Lagos lawyer petitions Army chief over inspector’s murder

The legal firm led by the human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has requested the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Leo Irabo, to investigate the alleged torture and killing of officers of the Lagos State Police Command by some privates of the Nigerian Army at the Trade Fair area of Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Lagos State.

It had been reported that an inspector, serving with the Lagos command, Orukpe Monday, had died from the torture he allegedly received from soldiers who attacked him and his colleagues while carrying out their duties earlier this month.

It was gathered that the soldiers descended on the policemen after the officers stopped vehicles in their lane to allow a truck to connect to the expressway, killing Monday during the altercation.

Another Inspector, Igbafe Ojo, reportedly tortured by the soldiers, was taken to the Ojo Military Cantonment hospital for treatment.

Activists and groups, including the Lagos Police Command, had condemned the alleged killing and called for transparent investigations to bring the culprits to book.

However, in a letter signed by its Per Pro, Taiwo Olawanle, Femi Falana Chambers requested the Army Chief to investigate the incident.

“Our attention has just been drawn to the brutal killing of Inspector Monday Orukpe and torturing of four others, all of the Ojo Division of the Lagos State Police Command.

It would interest you to know that save for the maturity and skill of the officers of the Nigeria Police Force involved, the event would have left many injured and killed including innocent civilians going about their normal business activities,” the letter read in part.

“Having regard to the avoidable tragic incident, we humbly request you to use your good offices to cause a thorough investigation into this allegation and fish out the members of the Nigerian Army who carried out this uncivilized act on the personnel of a sister security agency carrying out their constitutional mandates.”

Olawanle said he believed the Army Chief would let justice prevail in the matter.

Fire destroys 15 shops in Lagos

No fewer than 15 shops have been destroyed by fire in the Mushin area of Lagos state.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, in a statement posted on its Facebook page, stated that the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday at Olanrewaju off Bangboye Street, Mushin.

Loss of lives and other properties were, however, averted by LASEMA officers deployed to the scene following an emergency call.

The statement read,

“ LASEMA, in fulfilling its mandate of managing emergency/disaster in the state, LASEMA has effectively and efficiently responded to various emergencies and salvaged situations that could result in a colossal loss of lives and properties on Sunday, 28th August 2022.

“At the wee hours of today (Sunday), the Agency deployed its Eagle Squad at Cappa Base, Oshodi, to Olanrewaju off Bangboye Street, Mushin, where a case of fire outbreak was reported via the State emergency toll-free line.

“As the Agency’s Response Team arrived at the scene of the incident, it was discovered that 15 (fifteen) kiosks were gutted by fire, but the timely response of the LASEMA Fire Team prevented the fire from spreading to adjoining buildings which could result in a huge loss. The inferno was combated and dampening down completed.”

Meanwhile, two were injured in an accident involving a commercial bus and mini truck with registration number KRD 174 XQ along the third mainland bridge.

LASEMA noted, “Further information gathered revealed that the bus, while on high speed, ran into the broken down truck which was in the middle of the road.

“Fortunately, there was no record of loss of lives. However, two adult males, the driver of the bus, and his conductor, sustained injuries as a result of the impact of the accident.

“The injured victims were administered first aid by the Agency’s Paramedics. Thereafter, the driver was taken to the Trauma Centre as a result of the head injury he sustained for further medical attention.

“The affected truck and the bus were recovered off the road with the aid of the Agency’s light-tow truck and a private tow truck while the road was restored for vehicular activities.”

Oro festival: Pastor arrested as church members allegedly stone traditional worshipper to death in Lagos

The pastor of Truth and The Spirit Prophetic Church in Lagos state, Mercy Okoch, 50, and nine of her church members have been arrested for allegedly stoning a 25-year-old traditional worshipper, Agboola Akeem, to death during a clash on Tuesday, August 23 at about 6.30pm.

According to a police, officers attached to the Oko Oba Police Division received a distress call that the church located at Number 2 Sanni Taiwo Lawal street in Oko Oba, was about to be set ablaze. The officers immediately stormed the church premises.

Preliminary investigation showed that the traditional worshippers were celebrating their Oro festival while the church members were having a church service. The traditional worshippers allegedly invaded the church premises and asked the church members to discontinue their service.

Oro Festival is an annual traditional festival only celebrated by male descendants who are paternal natives to the specific locations where the event is taking place.

During the festival, females, and non-natives are mandated to stay indoors as oral history has it that Orò must not be seen by women and non-participating people .

According to the police source, a shouting match ensued between the traditional worshippers and the church members and this degenerated into a fight.

In the process, one of the traditional worshippers was allegedly stoned to death. This caused a rage among the other traditional worshippers who vowed to burn down the church.

The police were able to quell the tension and evacuated the body of the deceased and deposited it in the morgue. The pastor and nine members of the church are now in police custody.

Fake naval officer arrested in Lagos

A fake naval officer was arrested on Wednesday, August 17, by police officers of Isolo of the Lagos state police command.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the fake officer, identified as Anthony Nwaneri, was exposed thanks to helpful information from observant citizens.

He was arrested today at the Cele area of Lagos state.

The police PRO added that investigation is ongoing.

Lagos Police rescue ‘crossdresser’ who was about to be lynched over claims he is a terrorist

The police in Lagos state have rescued a man from being lynched over claims he is a terrorist.

SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson of the state police command, said the man was almost lynched in the Ijora Badia area of the state today August 15, by a mob who accused him of being a terrorist.

Hundeyin said police intervention led to his rescue. He said the man who wore a hijab, claimed he is an electrician.

Lagos state government disbands Ministry of Transport (MOT) enforcement team

The Lagos Ministry of Transportation has placed an indefinite ban on the operations of its enforcement team tagged M.O.T Taskforce.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, in a statement released, stated that the decision was reached after a thorough appraisal and review of the enforcement teams operating under the Ministry of Transportation.

Giwa explained that the ban is part of measures initiated to streamline transport enforcement activities in Lagos State to achieve the required effectiveness in line with global best practices, warning that the ban is not an excuse for drivers to disobey the traffic laws of the State.

”The Special Adviser averred that Traffic Management and Transportation is a cardinal pillar in the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stressing that the readjustment of the enforcement strategy was to enhance service delivery to the people of the State.

He, therefore, enjoined the general public to report the activities of any unauthorised enforcement team still operating with the tag M.O.T Taskforce to the Ministry of Transportation for prosecution.

Appealing to Lagosians to cooperate with the State Government in its effort to improve the traffic situation across the metropolis, the Special Adviser gave an assurance that a lot is ongoing behind the scene to bring the much-desired change in the transport sector.”

Sanwo-Olu restates commitment to affordable housing

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has restated his commitment to providing affordable housing for different strata of citizens in the state.Sanwo-Olu said this on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Channel Point Apartments project executed by the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation and Brook Assets and Resources Limited on Victoria Island.

He said,

“In the housing industry, this is the 16th housing project that we have handed over to our citizens and I want to assure you that there are still a whole lot more. For instance, before the end of the year, I am sure the Ministry of Housing has about four major projects to hand over hundreds of flats to citizens.

We are not just building; we are ensuring that we build affordable housing for different strata of our citizens – from the low budget to the middle budget to beautiful apartments like this in the heart of Victoria Island and we are also building in Ikorodu, Badagry, Epe, Ilupeju, Surulere, and Ikota.

As we pursue this housing agenda, we are also rigorously pursuing a comprehensive urban renewal.”The Managing Director of LSDPC, Ayodeji Joseph, disclosed that its partnership with the private sector will lead to more projects in the next 18 months.

“We are glad that through this joint venture with Brooks Assets and resources Limited, we have been able to deliver 38 family residential units of commensurable value and quality, and the flats have modern facilities,” he stated.

16 dead, five injured in Lagos auto crash

A crash involving two vehicles in the early hours of Tuesday along Alaro City, Epe area of Lagos State claimed 16 lives and injured five.Twenty-three male adults were involved in the crash; while 16 died, five were critically injured, and two suffered no injuries.Confirming the accident, the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos Command, noted that the crash occurred at 03:00 am and was caused by impaired visibility due to reckless driving.A statement by the FRSC Public Education Officer of the command, Olabisi Sonusi, revealed that the five injured victims have been hospitalised.It partly read, “The vehicles involved in the crash were a white bus with Registration number KTN 262YJ and an Articulated truck (Registration Number unknown).

FRSC operatives and other emergency management agencies are on ground, ensuring prompt recovery and evacuation of all crashed vehicles.“The Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Corps Lagos Sector Command Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide, therefore, advised motorists to always avoid night journey because of impaired visibility at that hour.

He also admonished the motoring public always to observe construction signage and speed limits at such zones.“Ogungbemide is also using this medium to commiserate with the families of the deceased, while wishing the injured quick recovery.”

Former LASU Vice Chancellor, Hussein, Dies.

The former Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Lateef Akanni Hussein is dead. According to a statement on the official LASU page on Facebook on Monday, Hussein died after a brief illness on Sunday, 31st July, 2022 aged 75.

Prof. Hussein, a professor of Physics was the sixth Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University; he served between 2005 and 2011. Hussein will be buried on Monday according to Islamic rites.

Sanwo-Olu appoints seven new permanent secretaries in Lagos (SEE LIST)

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the appointment of seven new Permanent Secretaries in the state.

The Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, said the new permanent secretaries were among the Directors that took part in last year’s screening exercise conducted by the government for officials in the state’s public service.

The screening exercise took place from November to December 2020.

The new permanent secretaries are:

· Bolarinwa Kikelomo – Director Establishments, Office of Establishment & Training.

· Emokpae Olatokunbo – Director Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture.

· Oke-Osanyintolu Zainab Oluwatoyin – Director Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health.

· Sanusi Rukayat Alake – Director Administration & Human Resource, Debt Management Office.

· Abolaji Abayomi – Director of Education, Lagos State Technical & Vocational Education Board.

· Salami Olubukola – Executive Secretary, Judicial Service Commission

·  Femi Daramola – General Manager, Public Works Corporation, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

According to Muri-Okunola, the new permanent secretaries possess the qualities, competence, and experience required to serve in the state’s public service.

He revealed that the appointees would be deployed to their new stations in due course.

Yoruba nation agitators, on Saturday, announced their presence at the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos State, as they appeared in cultural regalia synonymous with African traditional religion.

Yoruba nation agitators, on Saturday, announced their presence at the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos State, as they appeared in cultural regalia synonymous with African traditional religion.

The separatists hold the rally for the secession of the South-West geopolitical zone despite repeated warnings by security operatives.

The agitators led by Professor Banji Akintoye Ilana Oodua group had held similar rallies in other states in the South-West.

Lagos state to feed schoolchildren with N11 billion

The Lagos State Government says N11bn had been budgeted for its Snacks for Thought programme.

It explained that the Snacks for Thought programme was created to complement the home grown school feeding programme of the Federal Government, which covered only pupils in primary one to primary three.

The government added that its feeding programme would take care of the pupils at the crèche and primary four to primary six.

Special Adviser of the Office of Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, made this known on Monday during the ministerial press briefing commemorating the second year anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in Alausa, Ikeja.

She said, “The programme will cost the government N11bn. We are going to partner organisation on this. We already have over 400 volunteers that will work with us.”

Adebowale stated that a report by UNICEF in 2018 showed that an estimated 229,264 pupils were out of school in Lagos State.

She added; “In order to curb this rising numbers, we need more than statutory allocations. Intervention such as this will increase the rate of enrolment in schools and serve as a preventive security measure in reducing crime and hooliganism that may later on disrupt the socio-economic life of the state.”

First civilian governor of Lagos State , Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande Died Today.

One of the things that Lateef Jakande will always be remembered for is the landmark development he brought to Lagos State during his tenure as the governor, both in the education sector working with the five cardinal plan of the Unity party of Nigeria which was established by Awolowo and also in the housing sector amongst other things he achieved for the state.

Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the death of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, a very great man in the service of Lagos State, Nigeria and humanity, a venerable Stateman, an outstanding politician, an administrator and the first civilian governor of Lagos State.

COVID-19- Lagos govt bans gathering of more than 50 persons

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday banned gatherings of more than 50 persons in the state.

The governor, who announced this while giving an update on the COVID-19 situation in Lagos, however, added that religious organizations are exempted from the directive.

He added that the order was in line with the new COVID-19 safety protocols signed last week by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The governor said: “The state government has observed with dismay the widespread flagrant disregard and non-adherence to guidelines and protocols aimed at stemming and curbing the tide of COVID-19 infection.

“We particularly note that some event centres have been operating their premises outside the acceptable parameters for operation/usage and continue to be recalcitrant in this regard.

“This is to sound a very serious note of warning that henceforth all those found culpable and in breach of the existing regulations and guidelines would be swiftly and decisively dealt with in full accordance with the provisions of the law.

“Furthermore, and in line with the COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021 signed last week by President Muhammadu Buhari, it is hereby directed that no gathering of more than 50 persons shall hold in an enclosed space, except for religious purposes, in which case the gathering shall not exceed 50 percent capacity of the space.”

Sanwo-Olu stressed that violation of the provisions of the presidential regulations on COVID-19 attracts a fine, six months imprisonment, or both.

He added: “Our enforcement agencies have been appropriately tasked to ensure maximum compliance.

“All Lagosians are enjoined to continue to observe all laid down guidelines and protocols issued by both the state and Federal Governments for the effective containment and treatment of the COVID-19.”

#Covid19 :Sanwo-Olu extends public servant’s holiday for 2weeks.

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has extended the stay-at-home order for all State Public Servants on Grade Levels 14 and below to Monday, January 18, 2021, to stem the tide of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Head of Service (HoS), Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said this, on Sunday, in a signed statement, noting that the directive excludes staff on essential duty as well as First Responders.

Muri-Okunola urged all public servants to stay safe and ensure continued adherence to all COVID-19 protocols in order to rid the state of the pandemic.

10 persons arrested for attacking Lagos Taskforce officers as Govt impounds 96 commercial motorcycles.

Ten persons have been arrested for attacking the men of Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency (Taskforce) during an enforcement of the State’s traffic laws on Tuesday December 22.

The suspects were picked up in the commotion that broke out in Ojodu and Obanikoro during the enforcement carried out by the Taskforce in several areas in Lagos.

No fewer than 96 commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, operating on highways and in other restricted routes in the metropolis, were impounded in the Tuesday operation.

Also, four motorists driving against the traffic were arrested by the Anti-One Way team of the Taskforce.
It was gathered that some hoodlums teamed up with Okada riders around Ojodu Grammar School to resist the move by the Taskforce to take away motorcycles seized during the enforcement.

As the hoodlums, armed with iron rods and broken bottles, approached the Taskforce operatives, the policemen, led by the Taskforce chairman, Shola Jejeloye, a Superintendent of Police (SP), repelled the attack, and dispersed the mobsters.

Passersby and residents scampered for safety, as the Taskforce operatives chased the hoodlums. Five suspects were arrested.

There was tension in the area for several minutes, before normalcy returned. The Taskforce officers remained in the area for hours in a bid to ensure there was no reprisal on residents.

Also at Obanikoro, Okada riders, on sighting the enforcement team, pelted the Taskforce officers with stones. The policemen arrested four persons who took part in the attack. One person was arrested in Ojota.

Lagos state police command threatens to close down African Shrine

The Lagos State Police Command has threatened to close the African Shrine, Ikeja, over the hosting of a programme to evaluate the achievement, lessons and tasks arising from the recent #EndSARS protest.

The programme, which is organised by Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, was originally scheduled to be held on Tuesday at the African Shrine.

The police have now threatened to close down the place if the programme went ahead.

Seun revealed that the police invited his sister and threatened to shut down the facility if the meeting holds.

In a letter to the Kuti family and manager of the African Shrine, the police said the programme was not welcome and will be tagged a deliberate action to sabotage the restoration of peace in Lagos.

The police cited the recent violence arising from the #EndSARS protest as its reason for ordering the suspension of the programme.

“It is on this premise that I write that such a gathering or meeting planned to be hosted at your venue is not welcome at this perilous time when the security of the nation is trying to find her feet to stabilize all threat to life and properties.

“You are hereby warned to suspend such gathering as any infraction that may emerge from this gathering will be tagged a deliberate action to sabotage the transition and restoration of the peace in Lagos State by the Lagos state Government and the Nigeria police Force,” the letter to the Kuti family partly reads.

Reacting to the letter by the police, Seun said he will go ahead with his programme but at a different venue.

He also queried why the government was hinged on infringing on the rights of the people to freedom of association, adding that it was an undemocratic act.

He said, “I respect my family’s decision not to hold the event but I will still go ahead with all the other organisations to launch the Movement of the People tomorrow and start our political resistance to the tyranny of this oppressive regime.

“This is a meeting, just a meeting of organisations and they are basically banning the right of association. Why are they afraid of the people organising? What is democratic about this act?

“The last time we tried to launch the government quickly called curfew and this time they have used threats but you can’t stop the will of the people.”

I am still the Jagaban- Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

Tinubu visits Sanwo-Olu, says I didn’t go nowhere, I’m still Jagaban

All Progressives Congress chieftain, Bola Tinubu, has lamented the invasion and wanton looting of public and private assets in the state of late.

Tinubu made this known on Saturday when he paid a visit to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the State House in Marina.

Addressing journalists after the meeting with the governor, Tinubu said he did not travel out of the country as reported by some sections of the media
He told reporters that the purpose of his meeting with Sanwo-Olu was to ask him if he had ordered soldiers to attack #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate on Tuesday.

The former Lagos governor said he asked Sanwo-Olu “if he didn’t order the attack, who ordered the attack? That’s all I needed from him.”

Tinubu has come under fire in the last few days over the Lekki incident as rampaging hoodlums burnt down investments reportedly linked with him including a television station, a newspaper house as well as assets of the Lekki Concession Company, the managers of the toll gate.

Speaking on Saturday, Tinubu stressed the need for a thorough investigation into Tuesday night attack.

He said, “First, we have to segregate the calendar – those who suffered casualty before the protests from the hands of SARS. You have to separate that from those who suffered casualty due to what happened at the toll gate.

“For those who suffered casualty from SARS, the Commission of Inquiry that is already set up will unearth that and will make their recommendations. I trust the calibre and the character of the people there, they are independent. That is one.

“Those who suffered casualty during the gunshots need to answer some questions too. Even though we want to help, we still must extract information that will help the government to prepare in future and understand how and when to react because the governor, in particular, is a youth.

“As a youth himself, he (Sanwo-Olu) quickly went to Abuja with the 5/5. The government immediately put into action, dissolved the SARS and had to work through other recommended actions, the needs they demanded. Within a few days, he reported back to the public. That is responsive enough.

“But where are we getting the looting, the carnage, the burning, the invasion of police stations, stealing of arms, maiming of the innocent? It is a handshake beyond the elbow.”

Asked about his whereabouts in the past few days, Tinubu said, “I didn’t go nowhere; I’m a Lagosian and I still hold the title of Asiwaju of Lagos and I am still a Jagaban.

“Fake news is all over the place. They say Seyi my son was kidnapped and was chased but look at him. I didn’t pay a penny to bring him here.”

Tuesday night attack at the Lekki toll gate has been condemned by both local and international civil rights organisations and personalities.

Lagos will not burn- Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Lagos state governor, governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has addressed Lagosians via his social media page after a tour round Lagos to observe the level of destruction done by hoodlums , below is his speech;

We are Lagosians. We are known for our creativity, enterprising and can-do spirit. I am convinced that we will heal and rebuild our land. We have no other choice. It is our land and our home. We must do right by it.

Lagos will not burn. Not on my watch. Enough is enough. We want peace and we will get peace.

As shocking and sad as this situation is, we must come out of the ashes of destruction strong and with a determination that this unfortunate situation will not kill the spirit of Lagos.

We also visited the various hospitals today to check on the progress of victims that were brought in from events this week.

It was heartwarming to note that quite a number have been discharged. We have also indicated that we will be picking all the bills.

I will like to advise and implore citizens to resist the urge to instigate or incite people to violence especially on social media.

It is wrong to spread misinformation and create mass hysteria.

This is not the Lagos we know. I am the 15th governor of the state and Lagos has never witnessed this level of destruction. The oldest court in Nigeria was razed down. Many properties were completely destroyed. It is time to heal ourselves and time to heal Lagos.

Our beautiful city has seen a level of destruction almost akin to a war zone. It was a shocking and very sad spectacle. Our land took a beating and this hurts. Historical buildings, cultural centres, private malls, government holdings and private businesses were pillaged & burnt.

Lagos belongs to us all. No other state has this unique combination of people living in peace, harmony and progress so it saddened me when I went round for an on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the level of destruction to public assets and private properties.

Today, on our journey across Lagos, we paid respect to the ones we have lost. It was an emotional time for everyone, and we will find a way to remember them in the coming days.

Falz blast Lagos state government.

As the end sars protests had been peaceful until recently , hoodlums have taken over the protest. They has been alot of violence and killings.

According to Falz, the hoodlums are suspected to be sponsored by some unscrupulous people in government. This however led to the 24hour curfew that was imposed by the Lagos state government , starting from today.

However, the talented singer and rapper has said that the peaceful protect will definitely continue once the curfew is over.

Watch the video below to listen to what Falz said concerning the recent development.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CGkgvvhhwPM/?igshid=1v7jgqqrybig4