What is a city without crime? thisislagos descends into the Lagos underground to search out the baddest guys the craziest crimes in LasGidi.
Lagos pastor in court for land grabbing, forgery (Punch)
The pastor of Christ Salvation Divine Ministries International, Rev Godwin Godwin, has been arraigned before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Oshodi for alleged forgery of documents and illegal sale of a plot of land at the Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1.
Godwin allegedly sold the plot of land identified as Block 108, Plot 8, belonging to one Mrs Halima AbdulMalik.
Following the alleged sale of the land, AbdulMalik addressed a petition to the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land-grabbers through a law firm, Paul Onyeka & Co.
Our correspondent learnt that upon the receipt of the petition, an investigation was launched into the matter and Godwin was arrested on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Read more
LASU student bags 21 years’ imprisonment for raping fellow students (Nation)
An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday sentenced a student of Lagos State University (LASU), Afeez Ogunbowale, to 21 years imprisonment for involvement in armed robbery and rape of two fellow LASU students.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo sentenced Ogunbowale after finding him guilty of five counts bordering on conspiracy, rape and armed robbery.
Taiwo said that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
She held that the testimony of the victims were compelling, adding that they were able to positively identify Ogunbowale as one of the culprits. Read more
Traders raise alarm over threat to invade market (Vanguard)
Traders under the umbrella of Balogun Business Association, BBA Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, along the Badagry expressway, have raised the alarm over threat by thugs to invade the market and unleash mayhem on them.
They alleged that the thugs who were sponsored by a former leader of the association, had the backup of some top senior policemen.
Consequently, they have called on Police authorities in Lagos to wade in, with a view to arresting those spoiling for war, in order to avert bloodshed.
Briefing journalists over the weekend, at the association’s secretariat, the traders disclosed that information at their disposal revealed that the invasion would take place between Sunday and Wednesday, this week..Read more
Bizman’s bleeding wife’s health worsens following ordeal in hands of LASTMA officials (Punch)
The health of Sophia, the wife of a Dubai-based businessman, Jude Eze, has deteriorated after some personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority allegedly absconded with her during an arrest while she was bleeding.
PUNCH Metro had reported that a combined team of policemen and LASTMA officials arrested Jude on Friday in the Akowonjo area of the state for seat belt infringement.
It was reported that Sophia was bleeding and could not use the seat belt, but attempts to explain to the LASTMA personnel proved abortive as they allegedly impounded Jude’s vehicle with his wife inside.
The father of four had told PUNCH Metro that while he was pleading with the officials to allow him to take his wife to hospital, one of them jumped into the car and drove away. Read more
Usifo Ataga: Ojukwu not alleged killer, Chidinma’s real father (Guardian)
There are indications that Mr. Ojukwu, the purported father of the prime suspect, Chidinma, in the brutal killing of Super TV boss, Usifo Ataga, is not her biological father.
A report yesterday, revealed that Mr. Ojukwu, who was arrested and released by the police was not her real father. According to a source, Mr. Ojukwu is not her biological father but her guardian. The source said her real name is Chidinma Blessing Egbuchu, that she is not from Abia State as claimed but from Imo State.
“She is the second child of the late Mr. Michael Egbuchu and Mrs. Kate Egbuchu. Her parents were reportedly separated in the late 90s. Her father died in 2019 and her mother remarried, now bearing Kate Idibia.
Meanwhile as investigation continues into his killing , Ataga’s brother, Dr. Isi Ataga, claimed the deceased was bound, gagged and stabbed several times before his death. Read more
FRSC impounds 835 articulated vehicles in Lagos (Sun)
Lagos Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has impounded about 835 articulated vehicles in 2020 under its Operation Scorpion I, II and III.
The state Sector Commander, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, gave the figure at a conference in Lagos last week, on: “Curbing Crashes Involving Articulated Vehicles,” jointly organised by FRSC, Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) and Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Lagos State.
He added: “The FRSC, Lagos Sector Command, had in recent times adopted and engaged in some home-grown operational initiatives. One of such was code-named Operation Scorpion I, II and III.
”The operation, the first of which was held in 2016 and subsequently carried out in 2020, was introduced to wage a total war against haulage servicing vehicles that operate below required and globally acceptable safety standards. “The operation recorded 835 articulated vehicles booked for various offences ranging from failure to properly secure containerised goods with the aid of proper latching hooks, to operating with worn-out tyres and other observed mechanical deficiencies.” Read more
LASTMA officials absconded with my bleeding wife, stole N150,000 – Businessman (Punch)
A Dubai-based businessman, Jude Eze, has accused some personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority of absconding with his bleeding wife, Sophia, during an arrest.
It was gathered that Jude was arrested on Friday in the Akowonjo area of the state by a combined team of policemen and LASTMA officials for seat belt infringement.
Our correspondent learnt that Sophia was bleeding and could not use the seat belt, but attempts to explain to the LASTMA personnel proved abortive as they allegedly impounded Jude’s vehicle with his wife inside.
The father of four told PUNCH Metro that while he was pleading with the officials to allow him take his wife to hospital, one of them jumped into the car and drove away. Read more
SON confiscates substandard rods worth N15m in Lagos (Nation)
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in collaboration with the Iron Rod Distributors Association of Nigeria (IRDAN) has seized substandard iron rods worth N15 million.
The President-General of IRDAN, Mr Gbenga Awoyale, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
Awoyale told NAN that SON sealed a company in Alimosho area of Lagos that stocked substandard iron rods following hint from IRDAN.
Awoyale said that from findings, the substandard rods were supplied by African Steel Nigeria Ltd. Read more
Epe community in Lagos State lives in fear of cultists (Vanguard)
Epe residents on Sunday urged Lagos State government and security agencies to assist in ridding the area of cultists who regularly unleashed mayhem in the community.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), many lamented heinous crimes committed by the cultists either through gang wars or through brigandage.
Mr Tunde Oluwo, a youth leader, said that more than 20 indigenes and students had been killed in cult clashes in the last few months.
He said activities of cultists in the community were becoming worrisome and needed government’s attention and action. Read more
Family of late Super TV CEO threatens lawsuits over malicious reports (Tribune)
The family of the late Super TV CEO, Usifo Ataga, have threatened lawsuits over online, social media reports and other reports they consider malicious. They have also appealed to the police to go beyond the arrest of his suspected murderer by conducting an in-depth investigation to get to the bottom of the case.
The appeal is contained in a statement signed by Olusegun Jolaawo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on behalf of the law firm, Rickey Tarfa & Co, solicitor for the family on Sunday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ataga, who was first declared missing on Sunday, June 13 in Lagos, was allegedly killed by his girlfriend and student of the University of Lagos.
He was until his gruesome murder, the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV in Lagos. Read more
I won’t back down on Baba Ijesha case -Iyabo Ojo (Nation)
Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has vowed she won’t back down from the child molestation case against her embattled colleague Olanrewaju Omiyinka aka Baba Ijesha until justice is served.
The Nation reports Baba Ijesha, who had been granted bail, is standing trial for alleged sexual assault of a minor at the High Court in Ikeja.
Ojo, while reacting to the position of the Board of Trustees, Theater Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), which addressed her unprofessional conduct, explained that she has no problem with the association.
“I do not have a problem with TAMPAN. A lot of TAMPAN members are my friends and colleagues. I might not belong to the association but I am a Yoruba actress,” Ojo said.
The Nation reports that the association, during a briefing in Lagos over the weekend, said it would not entertain any form of disrespect by practitioners who try to drag the association in the mud.
Member board of trustee of TAMPAN, Prince Jide Kosoko, said the association is aware of the derogatory statements made by Iyabo Ojo against it and the industry as a whole, noting that it will not take further insults. Read more
Lagos #EndSARS panel awards N10m to Kolade Johnson’s family (Punch)
The Lagos judicial panel has awarded the sum of N10m to the family of the late Kolade Johnson.
Johnson was shot during a raid by police officers at Onipetesi area in Lagos, while watching an English premiership match between Tottenham and Manchester United on March 31, 2019, The Cable reported.
The incident sparked outrage on social media, after which the police authorities identified Ogunyemi Olalekan, a police inspector, and Godwin Orji, a sergeant, as the officers involved in the shooting.
Following an orderly trial, Olalekan was dismissed from the force after he was found guilty, while Orji was acquitted. Read more
Court jails septuagenarian 7 years for N75.5m fraud (Vanguard)
Mobile Court convicts 33 persons for violation of COVID-19 protocols
An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Friday sentenced a septuagenarian, Olawale Ogun, to seven years’ imprisonment for defrauding two companies of a total of N75.5 million.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Mojisola Dada convicted Ogun on six counts of stealing by fraudulent conversion.
His company, Storage Index Ltd., was convicted on three counts of fraudulent conversion.
Dada said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved its case against the defendants beyond all reasonable doubt.
Sentencing Ogun, Dada described him as a “callous, calculating and cunning old man who expended the funds on women”. Read more
Super TV CEO: Why police released suspect’s father -Lagos CP (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has released the father of 21-year-old student of the University of Lagos, who allegedly stabbed the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, to death.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Hakeem Odumosu, told The PUNCH that the suspect’s father and one Nkechi Mogbo, have been released on bail.
The PUNCH learnt that Chidinma Ojukwu’s father was arrested for hindering his daughter’s arrest at their residence in the Alagomeji area of the state.
Until Chidinma’s arrest, Mogbo had been in police custody after investigation showed that she operated the service apartment where the University of Lagos undergraduate allegedly killed Ataga. Read more
Court sentences trader to 25 years imprisonment for raping tailor (Nation)
An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Friday sentenced a 43-year-old trader, Adelaja Oloyede, to 25-years imprisonment for raping a tailor.
Justice Abiola Soladoye found Oloyede guilty of a lone count charge of rape contrary to Section 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2015.
Justice Soladoye held that the prosecution team had proved their case against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.
The court held that the convict does not have a right to have forceful sexual intercourse with the survivor even if she was his girlfriend.
“All the stories the defendant told the court in his testimony was muddled and riddled with lies. Read more
Police arraign dispatch rider for allegedly bolting with $10,000 (Guardian)
A dispatch rider, Ayokunle Akinniranye, 47, on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing his employer’s $10,000 (N4.5 million).
The defendant, whose residential address was not provided, is facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.
The Prosecutor, ASP Rachael Williams, alleged that the defendant stole money, belonging to Desroto Trust and Investment Ltd.
Williams alleged that the defendant committed the offences, with others still at large, on Jan. 29 at about 12.00 p.m. on Maduke St., Off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi Lagos.
She told the court that the defendant allegedly stolen the money his employer had asked him to take to a commercial Bank in Ikoyi for lodgement. Read more
Super TV CEO: Fake drivers’ license, passport, other items police recovered from Chidinma, 21-year-old suspect (Punch)
A fake drivers’ license and Nigerian passport, amongst other items were recovered from Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect for the murder of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga.
Ataga was found dead on Sunday with multiple wounds found in several parts of his body at a service apartment in the Lekki area of Lagos.
The Lagos State Police Command had on Wednesday arrested 21-year-old Chidinma for allegedly killing Ataga, and some items were recovered from her.
Here is a list of the items that were recovered from the suspect upon her arrest:
*A Nigeria International Passport with No.B50010434 belonging to the suspect
*A fake Drivers license bearing ‘Mary Johnson’ with the suspect’s photograph
*Access Bank statement of account slip. Read more
Super TV CEO: Suspect’s father arrested, lecturers, classmates shocked, UNILAG silent (Punch)
Men of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested the father of Chidinma Ojukwu, who allegedly stabbed the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, to death.
A top police source, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, told PUNCH Metro that the suspect and her father were arrested at their residence, No. 57 Akinwunmi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, on Wednesday.
The source said the father was arrested for resisting Chidinma’s arrest and for becoming violent with policemen, who went to apprehend her. Read more
Lagos-Ibadan expressway auto crash claims pregnant woman, 2 others (Guardian)
Three persons, including a pregnant woman, were reportedly killed yesterday in an accident that occurred around 5:00 a.m. on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The accident happened at Danco axis of the highway, inbound Lagos, barely two days after a tanker explosion killed two persons on the Ogere stretch of the road.
It was gathered that the pregnant woman was in a bus conveying tomatoes, and the crash involved a DAF truck (flat body) with registration number XY 895 GGE and a granite-laden Iveco truck marked JBD 16 XY were involved in the accident.
The accident also involved a Mazda bus (LND 676 XX) loaded with tomatoes and another Mazda bus (BDG 755 YA) loaded with garri. Read more
UNILAG Lecturer: What I know about our student who murdered Super TV CEO (DailyTrust)
Dr Bunmi Ajibade, a Senior Lecturer at Mass Communications Department of the University of Lagos, says he has made some investigations about Chidinma Ojukwu, a murder suspect.
Ojukwu is currently being detained at the headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja over the murder of Usifo Ataga, the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV.
Ataga’s lifeless body was found in a flat in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, with multiple wounds, on June 16.
A total of N5 million was said to have been withdrawn from his account after he was murdered.
The suspect was said to have fled the scene after committing the crime. Read more
Court sentences man to 16 years imprisonment for ‘attempted theft’ (Vanguard)
Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile, of a Lagos High Court, sitting in Tafa Balewa Square (TBS), annex of Igbosere, Friday, convicted and sentenced one Ibrahim Saleh, to 16 years imprisonment, for attempted theft.
The defendant was first arraigned on August 14, 2014 and pleaded not guilty to a count charge of attempted stealing following which he was remanded in custody.
The case went on trial and the prosecution called some witnesses. At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the defendant was re-arraigned, and he changed his plea of not guilty to guilty.
Justice Okikiolu-Ighile, however, sentenced him after the Lagos State Prosecutor, Mrs A. O. Odusanya had reviewed the facts of the case. Read more
Police arrest 21-year-old UNILAG student over murder of Super TV CEO (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 21-year-old Chidinma for allegedly killing the Chief Executive Officer, Super TV, Usifo Ataga, in the Lekki area of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, said Chidinma is an undergraduate of the University of Lagos, adding that she had confessed to committing the crime.
Chidinma was paraded at the police command headquarters in Ikeja on Thursday. Read more
Court remands man for alleged armed robbery (Guardian)
An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded a 32-year-old man, Afolabi Dada, in Kirikiri Correctional Centre for allegedly robbing a man of his motorcycle worth N230,000 at gunpoint.
The police charged Dada, whose residential address was not given with armed robbery.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr J. A. Adegun, did not take the plea of the suspect.
Adegun directed the prosecution counsel to send the case file to the Lagos State Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice and adjourned the case until July 17. Read more
How I stabbed Super TV CEO to death, 21-year-old UNILAG student speaks (Punch)
A 21-year-old undergraduate of the University of Lagos, Chidinma Ojukwu, has narrated how she stabbed the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, to death in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
She spoke at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja on Thursday after she was paraded as a suspect by the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu.
Odumosu said Ojukwu was arrested at her parents’ residence in the Yaba area of the state on Wednesday night.
Ojukwu, a 300-level student of Mass Communication, said she had been in a romantic relationship with Ataga for about four months before the ugly incident.
Ojukwu said she and Ataga were “having fun” when an argument broke out and she stabbed him twice. Read more
10-year jail awaits human organs traders in Lagos (DailyTrust)
A bill for a law to regulate human organs harvest and transplantation in Lagos State has scaled second reading, as the state assembly members move to criminalise illegal organ transplant.
The bill provides that a person who removes the organ of another person other than for therapeutic purposes commits an offence, liable on conviction to 10 years jail term without an option of fine.
The Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, Hon. Olusola Sokunle, described the bill as a legal framework to regulate the removal and transplant of organs from either living or dead persons to patients suffering from terminal organ failure.
He said the bill will help to curb illegal trading of human organs and ensure that persons suffering from organ failure have access to available organs while standard medical procedure for human organ harvest and transplant is followed. Read more
Sexual assault: Court grants Baba Ijesha N2m bail (Punch)
Embattled Yoruba actor, Omiyinka Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, who was arraigned at a Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, has been granted bail.
The actor, who was being tried by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo over charges bothering on rape, sexual assault and abuse of a minor, was granted bail on the ground that it was part of his fundamental human rights.
According to the judge, the surety must be a resident of Lagos with visible house address and payment of three years tax. Justice Taiwo stated, “One of the sureties must be a blood relation who will enter a N1 million bond with the Chief Register of Lagos State and one of the sureties must also be a legal practitioner.” Read more