POLICE SPOKESMAN IN LAGOS

Bank PHB employee arraigned over N150m fraud.
An employee of Bank PHB, Innocent Ukpepor, was on Monday arraigned in Lagos for allegedly stealing N150 million from the accounts of customers.
The 28-year-old accused is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession and stealing at an Ebute Meta Magistrates Court.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Ishiaku Babaji, told the court that the accused had two computer key loggers which he used in stealing the money at various times from customers’ account.
Babaji said the offence, which was committed between December 2010 and Jan. 25 at the bank’s headquarters, Victoria Island, Lagos, contravened Sections 390 (9), 430 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The Magistrate, J.O. Ugbomoiko, admitted the accused to a bail of N150, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till March 2.

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Auto mechanic charged with bus theft A 42-year-old auto mechanic, Kofi Agbessi, was on Monday in Lagos arraigned for allegedly stealing an 18-seater bus, valued at N1.2 million.
Agbessi, who is facing a one-count charge of stealing at a Surulere Magistrates Court, however, pleaded not guilty.
He was granted bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Idowu Onime, had told the court that the accused on Aug. 6, 2010 at 2A, Alhaji Salami St., Aguda, Surulere, sold the bus, property of the late Udoh Cletus.
He said Cletus had taken the bus to Agbessi’s workshop for repairs in 2006, but died a few days later.
According to him, Richard, the son of the late Cletus, got information about his late father’s bus and demanded for it.
The offence, he said, contravened Section 390 (10a) of the Criminal Code, laws of Lagos State.
The Magistrate, M. K. O. Fadeyi, adjourned the case till March 14 for mention. ....................................

Businesswoman arraigned again for theft of beverages.
A businesswoman, Kehinde Fadipe, on Monday appeared before a Somolu Magistrates Court, Lagos, charged with stealing goods valued at N2.3 million
Fadipe was arraigned for a similar offence in the same court on Feb. 18.
The accused is standing trial on a two-count charge of stealing and fraud.
The prosecutor, Insp. A. Adegoke, told the court that Fadipe allegedly obtained under false pretence 2,270 cartons of La Casera drink and 100 cartons of wine, property of Olabode Akerele and Adetutu Osibanjo respectively.
Adegoke said Fadipe allegedly committed the offence on Feb. 1, at No. 35 Sholanke St., Akoka, Lagos.
According to him, the accused collected the goods with a promise to repay the money after its sale but breached the agreement.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 419 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The accused pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to her.
When arraigned earlier, Fadipe was accused of obtaining under false pretence 100 cans of Small Stout, Malta Guinness and Smirnoff valued at N875, 000.
The goods belonged to Bimdos Nigeria Ltd.
The Magistrate, B.O. Osunsanmi, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till March 4 for trial.

NSCDC BOSS

Civil Defence Arrests 142 Vandals, Impounds 42 Tankers.
At least, 142 vandals have been arrested and 42 oil tankers impounded by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC in the last one month.
Commandant Lagos Command, Dauda Mungadi said the command had been very proactive in the battle against vandals in Lagos State, and that the corps would continue to battle vandals at all times.
Mungadi said between January 2011 and now, about 142 vandals were arrested while 42 oil tankers were impounded from criminals vandalising public properties.
He said the primary responsibilities of the corps was that of disaster management and waging war against vandals across the country, and that other responsibilities of the command were secondary and complementary.
Mungadi called for collaboration between the police and the command, saying his command was willing to give the police information as to the hideout of hoodlums in order to ensure peace in the state.

KAI OFFICIALS

KAI Official Rapes Daughter For 8 Years
A man has been remanded at Kirikiri Prison over allegation that he raped his daughter for more than eight years serially, beginning when the victim was just seven years old. The girl is now 15 years.
The 36-year old man, Gbenga Ayodele, who claimed to be an official of Kick Against Indiscipline, was alleged to have raped the victim at their house at 12, Oseni Street, Okota, Lagos on many occasions before he was finally caught.
Police arrested him after he wanted to have another round of sex with her and the girl refused.
He reportedly took a kitchen knife to stab her, but she ran out of their house naked and shouted for help. This attracted the attention of their neighbours who called in the police that arrested him.
The mother of the victim said Gbenga has been sleeping with their daughter since 2003and when her daughter confided in her the agony she was passing through, she warned her husband but she did not know he continued.
On the day of the incident that led to Gbenga’s arrest, he went to the bed where the girl was sleeping in the afternoon and grabbed her to have sex with her again.
He tore her pant when the girl refused and took a knife to stab her but she escaped from their house naked before neighbours intervened.
Gbenga was arrested and taken to Okota Police Station where he reportedly made a confessional statement of raping her on several occasions.
He was charged to Isolo magistrate’s court with rape.
Part of the charge reads: That you Gbenga Ayodele on the same date, time and place did knowingly and unlawfully have carnal knowledge of the victim.
He pleaded guilty of assaulting her and not guilty on two other charges of rape.
The presiding magistrate, E. Kubeinje, granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two responsible sureties.
The matter has been adjourned till 31 March 2011, while the defendant has been remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos.

TINTED

Government set to enforce ban on tinted vehicles.
The Federal Government has ordered the police to enforce the law prohibiting use of tinted vehicles on Nigerian roads.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Humphrey Abah revealed this at a press conference in Abuja, "with effect from February 28, 2011, owners of tinted vehicles would be made to remove them by policemen on the spot, CAP M21, Motor vehicle prohibiting tinted glass Act, forbids use of heavily filmed cars.
Abah said, the Federal Road Safety Corps and Road Traffic Services personnel are to assist the police in enforcing the law, and cars with factory-fitted tinted glasses are exempted from the directive.
With this new directive ,only the President, his vice, governors, the Senate President, his deputy and majority leader as well as the Speaker, House of Representatives are permitted to use tinted glasses in the country.
The ministry boss warned that "unauthorised use of siren will attract severe sanction as such vehicles will be confiscated, adding that owners of vehicles with foreign numbers have two weeks to register them or remove them from the road.
As part of the enforcement of the new law, John Haruna, the FCT Police Commissioner, revealed that "his men had arrested and arraigned drivers of tinted cars, most of which belonged to highly placed people.
Haruna maintained that "the existing taskforce would be enlarged with personnel of the State Security Service, Civil Defence Corps, police and the military to enforce the ministerial directive.

OLABODE GEORGE RELEASED

Olabode George released after two years in prison.
Thousands of supporters and members of the Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday received Olabode George back into the society after two years at the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, Lagos.
Most of the supporters had beaten the monthly environmental sanitation restriction period of 7 a.m to 10 a.m. and were at the gate of the prisons as early as 6 am to await his release.
Prominent politicians who led the former PDP chieftain out of the prisons at 10.30 a.m. include the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Taofeek Arapaja and the PDP governorship candidate for Lagos State in the April election, Ade Dosunmu.
The former chairman, board of the Nigerian Ports Authority, who served two years for abuse of office and fraud, left Kirirkiri for the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, for a thanksgiving service.
Some supporters said they got to the prison premises as early as 5.30am to beat the monthly environmental sanitation while others said they slept overnight.
before George’s release, the crowd of supporters wearing various ankara uniforms (Aso ebi) covered the road from the prison gates for a distance of about two kilometers.
The restive crowd was , however, put in check by a team of prisons officials and policemen.
Some of the PDP chieftains said the conviction of George was politically motivated.
The PDP Chairman, Apapa Local Government Area, Niyi Aborisade, said he came with his members to welcome a cherished godfather, who he said was unjustly treated.
The PDP Chairman, Alimosho LGA, Mohammed Lawal, said he came with his team to demonstrate their love for their chieftain.
George and five others Aminu Dabo, a former Managing Director of NPA; Olusegun Abidoye; Abdullahi Tafida; Zanna Meidaribe; and Sule Aliu were jailed on Oct. 26 2009.
They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Aug. 8, 2008 on 163-count charge bordering on abuse of office and award contracts without due process. The charges were later reduced to 68.
The six were sentenced to two years imprisonment without an option of a fine by Justice Joseph Oyewole of the Ikeja High Court.

I.G RTD, SMITH, AIG RTD AND OBA AKIOLU AND IG RINGIM.

Police will not be biased during polls'

The Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, has promised that police officers will not be biased towards any candidate or party during the forthcoming general elections.
Ringim, who is visiting Lagos for the first time since he became the police boss in November last year, assure all Nigerians of peaceful general elections," he said. "You have seen what the police did during the parties' primaries; no police person was accused of supporting one candidate against another. In same manner, the police will not take side with any political party or candidates. We shall provide security for all during and after elections."
Enhanced performance
Ringim said the injection of the new police officers into the Force will improve the investigation of scientific related cases and other general cases. "The need to successfully investigate difficult cases gave birth to the establishment of the scientific department which has been neglected for a long time," he said.
He also advised the graduating officers to use the skills and knowledge they have acquired to work for a better police force in the country. "Sooner than later, you will be called upon to take part in the investigation of sensitive cases or explosives," he said. "People of questionable character with bad intention for the nation will definitely seek to have you in their pockets. You all will be part and parcel of the criminal investigating outfit the Force is planning to set up. You must not fall into their hands."

SAMUEL JINADU

45-year- old man remanded for allegedly raping 7 year-old girl.
A 45 –year old man ,Wale Adeniyi has been remanded in Kirikirin prison for allegedly raping a seven-year -old girl.
Adeniyi was arraigned before a Mushin Magistrates court for allegedly having carnal knowledge of his neighbor’s daughter.
Adeniyi, however, pleaded not guilty to the one count charge.
The prosecutor, ASP Lucky Efegberom said the crime was committed on Feb.19 at about 4 p.m at 18,Akinnosho st.,Ijesatedo .
He said the offence is punishable under section 218 of the Criminal Code Cap C38 Law of Lagos State ,Nigeria, 2004.
The Chief Magistrate, Christiana Adesola –Ikpatt adjourned the case till March 30.

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Lawyer docked for allegedly issuing N30m dud cheque.
Christian Akabuike, a lawyer, on Thursday appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates Court, Lagos, for allegedly issuing a N30 million dud cheque to his clients.
Akabuike, 40, is standing trail on a three-count charge of issuing a dud cheque, stealing and fraud.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Haruna Ibrahim, told the court that the lawyer allegedly defrauded Messrs Christopher Uwa and Jackson Okwuchukwu of the amount given to him to help purchase a property.
Ibrahim said Akabuike collected the money but failed to buy the property and when asked to refund it, he issued a Diamond Bank cheque which was dishonored when presented at the bank.
The prosecutor said the offence was committed on July 24, 2009 at Festac Town, Lagos.
Ibrahim, said the offence contravened Section 1 (b) (1) of Dishonored Cheques Act, Laws of the Federation and Sections 390 (9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate A. O. Botoku, granted the accused N10 million bail with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till March 11 for mention.

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Kidnap Of School Girl Foiled.
A suspected kidnapper, Ogochukwu Aramanu, was arrested this morning by the police from Afonka Police Divisional Headquarters, Shasha, a suburb of Lagos in Southwest Nigeria.
The suspect was standing by the girl and attempted to carry her on a motorbike that is used to take her to school. The incident happened at Bello Bus Stop, Orisumbare Road, Shasha
The kidnapper had thought he could use the motorcycle to ferry the girl away not knowing that that was the bike that usually takes her to school.
The kidnapper was asking the cyclist to move when the girl screamed for help.
As the girl screamed, the motorcyclist, simply called Joseph also raised an alarm which attracted passersby.
The girl’s father, Biodun Shoyele, a former staff of Radio Nigeria, Ikeja, alerted the police who, with the assistance of passers-by arrested Ogochukwu Oramanu.
The police said at the completion of their investigation, the suspect would be charged to court.
Meanwhile, relations, church members, and others have continued to besiege the residence of the Shoyeles at Bello Street, Shasha to sympathise with the family over the botched kidnap.

Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho

FG restates commitment to prompt dispensation of justice.
The Federal Government is committed to ensuring prompt dispensation of justice to further strengthen the nation’s democracy.
Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho stated this during the official flag-off of the Nigerian Prisons Staff Special Car Welfare Scheme at the Prisons Training School, Kikrikiri, Lagos.
A total 512 brand new vehicles were distributed on loan to officers and men of the Prisons Service nationwide.
Iheanacho said the initiative was conceived to enable beneficiaries with a minimum of N1.3 million to own a new car.
The minister said the scheme was designed to further boost the morale of prison officials and urged them to justify it with enhanced and efficient service delivery.
He also said the success of this scheme had strengthened his belief in the potential and benefits that could be generated from Public-Private Partnership.
Controller-General of Prisons, Olusola Ogundipe said a convenient monthly repayment plan had been worked out for a period of 48 months through direct deduction from the workers`salaries.
Ogundipe thanked all the financial institutions that facilitated the initiative, describing it as worthwhile and laudable.

Olabode George

PDP Lagos says Olabode George was imprisoned for trying to free the Yoruba
The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party said on Friday that Olabode George was imprisoned for trying to free the Yoruba people from deceit and opposition.
Its Chairman, Publicity and Media in the state, Segun Ogundimu, stated this in Lagos while briefing journalists on the anticipated release of George from the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, Lagos, on Saturday.
George Deputy National Chairman and former chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority was jailed two years in 2009 along with five others by Justice Joseph Oyewole of the Ikeja High Court.
The others are Aminu Dabo, NPA erstwhile managing director, Olusegun Abidoye, Adullahi Tafida, Zanna Maidaribe and Sule Aliyu.
They were convicted following their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Aug. 8, 2008 on a 163-count charge bordering on abuse of office and contract splitting.
The charges were later reduced to 68 on Oct. 24, 2008.
Ogundimu claimed that George was jailed because he stepped on many toes.

LAGOS POLICE CHIEF

Welder arraigned for allegedly using charms to scare widow.
Five persons, including a teenager, were on Thursday arraigned for alleged illegal possession of charms.
They were alleged to have used the charms to intimidate a widow to enable them forcefully acquire her late husband’s landed property.
The accused are Muraina Oyinloye, 41; Kolawole Semiu, 18; Ramon Gbadamosi, 20; Ganiyu Olanrewaju, 37 and Abiodun Abdul-Jabaru, 30.
The men are standing trial before an Ebute Meta Magistrates Court on a seven-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, alteration, forgery, perjury and forcible entry.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Samuel Omoyeni told the court that Oyinloye, a welder, allegedly planted four objects suspected to be charms on the land to scare Mrs Biola Ayoola from entering it.
He said the offence was committed on July 9, 2010 at 29 Adekunle Banjo St., Magodo, Lagos.
According to him, the welder had been allowed the use of the partially developed land at No. 29, Adekunle Banjo St., Magodo, Lagos, by the its late owner, Banjo Ayoola.
The prosecutor said the accused allegedly forged a letter of re-allocation dated March 23, 2010 bearing the name Muraina Oyinloye, to the prejudice of the Lagos State Directorate of Land Regulations, Alausa, Ikeja.
Omoyeni said the offence contravened Sections 117, 465, 468 and 516 and punishable under Sections 81, 118, 213 and 467 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The five accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, A.O. OlubI admitted the accused to a bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties in like sum and adjourned further hearing till March 23.

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Tout remanded in prison custody for allegedly killing driver over N100.
An Ebute Meta Magistrates Court, Lagos, on Thursday remanded in prison custody a suspected tout, Akeem Abdul for allegedly killing a commercial bus driver.
The deceased driver, Olaosebikan Oluko allegedly refused to part with N100 that Abdul demanded from him at Agboyi-Ketu motor-park in Lagos on Jan. 2.
The Magistrate, T. Abolarinwa ordered that the accused be remanded at the Ikoyi Prison pending the advice from the office of the state Director of Public Prosecutions.
The court did not take the plea of Abdul.
He is standing trial before the court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.
The Prosecutor, ASP Jack Asuquo said that Abdul and others were returning from a party when they entered the motor park and started demanding N100 from commercial bus drivers.
The prosecutor explained that the accused and his accomplices were not members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers at the motor-park.
Asuquo said the offence contravened Sections 319 and 324 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The case was adjourned till March 23 for further hearing.

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Lawyer Denies Involvement In Scam
A Lagos-based lawyer, Barrister Kenneth Chidube Uba has denied allegations that he was involved in a $520,000 advance fee fraud.
Barrister Uba denied having any business transaction with the Managing Director of Levbiks, Ifeanyi Onwubiko who dragged him before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Uba admitted dealing with one Henry Isiche who paid some amount of money into his corporate accounts, Watergate Resources and Global Chambers in Lagos “but the money has nothing to do with Ifeanyi because I don’t know him.”
He alleged that Ifeanyi has been threatening him and wanted to blackmail him by not allowing the EFCC to conclude its investigation.
But Ifeanyi said he paid money into his account and there was no way he could deny his involvement with Henry who is now on the run.
The Director of Levbiks International based in Lagos, Ifeanyi Onwubiko had written a petition to EFCC, claiming that Henry and Kenneth conspired to defraud him.

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Bizwoman Sued Over N61m Debt
In a bid to recover a debt of N61 million, Sterling Bank Plc has dragged a Lagos businesswoman, Monsurat Ajoke Odulana, trading under the name and style of Joke Odulana Nigeria Enterprises, before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
According to an amended statement of claim filed before the court, the bank alleged that Ajoke Odulana, who is a customer of the bank, by letter dated 26 June, 2008, requested for a project loan in the sum of N51,500,000 to finance the completion of her building situated at Plot 17, Block F, Ajayi Bembe Road, off Onikoyi Road, Park View, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Consequently, by letter dated 4 September, 2008, the bank offered her a term loan credit facility of N49 million, merged with an existing overdraft of N15 million already availed her by the bank, bringing the total to N64 million.
It was agreed by the parties, pursuant to the repayment clause of the offer letter, that the repayment would be from cash generated from her business operations and rents from the property at the completion of which the facility was granted.
However, the defendant persistently defaulted in the repayment of the facility despite various demands by the bank.
Alhaja Ajoke was also alleged to have, at various times, assured the bank that her entire indebtedness to the bank would be liquidated once the building is let out to tenants and rents generated from it is paid into her account with the bank in line with the agreement between the parties.
However, the plaintiff alleged further that upon completion of the two-wing duplex, the defendant vacated her owned former residence at Surulere and rented it out for N1.5 million per annum and moved into one of the two duplexes comprising the building and let the other wing to a tenant for a two-year advance rent income of N39,800,000 and diverted the proceeds to her newly opened account at the Dolphin Plaza branch of the United Bank of Africa Plc so as to avoid the repayment of her loan.
Consequently, the claim of the bank against the defendant is in the sum of N47,003,409.55 being the debt balance on loan account and N14,163,709.31 on her current account respectively in the name of Odulana Monsurat Ajoke as at the 30 April, 2010 as well as interest thereon at the rate of 20 per cent per annum from 1 May, 2010 until actual liquidation.
It also sought an order that UBA pays over to Sterling Bank N39,800,000 that is in the account of the defendant being the rent income for the occupation of one wing of the property as well as an order for the sale of the property situated at Block F, Plot 17, Ikoyi Foreshore Private Residential Estate Layout, otherwise known and referred to as Park View Federal Estate covered by the deed of assignment towards the satisfaction of the defendant’s total indebtedness to the bank.

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Okada Thief Sent To Prison.
An unrepentant motorcycle thief who allegedly stole two motorcycles of his boss has been arrested by the police at the Adekunle Police Division, Yaba, Lagos and arraigned in court.
The police alleged that the accused, John Bull James, 25 stole two Bajaj motorcycles bought for him on hire purchase by one Jolly Oyegbesan. He reportedly lied to the owner that robbers snatched the two motorcycles from him.
That the complainant had earlier bought one Bajaj for him before but after two days, the accused told him that it was snatched from him by a passenger he carried. The complainant accepted his explanations and forgave him.
Few months later, Jolly bought another Bajaj for him with registration number QU 840 GGE, valued at N120,000 and asked him to pay N150,000 instamentally.
After a month, the accused reported to the owner that a passenger he conveyed pointed a pistol at his head and snatched the bike from him.
Suspecting foul play, the complainant reported the matter to the police at Makoko and the accused was arrested and detained.
He escaped from police custody and fled to Kwara State but was rearrested after eight months of searching.
He was immediately arraigned on a four-count charge of stealing before the Yaba Magistrate’s Court.
His offence, according to the prosecutor, is punishable under sections 390 (9), 135 (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap.C.17, Vol. 11, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and the presiding magistrate granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The magistrate directed that the sureties must be 40 years and above and one of them must be a blood relation and adjourned the matter till 8 March, 2011.
The defendant was remanded in prison custody when nobody came to bail him.

FASHOLA

Isheri oil spillage: LASEPA asks NNPC to avert disaster.
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday called on the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation to urgently repair the burst pipes at Diamond Housing Estate, Isheri, Lagos to avert a fire disaster.
Its General Manager, Shabi Adebola urged the Corporation to clean up the extensive damage caused by the oil spillage in the area.
Adebola said the oil spillage at Diamond Estate and its environs has been on for some years due to the activity of vandals and rupture of the Corporation pipes.
According to him, Though some cleanup exercise was carried out in the past, more still need to be done to make the area safe from imminent disaster.
Adebola said wells and streams in the area have been polluted and stressed the need to mop up oil from the ground in the area to avert disaster.
He said stakeholders have started brainstorming on how to avert disaster, saying the Agency has commenced an Environmental Impact Assessment to determine the extent of the damage.
Adebola appealed to the Federal Government to act fast to stop the spillage as well as end the activity of vandals scooping fuel from the bursts.
He said the state government is worried at the spread of the spillage towards the main campus of the Lagos State University.
Adebola called on residents to be safety conscious, assuring them that the state was working towards finding a permanent solution to the problem.
He informed that no fewer than ten companies were sanctioned by the Agency last year for falling to comply with environmental laws, saying the agency would intensify efforts to ensure more compliance to make Lagos State safer in the new year.
The Agency Boss identified inadequate number of laboratories for testing samples and lack of vehicles as some of the challenges facing the agency and appealed to government and corporate bodies to come to its aid.

PPRO, SAMUEL JINADU

Witness testifies in trial of prophet facing N17m fraud charge.
Peter Adeyemi, a prosecution witness, on Wednesday testified in the trial of a Celestial Church of Christ prophet, Isreal Ogundipe, alleged of swindling his victim of N17 million.
Adeyemi told Justice Olabisi Akinlade of an Ikeja High Court, Lagos, that he was aware of the business relationship between the defendant and Mrs Oladele Oni, his nephew’s wife.
The witness, under cross-examination by Olusegun Raji, the defence counsel, accused Ogundipe of seizing eight property belonging to the complainant that were under his care.
According to him, the defendant admitted that he owed the complainant N8.5 million in a written statement at the Police Special Fraud Unit, Lagos during their investigation into the matter.
Adeyemi, a 56-year-old plumber, further alleged that he discovered discrepancies in the land documents given to him, adding that he was chased off the land by some people when he went there three days later.
Olabisi Ogungbesan, the state Director of Public Prosecutions, had alleged that the defendant had defrauded the complainant under the pretext of assisting her to procure some landed property in Lagos.
Ogungbesan alleged that Ogundipe collected money from the complainant in five installments of N900, 000, N2.5 million, N8.5 million, N2.7 million and 12,000 pounds sterling between 2002 and 2005.
She also alleged that the accused forged a Nigerian passport, purportedly belonging to one Mr Sanyaolu Babatunde Solomon.
She said the offence contravened Sections 390 (9), 419 and 467 (1) (b) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Vol. II , Laws of Lagos State 2003 .
Akinlade adjourned the matter to April 4 for further hearing. =========================================

Unemployed man arraigned over theft of heavy duty battery.
An unemployed man, Chimobi Obasi on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates Court for alleged theft of a heavy duty power battery valued N24,000.
Obasi, 21, is standing trial before Magistrate A.T. Omoleye on a count of stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. R. Unuigbe, told the court that the accused sneaked into the spot where a diesel truck with registration No XC 211 FKJ was parked and disengaged the battery.
Unuigbe said the accused was about to leave the spot with the battery, property of one Paul Inegbedion, when a night guard raised an alarm.
He said the alarm drew the attention of Inegbedion and some people in the neigbourhood who apprehended the accused and took him to a nearby police station.
The Prosecutor said the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
He said the alleged offence was committed on Jan. 25, at Olaide Benson st., Onigbongbo, Maryland, Ikeja.
Obasi, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.
She adjourned the case till March 1, for further hearing.

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79-year old landlord arraigned for allegedly defiling tenant`s daughter.
An Ebute Meta Magistrates Court, Lagos on Wednesday granted a N200,000 bail to a septuagenarian landlord, Adesomoju Odoro who was docked for alleged defilement of a nine-year-old girl.
Odoro, 79, is standing trial before Folashade Kayode on the charge of defiling a primary two pupil (names withheld).
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Paul Inedu told the court that the landlord unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the minor, whose parents’ were tenants in his house at No 3, Aiyetoro St., Ebute Meta, Lagos.
Inedu said the offence was allegedly committed on Feb. 12.
According to the prosecutor, the minor came to meet the septuagenarian in the communal kitchen where he was preparing lunch and told him she wanted to defecate.
The prosecutor said the accused had been previously arrested over similar allegations of having carnal knowledge of three other minors but was let go by the police.
Inedu said the offence contravened Section 218 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
Kayode admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties who are to deposit N50,000 into the court account.
The case was adjourned till March 30 for further hearing.

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Fake Clearing Agent” arraigned for allegedly defrauding clergy N1.6m.
A supposedly `fake clearing agent’ Chukwuemeka Okore, on Wednesday appeared before an Apapa Chief Magistrates Court, Lagos, for allegedly duping a clergy of N1.6 million.
Okore, 44, is standing trial before Oluyemisi Adelaja, a Chief Magistrate, on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Benedict Unawunwa told the court that the accused collected the amount from one Rev. Micheal Nwabufo, under the pretext of assisting him to clear his car from the port.
Unawunwa said the offence was committed on Dec. 20, 2010 at Zenith Bank Plc,. Apapa, Lagos.
The prosecutor said after collecting the money, the accused failed to clear the vehicle at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos but converted the money to his personal use.
He said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Cap C17 Vol. 11 Laws of Lagos State.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Adelaja, granted the accused bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She added that the sureties should show proof of gainful employment and payment of utility bills.
Adelaja subsequently adjourned the hearing till March 25.

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Businessman arraigned in Lagos over theft of office equipment.
A businessman, Emiola Awolu, was arraigned in Lagos for allegedly breaking into some offices and carting away equipment valued at N400,000.
Awolu, 34, was docked at the Igbosere Magistrates Court, along with four accomplices, Abdulrahmon Yusuf, 43, Enock Otum, 45, Oliver Okeke, 43, and Ejimofor Cinweze, 27.
The accused are standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, breaking into, stealing and receiving stolen items.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Peter Nwangwu, said Awolu and others at large had on Dec. 23, 2010 and Feb. 2 this year broken into an office at St. Peters House, Ajele, on the Lagos Island.
He alleged that the accused carted away various brands of laptops, property of Tomiwa Adeniji and Olalere Asifat.
The Magistrate, Folake Davies-Abegunde, who was not particularly happy about the bruises on Awolu, asked the prosecutor what was responsible for the cuts.
Nwangwu explained that some security guards had been erroneously punished in the past for the offence committed by the accused.
He said Yusuf, Otum, Okeke and Chinweze were within the same period found with laptops which they could not satisfactory account for.
Nwangwu said the offence contravened Sections 390(9) 413, 427 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.
All the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Davies-Abegunde granted Awolu bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She granted the accomplices bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case till March 25, for further hearing.

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2 friends in court over alleged robberies.
Two friends, Akin Odushino and Toheeb Jimoh, who allegedly robbed people of their mobile phones and cash valued at N264,500 at gunpoint were on Wednesday arraigned in Lagos.
Though their pleas were not taken, Odushino, 35, and Jimoh, 22, face a four-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery before an Ikeja Magistrates Court.
The prosecutor, Insp. Eranus Nnamonu, said the accused and others at large conspired while armed with guns, broken bottles and other dangerous weapons and went from house to house in Ikorodu, terrorising innocent citizens.
Nnamonu said the accused attacked and stabbed one Kayode Ayo before robbing him of a Nokia and Visa phones, valued at N25,000 and N16,000 respectively.
He said the duo also robbed Ayo of N32,000 cash, bringing the total value of stolen items from him to N73,000.
He added that the accused also attacked and robbed one Kehinde Alli of his Bajaj motorcycle with registration No. QZ 24 AGL, valued at N99,000.
Nnamonu said the two suspects also robbed one Frank Arinze of a Nokia phone valued at N20,000 and a cash amount of N7,500, totaling N27,500.
He said the two friends also attacked and robbed one Solomon Adeleke of two Nokia phones, valued at N20,000 and N45,000 cash, bringing the total value of stolen items to N65,000.
The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to Section 5 (b) and was punishable under Sections 1 (2) (a) and 1 (2) (a) (b) of the Armed Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
He said the alleged offences were committed on Jan. 22 at Igbolomu Village, Ikorodu, Lagos.
The Magistrate, A.O Komolafe, ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody pending when the court would get legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
She adjourned the case till March 25, for mention. ..................................

Olabode George

Olabode George may be released Saturday.
There are strong indications that the incarcerated chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olabode George, would be released on Saturday.
He was sentenced to two years imprisonment, alongside five others, by an Ikeja High Court on Oct. 27, 2009, without an option of fine.
George, Aminu Dabo former Managing Director of the NPA Olusegun Abidoye; Abdullahi Tafida; Zanna Maidaribe and Sule Aliyu, were convicted on charges of abuse of office and award of about N100 billion contracts without due process.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on Aug. 8, 2008 arraigned George and the others on a 163-count charge—later reduced to 68-- to which they all pleaded not guilty.
The convicts were said to have inflated contract prices, contrary to Section 22 (3) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Spokesman for Nigerian Prisons Service, Lagos Command, Ope Fatiniku, however, said no official pronouncement had been made over their release.
According to him, the prison authority does not disclose the programme of the release of an inmate for security reasons.
Efforts to get comments from the Deputy Controller of Prisons, Ailewon Noel, who is directly responsible for George and the other five convicts proved abortive.
Relations and friends of George were eagerly awaiting his return home and are planning elaborate receptions meant to shake Lagos.
A PDP stalwart and its Senatorial candidate for Lagos West Constituency, Moshool Salvador, said George deserved a rousing welcome by party loyalists.
Meanwhile the Georges family house in Lagos is in festive mood in expectation of the arrival of their son, a former military governor of Ondo State and also a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP.

SECURITY AND CRIME EDITOR OF SECURITY ALERT WITH JIDE

Crime is a dynamic enterprise.
Thus, the nation must remain eternally vigilant and focused, dynamic, creative and forward-looking at all times. Crime fighting strategies put in place must be purposive, tactical, holistic, pro-active and intelligence-driven.
There must be a paradigm move away from manual security solutions to technology driven approach to crime fighting.
Strategies and methodologies in this regard, must be scientific and reliable and subject to constant review and up-dating in order to stay ahead or at least to keep abreast of contemporary challenges from the criminal world.
Best practices found to have been effective and useful elsewhere may be adopted and customized to suit our policing needs.
It is the viewed that if the right measures are purposively and effectively put in place, crime shall be reduced to near zero level in the nation.
The task of making Nigeria a safer and greater nation largely depends on all of us and all stakeholders must be seen to be committed to the effective discharge of this sacred duty placed on the Force by God and humanity.
The vision is attainable and the goals are achievable.

SAMUEL JINADU LAGOS PPRO

Ojota accident: Lagos police arrest driver.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested the truck driver who was conveying a container which fell on another vehicle at Ojota and killed the sole occupant.
Samuel Jinadu, the command’s spokesman, said the incessant accidents involving articulated vehicles within the metropolis had become of great concern to the police.
The accident occurred on Monday following an attempt by the driver to avoid knocking down a motorcyclist.
Jinadu said the driver was being detained for interrogation, while the truck, its container and the mangled vehicle were in police custody.
He said another accident last Saturday led to the death of a commercial motorcyclist and his passenger.
The police spokesman said the driver, who allegedly hit the motorcycle, did not stop. ....................................

Police dock man, 30, for raping nursing mother.
The police in Lagos on Tuesday arraigned a 30-year-old man, Sunday Udoh, for allegedly raping a nursing mother.
The defendant, who is standing trial before the Somolu Magistrates Court, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of stealing and rape.
The prosecutor, Insp. A. Adegoke, told the court that Udoh at about 11 p.m. on Feb.13 had carnal knowledge of the mother of one.
According to the prosecutor, Udoh threatened his victim with a gun before having carnal knowledge the woman without her consent.
He said the offences contravened Sections 358 Cap c17 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The magistrate, B.O. Osunsanmi, granted the accused N200,000 bail with a surety in like sum and adjourned the case till March 16 for trial.

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Man Held Over Use Of Dead Person’s Clothes For Ritual
A middle age man, Fatai Adekunle, has been arrested for using the clothes of a dead man for rituals.
Fatai, a native of Iwo, Osun State, who resides at No. 8, Olutomo Street, Agbelekale, was alleged to have taken some clothes belonging to late Taye Adeyemi, the Apesin of Ibojunland who died recently to a herbalist for ritual purposes.
The lady who exposed the suspect said she sells frozen food and that Fatai Adekunle, being an okada rider comes to takeher home every night after the close of business.
She said Fatai, on the said day, brought the clothes and hid them under her table and when she asked him who owned the clothes, he said the clothes belonged to him and that he was taking them to a dry cleaner.
According to the woman, after some days, she started having decline in her sales. She also said that the clothes after some days started to emit offensive odour which made her to report her experience to her pastor.
The pastor, according to her, organiseed a seven-day prayer and fasting for her af the of which the pastor asked her to go and search her shop and bring any strange find to him..
According to her, as soon as she got to where the clothes were kept and she brought them out, her heart beat changed. She said she called the pastor who then asked her to come with the clothes which she did.
The pastor after examining the clothes and praying on them confirmed that they had been used for a strong spiritual power.
Fatai was promptly arrested by OPC in the area.
During interrogation, fatai denied using the clothes for rituals even though there were blood stains on the clothes as at the time of his arrest.

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Bizman Loses N43m To Land Speculators
A Lagos-based businessman, Mike Temuagbor, has lost N43 million to land speculators who claimed to have sold a landed property in Lekki, Lagos State, South-West nigeria.
Temuagbor paid the money in respect of a property located at Plot 10, Block 64, Fola Osibor Street, Lekki Phase 1. After payment, he was issued with a fake certificate of occupancy, C of O, with number 46/46/1990K.
However, as he tried to take possession, another person appeared as the real owner of the property.
When it dawned on the businessman that he had been duped, he demanded for a refund of his money. As the land speculators tossed him around, he reported the matter to the police who later investigated and arrested the suspects.
Those arrested are: Abiodun Bello, 36; Moses Bawa, 50; Morenike Ojogbede, 38; Tobechi Egbor, 45 and Brics Realtors Limited, a company that facilitated the deal.
They were arraigned before Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on a six-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence, stealing and conspiracy contrary to sections 419, 467 and 390 of the Criminal Code Cap 17 Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
When the charges were read to them, they pleaded not guilty.
The presiding magistrate, I.O. Akinkugbe granted them bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties each who must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of payment of tax for three years.
The matter has been adjourned till 5 April, 2011 for trial.

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Ex-Vice Chairman Island Club Faces Criminal Charges
A Lagos High Court has adjourned till 8 March this year the arraignment of the former Vice Chairman of Island Club, Stephen Ademola Dada, in connection with perjury.
He was supposed to have been arraigned before the court yesterday for perjury but he was not in court. Not only that, the court also did not sit on the matter.
In a one count criminal charge filed before the court by the Director of Public Prosecutions in Lagos State, Olabisi Ogungbesan, it was alleged that Stephen Ademola Dada, on or about the 15 November 2006 at the High Court premises in the Lagos Judicial Division of Lagos State before a commissioner of oaths knowingly and falsely deposed to an affidavit headed “Affidavit of Confirmation of attendance,” stating facts which statements and declarations he was required and permitted to make by law which were false.
He thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 192 of the Criminal Code Cap, C17, Volume 2, Laws of Lagos State 2003.

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PDP Candidacy: Dosunmu Knows Fate 3 March
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has reserved ruling till 3 March 2011 in a suit filed by a People’s Democracy Party, PDP, member, Oluowo Adeyeri challenging the candidacy of Shamsideen Ade Dosunmu as the party’s standard bearer in the April governorship election in Lagos State.
While announcing the date, Justice Binta Murtala Nyako ordered the two parties not to do anything that could jeopardise the case.
Counsel to the two parties in the matter, Tunde Akinrimisi leading four other lawyers for the plaintiff and Oluwole Delano, with six others for the defence, had adopted their written addresses.
Thereafter, Akinrimisi complained to the court that despite the pronouncement of Justice Nyako last Thursday, Dosunmu, in flagrant disobedience of the court order, flagged off his campaign last Friday.
Consequently, Justice Nyako orderd the two parties not to do anything until 3 March, 2011 when she will deliver her judgement in the suit.
Adeyeri, the plaintiff who is a member of the PDP and a delegate to the state congress of the party instituted the action praying the court to stop the first defendant, Dosunmu as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos State in the April 2011 election.
He claimed that as at the time of his election, Dosunmu was not a card-carrying member of the PDP for two years as enshrined in the party’s constitution.
Adeyeri also asked the court to disqualify Dosunmu on the ground that he did not voluntarily disengage as the Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,but he was removed for alleged financial impropriety.
Justice Nyako, in an interim ruling last Thursday, ordered Dosunmu to suspend his campaigns because the PDP has no governorship candidate in Lagos State until the suit has been disposed off.

AARE MUSULUMI OF YORUBALAND, ARISEKOLA

Kidnappers Free Arisekola’s Grandson
Saheed, the grandchild of Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Arisekola Alao who was kidnapped last Friday February 18 2011 in Lagos has been released.
Investigations revealed that he was found at Ojo Area very close to Lagos State University (LASU) on Monday.
A family member who spoke under anonymity refused to give details of how Saheed was freed from his kidnappers, who demanded N200 million ransom, but simply said the police secured his release.
However, unconfirmed report has it that the family gave N60 million to the abductors before Saheed was released.
Saheed, the Managing Director of Lagos-based Blueprint Business Technologies Limited was abducted in his office around 8:20pm.
It was gathered that the abductors stormed his office, seized him and whisked him away and he was with them throughout the weekend.

LAGOS POLICE BOSS, ALKALI

Police to dismiss undisciplined officers
The Commandant, Nigeria Police College, Ikeja, Abdullahi Magaji, has said police trainees with questionable character will no longer be allowed to pass out of the institution.
Magaji stated this in Lagos when eight of the 1,074 cadet specialists were disallowed from graduating at the passing out ceremony in early February for various offences.
He revealed that, the days of having dishonourable men in the Force is over, "Any trainee that do not follow the rules and regulations, pass the examination, failed to participate in the college activities or come into the college through the backdoor will be dismissed.
Any trainee, who is undisciplined, no matter the rank, will not be spared. No person of questionable character will be allowed to pass out of this school,Magaji warned.
According to the Commandant, there is no other place to begin the reformation in the Nigeria Police than the police training schools.
On corruption, Magaji referred officers to a circular by the Inspector-General of Police warning them against corruption.
The College gives free accommodation, education and allowances are paid to the trainees' bank accounts," the Commandant said.
He said the institution had stopped all social activities of civilians for security reasons, to create conducive learning environment for the trainees.
The Nigeria Police has also embarked on an extensive renovation of the Police College Ikeja, to improve the training facilities at the institution.
Magaji, said the contractors handling the project had commenced work in different parts of the college, including the rehabilitation of dilapidated classrooms and hostels , tarring of roads, reconstruction of fences , swimming pool and provision of furniture.

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Maid, Mechanic Sent To Prison For Jewellery Theft.
A 26-year old house maid, Shade Adeshina, and 31-year old mechanic, Kehinde Akinola have been arraigned before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s Court, Ebute-Metta, Lagos State, for allegedly stealing jewelry worth N3 million.
The accused persons were alleged to have broken into the home of Baderinwa Yetunde, at No. MOQ 1141 Nigerian Air Force Base Ikeja, on 8 February, 2001 at about 2 p.m and stolen the item, N74,000 cash and seven pieces of wrist watches, valued at N25,000.
The accused were arraigned on a three-count change of conspiracy, burglary and stealing.
These, according prosecutor, Sergeant Gabriel Ekundayo, are punishable under Section 516, 411 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap, C.17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
Count three of the charge reads: “That you, Shade Adeshina and Kehinde Akinola on 8 February, 2011, at about 14 hours, at MOQ 1141 NAF Base Ikeja, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District, did steal the sum of N74,000, jewellery valued at N3,000,000, and seven pieces of wrist watches valued at N25,000, all valued N3,990,000, properties of Baderinwa Yetunde, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 390 (9), of the Criminal Code Cap, C.17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.”
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The presiding magistrate, Helen Omisore, admitted them to bail in the sum of N1 million each, with two sureties each in like sum, while the case was adjourned till 7 March, 2011, for trial.
The maid was moved to Kirikiri prison while the mechanic was sent to Ikoyi prison as they could not perfect the bail conditions before the court closed.

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2 Robbery Suspects In Court.
Two armed robbery suspects were arraigned before an Ebute Metta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for robbing a truck loaded with 110 cartons of wine at gunpoint.
The duo, Paul Ani, 25, and Joe Joseph, 28, are facing a five-count charge of unlawful possession of fire arms, armed robbery and felony.
The prosecutor, Insp. Emmanuel Ajayi, told the court that the suspects, with others still at large, attacked the truck containing 110 cartons of red wine, television sets and furniture, valued at N11.5 million.
He said that the accused stole the goods belonging to one Chinedu Amagba at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos, on Sept. 9, 2010.
He said the police recovered one unlicensed pistol and two live cartridges from the accused.
The offence contravened Sections 2 (3) and 3 (1) of the Fire Arms and Robbery Act.
The Magistrate, Kemi Doja-Ojo, ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Ikoyi Prisons, pending advice from the state director of public prosecutions and adjourned the case till March 28 for further hearing.

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Forgery Lawyer, 3 Others Docked.
A legal practitioner and three others were on Monday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates Court for allegedly using forged certificate of occupancy to sell a N43 million landed property.
The accused persons, Tobech Egbor, 45, Morenike Ojogbede, 38, Moses Bawa, 50, and Abiodun Bello, 36, are facing a five-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, forgery and obtaining by false pretence.
The prosecutor, Jaiye Oloruntoba, an assistant superintendent of police, told the court that the offence was committed in Lagos in March 2010.
Oloruntoba said the accused forged a Certificate of Occupancy No. 46/46/1990K dated July 6, 1990, and fraudulently presented it to one Mike Temuagbor as genuine.
He said that the accused obtained N43 million from Temuagbor, under a false pretence to sell to him the landed property located at Block 64, plot 10, Fola Osibor Lekki, Lagos.
The accused, therefore, stole from Temuagbor the sum of N43 million under false pretence of selling a property to him” the prosecutor alleged.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 390(9), 419, 467, 468 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.

CONTAINER CRUSHES CAR IN LAGOS

Container crushes man to death in Lagos
A man was killed in Lagos when a truck loaded with a 14-foot container fell on his SUV and crushed him to death. The accident occurred at the junction of the New Garage bus stop along Ikorodu Road around mid-day.
According to witnesses, the unidentified man dropped off a passenger around the garage and was driving out when a commercial motorcycle rider Okada who was trying to escape from the regular toll tickets, crossed to the other side of the road, forcing the trailer to veer off to avoid hitting him.
The swerve allegedly tilted the container it was carrying and the truck fell, crushing the victims vehicle.
The SUV, an Acura jeep, was destroyed and one end of the container pierced the neck of the victim. Blood could be seen gushing out of the lifeless body on the driver's chair.
Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency were at the scene of the accident about 30 minutes after it occurred but had difficulty in evacuating the wreck.
A crane belonging to Ajibade Sons and Co. was deployed by LASEMA but failed to pull up the container which occupied half of the highway, causing traffic jam.
It took the additional effort of two towing vehicles to raise the container as a number of men from the crowd pulled out the wreck of the SUV.
An emotional scene ensued when the son of the victim arrived, bemoaning the sudden death of his father.
Identified by his friends as Tayo, the young man rolled on the floor, and cried.
"If I had not gone to work earlier today, I would have driven daddy and this will not have happened," he wailed, and a few people standing by began to cry as well.
The bereaved man refused to answer any question about his father's identity and when a call came on his mobile phone he yelled at the caller, who seems to be his father's chauffeur, saying "Baba, why didn't you drive him, why, why?"
According to police officers, both the rider of the motorcycle and the driver of the trailer fled the scene of the accident.
The officers at the scene who seemed to have their hands full controlling the crowd, also refused to answer any question from our reporter as they struggled to manage the chaotic traffic from Maryland to Ojota where all vehicle movement seemed to have stopped.
An official of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA); Ibikunle Tijani confirmed that the accident was caused by the Okada rider, who reportedly disobeyed the state's traffic code by crossing the highway.
Amidst great wailing, Tayo and his friends lifted the corpse, whose face was by then covered with a mat, onto a pick-up van which conveyed them to the nearest hospital.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State

Police, Customs Service to collaborate to check arms importation.
The Nigeria Police Force is to collaborate with the Nigeria Customs Service to check the importation of illegal arms.
New Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Yakubu Alkali spoke on Monday in Lagos during a courtesy visit to customs Acting Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Victor Dikka.
Alkali solicited custom Service support in effectively securing Lagos from criminals, particularly with regards to the smuggling of arms into Nigeria.
Responding, the customs’ boss said there was need for synergy among the security agencies for them to succeed in their duties.
Dikka said as part of efforts to check the smuggling of illegal arms into the country, more men and new patrol vehicles had been deployed to cover areas that hitherto were not reached.
He said the Unit had also increased the level of intelligence network around the borders, stressing that surveillance of the waterways had been boosted to check infiltration through that route.
Dikka also said the Custom was committed to generating more revenue this year.

LAGOS POLICE SPOKESMAN

Absence of judge stalls ruling on legality of Nigerian Merchant Navy Corps.
The absence of Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of an Ikeja High Court, Lagos, on Monday stalled ruling on the legality of the controversial Nigerian Merchant Navy Corps.
Taiwo had fixed Feb. 21 to determine whether the academy was constitutionally recognised, following a suit it had brought before the court.
The corps had filed a Notice of Consequence of Disobedience to Order of Court against one Mrs Yemisi Kefas and the Inspector-General of Police.
The suit was brought before the court by Commodore Allen Edema on behalf the Nigerian Merchant Navy Corps.
Edema and 95 others had on Feb. 2, 2010 approached the court to enforce an order against their forceful eviction by policemen from their office at No. 6 Force Road, Onikan, Lagos.
They alleged that Kefas, the Lagos Liaison Officer to the Secretary to the Federal Government, had violated their fundamental rights as enshrined under Sections 34, 35, 36, 40 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.
The judge had on April 13, 2010, given an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their officers from threatening the claimants and a mandatory order compelling Kefas to unseal the said premises.
Kefas, according to the claimants, has failed to heed this order prompting a fresh suit compelling her to do so or be slammed with contempt charges.
However, at the hearing of the matter on Dec. 16, 2010, Taiwo had set aside her earlier ruling based on a counter-affidavit submitted by the respondents counsel, Ngozi Kanu.
The judge held that the allegations made by the respondent in the affidavit that the Nigerian Merchant Navy Corps and its promoters were operating illegally needed to be determined by the court.
She said the claimants needed to prove to the court with evidence that they were operating legally before the substantive suit could be heard.
Kefas, in her affidavit, is alleging that the organisation is operating illegally as it is not recognised by any law or registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
She further alleged that it had no relationship with the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency.
No reason was given for Taiwo’s absence but the court fixed March 10 for ruling on the matter.
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Businesswoman charged with stealing N875,000.
The Police in Lagos on Monday arraigned a 57-year-old businesswoman, Kehinde Fadipe, for allegedly stealing N875,000.
The defendant, who is standing trial before a Somolu Magistrates Court, Lagos, is charged with stealing and obtaining money by false pretence.
The prosecutor, Insp. A. Adegoke, told the court that Fadipe had on Feb. 11, at No. 40/42 Popoola St., Somolu, obtained goods worth N875,000 from Bimdos Nigeria Ltd by false pretence.
According to the prosecutor, the accused obtained 100 cans of various beverages, including Guinness stout, Malta Guinness and Smirnoff valued at N875, 000 belonging to Bimdos Nigeria Ltd.
He said the offence contravened Sections 390 and 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
Fadipe pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, B.O. Osunsanmi, refused to grant Fadipe bail following the prosecutor’s allegation that she had previously been arraigned for a similar offence.
Osunsanmi consequently remanded her in prison custody and adjourned the case till Feb. 23 for further hearing.

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3 docked over alleged N8m fraud
The police in Lagos on Monday arraigned three men for allegedly stealing N8 million from a client under the pretext of assisting him to import telecommunications equipment.
Collins Obi, 25; Maxwell Nkocha, 27 and Williams Akpomoyemo, 52; are standing trial before an Igbosere Magistrates Court, Lagos.
The three men are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Sunday Udoh, alleged that the accused and others still at large sometime in August, 2010, obtained N8 million from one Mr Amunike Chukwuebuka in Lagos.
Udoh explained that the accused disappeared after collecting the money without supplying the items until they were arrested by the police.
He said the offence contravened Sections 390, 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.
The accused all pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, A.F. Botoku, granted each of the accused N5 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
Botoku adjourned the case till March 2 for further hearing.

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Employee faces certificate forgery charge
An employee of AIICO Insurance Company Plc, Adetunji Abiodun, was on Monday in Lagos arraigned for allegedly forging a Yaba College of Technology OND and HND certificates.
Abiodun, 41, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and forgery at an Igbosere Magistrates Court.
The prosecution said the accused and others still at large had on Aug. 1, 2010 forged a Yaba College of Technology Ordinary and Higher National Diploma Certificates.
Cpl. Bassey Sunday told the court that the accused also forged a notification of result on the institution’s letterhead dated March 4, 1988.
Sunday said the offence contravened Sections 56 and 467 of the Criminal Code, laws of Lagos State.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was admitted to a bail in the sum of N150,000.
The Magistrate, C.J. Momodu, also granted the accused two sureties in like sum, who should produce eight years tax clearance.
She adjourned the case till March 2 for further hearing.

LAGOS POLICE IMAGE MAKER

Police Arraign 6 Suspected Cultists
Detectives from State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos State have arraigned six suspected cult members from Epe, before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s Court, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.
The suspects were arrested on 3 February, 2011 on 8, Odofin Street, Ajagenobe area of Epe and arraigned before the court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful assembly and belonging to an unlawful society.
The accused are Toba Gbadebo, 24, Seriki Isiaka, 27, Godwin Nathaniel, 21, Ganiu Giwa, 20, Ibrahim Abiodun Amusa, 25 and Saheed Badmus, 25.
The offences they committed, according to the prosecutor, Innocent Effiong, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, who stood in for Inspector Eshiet E. Eshiet, are punishable under Sections 516 and 64 of the Criminal Code, Cap. C.17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Toba Gbadebo, Seriki Isiaka, Godwin Nathaniel, Ganiu Giwa, Ibrahim Abiodun Amusa and Saheed Badmus and others now at large on 3 February, 2011, at about 4 p.m., on 8 Odofin Street, Ajagenobe area, Epe, in the Lagos Magisterial District did conspire to commit felony, to wit, managing an unlawful society an thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap. C.17, Vol.2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.”
Count three of the charge reads: “That you, Toba Gbadebo, Seriki Isiaka, Godwin Nathaniel, Ganiu Giwa, Ibrahim Abiodun Amusa and Saheed Badmus, at the same time, place of the aforesaid Magisterial District did knowingly belong to an unlawful society known and called Eiye Fraternity, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 62 and punishable under Section 64 of the Criminal Code, Cap. C.17, Vol.2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.”
The accused pleaded not guilt to the charges and the presiding magistrate, Chief Magistrate P.A. Ojo, admitted them on bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each.
The sureties, according to the chief magistrate, must show evidence of payment of tax to the Lagos State government; evidence of means of livelihood and must be residing within the Lagos magisterial district.
The case has been adjourned till 14 March, 2011 for trial.

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House help in court for stealing madam’s cash, TV.
A domestic worker was docked at an Igbosere Magistrates Court, Lagos, on Monday for allegedly stealing cash and property of his boss, worth N370,000.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Austin Adams, told the court that the accused, Chedlac Koko, 19, stole 2,000 dollars, N50,000 and a 14-inch television set, belonging to Mrs Victoria Olufinmilayo.
He said the accused was residing with the complainant and had access to all the rooms in the house.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The magistrate, Makanju Oshodi, granted the accused N200,000 bail with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till March 17 for mention. ......................................

ROBBERS

Police nab FESTAC robbers
Residents of Amuwo-Odofin Local government area have expressed relief as the police, arrested a gang of shoplifters, popularly known as the ‘Price and Pick robbers', who have been terrorising the community for more than six months.
The syndicate, who specialised in raiding road side shops and supermarkets, were renowned for escaping on motorcycles specially wired for the crime.
Some of their victims said the robbers have targeted shops at the International Trade Fair Complex along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, the busy Agboju Market at Festac Second Gate, and supermarkets in Festac Town.
Chukwu Eze, a trader at Agboju Market, said they usually come during the peak hours. "I have a supermarket at Agboju Market, and these boys have robbed me like three times before I noticed.
Another victim, who identified herself as Mrs Desmond, also narrated her experience. "I went to a shop at the International trade fair complex to buy some hair attachment in bulk.
The two suspects, Felix Enuma, 31, and Tunde Masun, 50, explained their mode of operation. "We have been robbing shops in Lagos for the past six months.
Mr Masun claimed he is an ex-naval rating and a native of Awori in Lagos State. He confessed that his job was to ride the motorcycle used for the robbery.
Usman Ndanbabo, the Divisional Police Officer of Festac Division, said they are on the trail of other members of the gang.

OLABODE GEORGE

Loyalists Plan Party For Bode George, As He Ends Prison Term
As the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Bode George, leaves prison this weekend, his loyalists have concluded plan to roll out the drums to celebrate his freedom.
He has spent two years behind bars for alleged fraudulent activities while he was the helmsman at the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The plan was revealed by a female loyalist of the embattled politician, popularly called Boy George, at the debate organised for the Lagos State Governor and candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria and Ade Dosunmu, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the governorship seat in the forthcoming elections.
According to the lady who pleaded anonymity, preparations have been completed by the loyalists for a ‘one-in-town’ celebration when he regains freedom on Saturday, 26 February, 2011.
Meanwhile, some of the loyalists have continued to maintain that their benefactor was a victim of the injustice and manipulation by some politicians who wanted to silence him and makie him lose political value in the country.
In a full page advertorial published by one of the national dailies and signed by two of his loyalists, Pinco Barbarossa and Comrade Bari Adedeji Salau, the supporters said when George is out of prison he would be able to “walk the streets of Nigeria once again as a free citizen with his head ever held high.
To back their claim, they said George had often faced such challenges from political heavyweights in the past adding that as a Naval officer in the second republic, his ship was recalled from the German waters because it was perceived that some military men who favoured the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo were in the ship.
Recalling some troubles the embattled PDP stalwart faced in the past, the group said George also faced problems when he led a group of students to fight for their rights to travel abroad for summer holidays when he was a student.
Towards the end of 1997 an announcement was made on national television and radio that a coup attempt by some top military officers had been uncovered.
General Oladipo Diya, Nigeria’s then number two leader, was mentioned as one of the military officers involved.
Olabode George who had then retired from military service was declared wanted by the then military regime,” the loyalty said, adding that he had to run “like an antelope into exile,” staying in London for 10 months until his eventual return to Nigeria “to join the struggle to cement democratic rule in Nigeria.”
Emphasising that George was innocent and that the charges against him were trumped up, they said as head of the NPA, he introduced policies that were geared towards creating standards but that an ethnic cleansing was launched against his programme.
They said immediately he left the NPA, all those he employed to balance the federal character were retrenched.
Olabode George soon became a political prisoner sent to prison not for any proclaimed individual enrichment but for the splitting of contracts-a charge if applied across board will send many of the rulers of Nigeria to prison.
While thanking Nigerians for standing by him throughout his travails and for visiting him in prison.
Adekilumo has returned and he humbly bows his head to Nigeria and Nigerians…Olabode George is telling Nigerians that no matter the odds and ordeals he had faced in our recent past, his political campaigns for the continued unity of Nigeria and for the proper placement and redefinition of the federal nature of our country’s existence will certainly continue.
The former deputy National Chairman of PDP alongside five others were convicted in connection with wrong doings at the Nigerian Ports Authority for two years on 26 October, 2009.
Several attempts by the politician to secure a post-conviction bail at the Court of Appeal failed.
On 18 March 2010, the Court of Appeal in Lagos granted him and others sentenced alongside with him leave to amend their notice of appeal. The court alsogranted them permission to argue additional grounds of appeal when the appeal is heard.
The Court of Appeal in Lagos presided over by Justice Clara Ogunbiyi had on 22 April 2010 reserved two rulings in their appeal.
She announced after entertaining arguments from parties that rulings on the appellants’ fresh bail applications and their applications for leave to raise additional grounds of appeal would be delivered at a later date.
Again on 7 May 2010, their bid to secure another post-conviction bail at the Court of Appeal suffered another setback as the court rejected their bail applications.
The presiding judge at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, Justice Ogunbiyi on Friday 21 January, 2011 finally dismissed George’s appeal and five others against their conviction.
In her verdict, she held that the appeal lacked merit and dismissed it. She upheld Justice Oyewole’s judgement.

PRINTERS

Terror in Somolu
The residents of Alade Street in Somolu, a Lagos suburb, have called on the police to increase security in the area.
The residents are reacting to the recent spate of robbery in the community, where some of them were robbed and beaten by a 12-man armed robbery gang.
According to the residents, the latest incident happened about 2am on Monday. The armed men, who came in a white Volkswagen Golf car, allegedly targeted four houses occupied by residents and printers, robbing one after the other. The residents said they were still living in shock as a result of the attack.
The houses they attacked are number 7, 9, 11, and 12,” said Salami Akin, a resident. They came into our press. We were working late night, that was about 2am, and the ordered us to bring out all our money and handsets; they started beating us. We were like seven men walking but the gang of armed robbers were carrying sophisticated guns.
They broke our gate and the doors and they collected three phones, one laptops and other valuables including money. They beat us very well when they saw that we did not have enough money.”
A 65-year-old woman, who asked not be named, said the armed robbers threatened to kill her grandson if she did not bring out the money she was hiding.
They stormed my room, I was sleeping with my children and they woke us,” she said. “One of them said, ‘Mama bring out the money’ and I said I do not have money. They said, ‘When we kill your grandson you will bring out money’. That was how my daughter gave them money, N15,000, and they collected her phones.
So it was a traumatic experience. They also robbed three of our neighbours in the other house, they collected N20,000, 10,000, phones and laptops. They used the butt of their gun to hit one of the men who told them he did not have any money.”
A trader in house number 9, Cynthia Odoh said: “The armed robbers broke into our apartment and they beat my husband.
They collected our jewellery and money, Three of them were in the room with us raiding the room and the others were outside, they were not masked at all. In house 12, they collected 160,000, handsets, from a printing press they have not opened till now. It was after the robbers have gone that the police came they just patrolled for a while and they left.”
The new gang of armed robbers, popularly known as the “Feeling Stealing Boys”, been identified as men between 15 and 30 years.
These are normal boys that you see in the afternoon, riding Okada (commercial motorcycle),” said a resident who asked not to be named. “Most of them are dropouts from schools.
Their modus operandi is that they ride on motorcycles in the early hours of the day and they snatch bags. They are more than 20 in that gang and they were known as the ‘Tompolo Boys’.”
Some of the most affected communities in Somolu include: Moshalasi Junction, Olaleye Street, Caroline Hotel and the popular Watch Tower Inn.
However, one of the members of the gang, also known as the Olugbenro Afees, who was arrested at the Abiodun junction at Somolu while snatching a bag from a woman, on February 14th. He has since been arranged at the Somolu Magistrate court 12 on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Lagos State police command, Samuel Jinadu, said he was not aware of the development.

Riot In Iju

Riot In Iju.
Riot broke out at Iju-Ishaga, a suburb of Lagos, this morning after a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, was stabbed to death last night.
The victim, identified as Olugbemi Ajibode was killed by a rival area gang known as ‘Toyin Boys’ at Iju-Ishaga axis of the state.
According to an eyewitness, the gangs had been in a bitter rivalry for the past two weeks and a peace parley was organised by a local fuji musician, Opontisun, to resolve the differences between the boys.
While the parley was going on, temper rose again.
Source said Ajibode had sighted one of the rival boys with a broken bottle and tried to talk him to throw the weapon away.
It was in that moment that a scuffle ensued, said the eyewitness.
Ajibode was stabbed by the boy and other members of the gang before his own colleagues could get to the scene of the turmoil.
The deceased, aged 26, with three kids, was a prince in Iju. His remains have been deposited at the mortuary.
Already, the area has been cordoned off by the police from Area G.

The police anti-terrorism squad
The recent spate of bomb explosions in some parts of the country definitely calls for serious measures from security agencies to arrest the trend.
The importance of preparing these agencies for the battle against terrorism cannot be over-emphasized.
It is a task that must be addressed with all seriousness, if the dastardly recourse to bombing and other heinous acts are to be nipped in the bud.
The intention to address this must be welcome as the recent investment of the police in training of more that 1000 officers on methods of identifying and combating terrorism across the country.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of Anti-terrorism Squad, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Hassan Adamu, who disclosed the initiative in Abuja, said the training became necessary in view of the threat that terrorism poses to global peace and development.
Anti-terrorism bases, he disclosed, will be set up in Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states to curb the menace.
Some have already been set up in Lagos, Imo, Rivers, Nasarawa and Abuja.
It is glad that the police has recognized terrorism as a menace that calls for specialized training of its officers.
Certainly, the battle requires special training in intelligence and counter-terrorism.
It is better undertaken by security agents who have been educated on the underpinnings and counter-measures best suited to tackle the problem.
Now that the police has kicked off the critical training for some of its personnel, other security agencies, especially the State Security Service and the three arms of the Nigerian Armed Forces the Army, Navy and Air Force must be urged to do likewise.
Officers and men of the organisations with aptitude for the job should be given the best training available on counter terrorism, both in the country and abroad.
They should not only be trained, but also properly equipped and motivated.
The authorities must recognise, also, that security officers, alone, cannot stop terrorist acts.
They need to work hand-in-hand with the people in the susceptible areas.
There should be cooperation and communication between security officials and the ordinary people in the areas that are prone to terrorist attacks.
Care must be taken, however, to ensure that the need for specialized training on terrorism for officers and men of the security agencies are not turned into avenue to line the pockets of top officials of the agencies.
The training should be handled with all sense of responsibility so that the nation benefits from the investment.
Bases for the anti-terrorism squad should also be extended beyond the three mentioned by Adamu.
Officers and men of the squad should be on ground in all places that have experienced, and are prone to terrorist attacks.
Beyond training officers on terrorism, however, is the very important task of prosecuting and bringing all persons who are found to be involved in terrorism to book.
There can be no greater deterrence to terrorism than to let everyone know that those who engage in it will be punished.
Factors that fuel terrorism should also be addressed by the government at all levels.
These include poverty, unemployment and our unwholesome political culture.
There is no gainsaying the fact that some terrorists are trained by politicians who later leave them to their whims and caprices.
When the political environment is rotten, and there is an army of energetic but unemployed and disgruntled youths, the tendency for them to become willing tools in the hands of unconscionable political and religious zealots is increased.
The government and religious leaders should strive to address political, social and economic grouses of the people to make the recourse to terrorism unnecessary.

Ridding the police of ghost officers
The revelation by the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, that about one-third of the alleged total population of the police force is non-existent is shocking.
An audit of the police by a consultant revealed that 107,000 of the touted 337,000 members of the force are ghost officers, whose salaries are being drawn and pocketed by rogues within the agency, which is empowered by law and expected by all Nigerians to apprehend and prosecute criminals in the society.
The September 2010 external audit identified the Mechanised Salary Section of the police, police pay officers, accountants in all the states of the federation as well as bank officials, as facilitators of the rip off which amounts to N6 billion in two months.
Yet, the police force complains incessantly of being under-funded and understaffed!
The audit discovered several phony methods of misappropriating public funds, and funneling them into private pockets.
Fraudulent bank accounts were opened and operated by police officers in collusion with bank officials who sidetracked banking procedures and regulations.
This allowed up to N15 million to be paid into one officer’s account, and this payment could be repeated again and again within one month.
Ringim confessed that he was nearly trapped into accepting such a bribery that was camouflaged as reimbursement for hotel bills, but he declined.
All along, Ringim said he had been assailed with persistent reports that payment of salaries of police officers was being deliberately delayed countrywide, to the discontent of officers.
Such salaries were, perhaps, paid into private accounts, where the illicit investments yielded handsome interest for the thieving officers.
Worse still, he said, were the reports that police payroll officers manipulated salaries of colleagues and shortchanged them, pocketing the filthy proceeds. The victims of this racket have suffered quietly for a long time.
This might have contributed to their negative attitude to the public, since they are forbidden from going on strike or protesting publicly.
Really, the plague of ghost or non-existent workers, contractors and even road or infrastructure projects, is a familiar demon in the civil service.
The Directorate of Military Pensions has been alleged to be notorious for it.
All tiers of government federal, state and local councils are neck-deep in payroll fraud.
So, it is not enough for Ringim to just blow the whistle over a racket that is public knowledge, but only just being publicly admitted now.
The fraud is systemic as the attempt to bribe the Police Boss is an indicator that the clique behind ghost employees in the civil service is an integrated network of rogues.
Besides, the loss of funds arising from paying non-performing ghost officers worsens national insecurity, as Nigeria is grossly under-policed.
Is it any wonder, then, that insecurity in the nation has worsened, with kidnapping, religious and ethnic violence getting out of the control of the police and necessitating the involvement of the military with its negative repercussions?
The next important step is for the leakages that allow for this unfortunate situation to be plugged immediately and all culprits publicly brought to book to deter others.
The Police Boss must guard against the re-looting of the gained savings through other means as Such funds should be used to increase manpower and the operational efficiency of the force.
Public funds provided for police operations should not end up in private pockets.