Agency will remain vigilant and resist the use of the country’s sea ports for drug trafficking.
Giade said, “this is yet another breakthrough resulting from cordial working relations with the United States government.” He added that investigation was ongoing and that the ports had been placed on full alert.
When contacted, the Public Relation Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, confirmed to Vanguard that there was actually a seizure of Cocaine. He disclosed, however, that the seizure was as a result of a combined effort by the Customs and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.”
A source told Vanguard that the “Cocaine quantity seized is 165 kilogrammes, packaged in four wraps in cartons with each wrap weighing 1.1 kilogram and a total of 36 cartoons. All with a street value of about 10.2 million pounds (about N2.55 billion).
The source hinted that the drugs were perfectly tucked inside the marbles imported.

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Suspected importer of N1.6bn cocaine arrested
A joint team of the Customs and the National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested one Elihu Essiet, suspected to be the brain behind the Importation of the 165 kilogram of cocaine seized earlier in the week.
The hard drug was intercepted at the Tin-Can Port Island.
The Customs Area Comptroller of the Tin-Can Island Command, Austen Warikoru said that the interception of the drugs was facilitated by intelligence made available to the officials of the NDLEA.
The suspected importer, Warikoru said he was arrested at Agege, Lagos and that the drugs came from South America.
He warned drug barons to steer clear of the Command.
He stated that information came from the Anti-smuggling division of the United Kingdom Border Agency to the Nigeria Customs Service, which in turn alerted the NDLEA.
“The seizure came as a result of intelligence from the Nigeria Customs high Command in collaboration with the United Kingdom Border Agency (Anti-smuggling Division).
“The container was shipped in on board ‘MV/Jasmine which arrived our port in December 2010.
“This is another proof of my officers alertness in the ports and I wish to use this medium to let the world know that we are prepared for the fight against illicit drugs and unwholesome imports.
“The perpetrators are advised to look else where because no matter their antics, our preparedness is not in doubt.
In our collaborative effort, we invited the National Law Enforcement Agency for a joint examination of the container and there after, the 1×20 feet container with No MSCU 128723/1 was handed over to NDLEA by the Customs authorities after preliminary tests and evaluation for further investigation”.

ARMY BOSS

Ikeja Cantonment Bomb Blasts: Families Of Victims Stop 9th Anniversary
For the first time since the Ikeja Cantonment bomb blasts in 2002, the ninth anniversary to remember the thousands of victims who lost their lives during the blasts was aborted yesterday by families of the deceased.
The anniversary, which normally holds on 27 January every year as a memorial for those who lost their lives, did not hold on Thursday while the ceremonial laying of wreath at the memorial arcade at the bank of Oke-Afa canal, Ejigbo, Lagos, South West Nigeria, was also aborted.
It was gathered that the families of the deceased stopped the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, from holding the anniversary henceforth, saying that it would bring back the cruel memory of the past and that government did not meet their demands.
A representative of the families of victims, Ola Majekodunmi, said nine years after the incident, the state government was yet to fulfill the promise it made to ensure that the families of the victims were not neglected or left to suffer the painful memories of the incident.
He said the financial package contributed by non-government organisations after the blast was not used for the purpose they were donated.
Majekodunmi lashed out at the excuse given by a government official that the money donated was used to beautify the graves as well as purchase coffins.
He, however, commended the state government for succumbing to the request of the victims’ families to stop the yearly wreath laying ceremony near the canal site, saying that it brought back painful memories to the people bereaved.
Speaking yesterday, the Chairman of the Ejigbo LCDA,Kehinde Bamigbetan said the council’s intention to turn the graveyard to a tourist centre was oppossed by relatives of the victims even after series of meetings held with them to see reason with the idea.
He said the council would forward to the state government, the names of twelve divers who rescued some persons alive and recovered the corpses, saying they would undergo training as divers’ instructors which could be vital for future occurrences.
Bamigbetan, however, disclosed that Governor Babatunde Fashola had approved the construction of the Ejigbo- Ajao Estate Link Bridge in memory of the victims of the bomb blasts.
According to him, the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure is spearheading the construction of the bridge expected to cost over N2.8 billion, saying that the final design had also been approved.
he bridge would run from the canal where the victims lost their lives over to Ajao Estate; that is the concept of the bridge, When completed, you would be able to move from Ejigbo through Ajao to link the airport road to Oshodi. The idea is that if there had been a bridge, those who died would not have needed to go into the water, they would have taken the bridge.

FRANK MBA LAGOS POLICE SPOKESMAN

Police arraign 2 men for burgling vehicles
Two men who allegedly damaged the windscreens of two vehicles at Olodi-Apapa, Lagos, on Jan. 24, were on Friday charged before an Apapa Chief Magistrates Court.
The duo – Saidi Arigbabuowo (21) and Ikeji Amarachi (19) – are standing trial on a four-count charge of breach of peace, conspiracy, malicious and willful damage.
They have, however, pleaded not guilty.
But Cpl. Joseph Ameh, who stood in for the Prosecutor, Sgt. Benedict Unawunwa insisted that the accused, with others still at large, committed the offence at 7, Oro Str., Olodi-Apapa.
According to him, the accused maliciously damaged the windscreen of an Honda Civic car valued at N60, 000, property of Abdullahi Aliyu in their bid to steal some valuables in the car.
Ameh also told the court that the accused broke the windscreen of a Mitsubishi bus belonging to Mr Ezebiolu Victor, thereby contravening Sections 249, 442 and 516 of the Criminal Code, laws of Lagos State.
The Chief Magistrate, Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted them bail in the sum of N200, 000 each with two sureties in like sum.
She directed that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment, adding that one of them must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction.
Adelaja then adjourned to Feb. 28 for further hearing.

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Court reminds miscreant in custody on double murder charges
An Ebute Meta Magistrates Court on Friday in Lagos remanded a man identified as a miscreant, Isumaila Aromire, in Ikoyi Prison for allegedly killing two people and disturbing public peace.
The accused, 34, is facing a seven-count charge of unlawful assembly, rioting, conspiracy, murder, breach of peace and arson.
The plea of the accused was not taken and Magistrate T. Abolarinwa ordered Aromire to be remanded in prison custody till Feb. 23, pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, ASP Jack Asuquo, told the court that Aromire took part in a riot that occurred on July 18, 2008 at Ilaje area of Bariga, Lagos, which left two people dead.
He said the offences contravened Sections 70, 71, 319, 443 and 516 of the Criminal Code, laws of Lagos State and were punishable with death, if convicted.
The case has been adjourned till Feb. 23 for hearing.

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Man, 32, sentenced to 6 months in jail over N120,000 theft
A Surulere Magistrates Court, Lagos, on Friday sentenced a 32-year-old man, Muritala Bello, to six months imprisonment for stealing N120,000.
Bello is also to serve the sentence with hard labour, according to the Magistrate, A. O. Gbajumo.
Bello was on Jan. 19 arraigned on a count charge of stealing.
He pleaded guilty to the charge.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Raji Hakeem, told the court that Bello burgled his mother’s room and made away with N120,000 kept in her closet.
Hakeem said Bello claimed that he spent the money to buy clothes for himself and Indian hemp for his friends.
He said the offence which was committed on Oct. 1 at 25, Baale St., Orile-Iganmu, contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, laws of Lagos State.

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NA Public Relations School inaugurates 85 students
The Director, Army Data Processing, Brig.- Gen. Danjuma Kitchener, said on Friday that public relations training was an important component in military operations.
Kitchener spoke in Lagos at the combined inauguration of 85 students by the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information.
According to him, the media play a vital role in shaping the direction of wars.
He said the concept of the school of public relations was to cement good relationship between the military and the para-military.
The course 1/2011 students were made up of 60 soldiers, 13 air force personnel and 13 from the navy.
The Commandant of the school, Col. Rabe Abubakar, said it was the first time that service personnel from the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force would be involved in the programme.
Abubakar said the school would expand its horizon of admission to the police, immigration, customs service and other para-military groups.
According to him, the course content will focus on orientation on military public relations practice, photojournalism and news reporting.
The course 1/ 2011, the eight edition since inception in 2009, would last for eight weeks.

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Pay military pension to reduce violent crimes –ex-soldier
A protesting former army corporal on Friday said that the irregular payment of pension to retired military personnel was responsible for violent crimes in the country.
Festus Ologbela, who staged a one-man protest at the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, told newsmen that the sophistication with which many crimes were perpetrated indicated that the criminals were trained in weapon handling.
Ologbela said that many ex-military men had taken to crime because they were frustrated after their retirement.
The retired soldier wondered why the dead should be treated as heroes on Armed Forces Remembrance Day while the living that fought during the war were neglected with their family members.
Ologbenla, who said his last posting was the Army Fair Provost Battalion, Apapa, Lagos appealed to the Federal Government to pay the outstanding pension.
He said he had resorted to begging after several verification exercises in Oshogbo, Lagos and Abuja failed to produce positive result.

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Physically-challenged remanded in prison custody for murder
A physically-challenged and beer parlour operator, Olalekan Olagunju, was on Friday in Lagos remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons for allegedly stabbing a man, suspected to be cult leader, to death.
The accused, 24, is standing trial on a count charge of murder at an Ebute Meta Magistrates Court.
The plea of the accused was, however, not taken by Magistrate T. Abolarinwa who ordered him to be remanded till Feb. 23 when the court would get an advice from the state Director of Public Prosecutions.
The prosecutor, ASP Jack Asuquo, alleged that the deceased, Badejo Oladipupo, came to lure the accused to join their cult, the Black Axe, an invitation that he rejected.
Asuquo said the offence, which was committed on Dec. 22, 2010 at 81, Alhaji Abass St., Ogudu, Lagos, contravened Section 319 of the Criminal Code, laws of Lagos State. ...............................................................................................

Masquerade regains freedom
A masquerade, along with his aide, was freed on Friday after spending about four weeks at the Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos, for stealing and attacking people with cutlasses.
Sunday Effiong 24, who dressed as a Calabar masquerade, and his aide, Solomon Okon 20, admitted that they stole N26,800 from a beer parlour on Jan. 1, 2011.
The prosecutor, Insp. Sam Adam, told a Mushin Magistrates Court that the money belonged to one Glory Thompson, owner of the beer parlour.
According to the prosecutor, Effiong , armed with cutlass, masked his face and blackened his body to disguise as a masquerade with intent to commit felony.
His aide, Okon, was accused of assaulting one Emman Udoh with cutlass and inflicted injury on his head.
The convict pleaded guilty and appealed for leniency.
The prosecutor, however, tendered a letter of withdrawal of the case written by the complainant, saying she had forgiven them.
The chief magistrate, Christiana Adesola-Ikpatt, set free the accused persons and warned them against using illegal ways to make money.

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Pastor in court for allegedly claiming ownership of car entrusted to his care
A Pastor, Victor Akintimoye, on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates Court for allegedly claiming ownership of a Honda Civic car entrusted to his care.
Akintimoye (36) is facing a four-count charge of breach of peace, willfully resisting arrest, forgery and illegal change of ownership.
The prosecutor, Sgt. R. Williams, told the court that the car with registration No. CB 272 APP belonged to one Adesola Onafowora.
Williams said on Dec. 31, 2009, Akintimoye forged the signature of the complainant and changed the ownership of the said car by swearing an affidavit and obtaining a police report on it.
She said when the owner of the car, Onfowora, went for his car, the accused refused to release it.
She said rather than hand over the said car, the pastor went into hiding and on Jan. 17 when a police officer visited his home at 5, Popoola Lawanson, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, he willfully resisted arrest.
Williams said that the accused caused a breach of public peace by locking up himself inside his apartment and telling the police officer to leave.
The prosecutor said the offences were punishable under Sections 249, 356 (2) 467 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.
She said the alleged offences were committed on Jan. 12 at Maryland, Ikeja.
Akintimoye pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The magistrate, A.B. Olagbegi-Adelabu, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case till Feb. 24, for further hearing. ..............................................................................................

3 in court for vandalising NNPC pipeline
Three men were arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates Court for allegedly vandalising a petroleum pipeline and being in illegal possession of jerry cans filled with petroleum products.
The accused persons, Fatai Liasu (42), Wasiu Sikiru (30) and Gbenga Akindele (38), are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful possession.
The prosecutor, Insp. Eranuis Nnamonu, told the court that the men conspired and illegally vandalised a petroleum pipeline.
Nnamonu said the accused unlawfully stored seven jerry cans of petroleum products without licensce from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation .
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor said that the accused persons committed offences punishable under Sections 516 and 21 of the Environmental Protection Agency, of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
He said the alleged offences were committed on Jan. 5 at Isheri Olofin Idimu, Lagos.
In her ruling, the magistrate, A. O. Komolafe, granted the accused N100,000 bail and two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case till Feb. 4 for further hearing. ............................................................................................

Court adjourns further hearing in EFCC case against former Afribank MD till Feb. 18
A Federal High Court, Lagos, on Friday adjourned till Feb. 18 further hearing in the case filed by the EFCC against the former Managing Director of Afribank Plc., Sebastian Adigwe.
The EFCC is prosecuting Adigwe and seven others over alleged abuse of office and granting loans without adequate security.
Also joined in the suit are the Chairman of Afribank, Osa Osunde, three board members, Isa Zailani, Chinedu Onyia and Henry Arogundade.
Others are a stockbroker, Peter Ololo and his firm, Falcons Securities Ltd.
At the resumed hearing on Friday, counsel to the accused persons, Anthony Idigbe told the court that there was a pending application to quash the charge against his clients.
He contended that the proof of evidence filed along with the charge disclosed no prima facie case against them and that it was intended to harass, annoy and frustrate them.
However, the prosecution, Ahmed Mahmud argued that he had filed an objection against their application and urged the court to hear all pending applications on the next adjourned date.
Justice James Tsoho ruled that all pending applications would be heard on the next adjourned date.

PPRO LAGOS COMMAND OF POLICE

Mosque Minaret Tragedy: Mad Woman Pushes Rescuer To Death
Tragedy struck at Odo-Olowu Street, Ijesha, Lagos this morning as a woman suspected to be mentally deranged pushed a man down from a three-storey mosque minaret.
The man known as Innocent, died on the spot.
The deceased wanted to give a helping hand to the woman identified as Remilekun Ayanlowo, a mother of three, when the incident occurred.
Remilekun had climbed the minaret and in a bid to rescue her, she pushed Innocent, who fell and died on the spot.
Nobody could explain why she climbed the minaret and refused to come down in spite of all entreaties.
The case has been reported at the Ijesha Police Station, Ijesha-Tedo, Lagos.
Confirming the incident, the DPO of Ijesha Police Station said the father of Remilekun has been arrested and his men are currently interrogating him.
Investigation revealed that the deranged woman was brought down by fire brigade personnel and was taken to Ijesha market.
The husband has two wives. It was gathered that the deranged woman resides at No. 5, Jimoh Agunbiade Street, Ijesha, Lagos.

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Woman Disappears On Her Way To Register
A woman in Ipaja town in Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area, LCDA, of Lagos State, Nigeria, Olukemi Gbelee, has been reported missing.
She was on her way to a registration centre in the area.
According to a police report, Olukemi’s sister, Omotayo Gbelee reported that on 25 January, her sister left their 56, Candos Road, Baruwa Ipaja residence to go and register.
Omotayo said since then, Olukemi Gbelee has not returned home and nobody knows her whereabouts.
The incident was reported at the Ipaja Police State. A Woman sergeant, Evelyn Famogbiyele was assigned to investigate the incident..

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Businessman docked for alleged scam
For allegedly swindling a petroleum dealer of N1 million, the Managing Director, Soar Global Resources, Fredrick Unoumah, was on Thursday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates Court, Lagos.
Unoumah is standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Philip Osigale, told the court that the accused sometime in August 2010, obtained under false pretence 10,000 litres of diesel valued at N1 million from one Pius Oluwagbenro .
Osigale alleged that the accused obtained the diesel under the false representation that he would subsequently pay the cost of the product.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 390 (9), 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.
The accused pleaded not guilty.
F. O. Aigbokhaevbo, the magistrate, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till Feb. 4, for mention.

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Man docked on charge of nicking tricycle.
The Police in Lagos on Thursday arraigned a man, Alaba Aweda, accused of stealing a tricycle, also known as `Keke Marwa’.
Aweda, 21, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy and theft of the N300,000 tricycle before a Somolu Magistrates Court, Lagos.
The prosecutor, Insp. A. Adegoke, told the court that the accused with others still at large, stole the tricycle with Reg. No. QN 354 FKJ, property of one Joshua Ntibunka.
He said that the alleged offence was committed between 8 p.m. on Jan. 13 and 5 a.m. on Jan. 14, at No. 79 Bajulaiye Road, Somolu, Lagos.
Adegoke said that the stolen tricycle was later discovered in Aweda’s possession while using it for business in Ijora, Lagos.
The prosecutor said that the offence was punishable under Sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The accused pleaded not guilty.
Mrs B.O. Osunsanmi, the magistrate, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.
Osunsanmi adjourned the case till Feb. 9, for trial .

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LAGOS POLICE IMAGE MAKER

Ghanaian reminded in prison on murder charges
An Ebute Meta Magistrates Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded a Ghanaian, Amoo Segun, in prison for allegedly stabbing a fun seeker to death on New Year day.
The Magistrate, J. Ugbomoiko, who gave the order, said the accused should be kept behind bars till March 10, pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions.
The plea of the accused, who is facing a one count charge of unlawful killing was not taken.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Ishiaku Babaji, told the court that the accused used a broken bottle to stab Michael Afolabi in the throat, as a result of which he later died.
He said the incident which occurred at Jakande Estate, Lekki, during a carnival, and it was triggered by a quarrel between the accused and friends of the deceased.
He said the offence contravened Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, laws of Lagos State.
The accused may be sentenced to death on conviction.
The case has been adjourned till March 10 for further hearing.

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2 men arraigned for receiving stolen goods worth N6m
Two men, Dele Fakayode, 31, and Rafiu Jimoh, 37, have been taken before a Yaba Magistrates Court, Lagos, for allegedly receiving stolen goods, valued at N6 million.
The two are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and receiving stolen goods before Mrs Demi Ajayi.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Chinalu Uwadire, told the court that the accused on Nov. 27, at Festac Industrial Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, conspired to commit the offence.
He said the accused received some iron rods, steel plates, angle bars and one beam, all valued at N6 million, property of Onyekwelu Ugochukwu, knowing same to have been stolen.
Uwadire said the offence contravened Sections 427 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.
The duo pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The magistrate granted them bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case till Feb. 2, for hearing.

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Power outage cripples proceedings at Lagos High Court
Proceedings at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, have been put on hold since Monday following continuous power outage.
Our Correspondent who monitored activities at the court complex on Wednesday, reports that the situation has not improved.
The generator at the complex, which was usually put on during power outage, has been faulty for a while.
However, all efforts to get court officials to react, proved abortive as none of them was willing to speak to the press.
One of the cases stalled on Wednesday was the suit filed by Adeola Adewunmi against Industrial and General Insurance Plc for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.
Adewunmi had on April 19 sought an order for the enforcement of his fundamental rights and a declaration that his arrest by officers of the 2nd and 3rd respondents was unconstitutional, null and void.
He also prayed the court to award him N20 million as compensation for the breach of his fundamental human rights.
Although the parties to the suit were in court on Wednesday, the case was not called for trial as the entire court was in darkness and stuffy due to the power outage.
A court clerk told the litigants that the case would now be heard on Feb. 16.

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Terror Gang Hacks 10 In Lagos
Suspected hoodlums have invaded Bariga, Lagos State.
They left blood and sorrow in their trail after hacking 10 people with cutlass, guns, axes and other dangerous weapons.
One of the victims is said to be missing while doctors are battling to save the lives of injured victims.
The terror gand struck during the burial ceremony of Chief Alabi Rasak Seriki who recently passed on.
The assailants reportedly invaded the ceremony and started to attack guests with machete and other dangerous weapons.
They also robbed people around the area. At least 10 persons were shot or hacked with machete.Those attacked sustained severe injuries on their heads, arms and legs.
Some of them are now lying critically ill in private hospitals in different parts of Lagos.
The Oba-elect of Bariga, Oba Gbolahan Timson organsied the ceremony in honour of the late Seriki, to pay him his last respects.
Policemen drafted to the scene from the Bariga Police Division could not curtail the fracas until they called for reinforcement from the area and state commands.
Oba Timson said the attack was unfortunate.
He regretted the trauma the victims were passing through in the hospitals with deep cut on their heads, hands and legs.
He commended the efforts of the police who brought the situation under control and also called for through investigation into the attack while claiming that it was premeditated.

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Car Thief Shocks Owner, Says ‘I Just Wanted To Pose With My Girlfriend In It’
A young car thief shocked the owner of the vehicle by saying he stole it in order to pose with his girlfriend.
Tochukwu Ejezie, 23, stole the red Kia Picanto car from Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Oke-Ira, Ogba, Lagos, South-West Nigeria. He was caught as he was trying to escape with it.
But for the quick intervention of a police officer at a check point a mob on Monday nearly lynched the youth.
A parishioner of the church, Sister Nkiru, had hardly parked her red Kia Picanto car marked FW 171 EKY when Ejezie trailed her to where she sat inside the church.
As he confessed after he was caught, Ejezie trailed the owner to her seat. As she was praying, he took the key and drove out the car towards Ogba.
However, immediately he escaped, the owner, Sister Nkiru raised an alarm when she could no longer see her car key.
The church security guards mobilised members who were in the church to chase the car thief with their motorcycles. Some commercial okada riders also joined the search party. They went through all the roads leading to the church.
Luck ran out on Ejezie when the search party caught up with him where he was held up by the traffic at Aguda-Ogba, opposite Excellence Hotel.
He was almost mobbed but a police officer at a nearby police checkpoint and the church security guards protected him.
The Kia Picanto he stold.
During interrogation, Ejezie confessed that he was watching the owner as she parked the car, adding that he followed her and sat by her side during prayer.
He was later handed over to the police at the Area ‘G’ Police Command Headquarters, Ogba.
The suspect, however, gave the police an entirely different reason why he stole the car.
He said in his statement to the police that he wanted to sell the car and use the money to establish a business for himself.
Ejezie, who said he started attending Our Lady of Holy Rosary Catholic Church about three weeks ago, denied stealing in the church before.
The Area ‘G’ Commander, Bolaji Odesanya ordered the release of the car to its owner.
Further investigation into the incident is ongoing. The suspect will be charged to court at the end of police findings.
Meanwhile, the head of the church’s security, Sir Okaka told our correspondent that in December valuables including money and foodstuff were stolen in the church by unknown persons.

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2 tenants in court for assaulting landlord
Two tenants, who assaulted their landlord and tied him with ropes, were on Wednesday arraigned in Lagos.
The duo, Taib Saubana, 60, and Saheed Balogun, 32, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, assault and causing bodily harm, before Mrs B.O. Osunsanmi of the Somolu Magistrates Court.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of N50,000 each with one surety in like sum.
The prosecutor, Insp. A. Adegoke, told the court that the accused assaulted one Mr Babaeto Owotuyi by tying him with a rope and beating him all over his body.
Adegoke added that the accused used an object to hit the landlord on his head, thereby causing him bodily harm.
He said that a quarrel ensued when the complainant accused Taib Saubana, the wife to one of the accused persons, of misusing his property.
He said the alleged offences were committed on Aug. 21, 2010 at 7, Abiodun Str., Somolu in Lagos.
The prosecutor said that the offences were punishable under Sections 351, 356 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
Osunsanmi adjourned the case till Feb. 16 for trial after granting the two accused bail.
In another development, two men, who allegedly raped a lady on Jan. 15 at Gbagada Estate in Somolu, were also arraigned in the same court.
The two, Kaleem Ochuba (24) and Sunday Edet (35), faced a two-count charge of conspiracy and threat to life.
The prosecutor, Insp. A. Adegoke, said the two accused conspired and threatened to kill the lady with a cutlass if she refused to submit herself for sex.
He explained that the complainant and the accused persons resided on the estate.
He said the offence which was committed on Jan. 15 contravened Sections 357 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The both pleaded not guilty and the Magistate, B.O. Osunsanmi, granted them bail in the sum of N200,000 each, with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case till Feb. 9.

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Surety charged with failure to produce suspect
A 30-year-old mechanic, who stood as surety, was on Wednesday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates Court in Lagos for failure to produce a suspect he bailed.
The accused, Nurudeen Sulaimon, was charged with breach of undertaking to produce a suspect.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Innocent Odugbo, told the court that Sulaimon on Nov. 20, 2010 at Ajah Police Station stood as surety for one Joseph Adenuga, who was charged with conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecutor said Sulaimon committed an offence punishable under Sections 122 and 137 of the Criminal Procedure Laws of Lagos State.
The accused pleaded not guilty.
The magistrate, O.A. Ogunsanya, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till Feb. 3.

LAGOS STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MARVEL AKPOYIBO AND POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER. FRANK MBA

Union Bank And 5 Others Ducked For Stealing.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service, has arraigned Union Bank Nigeria Plc and five others before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Nigeria, for allegedly stealing an Oceanic Bank Plc. and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc cheques valued at about N18 million which were issued to it by a construction company, Arab Contractors.
The court presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, however, granted the application of the counsel to the accused persons that their clients be allowed to continue to enjoy the bail which the court granted to them on the undertaking of their lawyers on the promise that they would be available to face their trial pending when their formal applications for bail will be heard by the court on 23 February.
Attempts by the prosecutor, James Binang, an Assistant Director in FIRS, to have the court remand the accused persons in prison was frustrated by the defence counsel who insisted that their formal applications for bail had been filed before the court but they could not be heard as the proposed arraignment of the accused persons had been delayed following the absence of any representative from Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.
They contended that the bail granted to the accused persons on the strength of the undertakings by their counsel should be allowed to continue pending the hearing of the pending bail applications.
They told the court that in spite of the fact that they had all served the prosecution counsel with copies of their application for bail, that they were just served with a counter-affidavit opposing their applications in court during the day’s proceedings and urged the court to give them time to respond to the fresh issues raised by the prosecution.
This argument persuaded the court to grant their request for the bail to continue to run till the next adjourned date, Some of the charge against the accused persons read in part:That you Union Bank Nigeria Plc., Tiemo Miebi, Chief Gilbert Swallah, Pius Oddiri, Olufemi Oyekan and Mrs Bridget Nweze and Monday Adeaya [now at large] sometime in March 2010 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court agreed among yourselves to commit an offence to wit, stealing of an Oceanic Bank Plc cheque no 00001299 dated March 13th 2010 valued at N8,913,071.32 which cheque was issued by Arab Contractors O.A.O. Nigeria Limited in favour of the Federal Inland Revenue Service but was fraudulently cleared through the till account no. 4491110000017 domiciled with Union Bank Nigeria Plc Area 10 Garki Branch Abuja and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act Cap C28 Laws Of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

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Man Smashes DDC Machine After Failing To Register
A man, Ganiyu Ahmed, has been arrested and charged to Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly smashing INEC Direct Data Capture, machine after several futile attempts to register at Shasha, a suburb of Lagos, South West Nigeria.
Ganiyu was alleged to have grabbed a printing machine and smashed it on the ground after queuing for several hours without being able to register.
The incident happened at 25, Igbehinadun Street, Shasha, where he had gone to register.
Ganiyu had made several attempts to get registered but he couldn’t do so because of the slow pace of the exercise.
It was learnt that he had woken up very early to get a number so as to be able to register to vote during the forthcoming election. All his attempts failed because of the faulty machine.
After smashing the machine, he was arrested by the police at Shasha division and charged to court for willful damage.
Part of the charge reads: “That you, the defendant, on the same date, time and place, did willfully damage a DDC printing machine belonging to INEC.”
The offence is said to be contrary to section 458 of the Criminal Code Cap 17 Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
There was a drama at the court when he was about to be arraigned.
His parents informed the court officials that the man was insane.
Consequently, the presiding magistrate, S.O. Solebo ordered that he be taken to the psychiatric hospital in Yaba for mental evaluation.

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Hoodlums, Robbers Take Over Cele, Okota, Ejigbo.
Residents and motorists in Okota, Ejigbo and Idimu areas of Lagos State, have sent a security alert to the state government, the police authority and other security agencies, to come to their rescue on the unscrupulous activities of hoodlums, gunmen and political thugs, who have become a terror in the area.
Some of the residents of the area decried the influx of the hoodlums and political thugs, explained that the thugs, who disguise as area boys, have been going around harassing and robbing innocent people at gun point, but that the development has been checkmated by members of National Union of Road Transport Workers.
Chuck Amachere said armed robbers have taken over the whole place under the disguise of being area boys.
They have been terrorizing motorists, passers-by and others with guns, disposing them of their valuables, money and sometimes injure them.
Though some of them have been overpowered in the past and taken to Okota Police Station, but somehow they are released and within a few days are back in business.
Amachere said information at his disposal has it that the said hoodlums have graduated to political thugs and have promised to unleash terror on the residents of the area during the April polls.
A commuter bus driver, Durojaiye Adegeye, expressed fear at the rate pickpockets, hoodlums and armed robbers are operating at Cele bus stop in recent times.
Adegeye suggested that if officials of RRS, Task Force and mobile policemen are stationed at the bus stop, it would put an end to the hoodlums’ activities.
Some members of the NURTW who spoke with Lagos Bulletin called on the state governor and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to deploy security personnel to the area. It is believed that the presence of Policemen and OP MESA at the bus stop would forestall a breakdown of law and order.

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Man, 40, faces 6000 dollar fraud charges
A man, who allegedly defrauded a business woman of 6,000 dollars, was on Tuesday charged before an Ikeja Magistrates Court, Lagos, on a three-count of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
The accused, Kinsley Ogu, 40, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
But the prosecutor, Sgt. R. Unuigbe told the court that Ogu and others still at large conspired and defrauded Mrs Esther Magit of the amount under the pretext of assisting her with a business deal.
He said the accused also obtained gold jewelry valued at N700,000 from Magit which he promised to sell and use to fund the undisclosed business.
Unuigbe said the offences, which were committed between Oct. and Dec. 2010 at Egbeda, a Lagos suburb, contravened Sections 390, 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code, laws of Lagos State.
The Magistrate, A.T. Omoyele granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till Feb. 2 for further hearing.
Meanwhile, the Police have arraigned an employee of Guaranty Pensions Ltd, Lagos, who allegedly stole three laptops belonging to the company.
Sunday Akamero, 24, who is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing at the court, also pleaded not guilty.
He was granted bail in the sum of N100, 000 in addition to two sureties.
The prosecution said the accused and others still at large, conspired and stole the laptops valued at N600,000.
Unuigbe said the accused allegedly removed the laptops from the company’s headquarters at 65, Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikeja, on Jan. 7, at the close of business by outsmarting security guards on duty.
He said the offences were punishable under Sections 390 (6) and 516 of the Criminal Code, laws of Lagos State.

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Security man docked for allegedly stealing electrical cables
A 22-year-old security man, Augustine Amanyi, alleged of stealing electrical cables worth N300,000, was on Tuesday, arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates Court, Lagos.
Amanyi is standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Innocent Odugbo, told the court that Amanyi, allegedly stole the cables, property of Sedac Investment Ltd., Ajah, Lagos, on Jan. 13.
Odugbo said the accused, an employee of the company, conspired with others now at large to steal the items.
He explained that the offence, which contravened Sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, was committed at the company’s premises.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, O. A. Ogunsanya, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She subsequently adjourned the case till Feb. 3 for mention. ...............................................................................

Court remands 2 in Kirikiri Prison on car snatching charge
Two men, Pius Yakubu and Ali Ado, were on Tuesday in Lagos remanded in prison custody for allegedly robbing a man of his car at gunpoint.
The duo --Yakubu (38) and Ado (32) -- are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery at an Ikeja Magistrates Court.
The pleas of the accused were not taken.
Magistrate A.O. Komolafe ordered that the accused be remanded in Kirikiri Prisons pending when the court would get an advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Eranus Nnamonu, had told the court that the men conspired and armed themselves with guns and other dangerous weapons to rob Fidel Okeke of his Gulf 4 Volkswagen car, valued at N1.7 million.
He said the accused and others still at large ambushed Okeke on Sept. 29, 2007 at Mangoro, Ikeja, in the night and dispossessed him of the car with registration number BK 590 FST.
The offences, he said, contravened Sections 1 (2), (a) and 5 (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Laws of the Federation.
The case was adjourned till March 1 for mention. ......................................................................................................

Alfa Rapes 10yr-Old Girl, Now Faces Trial
Posted By pmnews On January 25, 2011 @ 12:50 pm In News,Today's Headlines 2 Comments
An Islamic cleric, Alfa Muritala Oyedeji yesterday faced trial before an Ejigbo magistrate’s court in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria for allegedly raping a 10-year old girl.
•Alfa Muritala Oyedeji
Giving evidence in the court yesterday, the first prosecution witness and mother of the victim, 37-year old Mrs. Idowu Babatunde told the court presided over by Mrs.S.O. Solebo that after Muritala had allegedly raped her daughter, he placed her on an oath not to tell anyone.
She narrated that on the day of the incident, she went to her normal business only to be contacted through a phone call that Muritala had raped her daughter in their house at Igando road, near Ikotun in Alimosho area of Lagos State.
After the incident, he brought a cup of water and gave it to her to swear that she will not tell anyone about it, the woman told the court.
But someone who caught them in the act reportedly contacted her about the incident.
She confronted her daughter who was afraid to tell her what happened because of the oath she had taken.
She explained that she knew the defendant about two years ago, and trusted him and gave him unrestricted access to her house and could not imagine that he could rape her daughter.
She also told the court that when she came back and took her daughter to a hospital she and the doctor who examined her witnessed some semen coming out from the private part of the victim and she was placed on an intensive treatment for days.
Muritala was arrested and charged to the court for allegedly raping the little girl. When he was first arraigned, he pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N200,000 and two sureties in like sum.
The matter was then adjourned for hearing.
After her evidence, Babatunde was cross-examined by the defendant’s counsel.
Thereafter, the presiding magistrate, Solebo adjourned the matter till 7 March for continuation of the trial.
The case has been adjourned till Feb. 2 for further hearing.

NDLEA BOSS

NDLEA Intercepts 8.4kg Of Heroin
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, has intercepted 8.4 kilogrammes of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, South-West Nigeria.
The NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the seizure is the highest this year at the airport and has a street value of N42 million.
A passenger who travelled on an Emirate flight from Bangladesh to Lagos, Nwobodo Ikechukwu, has also been arrested in connection with the heroin seizure, the agency said.
The seizure comes only days after NDLEA seized 110 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Tin Can Island Port Lagos.
Ofoyeju disclosed that the drug was concealed in a false bottom of Nwobodo’s luggage.
NDLEA Commander at the Airport, Hamza Umar, said the 32-year old suspect has given useful information to a team of investigating narcotic officers.
Hamza expressed optimism that more arrests will be made in connection with the seizure he described as exciting.
Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, stressed that the target of the agency is to incapacitate drug trafficking cartels.
According to the NDLEA boss, we have understudied the trend of drug trafficking and our target is to systematically incapacitate drug trafficking cartels.

Court refers suit on Fawehinmi’s estate to Arbitration Panel
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday referred a suit filed by Mohammed Fawehinmi against First Trustees Nigeria Ltd to an Arbitration Panel for resolution.
Mohammed had in 2010 filed the suit alleging that First Trustees refused to recognise him as the executive chairman of his late father’s company, the Nigerian Law Publications Ltd.
First Trustees was appointed by the Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi as the executor and trustee of his estate when he was alive.
Mohammed also challenged the defendant’s decision to freeze three accounts of his late father’s companies without appropriate notification.
The companies are the NLPL, Book Industries Nigeria Ltd and the Gani Fawehinmi Chambers.
But First Trustees had, through its lawyer, Adebowale Kamoru, urged the court to stay further proceedings in the matter because Mohammed’s major grouse had been adequately taken care of by the ‘Will’ left by father.
In his ruling, Justice James Tsoho held that the matter should be referred to an Arbitration Panel for resolution.
He said that the provision of Clause 44 (d) of the ‘Will’ was key to the resolution of the dispute.
Tsoho further held that the deceased entrusted all his shares in the NLPL to First Trustees in paragraph 21 (E) of the Clause.
He ordered the parties involved in the case to report back to the court the conclusion of the Arbitration.

Ex-convict arrested for alleged burglary
The Lagos Police Command on Monday paraded an ex-convict who allegedly broke into a house to steal a laptop in Ijede, Ikorodu, a Lagos suburb.
Parading the suspect before journalists in Ikeja, Police Spokesman Frank Mba alleged that he was a member of a gang that specialised in house-breaking.
Mba said that the gang often operated in remote areas in day time when their potential victims might have left for work.
The police spokesman said that upon interrogation, after the arrest, it was discovered that the suspect had previously spent six months in prison in 2010 for a similar offence.
According Mba, the 29-year-old suspect, who claimed to be a furniture maker, would soon be arraigned.
He advised the public to always ensure adequate security of their homes to foil break-in. ..........................................................

Police arraign septuagenarian landowner over malicious damage
A 71-year-old man, who allegedly damaged a fence to protest against what he claimed was an encroachment on his land, was on Monday charged before an Igbosere Magistrates Court, Lagos.
Standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, malicious damage, stealing and threat to life, septuagenarian Rasheed Ogunbiyi, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution said the man after threatening one Mrs Chinwe Nwankwo damaged her fence and removed the iron gate, both valued at N500,000.
Insp Stanley Iwok told the court Ogunbiyi claimed that the fence encroached on his land and he took the laws into his hands by damaging the fence and removing the gate.
According to him, the offence was committed on Jan.15 at Seaside Estate, Ajah, on the Lagos-Epe Expressway.
Iwok said the offence contravened Sections 86, 390, 451 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The Magistrate, O. O. Martins, admitted the accused to a bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety and adjourned the case till Feb.2 for mention.

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ACN Chieftain Petitions Police Over Alleged Threat
A chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Lagos State, Chief Tajudeen Adio Jayesimi, has petitioned the police over an alleged threat to the life of his family by an unknown person.
Jayesimi, the Bashorun of Ipakodo-Ikorodu, Lagos, who made a copy of the petition which was addressed to the Divisional Police Officer, Ilupeju Police Station.
The politician further said, “there is no way, I can trace this to anybody or anywhere because whatever has been happening in my party has remained a party affair over which I have no say. The police should please come to my rescue.

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Task Force Arrests 44 Sex Workers
Officials of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, popularly called Task Force, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State, South-West, Nigeria, have arrested 44 suspected commercial sex workers.
The suspects were arrested at Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA and Sanusi Fafunwa Street, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday night.
Some of the suspects denied being prostitutes but claimed to be either fashion designers, traders or students, who went to their customers when they were arrested.
Others said they were traders who have to stay late on the streets.
One of them, Olaitan Popooola, 18, from Ogun State said: “I am a fashion designer, I went to see my customer at Maryland at about 12 midnight when I was arrested.”
Popoola, claimed to be residing at Abule Egba area of Lagos State.
Joy Ojeh, 32, from Edo State said: “I was arrested at about 11 p.m. when I was coming from where I had gone to sell pure water.”
The chairman of the Task Force, Bayo Sulaiman, a Superintendent of Police, said the suspects were arrested following public complaints about their activities and the nuisance they constituted to the environment.
Officials of the task fore said the suspected prostitute will soon be charged to court.

IG bans use of siren by unauthorised persons.

The Inspector-General of Police , Hafiz Ringim, on Friday announced a ban on the use of sirens by unauthorised persons. Ringim said only the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the vice- president, state governors and their deputies, were entitled to use sirens.

According to him,others, who might wail or blare the siren were ambulance and fire brigade services on emergency or rescue operations, and bullion vans with escorts.

He explained that the ban followed reports of unlawful use of the siren by some government officials and private individuals, especially in the South-East and South-West geo-political zones of the country.

Ringim said the use of sirens in those zones was done without due care to other road users, thereby endangering the lives of commuters and pedestrians.

He warned that any authorised person caught using a siren would be arrested and prosecuted.

The Police Boss has consequently directed all the Zonal AIGs and command CPs to arrest any person or group of persons found violating the order and charge them to court accordingly.

4 robbery suspects arraigned, remanded in prison custody
The police in Lagos have arraigned four suspected armed robbers who allegedly robbed a French national of his possessions valued at N1.9 million.
The accused, Suru Peter, 30, Mathew Setonji, 20, Saliu Kuyonu, 26 and Elijah Peter, 20, on Friday appeared before Mrs Kemi Doja-Ojo of the Ebute Meta Magistrates Court, Lagos.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Phillip Ugbodu, told the court that the accused allegedly attacked Mr Phillippe Bardin, an executive of Delta Plus Ltd, Lagos, on Jan. 5 at Olusegun Aina Street, Park View Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Ugbodu said the gang dispossessed their victim of two computer external hard drives, N240,000 cash, two cellphones, a Zenith Bank credit card and an expired French passport.
He said the accused, riding on a motorcycle and armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, accosted Bardin at about 5 a.m. and dispossessed him of the items.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 5(b) of the Robbery and Fire Arms Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
The accused pleas were not taken.
Doja-Ojo ordered them to be remanded in prison custody pending when the court would get an advice from the state Director of Public Prosecutions.
She adjourned the case till Feb. 25 for further hearing. .......................................................................................................................................

Trailer driver, assistant, face manslaughter charge
Two men, Segun Oguns and Tunde Agboola, were on Friday arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates Court on charges of reckless driving and causing the death of a pedestrian.
The accused are facing a nine-count charge of dangerous driving, manslaughter and violation of traffic regulations.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bail.
The Prosecutor, Insp. R. Unuigbe, told the court that the first accused, Oguns drove a trailer with registration number XS 920 EPE dangerously on Iju Road, Agege, and killed one Mr John Eleka (50).
He said the driver also injured two other persons, Miss Joy Eleka and Mr Idris Kasali.
According to Unuigbe, Oguns drove without a driver’s licence and also refused to stop after the accident.
He said the second accused, Agboola, who was the official driver of the vehicle gave it to Oguns, an apprentice.
The prosecutor said the offences which were committed on Dec. 28, 2010, contravened Sections 1, 10 18, 27, 30 (a), 35 45, 103 and 124 of the Road Traffic Act, laws of Lagos State.
The Magistrate, A.T. Omoyele, admitted Oguns to a bail of N200,000 and Agboola to N100,000 bail with two sureties each in like sum.
The case has been adjourned till Feb. 1 for further hearing. ......................................................................................................................................

Man bags 2 weeks imprisonment for stabbing friend
A 31-year-old man, Oriyomi Owolabi, on Friday bagged two weeks imprisonment for stabbing his friend with a broken bottle over an N8,000 debt.
The Magistrate, Patrick Adekomaya, of the Yaba Magistrates Court, Lagos, sentenced Owolabi to two weeks imprisonment without an option of fine.
The convict was arraigned before the court on charges of assault and conducting himself in a way that caused a breach of the peace.
Owolabi, however, pleaded guilty to the two charges.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Ajayi Emmanuel, had told the court that the convict on Jan. 10, at No. 29 Ogundola St., Bariga, Lagos, conducted himself in a manner that caused breach of the peace.
He said the convict assaulted one Adegbenro Oduwole, 22, by stabbing him on his head and shoulder with a broken bottle for defaulting in the repayment of an N8,000 loan.
The prosecutor said the convict committed an offence which contravened Sections 249 (D) and 355 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State. .......................................................................................................................................

Court slams N250,000 bail on reckless driver
A Mushin Chief Magistrates Court on Friday in Lagos slammed a N250, 000 bail on a motorist, who allegedly drove recklessly and injured two occupants of a tricycle.
In addition, the accused, Niyi Amusan, 47, is also to produce two sureties in like sum.
The Chief Magistrate, Abimbola Awogboro gave the bail conditions at the arraignment of the accused after he had pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of dangerous driving.
Earlier, the Investigating Police Officer, Constable Olatunji Ibrahim told the court that Amusan committed the offence at Berliet Bus Stop on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway on Dec.21, 2010.
He said the accused drove a Toyota Sienna car with registration no. EH 312 GGE in a dangerous manner, hit the tricycle with identification QP 76LND and injured the occupants.
Ibrahim said the offence contravened Section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, laws of Lagos State.
The case has been adjourned till Jan.27 for further hearing.

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Ex-employee charged with N330,000 theft
A former employee of AIICO Insurance Company, Philip Asanore, was on Friday charged before an Igbosere Magistrates Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing N330,000 insurance premium.
Asanore, 30, is standing trial before Mrs A.O. Botoku, a Senior Magistrate, on a two-count charge of stealing and unlawful conversion of the firm’s money to personal use.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Innocent Odugbo, told the court that the accused committed the offence between June 2010 and January 2011.
Odugbo explained that Asanore received various sums of money totalling N330,000 from one Cecilia Ukazim and Mr Francis Oko respectively, as insurance premium.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 390 and 467 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
Bokotu admitted him to bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned till Feb. 2 for mention. ..................................................................................................................................

Estate agent gets N250,000 bail
An estate agent, Rasaki Abayomi, was on Friday granted bail in the sum of N250,000 after he was charged for allegedly defrauding a woman seeking to rent a shop from him.
Abayomi, 55, was docked at the Yaba Magistrates Court in Lagos on a charge of collecting N122,000 from Kikelomo Olufunmilayo under the pretence of renting out a shop to her.
The accused is standing trial before Magistrate Demi Ajayi on a two-count charge of collecting money under pretence and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Chinalu Uwadire, told the court that the offence was committed on Sept. 15 at Oworo Road, Oworonshoki, Lagos.
He told the court that the accused stole the money and thereby committed a crime which contravened Sections 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State.
Abayomi pleaded not guilty to the charges.
After granting the accused bail with two sureties in like sum, the magistrate adjourned the case till Feb. 2 for further hearing.

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Police nab 3 for robbery

The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad , Adeniji-Adele, Lagos, has arrested three men, who allegedly robbed a filling station at Ajegunle, a Lagos suburb.

Spokesman Lekan Ogundare said the suspects were apprehended on Jan. 15 at Costain Roundabout.

Ogundare, an ASP, said the gang which specialised in robbing filling stations, had been on the wanted list of the police in the past six months.

Ogundare said items recovered from them included one hammer, one rod and a mobile phone.
He said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

Olabode George: Appeal Court upholds Lagos High Court verdict.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos on Friday upheld the judgment of a Lagos High Court which sentenced Olabode George, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to 32 months imprisonment.
Three Justices led by Mrs Clara Ogunbiyi also upheld the 32 months imprisonment slammed on George’s co-convicts, Aminu Dabo, former Managing Director, O. Abidoye, Abdullahi Tafida, Zanna Maidaribe and Sule Aliyu.
All the six convicts appealed the judgment of Justice Joseph Oyewole delivered on Oct. 26, 2009 that found them guilty of 61 out of the 68 count-charge of contract splitting.
They were, however, discharged and acquitted on seven counts of corruption in the case which was prosecuted by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
The Justices also dismissed the cross-appeal filed by the AGF challenging Justice Oyewole’s judgment that discharged and acquitted the accused persons on the seven counts.
Delivering the Judgment on Friday, Justice Ogunbiyi held that the lower court had the jurisdiction to prosecute the accused persons since they did not raise any objection when the charge was read to them.
The justices also held that the AGF had the powers to engage a private legal practitioner, Festus Keyamo, to handle the matter on his behalf and could also persecute them under the laws of Lagos State.
The justices further held that all the evidence before them clearly showed that there was indeed contract splitting and the appellants were guilty as charged by the lower court.
Also ruling on the cross-appeal, the justices held that it lacked merit and dismissed it.

Police arrest 2 oil pipeline vandals.

The police in Lagos on Thursday said it had arrested two persons, including a woman, for allegedly vandalising a pipeline belonging to the NNPC.

Frank Mba, police spokesman in Lagos State, said the suspects were arrested at about 1 a.m. on Tuesday while allegedly siphoning fuel from the pipeline.

Mba said the suspects were arrested with a Renault truck, with registration number XT 549 MUS, loaded with petroleum product believed to have been stolen.

After the arrest, the suspects also led the police team to another place where three more drums with fuel, pumping machine and hose were recovered, Mba added.

He said the suspects had made useful statements that might lead to the tracking down of others involved in the alleged crime.
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Police arraign man over theft of N3.5m Suzuki jeep.

A man, who allegedly stole a N3.5 million Suzuki jeep from a dealer’s shop, was on Thursday arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates Court.

The prosecution said the accused, Sylvester Okwuguni, 38, broke into the company’s premises and made away with the car.

The accused, who is facing a two-count charge of malicious damage and stealing, however, insisted on his innocence.

The prosecutor, Insp. Eranus Nnamonu, told the court that Okwuguni stole the jeep with registration number RC 154 EPE at about 9 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2010, property of Citrans Global Motors Ltd, Lagos.

He said the offences which were committed at Alausa, Ikeja, contravened Sections 390 (6) and 451 of the Criminal Code, laws of Lagos State.

The Magistrate, A. O. Komolafe, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till Feb. 8 for further hearing.
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Man docked on a charge of stealing from church.

A 23 year-old man, Abdul Ganiyu Oseni, who was docked in Lagos on Thursday for allegedly breaking into and stealing from a church has pleaded guilty to the charge.

Oseni, who has no steady means of livelihood, pleaded guilty to a five-count charge preferred against him before Magistrate A.O. Komolafe of an Ikeja Magistrates Court.

The five-count charge against the accused, included breaking and entry, stealing and escape from custody.

The prosecutor, Insp. Eranus Nnamonu, told the court that the accused broke into the Bible Life Holiness Ministry with a machete and stole a standing fan valued at N10,000.

He said when the security guard attached to the church arrested Oseni, he was found to have in his possession SIM cards of various telecommunications companies, which he could not account for.

Nnamonu said the accused was taken to the Railway Police Station, Ebute Meta, where he broke the burglary proof of the cell days after, in his attempt to escape.

He said Oseni eventually escaped from lawful custody but was later apprehended.

The prosecutor noted that the alleged offence was committed on Jan. 6, at 3A Olubunmi Lane, Oko-Oba, Agege.

He said the accused committed offences punishable under Sections 415, 390 (9), 430, and 411 (2) of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.

After pleading guilty to the charge, Magistrate Komolafe adjourned the case till Jan. 24, for facts and sentence.
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Man in court over N1.9m fraud.

A 50-year-old was on Thursday arraigned before a Yaba Magistrates Court for allegedly defrauding a petroleum dealer of N1.9 million.

The accused, Yaya Saka, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Chinalu Uwadire, told the court that the accused and others at large obtained 33,000 litres of petroleum product valued at N1.9 milion from one Hammond Babajimi under pretence.

The prosecutor said the accused failed to pay after receiving the product, as promised.

The prosecutor said the accused had committed a crime which contravened Sections 390(9) 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code law of Lagos State.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Demi Ajayi, granted the accused N250,000 bail with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till Feb 2.
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Commercial driver docked for causing man’s death.

A commercial driver, Opeyemi Okegberu, on Thursday appeared before a Yaba Magistrates Court in Lagos charged with causing the death of one Denis Oseni, a pedestrian.

Okegberu, 21, is standing trial on a three-count charge of reckless driving, driving without a driver’s licence and causing Oseni’s death.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Chinalu Uwadire, told the court that accused committed the offence on Jan. 4, while driving a Volkswagen commercial bus with registration No. XR 484 FKJ.

Uwadire said the accident leading to Oseni’s death occurred on Commercial Avenue, Yaba, Lagos.

According to the prosecutor, the accused driving dangerously also knocked down one Saheed Adehina, who sustained injuries, and damaged a Volkswagen Golf car.

Uwadire said the accused drove on the highway without a driver’s licence.

He said offence contravened Sections 7(1), 27(1) and 28(1) of the Road Traffic Law (RTL) Law of Lagos State.

Okegberu, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Demi Ajayi, granted him bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till Feb. 16.
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Estate agent charged with N300,000 fraud

A 48-year-old estate agent, who allegedly defrauded a prospective tenant of N300,000, was on Thursday arraigned before a Somolu Magistrates Court, Lagos.

The accused, Augustine Bamidele, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money under pretence from one Ajayi Ayodele.

The prosecutor, Insp. A. Adegoke, said the accused on Dec. 22, 2010, collected the money from the complainant under the pretence of securing him an apartment.

Adegoke said the defendant, and others now at large, converted the money to their personal use without providing the complainant any accommodation.

The offence, he said, contravened Sections 390, 419, Cap 17, Vol. 11 and 516 of the Criminal Code, laws of Lagos State.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, B.O. Osunsanmi, admitted him to a N200,000 bail with a surety in like sum and adjourned the case till Feb. 2, for further hearing.