In a response to a viral video, the Nigeria Police Force has dismissed two constabularies, Jimoh Lukman and Kareem Fatai, for extorting money from a Dutch tourist.
The officers, caught on camera demanding bribes, were arrested, stripped of their uniforms, and publicly paraded on Thursday in Oyo State.
Briefing newsmen at the Oyo Police Command’s Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Adebola Hamzat, said the constabularies extorted a tourist from Netherland, Ms Noraly Schoenmaker.
Hamzat said that the incident happened on October 23 along Moniya-Iseyin road.
According to him, the dismissed constabularies deliberately defied numerous orders and directives against professional misconduct, extortion, incivilities to members of the public and corruption.
“We have always been warning you against extortion. We have been warning you that this administration has zero tolerance for corruption.
“That is the stand of the Inspector General of Police and my stand as the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State.
“You are very aware that we don’t condone corruption and don’t want the Command to be given a bad name,” he said.
Hamzat said the incident of extortion by the constabularies was captured on live streaming and was televised worldwide.
The CP said that the incident had brought international disgrace to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
“I want to tell you that the NPF have served in many parts of the world and have not been found wanting of extortion and corruption allegations,” he said.
The CP warned other officers to be satisfied with what they earn as salaries and not tarnish the image of the force by extorting money from motorists.
“I wish to inform the residents of Oyo State and by extension the public that Special Constabularies Kareem Fatai and Jimoh Lukmon have been dismissed in furtherance of the completion of their orderly room trials.
“This action is to serve as deterrence to other officers with a similar disposition,” Hamzat said.
“There must be an aggressive investment drive in manufacturing industries for sustainable economic growth in Ogbomoso and for overall economic development in Nigeria to be achieved, there must be a reduction in consumer taxes on all made-in-Nigeria products in order to help the downtrodden class.” This was made known by the former State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Prof. Raphael Afonja AbdulRahman at the recently held Ajilete Youth Summit.
Afonja, while speaking at the Ajilete Youth Summit as one of the panelists on Thursday, stressed the need for human capital development for overall economic advancement of Ogbomosho town.
He advocated for ongoing self-development among the young people, urging them to actively contribute to the advancement of Ogbomoso.
“I want to emphasize the importance of economic growth as a crucial factor in unlocking massive and comprehensive development in Ogbomoso,” he stated.
Afonja, who also highlighted the need for public and private organizations to collaborate in fulfilling this responsibility, however noted that Africa, Nigeria, Oyo state, and Ogbomosho don’t need loans and charity but jobs.
He said: “It’s time we encourage investors and manufacturing industries to come into Ogbomosho so that we aggressively build our economy, and create jobs for our indigene while we compete with other places like Ibadan.
According to him, reducing payroll and consumer taxes on all Nigeria-made products is very important to alleviate the burden on the poor.
“Africa, Nigeria, Oyo State, and Ogbomosho don’t need loans and charity; what our people need is jobs, jobs, and jobs.”
The former Commissioner emphasized the need to draw manufacturing industries and investors to Ogbomosho, as well as the need to envision rapid economic growth and job creation, calling for policies such as low taxes and reduced tenet rates to facilitate the ease of investment and foster healthy competition with other regions like Ibadan.
Afonja was presented an award of excellence by the Ajilete Youth, which is composed of representatives from each of the five local governments in the Ogbomoso zone, in recognition of his contributions to the town’s growth.
Some hoodlums in Ibadan attacked a bus carrying Christmas gifts meant for family heads (Mogajis), carting away the donations. The incident occurred at the Oja Oba area of Ibadan while the bus was making a U-turn. The donor’s identity remains undisclosed.
The bus, en route to the Olubadan Palace from Beere, was led by the Mogaji of Onilari compound, Nurudeen Akinade. Following the incident, arrests have been made, and the case has been reported at Mapo Police Station.
“The hoodlums attacked the bus carrying some Christmas gifts meant for some Mojajis in Ibadan at Oja Oba. We were able to make some arrests after the incident. The hoodlums carted away the gift items donated to the Mojajis. I cannot say who is the donor. I don’t know if it is government or an individual that gave them. We have reported the case at Mapo Police Station. The bus was carrying items like rice, chicken, and groundnut oil. We were able to recover some items during the search of some shops in the area.”
Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has called for intelligence sharing among security agencies to enable them to tackle the security challenges confronting the nation.
Speaking at the 4th South West Conference of Directors of Security meeting held in Abeokuta on Thursday, the governor emphasized that intelligence is one of the needed tools that would assist security agencies to perform their duties optimally
He noted that criminals have adopted new methods in carrying out their nefarious activities, hence the need for the security agencies, particularly those in the Southwest region, to up their game and share intelligence to nip crimes in the bud.
He said: “It is important that as a region, we share intelligence and see how to better secure our region because there can never be any meaningful socio-economic development in an outmostphere of insecurity.
“Nobody will come and invest in your state no matter the amount of road you build, no matter the amount of infrastructure you provided. As long as there is an air or a feeling of insecurity, all that will amount to nothing
“It is important we understand that the socio-economic development that we all desire in our various states and zones can only be achieved when we have peace and security.”
Prince Abiodun said the issue of securing the region and bridging the gap in community policing led to the emergence of Amotekun, even as he expressed delight that the idea has led to the formation of similar outfits in other regions across the country.
“As a region, we still have a lot of things in common. We have the challenges of migration across the border from the north to the south. We have a student population, particularly in Ogun State, with a lot of tertiary institutions.
“Being close to Lagos State, which is the financial capital of Nigeria, we have a spillover of activities from there. Anything that happens in Lagos, within a few minutes, you will begin to feel the impact.
“We see ourselves as providing services that has to do with buying of land, setting up industry, people that want to live close to Lagos as possible and of course, people that are traveling from Lagos to the rest of the country all pass through Ogun, Oyo and at times, Osun, before going to the rest of the country,” he added.
Abiodun also called on the meeting to deliberate and look into the root causes of cultism in the region.
He noted that it was worrisome that cultism has now become prevalent, wondering what has suddenly gone wrong with primary school children, vulcanizers, welders, artisans, undergraduates, and graduates all getting involved in cultism.
“In the last few weeks, some of the things that we’ve experienced in Ogun State, which I am not sure you have experienced in your various states, are the issues of cultism.
“Why are they killing each other, is their something they are earning, is there some kind of reward? What is the incentive? I think these are posers and questions for you to look into.
“We cannot be focused on the symptom. Let’s try and drill down to find out what exactly is the root cause. Perhaps, if we do that, we can nip it in the bud. Then, we can begin to see a reduction in this incidences,” he said.
The governor acknowledged the opportunities the State enjoys as a result of its location, but was quick to also point out some challenges caused by its geographical location, expressing optimism that those in charge of securing the State would do the needful to keep the peace.
The governor said the meeting was a veritable avenue to cross fertilize ideas, which can be useful acros the region.
“How can you help us in sharing experiences with us in Ogun State. Where are the gaps? What are these criminals taking advantage of? Is it our borders or any particular area where there is a vaccum?
“I believe with this kind of shared intelligence, shared understanding and inter-state cooperation, it will strengthen law enforcement and intelligence across borderlines because at the end of the day, we are one and the same people with the same language and culture,” he said.
Abiodun informed that he and his Lagos State counterpart are working towards providing street lights and installing cameras along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to enable security agencies to react to emergencies and distress situations in the axis.
He called on the security chiefs to brainstorm and come up with effective ways of dealing with security challenges to serve as a model to other regions.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman, South West Directors of Security, Mr. Bolade Olori said the meeting was to review the general security situation in the region with the aim of tackling it.
He assured the governor that topical issues would diligently be dealt with and solutions shared.
Welcoming participants, the Ogun State Director of State Services, Mrs. Folasade Adekaiyaoja said the meeting was to promote inter-agency cooperation that would allow for synergy in intelligence sharing, appreciating the state government for its support, and assured of renewed efforts to combat crimes in the state.
The meeting had Directors of Security from Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states in attendance.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has cautioned PoS operators over cash availability.
This was made known in a statement signed by the Acting Director of Communication and Public Relations, Sidi Ali, on Thursday.
The CBN noted that there is a collusion between some Deposit Money Banks and Point-Of-Sale operators affecting the availability of cash and disrupting the seamless circulation of the Naira.
The apex bank has warned both parties to immediately desist from such acts or face the law.
The Yaba magistrate court in Lagos state has remanded two friends identified as Noah Tovohome and Rajay Zannu, to a correctional center for allegedly plotting and killing their friend, Segun Zusu, over 36 bags of rice.
According to the police inspector, Chekwube Okeh, the duo in November 2023 allegedly plotted with a boat driver who was conveying Zusu’s goods from Seme to kill him and steal the bags of rice. The police told the court that investigations showed that they intercepted the boat around 2 am, at Novo River in Seme, used a plank to beat Zusu up, and threw him inside the river. The suspects therafter carried the bags of rice to Badagry, sold them for about N1.4m to a businesswoman and shared the money.
The charges read in part;
“That you, Noah Tovohome, 27, Rajay Zannu, 38 and others at large, on November 12, 2023, around 2 am, at Novo River, Seme, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one 26-year-old Segun Zusu, by hitting a plank on his head and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 222 and punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”
The police prosecutor told the court that the offence contravenes Section 222 and is punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. He prayed the court to remand them to a correctional centre pending the outcome of legal advice from the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
Magistrate Balogun granted the prayer and ordered that the duo be remanded to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the outcome of legal advice from the DPP. The case was then adjourned till January 22, 2024, for the DPP’s advice.
The Osun State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Adewale Egbedun, is facing intense scrutiny for its recent alleged N1.03 billion expenditure on car purchases for lawmakers.
The controversy stemmed from the lack of transparency surrounding the transaction, coupled with the state’s current financial difficulties.
The distribution of the SUVs without prior public announcement or budgetary allocation drew sharp criticism from a coalition of civil society groups under the banner of “The Osun Mastermind” (TOM) which condemned the assembly’s spending spree.
Professor Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, the Executive Director of TOM, also criticised the assembly’s failure to explain ambiguous spending of over N800 million in the third quarter of 2023, beyond the car purchase, which was not included in the budget.
Professor Oyedokun-Alli called for immediate disclosure of details surrounding the assembly’s N886.4 million expenditure for July, August, and September 2023.
He pointed out that a member organization, the Centre for Sustained Dialogue, had submitted a Freedom of Information request on November 22, 2023, but received no response.
He particularly criticised the assembly’s actions in light of its youthful leadership, represented by Speaker Egbedun.
He expressed disappointment that a generation supposedly advocating for positive change exhibited such blatant disregard for the people’s plight.
His words, “We keenly followed the debates that trailed the release of the Quarter 3 2023 Osun State budget performance and we are bothered that Osun assembly didn’t show accountability and provide details of ambiguous spending.
“One of our member organizations, Centre for Sustained Dialogue, on the 22nd day of November 2023, wrote a Freedom of Information request to the House of Assembly, demanding to know details of expenditure that amounted to N886,459,882.49 for the months of July, August and September which nothing has been done till now.
“This is disturbing because the Speaker of the Assembly is a young person who is supposed to belong to a generation that wants change. We also now make an open request to the Osun State House of Assembly, under Adewale Egbedun, to disclose within 7 days, details of its N886,459,882.49 expenditure for the months of July, August and September 2023.”
He added that “The Assembly recently splashed almost Forty Million Naira each on purchasing Toyota Fortuner SUVs for Members of the House of Assembly. The House, under Adewale Egbedun, must come out to give details of that expenditure of N1.04b that is not included in budget.
“We consider it sad that a House of Assembly populated by young people who are supposed to be our hopes for positive change in governance, is so insensitive to the plights of the people they represent.
“It is disheartening that in a State where government has repeatedly claimed it is frugally managing the finances of the State, the Assembly is splashing so much of Osun people’s collective resources on such frivolity.”
Responding to the criticism through his spokesperson, Olamide Tiamiyu, the speaker said, “The Osun State House of Assembly will continue to act within the purview that is been guided by the law and with reference to due process.
“There is a budgetary provision for the vehicles. But the price quoted is in the figment of the imagination of the person that said it.”
There seems to be an end to land grabbing issue in Oyo State as public hearing on land protection bill, 2023 was held today at the House of Chiefs, Oyo State Parliament building.
Many people from all works of life were in attendance to submit their inputs and amendment to the bill.
The Chairman House Committee on Lands and Housing, Hon. Dele Adeola in his opening remark said he was excited to welcome all distinguished guests and personalities that graced the occasion.
“It is important to state that there is existing law in the State to curb the incident of land grabbing which is the Real Properties Protection Law, 2016 passed by Oyo State House of Assembly in 2016. With the implementation of the Law under reference by Governor Makinde led administration, it was discovered that the Law was defective and could not achieve the purpose of curbing land grabbing activities in the state. Hence, the Government decided to bring and initiate new bill tagged: Oyo State Real Properties Protection Bill, 2023”.
“The new bill is all encompassing and really addressing all grey areas that needed to be addressed. It seeks to do among other things; repealing the existing Law and creating a functioning Agency under the Governor’s Office for proper monitoring and financing to get an appreciable result”.
In her words, Rtd. Hon. Justice Aiki while submitting her amendment proposal, commended the Oyo State House of Assembly and the Executive Governor of Oyo State for deeming it fit to nib in the bud the activities of land grabbers in the state through the instrumentality of law which has culminated into the drafting of this important bill.
The representatives of the Commissioner of Police and DG Operation Burst, also submitted their inputs and they all recommended that there should be synergy between the statutory law enforcement agencies and the taskforce in the discharge of duties while the power to detain a suspect should exclusively be reserved for the national law enforcement agencies.
In his words, Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Oyebola III, said he would recommend that the bill should be amended to ensure that there are checks and balances so as to prevent unnecessary abuse of powers by the law enforcement agencies. He also suggested that there should be autonomy for the agency in order to aid smooth running its establishment.
Among people in attendance were traditional rulers which included Iba Kishi of Kishi Land, Olu of Igboora and Aseyin of Iseyin among other stakeholders.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his counterpart in Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, today, commissioned the Ikeja overpass bridge in the Ikeja area of Lagos state.
The Ikeja Overpass Bridge, which is the fourth to be commissioned by the Lagos State Government within the last two months, is one of the five overpass bridges ceded to the Lagos State Government for construction on the Red Line corridor where the Nigeria Railway Corporation and the Red Line will share tracks.
Sanwo-Olu warned commuters, and motorists against turning the bridge to a bus station.
Governor AbdulRasaq, who is the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, in his remarks, commended the efforts of the Lagos State government, noting that the road project is focused on national development.
Two persons are confirmed dead as eight others sustained injuries in a road crash along the Idiroko-Ota road.
The Federal Road Safety Corps said the crash occurred around 8pm on Sunday, involving 10 persons – five male adults, four female adults and one female child.
“The crash claimed two lives (male adults) and left eight people injured (four female adults, three male adults and one female child),” the FRSC said on Monday.
According to the FRSC spokesperson in Ogun, Florence Oko, the clash involved a Man Diesel truck with number plate LSR10YD and a Toyota Carina with no number plate.
“The suspected cause of the crash was wrongful overtaking that led to a head-on collision.
“The injured victims were taken to General Hospital, Idiroko for treatment, and the corpses were taken away by the family.
“The Sector Commander, FRSC Ogun Sector Command, CC Anthony Uga, advised motorists to always have a clear vision of 150 to 200 meters at night and a controlled speed before overtaking,” Okpe said.
