PRESIDENT JONATHAN

UN House Bombing:SSS Declares Mastermind Wanted.

The State Security Service, has declared wanted, one Mamman NUR, a notorious Boko Haram element with Al-Qaeda links who recently returned to Nigeria from Somalia, for allegedly masterminding the attack on the United Nations building in Abuja.

The Service stated that precise intelligence was obtained by the agency on August, eighteenth that some Boko Haram elements were on a mission to attack unspecified targets in Abuja in an ash-coloured Toyota Camry vehicle.

Its Assistant Director in the Public Relations Department, Marilyn Ogar said on August twenty-first a joint operations by all security services led to the arrest of two notorious leaders of the Boko Haram extremists sect, namely, Babagana Ismail KWALJIMA (a.k.a Abu SUMMAYA) and Babagana MALI (a.k.a Bulama).

Following their arrests, security was further beefed up in Abuja and its environs but the attack was not foiled even as the suspects, who are being held at a military facility, were said to have made valuable statements to security agencies.

The SSS reiterated its commitment to ensuring that Nigerians have a safe, peaceful and secure environment and reassured Nigerians that we have no other country and must all strive to maintain the nation’s unity which is currently being threatened.

Any person with useful information which could lead to the arrest of the suspect and other accomplices should report to the nearest Police station, military formations or any other security agency” part of the statement read.

LAGOS POLICE BOSS

Man,42, arraigned for defrauding clients of N2.5m.

A 42-year-old man, Musa Olatunde, has been arraigned at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State for defrauding prospective clients of N2.5 million.
Olatunde, is standing trial on a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Haruna Ibrahim, told the court that the accused committed the offence between 2009 and September 2010, at Ogba in Lagos.
He said the accused falsely presented himself as a land speculator and collected N2.5million from his clients, Mr Segun Ihindero and Mr Bayo Orilabawaye.
Ibrahimsaid that the money was meant for buying land but the accused absconded with it.
He said that the offence contravened Sections 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, A. A. Adefulire, granted him bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
He adjourned the case till Oct. 10 for further fearing.
3 remanded over death of constable
An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos has remanded three men in prison custody for allegedly stabbing a police officer to death.
Seyi Egbonwan, 30, Wale Ojupon, 18, and Daniel Emeka, 18, are facing a seven-count charge of stealing, breach of peace, murder, assault, and possession of firearms before Oyindamola Ogala, a Chief Magistrate.
Ogala said the plea of the accused persons could not be taken because the court had no jurisdiction in a murder case.
She ordered that they be kept in custody pending when the court would get advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The prosecutor, ASP Eshiet Eshiet, told the court that the accused conspired, kidnapped and killed one police constable, Abimbola Adesoji, by stabbing him with a knife.
He said the accused committed the offence on July 25 at Ajah Ilaje, Ajah, Lagos, during a riot in the community.
Eshiet said the offence contravened Sections 517, 70, 516, 319 and 309 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The case was adjourned to Sept. 28 for further hearing.
20-year-old man docked for alleged theft
For allegedly stealing household items valued at N248,000, a 20-year-old man, Anthony Odey, was on Monday docked at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
Odey is facing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecutor, Insp. George Nwosu, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offences along with others who were still at large.
He said the offences were committed on Aug. 12, at No. 16B, Abike Suleman St., Lekki, Lagos.
He said the accused stole a laptop, three wrist watches and a face cap, all belonging to Oyewale Oyeleke.
Nwosu said the alleged offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate Mulikat Alli-Balogun granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned till Oct. 7 for further hearing. 7 NURTW members docked for alleged possession of firearms Seven members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for alleged assault and unlawful possession of firearms.
The accused were arraigned before Magistrate Olufemi Isaac on a three-count charge of assault, unlawful possession of firearms and breach of the peace.
The accused are Nurudeen Oladejobi, 35, Abiola Ayoola, 28, Jamiu Ogunlanan, 34, Sulaiman Anifoweshe , 35, Akeem Ogunlowo, 35, Lateef Nosiru, 45, and Tajudeen Soyoye, 48.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, ASP Bartholomew Nwaokeye, alleged that the accused committed the offences along with others who were still at large.
He told the court that the offences were committed on Aug. 22 at the NURTW Union House at Cele-Ikotun area of Lagos.
He said the accused assaulted one Shina Afeshe by punching him several times.
Nwaokeye said one of the accused, Oladejobi, was in possession of one locally double-barrelled gun with 20 rounds of live ammunition.
He alleged that the gun was not a licensed one.
He said their alleged offences contravened Sections 517 and 351 of the Criminal Code Cap 17 Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.
The magistrate granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties in like sum.
The magistrate also ordered that the sureties deposit N100,000 each in addition to the bail bond.
The case was adjourned to Sept. 29 for trial.
Magistrate refers abortion case to Family Court
The Mushin Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, has transferred the case involving the abortion of a six-month pregnancy to the Family Court.
Chief Magistrate D.T Olatokun said the case against Ola Sodiq, the husband, and his wife, Toyin, was being referred to the Family Court in the interest of their children.
The the accused, who pleaded not guilty at their first arraignment on July 22, has five children.
Sodiq (46) and Toyin (34) who were granted bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties, had remained at the Kirikiri Prisons because they could meet their bail conditions.
Olatokun said the referral was anchored on the complaint of their neighbours who were assisting in catering for the five children.
At their first arraignment, the prosecutor, Insp. Ezekiel Ayorinde said that the accused, who resided at 353, Agege Motor Road, Mushin, Lagos, committed the offence on July 20.
He said Toyin allegedly prevented a child from being born alive when she used drugs not prescribed to unlawfully kill it.
The prosecutor said their offences were punishable under Sections 328 and329 Laws of Lagos state, 2004.
Father asks police to charge son to court for robbery
The police in Lagos has arraigned Afiz Lawal, who was accused by his father, Mr Saibu Lawal, of conniving with three others to rob him of his personal belongings. The accused was arraigned before a Mushin Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, presided over by Chief Magistrate, D.T Olatokun. Afiz, 33, is standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecutor, Insp Ezekiel Ayorinde said the offences were committed on June 6, at 6, Saibu Lawal Sr., Surulere, at about 3 a.m.
Ayorinde said the offences contravened Sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2004.
The magistrate granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.
She adjourned the case till Sept. 21 for further hearing.

POLICE BOSS

Government to pursue security of nation more vigorously.

Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade has said Federal Government would pursue the security of the nation more vigorously than ever before.
Speaking to newsmen during a visit to the Police Training School, Ikeja, Lagos, Olubolade said government and its agencies would start to address the security threats facing the nation more seriously than before.
He noted that President Goodluck Jonathan was passionate about the security forces being on their toes by ensuring that they were given what they needed to do their jobs.
Olubolade expressed delight at the facilities in the Lagos Police Command and gave assurance that his ministry would focus on the welfare of officers and men of the force.
He said the police would reward hard work and penalise indolence, which, he said had given the force a bad name.
He charged the police to be bold and courageous in carrying out their assignments because that was one sure way of serving their country.
The minister also said that the ministry would upgrade sports facilities to keep the police busy so that they would be mentally fit and alert.
He thanked the Lagos State Government for supporting the police and for focusing on the security of the state.
In the area of intelligence gathering, he said that the ministry would ensure that there was no clash between the military and the Police, promising that “the Police-Military clash must end in my time”.
The minister also visited the Police Command, Forensic Science Laboratory, Force CID, Alagbon, and the palace of the Oba of Lagos.
Police arrest 4 armed robbery suspects with bullet wounds in Lagos
The Police in Lagos has arrested four armed robbery suspects that escaped with bullet wounds after a shoot-out with the police, while carrying out a robbery operation.
Command’s spokesman, Samuel Jinadu said the suspects were arrested on Wednesday in Ebute-Meta area of Lagos.
Jinadu explained that the suspects were arrested at about 1.30 a.m. by a police patrol team.
Items recovered from them included one pistol, one live cartridge, five assorted phones, three wrist watches, two car keys, one iron cutter, one cutlass, one mask, assorted charms and N125,000 cash,” he said.
Jinadu said the suspects had made useful statements and that the case had been transferred to the State CID for investigations.
In another development, Jinadu said that a man, who attempted to steal a car parked on Ogudu Road, Ojota, Lagos, with a master key was on Thursday apprehended by some members of the public and handed over to the Ogudu Police Station.
2 charged with stealing 3 cars worth N82.5
The police in Lagos arraigned two men before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly receiving a stolen container containing three cars worth N82.5 million.
The accused, George Bekee, 30, and Kabiru Odunsi, 36, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property of one Hajia Yabara Lawan Wabi.
The prosecutor, ASP Jayeola Oloruntoba, told the court that the duo, and others still at large, committed the alleged offence on May 31, at Apapa, Lagos.
He said that Bekee conspired with others and stole the 40ft container containing a Honda Accord, a Honda Acura and a Mecedes Benz, all valued at N82.5 million.
The prosecutor said that Odunsi received the stolen property from one Mike, still at large, knowing that it was stolen.
He said that the alleged offence contravened Sections 390 (9), 427 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate E.A. Fabanwo granted them N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till Sept. 20 for further hearing.
Welder, 29, remanded in the Ikoyi Prison over rape
For allegedly raping a trader, a 29-year-old welder was docked at an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’Court in Lagos. The accused, Yemani Ganiyu, is facing a three-count charge of assault, rape and stabbing before Chief Magistrate Oyindamola Ogala.
Ganiyu pleaded not guilty to the first and second charge and pleaded guilty to stabbing the complainant. The prosecutor, Insp Eshiet Eshiet, told the court that Ganiyu unlawfully and indecently assaulted the complainant, 38, by forcibly stripping her naked and fondling her female organs. Eshiet said the accused also stabbed the complainant with a knife in an attempt to escape. He said the incident which occurred on June 29 at Agodi village farm, near Badagry, contravened Section 360, 359 and 320 of the Criminal Code Cap (C) Vol 17 Laws of Lagos State. Chief Magistrate Ogala granted the accused N200,000 bail with two sureties in like sum on the first and second charges. She, however, ordered Ganiyu to be remanded in Ikoyi prison pending more facts and sentencing on the third charge. The case was adjourned till Aug 29.
Policeman remanded in prison for shooting man to death
An Ebute Meta Magistrates’Court in Lagos remanded a 37-year-old police corporal in prison custody for allegedly shooting a bus driver to death.
Chief Magistrate Oyindamola Ogala ordered that Pius Ayinlaran be kept behind bars pending an advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The prosecutor, ASP Eshiet Eshiet, told the court that the accused killed one Mr Chuks Agogo with a gun while on duty.
According to him, Agogo died on the spot from the injuries he sustained from the shooting.
Eshiet said the incident which occurred on Nov. 18, 2010 is punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The case was adjourned to Sept. 28 for further hearing.

NDLEA BOSS

NDLEA boss warn hotel owners against habouring traffickersDateline: Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has warned hotel owners to take precautionary measures of scrutinising their customers to avoid being used by drug traffickers.
Its Chairman, Ahmadu Giade in a statement signed by the Agency's spokesman, Ofoyeju Mitchell, said a confession by a suspected drug trafficker indicated that the suspect ingested 66 pieces of methamphetamine in a Lagos hotel.
Giade said the suspect, a 34 year old auto parts dealer, was caught a few days after another automobile importer was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on arrival from the United States.
He said the London-bound passenger, an auto parts dealer at Ladipo market, Lagos, tested positive to drug ingestion at the screening area of the airport departure.
``He was to board a British Airways flight to London. While he was under observation, he excreted 66 pieces of powdery substance that tested positive to methamphetamine, weighing 1.310kg.
He urged members of the public and hotel owners to report suspected guests to the Agency or face prosecution along with drug traffickers.
He said that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

VICTIMS OF BOMB EXPLOSION AT UNITED NATIONS OFFICE IN ABUJA

No fewer than 18 people were feared dead and 48 injured when a suicide bomber attacked the United Nations office in Abuja on Friday.
The attacker, reportedly drove through the exit and pulled down the first and second gates and entered the compound.
The attacker immediately alighted from a Honda Accord car and went straight to the reception of the office, where he detonated the bomb which rocked the building with some part collapsing.
The attack, which occurred at about 10.30am took everyone by surprise, while all the windows in the office were shattered with casualties lying all over the place.
The staff strength of the building was put at 1,000, while policemen who are in the premises are not allowed to carry arms.
Only security guards in uniforms man the main gate of the office, while just one gate is the only entry and exit entrance into the premises, as the exit gate was permanently locked as part of security measures.
All security agencies: the Army, Airforce, Navy, Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, Brigade of Guards Commander, Fire Service, were at the premises to evacuate the corpses and the injured ones.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, who was on his way from Kaduna on an official assignment, drove straight to the UN office to access the situation on ground.
The injured victims were all moved to the National Hospital, where the management of the hospital appealled to Nigerians to come forward and donate blood.
The area was immediately cordoned off by the military and the police, while people who trooped into the scene were chased away.
Briefing newsmen later at the scene, the FCT Police Commissioner, Mike Zuokumor, said only 18 people died and 18 injured, but added that the actual figure would be announced later.
According to him, the vehicle, filled with explosives smashed the first and second gate of the exit of the office before the occupant immediately went to the reception and detonated the bombs to bring down the building.
He said the attacker, was cut into three parts when the bomb exploded.
Zuokumor assured Nigerians that evil could not triumph over light, as “darkness and light are at parallel lines”.
The CP announced that with time, all the evil perpetrators would be apprehended and prosecuted.
Security was tightened in all entry points to Abuja while key points and government buildings were seriously manned by gun wielding soldiers and policemen.
Everywhere in the FCT remained calm, as residents were seen rushing home in their cars.

PPRO, SAMUEL JINADU

Police Arrest 4 NURTW Members With Gun, Ammunition.

Four members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Cele/Okota unit, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, were arrested following a bloody clash.
The fracas happened near Oba market, off Ejigbo Bus-stop, Lagos.
A double barrel gun, ammunition, charm and cutlasses were found in one of their offices where a search was conducted by policemen attached to Area ‘D’ Command Mushin.
The arrested members of NURTW identified as Benbella Sule, Akeem Eleshe, Abolore a.k.a.Sharp Shooter and Nurudeen Aladejobi a.k.a. Apa, have been transferred from Zone ‘D’ Mushin where they made useful confessional statements to the police about the bloody clash to State Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja.
Meanwhile, the police at State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a member of the union, Lekan Igbalaiye alias Randy.
The deceased allegedly slumped and died during a fight over N200 with Benbella, a member of NURTW, at the Cele/Okota branch of the union.
Eye witness account alleged that Randy was hit with a native charm during the fight and he slumped and died.
Family members of the deceased are now accusing the leadership of the union at Cele of complicity and attempting to cover up the heinous crime.
In a petition sent to the Lagos State Police Commissioner, the family accused the NURTW members of burying their son without official police notification and threatening the family if they report the matter to the police.
The petition, signed by G.M. Mudashiru, stated that a misunderstanding between Benbella and Randy ensued on 13 August, 2011, which led to a fight and in the process, Benbella allegedly “used a native ring on his hand to hit Randy and Randy slumped and died on the spot.”
Though the senior members of the union rushed him to the hospital, he could not be revived, the petition stated.
The petition further stated that immediately Randy died, the NURTW leaders at Cele allegedly sent for the father of the deceased, offered him some undisclosed amount of money and warned him not to report the matter to the police.
The union’s leaders also allegedly accepted to be responsible for the cost of the burial and thereafter, led a group of union members to bury the corpse at Matori Cemetery same day.
The petition states: “The Lateef Igbalaiye family are presently living in fear as the union members have promised to wipe them out if they dare raise any alarm over the death of their son.”
A senior police officer at the Homicide Section of SCID, Panti, Yaba, confirmed receipt of the petition and said investigation has commenced on the matter.

ARMY BOSS

Army Chief Warns Against Impersonation.

As part of the on-going efforts to stem crime and checkmate criminals in Lagos State, the Lagos Military formation has warned members of the public against impersonation of soldiers saying those caught in the act would be dealt with severely.
Commander 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja, Brigadier-General Sanusi Nasiru Muazu, who gave the warning while briefing Government House Correspondents at the Lagos House, Alausa, after the State Security Council Meeting, also warned those he said engage in producing fake Military ID cards pointing out that the Military has not appointed anyone to that effect.
According to the Commander, “We realize that majority of those parading themselves as soldiers in Lagos are not soldiers; they are impersonators. We want the public to note that anybody who impersonates a soldier is something that will not be tolerated by the Military”.
On the production of fake Military ID cards, Muazu said the Military has stormed the location where the fake IDs are produced in the state and arrested the producers warning that those who still indulge in the practice should desist or be ready to face the law.
He said all soldiers have been warned to cooperate fully with the police especially at checkpoints where they are expected to identify themselves properly with a proper Military ID card.
Also answering questions from the Correspondents on the other topics discussed at the meeting, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Tunde Sobulo, who represented the State Commissioner of Police at the meeting, said the council also examined the strategies being employed to fight crime in the state, adding that with the support from the military, crime, especially car snatching has gone down.
Sobulo who revealed that the car thieves have devised another means whereby they remove cars from where they are parked, warned members of the public to be careful where and how they park their cars.
On some of the new strategies devised by the council for crime fighting, Sobulo said aside from the Police-Military-OPMESA joint patrol, the police have divided the Area Commands into zones so that there would always be two to three vehicles on patrol from one area command which, according to him, “means that there are four patrol vehicles from one division patrolling the whole four divisions.

EFCC BOSS

Pastor Drags EFCC To Court.

In a bid to forestall further arrest by operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a Lagos pastor, John Asoki, who also claimed to be a businessman, has dragged the anti-graft agency before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Also joined as co-respondents are two officials of EFCC, Nurudeen Bello and one Edwin as well as another Lagos pastor, Iyke Onyekwuluye.
In an affidavit in support of his fundamental right enforcement suit sworn to and filed before the court, he averred that sometimes in 2007, he was introduced to the business of supply of petroleum products but had no financial base to pursue the business and consequently, Pastor Onyekwuluye volunteered to solely finance it.
According to him, Onyekwuluye and two other persons, Lucky Apatamini and the brother of the applicant, Emmanuel Asoki, entered into an agreement that the proceeds from the supply shall be shared among them and thereafter, Pastor Onyekwuluye provided N2 million as payment for a barge to be used to transport the product from Warri to Lagos.
The N2 million naira, he said, was later allegedly paid to one Captain John to enable him pay for the rent of the barge.
However, Pastor Asoki averred further that due to unforeseen circumstances, the product was not supplied and consequently, Onyekwuluye demanded the refund of N4 million being the money paid for the hiring of the vessel after which he petitioned the EFCC, upon which the anti-graft agency arrested him and ordered him to refund the N4 million and has so far paid N520,000 to Pastor Onyekwuluye.
The applicant is now urging the court to restrain the EFCC from further arresting or detaining him.
In a counter affidavit sworn to by Nurudeen Bello, an investigating officer of the EFCC, averred that the commission acted on the petition written by Pastor Onyekwuluye, alleging inter alia, that sometimes in October 2007, John Asoki lured him into a transaction of oil business and collected N4 million with the understanding that he will supply oil and gas to his customers, but all efforts made to recover the oil purchased or the money given to him was to no avail.
Bello averred further that EFCC commenced investigation into the case and so far, investigation has revealed that the applicant, in this case, obtained N4 million fraudulently from Pastor Onyekwuluye under the guise of supplying oil to him. Investigation further revealed that the applicant floated a company known as Karina Integrated Services Limited to perpetrate the fraud.
Contrary to the applicant’s claim, there was no allocation, bill or document from any company on the oil for the existence of the fraudulent transaction which he led Pastor Onyekwuluye into.
Pastor Asoki was alleged to have refunded N240,000 out of N4 million, leaving a balance of N3.760 and that he was not harassed or detained as he was granted bail, while there is likelihood of preferring a charge of obtaining money by false pretence against him as soon as possible.
The respondent then urged the court to refuse Pastor Asoki’s application.
Justice Binta Murtala Nyako has adjourned till 19 October for further hearing.

POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, SAMUEL JINADU

Police begin investigations into mysterious hanging, electrocution

The Homicide Section of the Lagos State Police Command has begun investigations into the alleged deaths of a man who hanged himself and another who was electrocuted.

The command’s spokesman, Samuel Jinadu, a Superintendent of Police, said the corpses were currently deposited at the public mortuary.

He said in Lagos that autopsies on the corpses had begun.

Jinadu said that the man, who allegedly hanged himself, was 45-year-old, Sunday Oseni, who lived at Mowonla Village, Ikorodu, Lagos.

He was found dead in his one-room apartment. It was the neighbours of the deceased who reported the incidence at the police station nearest to their residence.

Jinadu said the other deceased person, identified simply as Joshua, allegedly got electrocuted in an attempted `illegal connection’ of electric wires.

He said no arrest had been made in connection with the deaths, adding that ``some people had been questioned.``

Jinadu urged anybody with useful information about the deaths to come forward so that the investigations could become more meaningful.

He also urged the public to always consult PHCN staff to address their electricity challenges, especially if it had to do with external connections involving PHCN poles.

5 Robbers Killed In Lagos.

The police in Lagos, have gunned down five armed robbers in Somolu where they were robbing people of their valuables including handsets and cash.

The robbers numbering seven had attacked customers and workers in a hotel at Fola Agoro area of Somolu.

Their next target was a motor company near the kiosk of a lotto agent. As they forced their victims to lie face down, the lotto operator knew one of them and as he raised his head, he was shot.

The lotto operator was seriously injured. He was later rushed to a hospital where he is still receiving treatment.

It was learnt the gunshots and the resultant alarm raised by neighbours attracted the attention of the police at Alade Division, Somolu who then laid an ambush for the robbers.

The anti-robbery squad at the Alade Police Division engaged the robbers in a fierce gun battle while they were about to escape.

Five of the robbers were killed while two managed to escape.

The corpse of the five were later taken in a police van to the Alade Division from where they were transferred to Isolo General Hospital mortuary.

The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations officer, DSP Samuel Jinandu said he was aware of the incident when contacted.

Jinandu said the police recovered an SUV which the robbers snatched from its owner at gun point.

he commended the gallantry of the anti-robbery squad of the Alade Police Division and the public whose distress call made it possible for the policemen to ambush the robbers.

Man Lures Teenager To Suck His Penis, Remanded In Prison.

A 23-year old man, Emmanuel Pine who lured a 15-year old girl (names withheld) into his room to suck his penis has been arraigned before a Cele Magistrates’ court in Lagos charged with indecent assault.

Pine lured the girl, who live in the building with the girl’s parents at Akanro Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos to his room while pretending that he wanted to send her on an errand.

But when the teenager entered his room, he undressed and allegedly asked the girl to play with his penis and to also suck it.

She later found her way out of the room and wept profusely. Her cry attracted neighbours who sought to know what her problems was.

The girl narrated what transpired inside Pine’s room.

It was learnt that when the girl’s parents returned from work, neighbours informed them about their daughter’s ordeal.

Her parents then reported the matter at Itire police station. Pine was arrested and taken to the police station for interrogation.

The police later arraigned Pine before the Cele Magistrates’ court. The prosecutor said the offence is contrary to and punishable under section 484 of the Criminal Code cap 17 Vol. II laws of Lagos State, 2004.

When the charge was read to him, Pine pleaded not guilty. The presiding magistrate Mrs. C.T. Adesola Ikpatt admitted him to bail in the sum of N35,000 with one surety in like sum.

The court ordered that Pine be remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.

GOVERNOR BABATUNDE FASHOLA

Commissioner Vows To Enforce Safety Standards.

The Lagos State Safety Commission has vowed enforce safety standards across the state and ensure that erring individuals and corporate organisations that failed to comply are punished.

The move followed the recent signing into law of the Lagos State Safety Bill by Governor Babatunde Fashola.

During a news conference at the commission’s conference room, Secretariat, Alausa in Ikeja, Lagos, the Director-General of the commission, Odebunmi Dominga, urged Lagosians to always be safety conscious.

The Director-General decried the recent spate of accidents in the state, saying that most of them were avoidable. She assured that the government is set to remedy the situation by enforcing compliance with rules and regulations.

“The Lagos State Safety Commission is empowered by Law to enforce safety standards on erring and non-compliant people and would certainly bring to book those that violate the Law,” she stated.

Dominga explained that the commission encourages the citizens to forward all safety concerns to it in order to address them critically with other arms of government.

She pointed out that the commission would intensify the public service safety management system through trained safety champions and leadership commitment, adding that the commission is set to ensure that safety advocacy measures were taken to the grassroots through the use of the right form of communication.

She, therefore, urged all stakeholders in public and private sectors to align with the commission to make safety a household practice in the state, saying that the commission would intensify its advocacy visits to clubs, schools, organisations and other places of social interactions in order to get the safety message to all parts of Lagos State.

On the misconception that the commission was duplicating activities of other government agencies, such as the State Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Agency, LASEMA, and the Ministry of Special Duties, Dominga explained that the commission complements the efforts of these agencies in order to ensure better life for Lagosians.

POLICE BOSS

Police increase patrol on Lagos bridges.

The Lagos State Police Command has increased patrol on major bridges, including the Third Mainland Bridge, in an effort to check robbery.
Commissioner of Police, Yakubu Alkali said in Lagos that the development followed complaints by motorists and some other residents of the state who had been robbed at such places.
Alkali said the command had increased patrol of the Rapid Respond Squad on bridges and some other black spots in Lagos State.
According to him, the command had complied with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to remove all vehicles which littered police stations.
He said he held meetings with area commanders and divisional police officers in the command to ensure strict compliance with the directive.
The Commissioner said however, that some stations had yet to completely remove the vehicles and that the command was looking into the situation.
I Help Car Snatchers Drive Across Border’.
A member of a suspected car snatching syndicate, Sidi Abubakar has confessed to the operatives at the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad, Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island, Lagos State, that he is not a robber, but only helps an unidentified car snatching group to drive their stolen vehicles across the border through Ajitete village, Ogun State, into Cotonou, Republic of Binin for a fee.
The police alleged that the incident that led to the arrest of Sidi occurred when he and others now at large, allegedly robbed Oyegun Michael Oluwaseun of his Toyota Camry car with registration number KX 284 EKY at Ahmadiya area of Ojokoro, Lagos while armed with a locally-made pistol and other offensive weapons.
However, luck ran out on him when the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squard, FSARS operatives on an assignment at Idiroko border area arrested the suspect with the stolen vehicle as he made to drive across the border following a distress call they had earlier received about the vehicle.
When the car was searched, a locally made pistol was recovered and other incriminating exhibits.
During interrogation, the suspect Sidi confessed: “I am not a robber, and not the owner of the vehicle. A friend gave it to me to help him drive across the border into Republic of Benin. He does not know my name and I do not know his, too.
“I have been helping people to drive their vehicles across the border through a rough route known to only me and I have never snatched any vehicle from anybody in my life.”
When asked by the police what he was doing with a locally-made pistol if he was not a robber, he allegedly said: “I used the pistol for self defence.”
When further probed on the names of his accomplices in crime and those he has been helping to drive their vehicles across the border, he said: “We don’t normally know our names and addresses. My work is to drop the car at a designated spot across the border while the owner takes it over from there.”
The police have, however, described his claims as nonsense, saying the suspect was a member of the gang that snatched the car from the owner at gun point.
They claimed that while he drove the car to their target across the Idiroko border, his accomplices stayed back to ensure safe delivery of the car to their target and beat police checkpoints.
But the accomplices, however, escaped when they learnt of the arrest of the suspect.
The suspect has been charged before the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court on a two count charge of felony to wit: armed robbery, offences, according to the prosecutor, ASP Raymond, are punishable under Section 6 (b) 1, (2) (a) of the Robbery and Fire Arms (Special Provision) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges when it was read to him.
The presiding Magistrate, Mr. J. A. Adigun, did not take his plea.
He directed that the case file be sent to the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP for advice.
He ordered that the accused be remanded at Ikoyi Prison and thereafter adjourned the matter till 13 September, 2011 for mention.
Fire Razes Building, Renders 52 Homeless.
More than 52 persons, including children and women were rendered homeless in Lagos by a fire that razed down over eight apartments containing both four, three and two bedrooms flats in Jibowu, Yaba, Lagos.
The fire which started at about 12.30 p.m at 3, Alhaji Mudashiru Awe Street, opposite West African Examination Council, WAEC, office, Yaba, destroyed household items worth millions of naira but no life was lost.
The occupants of the building were said to have all gone to work when the fire happened.
The cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained but one of the Landlord’s daughters, said there was power outage when she left home for work, adding; “When I came back, I learnt, it was shortly after the NEPA restored power that people raised alarm about the fire.
One of the tenants confirmed that it was after the NEPA restored power, people saw tick smokes billowing from the house and then raised alarm. He said he was called back from his office to meet that all his properties had been destroyed.
One of the officers of the Lagos State Fire Service from Sari Iganmu branch who came to put out the fire said an electricity spark might have caused the incident.
The officer said his team responded to a call after an order from the headquarters.
A source said the fire was first noticed by a woman shopowner, who alerted other shopowners and neighbours who tried in vein to put out the fire, shortly after which the Yabatech fire fighters came but could not do much.
The Lagos State Fire Service men were said to have come later with more tankers and stopped the fire.
An official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Awodimila Adedeji, who confirmed the incident, advised Nigerians to always switch off all electrical and electronic appliances before leaving home.
Adedeji warned against indiscriminate use of inflammables, which he said, could cause fire and destroy lives and property.
Lecturer Escapes Police Gun Shots.
A lecturer at the Federal College of Education, Akoka, Lagos, Abimbola Bankole, escaped being killed by a Police Inspector, Gabriel Akpan, attached to Railway Police Station, Elewedu, Mushin, Lagos on Wednesday.
Bankole was driving her Toyota Avalon car when the police inspector shot at her but missed his target.
Narrating her experience, Mrs. Bankole said: “I was driving towards Jibowu from Ojuelegba. At a point, the traffic light was green and when it turned red, I found myself on the rail line. As I tried to reverse my car, there was no space and suddenly the police inspector brandishing a rifle, ordered me to open my door and I refused because I did not know him and I was scared.
“As I tried to park, he shot at me and missed his target. When I eventually parked my car I came down to ask him what offence did I commit.
“He told me to surrender my car key. Then suddenly, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of the station, Alhaja Bello, stormed the scene to take me to the station alongside owners of about 10 other vehicles.
“At the station the police inspector lied that I drove dangerously; that I wanted to kill a police officer (referring to himself) and I was told to write my statement, which I did. Thereafter, he boasted that he would take me to court.
“All other people whose cars were also impounded were later allowed to go, on what condition, I did not know.”
An eye witness, who gave his name as Deola Akanni, said: “ The Police Inspector, Akpan, is a wicked man. This woman (Mrs. Bankole) was so lucky. If he had killed her, he would have blamed it on accidental discharge.”
One of the residents in the area, Kabiru Asimiyu, said: “ I can never allow my children to join the police force. Most of them bring shame to us and when you try to correct them, you are in trouble. They thought if they did that to the woman, she would bring out money to beg them.”

Bayo Suleiman

Lagos govt promises stricter enforcement of environmental laws.

Chairman of Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, Bayo Suleiman says his department is out to assist Lagos State realise its mega city dream.
Suleiman, a Superintendent of Police, believes that Governor Babatunde Fashola’s dream of making Lagos an AAA city in Africa and beyond is fully realisable with stricter enforcement of the state’s environmental laws.
“According to him, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit are committed to taking the State to greater heights, and” are prepared to contribute to inventing a city that everyone will be proud of.
The ban against street trading, according to Suleiman, has been in place in Lagos as far back as 1989. But recently, the enforcement unit under his watch issued a caveat to hawkers to vacate the streets.
He says the state will henceforth maintain zero tolerance against traders who trudge through the streets to sell their wares, saying the practice, is an eyesore which must be halted.
“Suleiman said the unit will begin enforcement of law against street trading in all nooks and crannies of the city and have already directed full attention to the Third Mainland Bridge.
“He said The campaign is going to be all over Lagos State and it is going to reintroduce stricter enforcement in areas recovered from street traders in the past.
Here him, The state government has long sounded it loud and clear that it does not want street trading and Traders in the state need to understand this, If they want to trade in Lagos, they have to go to the markets and not the streets.”
According to him, Street trading is not the only ill the special offences enforcement unit is out to tackle in its bid to clean up Lagos.
Suleiman says all illegal shanties must go, adding that his command is also out for miscreants who give the city a bad name. in his words, every ill in the state will be confronted head long.
He said the unit will come out forcefully against illegal shanties and structures, also will go for those indulging in illegal excavation of sand and gravel, illegal dredging, among other things.
“However, I must admit that things are changing. People are gradually getting to appreciate the fact that they have to do things right. The state government is doing it best. There is an on-going awareness programme on radio and television.
He said the unit believe all these would go a long way towards changing the attitude of the people in a lot of positive ways.
He thanked the media for the collaborative roles they have played in the recent past to help the state government realise its plans even as he urged them to continue with the spirit, saying the media have been very useful towards spreading the laudable programmes of the state government.

MEN OF RAPID RESPONSE SQUAD IN ROAD SHOW

FBI Rewards EFCC Operatives Over Arrest of Nigerian Fraudsters.

FBI Rewards EFCC Operatives Over Arrest of Nigerian Fraudsters.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, has issued certificates of outstanding performance to some operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The beneficiaries are officers who participated actively in the arrest of Nigerian fraudsters that had been on the wanted persons list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Legal Attache to the United States Embassy in Nigeria, Kenny Ivy who presented the certificates on behalf of the agency said the Federal Bureau of Investigation is impressed with the degree of professionalism shown by the Commission, particularly in the arrest of a Nigerian fraudster, Raheed Mustapha who escaped from the United States and took refuge in Nigeria after defrauding an American company of about $800,000.
He thanked the Commission for its efforts and said the Federal Bureau of Investigation looks forward to a continuous working relationship with the Commission.
Also his assistant, Jennifer Dent who has been in Nigeria for the past two years said she has been working on the case with the Commission since she came. She expressed appreciation for the support she received from the Commission.
Speaking at the ceremony which took place at the Commission’s Lagos Zonal Headquarters, the Commission Chairman, Farida Waziri expressed appreciation for the commendation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and assured the American authorities of greater cooperation in the concerted efforts to rid both the two countries of criminal elements.

Seme Customs Command generates N645.6m in July.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Border Command, said it generated N645.6 million as revenue in July 2011.
Area Comptroller of Seme Customs Command, Sadiq Sahabi who made this known said the revenue figures showed that the command had met its target for the month.
The duty imposed on imported goods by the command included levy, tax, Value Added Tax and fines.
The area comptroller said 31 seizures were made during the period under review, adding that the Duty Paid Value of N90.6 million was recorded.
He listed the seized items for the month to include textiles, frozen poultry products, rice, vegetable oil, general merchandise and vehicles.
Others are bed sheets, ladies bags, second-hand clothing, travel boxes, carpets, shopping bags, mats, school bags, men’s sandals, ladies slippers and snickers.

AL-MUSTAPHA

Al-Mustapha’s Orderly Testifies.

In continuation of his defence, the former CSO to the late Gen. Sani Abacha, Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha brought in his former orderly, Kyari Gadzama to the court today.
Gadzama, while being led in evidence by the defence counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, told the court that he joined the Nigerian Army in 1993 and after being trained at the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, he was appointed as orderly to the former CSO in 1994.
He said he was a member of the Strike Force. After stating his duties as the orderly and the mode of duty and operation of the security personnel at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Gadzama said he became the orderly to Abacha’s child when Al-Mustapha was transferred to 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu. The new CSO asked him to remain in the Villa but not in the CSO’s office.
However, by late 1998, he said he was arrested by the State Security Service, SSS. He was later released and in 2000, he was rearrested by the SSS and driven to State Police Headquarters, Abuja, where he was locked up in the cell.
He said he was detained for 17 days. After three days in the cell, he was handcuffed. Consequent upon this, he was asked to cooperate and do what he was asked to do.
Gadzama said the following day, he was brought before a panel where he met Barnabas Jabila a.k.a. Sergeant Rogers, who told him, to cooperate with the people sitting in the room or else he will be in trouble.
He said he was given a statement written by Sergeant Rogers to read. He stated that he was given a paper to write his own statement to confirm what Rogers had written and which he refused to do. He claimed that his refusal resulted in his being pushed off the chair he was sitting.
The following day, when he woke up inside the cell, he discovered that he was wet all over his body which made him to suspect that he must have fainted the previous day.
Al-Mustapha’s former aide said after the death of Abacha, he was arrested three times. The last time he was with the SSS, he was informed that he was discharged and acquitted.
The following day, he was given a letter to proceed on a course. When he came back, he reported to his unit and he was not paid his salaries for four months.
But he was later paid his six months salaries in arrears. Thereafter, he was ordered to report at three different units in one day. He was confused but reported at the Intelligence Unit. He got a query which stated that he failed to report for duty. He said they declared him AWOL (away without official leave).
He went further to state that every officer is entitled to allowances.
At this juncture, he sensed that some people must be after him. He was later posted to Jos, Plateau State and from March to June, his name disappeared from the voucher. Thereafter, he decided to leave the army.
When asked if he knew Mohammed Abdul alias Katako, he replied that he does not know him, but he said he knew Rogers as a member of the Strike Force, whom he met when he was in detention.
He recollected that Rogers was telling him to cooperate as Rogers said he has been given a house and will soon be posted out to one of Nigeria’s missions abroad.
He said Rogers told him if he cooperates, he would travel abroad with him, if not he would be left behind.
When Barrister Ojo asked him if he knows Shofolahan, the second accused person in the murder trial, he replied: “no, I don’t know him.”
As at the time of filing this report, the witness’ evidence continued.
The case continues tomorrow.

YAKUB ALKALI LAGOS POLICE BOSS

The Lagos State Police Command has assured that police officers involved in the screening of incoming Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents of Police will be fair to all applicants.
Its Commissioner, Yakubu Alkali gave the assurance in Lagos during the screening of candidates for Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents of Police.
Alkali said a total of one thousand two hundred applicants applied to be enlisted as Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents of Police in the Force.
He advised applicants to report any police officer who demanded bribe from him personally so that he can take appropriate actions.
The Commissioner said he would personally supervise the screening exercise to ensure that it is fair and credible.
Applicants for the post of inspector are to obtain a minimum of an OND, NCE, diploma or A-Level, while applicants for ASP are expected to be degree holders or HND holders with a minimum of second class lower division in the humanities.
Alkali assured that in addition to the certificates presented, applicants must prove at the point of screening that they have the discipline and moral standards to undergo the rigorous training necessary for combating crime in the state.

Obed Igwe

Man Shoots Son Over Use Of His Car.

The police in Lagos have arrested a businessman, Obed Igwe, who allegedly shot his son, Herod, during an argument that ensued when Herod’s younger brother used their dad’s car without his consent.
Herod’s younger brother, Ebuka, 18, was the culprit.
Igwe was so angry that he sent Ebuka out of their 5, Iya Abiye Street, Satellite Town, Lagos residence.
When Herod returned home from school at the weekend and learnt that his father had driven away his younger brother for using his car, he started pleading on behalf of his brother.
Igwe, who was still very angry, allegedly loaded his double barrel gun and shot Herod, 22, a 200 level student of Law at the American University, Cotonou, Benin Republic. He was shot in the arm and leg.
The police at Agboju Division, Satellite Town, Lagos, later arrested and interrogated Igwe.
He was charged to Apapa magistrates’ court with attempt to kill Herod and unlawful possession of firearm.
Herod is now receiving treatment because of the injury he sustained during the shooting.
Herod said he is an undergraduate of law, American University, Benin republic. He said that it was his mom that called him and informed him that their dad had thrown Ebuka out of their house for driving his car.
He said that he quickly returned from school to settle the matter.
He said while he was persuading his dad to drop the gun, he opened fire on him.
He said when his mom heard the sound of the gun, she thought that her husband had killed him and ran to the police station to report the case.
The police arrested Igwe and claimed he possessed the gun unlawfully, a charge Igwe denied.
Igwe said he had a licence for his gun and that he did not shoot his son. He said that what happened was an accidental discharge.
However, while he was about to be arraigned in court yesterday, a team of police officers from Agboju Station led by a woman Divisional Criminal Officer, stormed the court and withdrew the charge and took him back to the station.
The state Commissioner of Police, Yakubu Alkali, had ordered that the matter should be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos for further investigation.

GOVERNOR FASHOLA

Lagos Cracks Down On Street Traders, Danfo Drivers.

The Lagos State Taskforce on Environment and Offences (Enforcement) Unit has begun massive crackdown on street traders across the state, with the clearing of street traders at Cele Bus stop.
The taskforce officials also impounded 15 commuter buses illegally parked at Cele Bus Stop and arrested four traders who were not so lucky to have escaped like their colleagues.
Officials of the taskforce stormed the area well armed and with a Black Maria. Immediately the traders saw them they left their goods and fled while commuter buses loading on the road and causing obstruction were impounded.
There was a mild pandemonium in the area as traders selling on the road sides scampered to safety to avoid being arrested. They deserted their goods which were seized by the taskforce in a renewed war against street trading.
Taskforce Chairman, Supol. Bayo Sulaiman said government had declared zero tolerance for street trading across the state, saying that the exercise would be a continuous one and that no one would be spared.
According to him, there had been lots of complaints by residents in the area that street traders had taken over the Cele Bus Stop, hence the need to act urgently to dislodge them.
He stated that some of the street traders act as armed robbers as they had guns under their wares and had in the past dispossessed innocent Lagosians of their valuables while trying to sell wares to them.
Sulaiman disclosed that the goods seized from the traders had been donated to orphanage homes in some parts of the state, adding that those arrested would be charged to court while those whose vehicles were impounded would pay the penalty for such offence.
On the menace of street traders at Ikotun area of Lagos, the taskforce chairman said they would be dislodged but noted that the traders often come back after the exercise, saying that government was looking at a holistic means to solve the problem permanently.
According to him, officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, had always complained that they did not have space to park their buses, which was why they parked on the roads, with the attendant effect of traffic gridlock.

POLICE BOSS

RISING CRIME WAVE.

It is no longer news that many Nigerians have been sleeping with one eye open, especially in many homes where people keep vigil in an attempt to watch over their families and neighbours, so as to keep men of the underworld at bay.
This is for the second time in less than a year, commercial and social activities in Nnewi, an Industrial hub in Anambra state, were shut down for 24 hours because desperate and weary residents had filed out protesting against the rising spate of crimes like kidnapping in the town.
Crime wave in the polity comes with devastating consequences such as it being major set back against government and the organised private sector’s efforts to attract Direct Foreign Investment in the country.
A rising number of citizens, especially the youth, are increasingly indulging in criminal acts for several reasons like shrinking opportunities in the employment market.
The government and the organised private sector should come together to evolve strategies to jump start the economy, breathe more life into it and in the process, provoke a momentun that will create oportunities and wealth for citizens.
The co-relation between crime and punishment must be established without equivocation.

AL-MUSTAPHA

Al-Mustapha: Drama In Court Over 2002 Verdict.

In continuation of the cross-examination of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former CSO to the late General Sani Abacha, a Lagos High Court admitted in evidence a Supreme Court judgement delivered on 2 July, 2002 and filed by Justice A. M. A. Belgore of the Supreme Court.
When the leading prosecuting counsel tendered the judgement, the defence counsel, olalekan Ojo, leading six other lawyers, objected to the judgement being admitted as exhibit.
While citing series of legal authorities, Ojo told the court that the judgement being sought to be tendered is not only irrelevant but also improper as this could have been tendered during the trial of a witness.
He also contended that the judgement which was delivered in the case of the State Vs Mohammed Abacha, Al-Mustapha and others, was supposed to form part of proof of evidence in the present case.
However, Pedro Lawal SAN in his reply told the court that what is paramount is the way that judgement was attached to this type of document.
He said the judgement is a public document which emanated from the Supreme Court which had been duly certified.
He said he can even tender it from the bar if not through Al-Mustapha.
He said the objection of the defence is misconceived.
Pedro cited Sections of the Evidence Act in support of his argument.
He urged the court to therefore admit the judgement as an exhibit.
The presiding judge, Justice Mojisola Ayoka Dada, in her ruling while citing some authorities and Section 111 of the Evidence Act, overruled the defence counsel while upholding the submission of the prosecuting counsel.
She admitted the judgement as exhibit.
Thereafter, Pedro asked Major Al-Mustapha to read certain portions of the judgement.
His counsel, Olalekan Ojo, objected on the ground that it contained statement of witnesses and their evidences. The court agreed with Ojo.
The prosecuting counsel, Pedro, decided to read the judgement himself. While reading it, he read where Mohammed Abacha said Major Al-Mustapha gave two bags containing guns to Sergeant Rogers for a special assignment.
At this juncture, there was a mild drama as Al-Mustapha pointed out that the said judgement has been compiled in the Nigeria Weekly Law Report and at the end of the judgement, the Supreme Court referred to the prosecutor as persecutor.
However, Ojo produced the said Weekly Law Report but the judgement reported in it was delivered by a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice J. Onu.

INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, HAFIZ RINGIM.

Okada Riders Aid Crime In Lagos.

Lagos state Police Command is convinced beyond reasonable doubts that most motorcycle operators popularly known as Okada, perpetrate or aid criminal activities in the state.
The Command made this known while on the recent joint military onslaught on defiant Okada riders who failed to obey the new edict of the state, banning commercial motorcyclists from operating at night between 8pm – 6am on Lagos island and 10pm – 6am on Lagos mainland.
New Deputy Commissioner of Police (operations), Babatunde Sobulo said the exercise was yielding positive results as hundreds of riders were arrested and over many motor cycles impounded.
Sobulo revealed that the joint patrol by the Police, Army, Navy, Air force and the State Security Service has become a routine with the service chiefs in the state personally directing the all-night security surveillance to battle the hoodlums in the state to stand still.
Involved in the “sweep Lagos clean of crime” battle are: the state Commissioner of police,Yakubu Alkali, Director of State Security Service Lagos, Achu Ben Olayi, the Commandling officer, NNS Beecroft Naval Base, Apapa, Navy Commodore Jonathan Ango, Commander, 9 Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment, Brigadier – General Sanusi Nasiru Muazu and Air Force Commander, 435BSG Ikeja Base, Group Captain Ayo Said Abdulsalam.
Sobulo who declared that police officers and men would not rest on their oars in the battle against those who are bent on perpetrating crime in the state, advised motorists to comply with the new stop and search rule in the state.
He said the law against the Okada riders does not exclude military and Para-military personnel, stressing that anybody who breaks the law would surely face the music.
Sobulo, former commander, Rapid Response Squad Lagos, Mopol 20 Lagos, and operation Fire For Fire was recently redeployed to Lagos.

PPRO LAGOS COMMAND OF POLICE, SAMUEL JINADU

Police arrest suspected robbers in Lagos.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two suspected armed robbers whose gang had been terrorising motorists on Ikorodu road.
Police Public Relation Officer, Samuel Jinadu said the suspects were arrested while attempting to carry out an operation.
Jinadu said the police had been on the trail of the gang who he said had carried out many operations, mostly at night, with their motorcycles.
According to him, one locally made pistol, four live cartridges and a motorcycle with registration number QD 103 ZUR was recovered from them.
He said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the command has warned motorcyclists who stop and pick passengers in front of banks to desist as security operatives would now arrest them.

Lagos police clampdown on motorcyclists.

Also the Police Command have begun a clampdown on motorcyclists operating outside approved hours in the state.
The Command said the clampdown was necessary because of the high level of crime in the metropolis.
Police Public Relation Officer, Samuel Jinadu said investigations revealed that violent crimes in the state were carried out with motorcycles.
Jinadu said the law banning the use of motorcycles in designated roads and within stipulated hours was still in force.
He said about three hundred and twenty commercial motorcycles were impounded in different parts of the state while two hundred and fifty-nine suspects were arrested.
The Police Spokesman, said the motorcyclists were arrested for not adhering to the order given by the state government that they are not allowed to go beyond ten in the night in their operations.
It is no more news that in the Last one month, robbery operations were carried out in different parts of the state, resulting in the death of some people, including a Chinese who was shot dead in front of a bank in Ikeja.

LAGOS POLICE BOSS

The Resurgence Of Robbery Attacks In Lagos.

The recent spate of robbery attacks in the Lagos metropolis has assumed a worrisome dimension.
Since the April general elections, there has been a resurgence of violent armed robbery attacks across the state.
The latest incident occurred on Acme Road on monday the eight when a robber in police uniform shot dead Chun Yuen Mak Henry, an accountant with Western Metal Product Company, WEMPCO Plc based at Ogba, Lagos.
The lone gunman operated on a motorcycle which perhaps made it easy for him to escape after collecting the unspecified amount of money the victim had withdrawn from a bank on Adeniji Jones.
What is very disturbing about the incident that happened in broad day light was that the gunman reportedly wore a MOPOL vest and a police cap.
The following day, gunmen snatched a car belonging to Nkarenyi Ukonu, a reporter with The Punch newspapers along Lateef Jakande Road.
The incident happened at about five in the evening during rush hour traffic and It shows that robbers are becoming brazen and daring in their operations.
Lagos has become increasingly unsafe after the general elections.
A few weeks ago, four gunmen invaded the home of popular musician, Daddy Showkey in Ojodu.
If the authorities must take the issue of security of lives and property seriously, security personnel should be properly dressed so that members of the public can easily identify those who are genuine security personnel and those who are impostors or criminals like the gunman who killed the Chinese accountant.
A situation where security personnel, especially the police, dress in plain clothes and carry guns all over the place calls for serious concern and reprimand by their bosses.
How do members of the public distinguish between genuine policemen and robbers when cops dress in this manner and sometimes carry rifles?
Also, the use of motorcycle to rob has become very rampant in the metropolis and the government needs to act fast before the situation degenerates further.
Although there is restriction on when commercial motorcyclists, also known as okada riders, can ply the roads, the restriction order has always been flouted with impunity.
Government needs to deal with the issue that has become a very serious security challenge in the state.
Government and stakeholders cannot be spending billions of naira on procuring security gadgets and patrol vehicles for the police only for criminals to make nonsense of it.
The state Police Commissioner, Yakubu Alkali must keep his men, the Area Commanders and the Divisional Police Officers on their toes.
Policing a state like Lagos with a population of about eighteen million people is not a tea party.
Therefore, Alkali and his men must wake up to this reality and ensure there is peace and security in the state to justify the state government’s huge spending on security.

The late Folashade

Cop Dies Before Giving Evidence.

A 32-year old pregnant police corporal has died a day before she was expected to give evidence in court against a suspected ritualist.
The deceased, Folashade Atabiakin, mother of two, until her sudden death, was attached to the Iju Police Division, Red House, Ishaga, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
Folashade was an indigene of Iju Itagbolu in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State and was seven months pregnant at the time she died.
She was expected to give evidence in court against Gbenga Elepo, a suspected ritualist who allegedly masterminded the killing of Abel Obayomi, 36, at Oko/Paki, Onihale near Ifo, Ogun State.
The intestines of Obayomi were missing when his corpse was found in the bush three days after he was killed.
An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity narrated how Folashade died on the fateful day.
A resident in the area, Mrs. Muinat Salami, said: “The suspected ritualist is a wicked man. People around here are afraid of him.
The police officer died for fighting a meaningful cause. If not that she called in the police, the suspects, who allegedly killed Obayomi, would have fled. Two other accomplices are being trailed by the police. God will take care of the woman’s children.”
At the Eleweran State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID of the Ogun State Police Command, the police confirmed the incident and the death of the woman corporal.
The suspected ritualist and other accused persons have also been charged before a court.
They have been remanded in prison custody.

Idowu Odeyemi (l) and members of his gang after they were arrested by the police.

End Of The Road For 4 Car Thieves.

A suspected car thief, Idowu Odeyemi, and three members of his gang have been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly stealing his employer’s Nissan SUV the same day he was employed.
He allegedly took the vehicle to a dealer to sell for him. He confessed to the police that he and members of his gang usually apply for a job as drivers and when employed, they later steal the vehicle and drive it to their base at Olodi Apapa, Lagos,to sell.
The police identified the driver’s accomplices in the car stealing syndicate as Adams Satif, a car dealer and mechanic, Abubakar Yakubu and Samuel Akinyoye, who allegedly act as middlemen between the driver and the major car dealer, Adams.
a police source at Olodi Apapa that the driver who was employed on 4 August, 2011, allegedly committed the crime when he drove his boss, Babatunde Ayodele, to his office at about 8am the same day he was employed.
Instead of parking the Nissan SUV with registration number EF 927 KSF at the car park, he allegedly lied to the security guards at the gate that he was sent on an errand and he was allowed to drive out of the premises.
The bubble burst when his boss came out from his office to go home and the driver and the SUV were nowhere to be found. The security guards reportedly told the Ayodele that his driver told them that he was sent on an errand, a claim he denied.
After the boss waited till 6pm without seeing him, he dialled the runaway driver’s phone number, but it was switched off.
He contacted the vehicle tracking company and they swung into action and tracked down the vehicle at Oyewole Street, Olodi Apapa, Ajegunle, Lagos.
The owner reported the matter at Ajeromi Police Station and the driver and his accomplices were arrested at the scene while removing parts of the car. The registration number had also been removed.
During investigation, the police discovered that the driver applied for the job with a fake name, John Balogun, claiming to be a member of Deeper Life Bible Church, Ebute Meta District. He also gave a fake residential address.
Items recovered from them include: Duplicated ignition keys of Nissan and Toyota car brands, forged customs papers, fake driver’s licence and tools they use in dismantling stolen vehicles.
In his confessional statement to the police, Idowu said: “We normally send one of our gang members out to go and apply for a job as a driver with somebody who owns an expensive Toyota and Nissan SUV. Our member applies with fake name, address and phone number.
“The same day he is employed, he would find his way at all costs to drive away the vehicle to our base, where we would change parts of the vehicle and resell it and share the proceeds.
“We have been in this business for a long time. We promise to repent now if we are let off the hook.”
He did not tell the police in his statement the number of vehicles he and his gang have stolen.
All the suspects, according to the police source, have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, CID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos for further interrogation.
A senior police at the State CID Command confirmed the presence of the suspects and said they are undergoing interrogation, adding that after investigation, they would be charged to court.

POLICE BOSS

Police Rearrest Cobbler Over Allegation.

A cobbler, Tunde Ilufemi, 29 has told an Isolo Magistrate’s Court, Lagos how he was robbed in a hotel and charged with robbery by the police at the Olosan division, Mushin, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
He alleged that the police connived with the prostitute he slept with to put him in trouble.
Following his revelations, the police rearrested him immediately the magistrate struck out the robbery charge filed against him and took him to an unknown place.
He was beaten while being taken away by four police officers led by the investigation police officer, IPO, Corporal Gideon Akinyefa and the divisional crime officer, Olosan station, Mushin.
Trouble started for the cobbler when the magistrate struck out the case when the IPO failed to show up in court to testify against him.
The accused had told the magistrate, Mrs. M.O. Ajayi when the matter came up that the police conspired with a prostitute he slept with in a hotel to rob him of his money and thereafter charged him with robbery.
Unknown to him, the IPO who did not appear before the magistrate when the case was called, was hiding outside.
The IPO and others who were monitoring the case from outside the court were not comfortable with Ilufemi’s revelations because of its implication on the image of the police and immediately arrested him after he was discharged.
Ilufemi had earlier told the court at a previous sitting that the prostitute he slept with in a hotel in Mushin informed the police that he had a large sum of money with him in the hotel.
He alleged that the police forced his room open, battered him and took his money, including his handsets.
He disclosed that the N31,000 taken from him and other items were not returned to him even when he was charged to court.
He alleged that the police tricked him to plead guilty to the charge as a condition to regain his freedom.
Ilufemi was charged with robbery, but the charge did not state the person he robbed.
The accused told the court further that his predicament started after he won the local lottery popularly known as Baba Ijebu and decided to pass a night with a woman in a hotel.
He went to a hotel in Mushin and engaged the services of a prostitute simply identified as Beauty. He said that he did not know that the girl he slept with was a dubious person who connived with the police to put him in trouble.
While he was still in the hotel, the girl tipped off the police who forced his hotel room open and arrested him for robbery.
The guilty plea he made earlier was changed to not guilty by the magistrate and he was granted bail.
A date was fixed for trial but the IPO failed to turn up and the accused was acquitted and discharged by the magistrate.
Businessman arraigned for alleged death of 16-year-old boy. .............A businessman, Mutiu Olatunji, was arraigned before an Ejigbo Magistrates` Court, Lagos, for allegedly killing a 16-year-old boy, Tobi Bolarinwa, through reckless driving.
Olatunji, 28, is standing trial on a four-count charge of reckless driving, manslaughter, driving without an insurance certificate and a driver’s licence.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Olakunle Shonibare, told the court that Olatunji, who drove a Honda Accord car, with Reg. No. CF 501-MUS, did so in a dangerous manner that resulted in the death of Bolarinwa.
He said the accused committed the offences on July 20, about 8 p.m., at Unity Bus Stop, Igando.
``Without due care and attention to other road users, Olatunji drove the vehicle recklessly which caused Bolarinwa’s death.
He said that the alleged offences contravened Sections 5, 27 (1), 28 (1) and 132 of the Road Traffic Act, Cap 124, Vol. 6.
The prosecutor also informed the court that the complainant had presented a letter of withdrawal to settle the matter out-of-court with the family of the deceased.
The late Bolarinwa’s family, represented by one Mr Isaac Adeniji, told the court that they wished to withdraw the case and the defendant discharged.
Adeniji said that the father of the deceased died three days before the incident and that the family lacked the heart to make any case, saying “it is an act of God.”
The magistrate, Maimunat Folami, granted the complaint’s request and asked that documents for proper procedure be brought to court in the next adjourned date.
The complainant was requested to bring the death certificate and an affidavit of withdrawal.
Folami adjourned the matter till Aug. 12 for further action. .................Driver on manslaughter trial discharged
A commercial vehicle driver, Sylvester Aghator, was on Friday discharged by the Ejigbo Magistrates` Court in a case of manslaughter preferred against him.
Aghator was on Wednesday arraigned for allegedly causing the death of an 80-year-old woman through reckless driving.
The driver, who faced a two-count charge of dangerous driving and manslaughter, was discharged following the withdrawal of the case by the family of the deceased.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Oladejo Balogun, told the court on Friday that the family had brought a letter and other documents to aid the withdrawal procedure.
The court had at its last sitting requested for the documents to aid the withdrawal of the case.
The family was represented by Jaye Abu who informed the court that the family did not want to continue with the case following pleas from the defendant`s family.
Abu said that the family had forgiven the defendant and accepted `mama’s death.
He presented the withdrawal letter, death certificate and an affidavit of withdrawal to the court.
Magistrate Maimunat Folami, after proper verification of the documents, granted the complainant’s prayer.
At arraignment, the accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
But the prosecution told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 30, at about 7 p.m., at Ikotun-Igando Road.
Balogun said the accused drove dangerously on the public highway without due care and attention to other road users.
``The accused being the driver of a Paragon bus with Reg. No. MF 399 AAA, drove same in a reckless manner, thereby causing the death of an 80-year-old woman, Mrs Tayelolu Abu,’’ Balogun said.
He said that the offence contravened Sections 27 (1) and 28 (1), Cap 124, Vol.6 of the Road Traffic Law Act (RAT) of Lagos State.

NDLEA BOSS

Drug Smuggling On The Increase.

Drug smuggling in Nigeria seems to be on the rise, going by the quantity of hard drugs intercepted last year by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
The anti-narcotics agency has said in its 2010 Annual Report released recently that it seized 178,120.73 kilogrammes of hard drugs last year as against 115,910.24 in 2009.
The difference, 62210.49 kilogrammes of drug seized, represents about 54 percent increase over that of 2009, according to the report.
The report also shows that the number of arrests slightly declined last year from 7042 suspected drug traffickers apprehended in 2009 to 6788 suspects arrested in 2010.
The report further shows that since NDLEA was established 20 years ago, it has intercepted about 3 million kilogrammes of hard drugs in Nigeria and arrested 60,000 suspects.
NDLEA said that the hard drugs seized include cocaine, heroin, cannabis sativa and other psychotropic substances.
Out of the 60, 000 suspects arrested by NDLEA in the last two decades, 20,000 were prosecuted, the report said, adding that the agency won 19,000 cases and lost 500. There was no information on the remaining 500 cases.
“It would have been hell let loose on the country were this mind-boggling quantity of drugs ‘be’ allowed to flow into the system (country) with its attendant debilitating consequences to the social, economic and political stability; as well as the health and security of individuals and the nation,” NDLEA which is chaired by Ahmadu Giade, said.
NDLEA also disclosed that the current staff strength of the agency stands at 3,332, deployed to Lagos Headquarters, 46 field operational commands, the RADC, Jos and Abuja liaison services.
The staff population, the agency said, represents a ratio of one drug agent to over 45,000 Nigerians. NDLEA recently recruited some agents across the country.
The staff population, the agency said, is made up of 2,624 male or 78.75 percent and 708 female or 21.25 percent of staff strength.
The report also disclosed that 80 percent of hard drugs seized were cannabis while 10 percent were cocaine and 4 percent were heroin. Other drugs represented 4 percent.