TheNewsGuru

Tag: Lagos State

  • BREAKING: Lagos Govt lightens curfew

    BREAKING: Lagos Govt lightens curfew

    The Lagos State Government has lightened the curfew emplaced to arrest the unrest that followed the #EndSARS protest in the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the announcement during a briefing on Friday.

    The briefing followed an inspection carried out by the Governor on some places that were affected by the destruction during the mayhem in the aftermath of the Lekki Toll Plaza incident on Tuesday night.

    According to the State Governor, Lagosians can go on their normal businesses from 8 am to 6 pm beginning from Saturday.

    He, however, warned against staging any protests during the time.

    “People can now go out between 8 am and 6 pm in Lagos from Saturday,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    He further stated that there were still pockets of insecurity in the state, adding that the curfew might be reviewed on Saturday after consultations with security agencies.

    The Governor said the government would commence cleaning the city from Saturday morning and appealed to motorists to drive with caution.

    Sanwo-Olu said that the panel of inquiry into the Lekki Toll Plaza incident would start sitting from Monday and appealed to anyone with a petition to send it to the panel.

    TNG reports Sanwo-Olu visited 27 locations that were affected by the destruction during the mayhem in the aftermath of the Lekki Toll Plaza incident.

    The locations the Governor visited included the Palace of the Oba of Lagos, Ajeromi Ifelodun LG, FRSC, VIO office Ojodu Berger, BRT park at Berger, Lekki toll gate, bus terminals, police stations, historic government buildings, City Hall, private malls, offices, banks ATM etc.

    The Governor said he was traumatized by it all and was in tears when he saw the level of destruction especially the oldest court in Nigeria at Igbosere.

    “We have not seen this level of destruction before in the State. This is not the Lagos that was handed over to me in May 2019. How did we get here? This was supposed to be a peaceful protest.

    “We need to continue to talk to ourselves. Everywhere I went today, people say they want peace, we all want peace, we cannot continue to lose our population and our monuments and infrastructure. Lagos needs to heal and the healing has started,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    The Governor, who also visited some hospitals where some of the injured at Tuesday Lekki toll gate were taken care of, said most of them have been discharged while the few remaining are responding to treatment.

    Sanwo-Olu said the government would pick up the bills for the treatment of the injured.

    He also said, the terms of reference of the judicial panel of inquiry and restitution has been expanded to include investigation of all issues that happened at Lekki Toll gate on Tuesday and it will be sitting at the Lagos Court of Arbitration at Lekki from Monday, urging all who have a case to petition the panel.

  • BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu shuts down Lagos Govt.

    BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu shuts down Lagos Govt.

    Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has shut down every organ of government in the State, except those that have to do with security and management of the #EndSARS protest.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Sanwo-Olu made this known on Wednesday in a statewide broadcast, in which he said no fatalities were recorded in the shooting that happened on Tuesday night at Lekki Toll Plaza.

    “In the sensitive mood, with the mood of the nation at this time, I have directed further that we have an immediate suspension of all state activities for the next three days, except those that are connected with the governance of security in the state and the management of the current issue,” the Governor stated.

    Watch video of the broadcast below:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CGmc8ZMFwI2/

  • #EndSARS: Lagos Govt directs all students to stay at home

    #EndSARS: Lagos Govt directs all students to stay at home

    The Lagos State Government has directed all pupils/students in public and private schools to stay at home following the tension generated by the anti-SARS protests.

    Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, who issued the directive on Monday, said the safety of the pupils/students, parents and all staff working in schools was paramount at this critical period.

    She, however, advised parents to keep an eye on their wards and not allow them to be used as willing tools in the hands of those who might want to hijack the protests to unleash mayhem on the society.

    The commissioner also encouraged schools to utilize other means of distance teaching and learning such as radio, television and online media as they were doing during and post COVID-19 lockdown.

    According to Adefisayo, a new date of resumption for all classes will be announced as soon as possible.

  • BREAKING: Lagos bus service suspends operations

    BREAKING: Lagos bus service suspends operations

    The Managing Director, Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL), Mr Idowu Oguntona has suspended all bus operations for the safety of passengers following the EndSars protest in the city.

    A statement by LBSL Public Affairs Officer, Afolabi Olawale, disclosed that Oguntona said the suspension was due to a viral video on social media of thugs who disrupted protesters at Alausa coming out of bus 240171.

    “This is contrary to the narratives being circulated across social media in respect of a bus belonging to LBSL captured at the Secretariat Bus Stop, Alausa this morning,” he said.

    Oguntona said that the bus was heading towards Oshodi from Berger around 8 a.m when some armed individuals disembarked from a particular yellow vehicle in front of the bus at the Secretariat Bus Stop.

    “One of our buses during the normal cause of operations ran into approaching armed people this morning. When the people were sighted armed and heading towards our bus, commuters in the bus scampered for safety due to the imminent danger.

    “One of the passengers even tried to escape through the rear window of the bus. However, the armed group, whose identity remain unknown, later went their way without attacking the bus,” he said.

    Oguntona said that no LBSL Bus was used to commute persons to disrupt the ongoing protests.

    “Gov. Sanwo-Olu has consistently spoken to protesters on their rights to peaceful protest, hence cannot support thugs in any form.

    “It is quite disheartening that this incident is linked to the activities of some hoodlums in spite of the level of understanding shown by the state government since the beginning of the #EndSarsProtest.

    “I plead for understanding from all esteemed passengers. I reiterate the rights of people to peaceful protests and condemn any attack on people participating in the protest,” he said.

  • #EndSARS: Relations of Lagos resident killed during protest demand justice

    #EndSARS: Relations of Lagos resident killed during protest demand justice

    The relations of 55-year-old Ikechukwu Iloamauzor, who was allegedly killed by a stray bullet during Tuesday’s protest in Lagos against police brutality, have called for justice over the incident.

    Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu, the Traditional Ruler of Ibagwa Nike Community in Enugu East Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State, made the call at a news conference in Enugu on Wednesday.

    The monarch said that Iloamauzor, who was married to his younger sister, Ngozi, died after he was reportedly hit by a stray bullet during the EndSARS protest in Surulere, Lagos.

    He said that the news of Iloamauzor’s death “came to us as a rude shock”.

    According to him, the deceased, who worked as a driver, was said to be conveying his boss to an event, when the incident happened.

    “I received a call from his boss on Tuesday that they ran into a traffic jam caused by a protest by youths calling for the disbandment of the Special Anti Robbery Squad and police reform.

    “The man said that due to the delay in vehicular movement caused by the long procession of protesters, his driver stepped out of the wheel and leaned in front of the car.

    “It was while standing there that a stray bullet hit him in the neck, leaving him dead,” the monarch, who spoke on behalf of the deceased’s family, said.

    He said that the family was impressed with the Lagos State Government’s intervention in the matter.

    “However, we want a thorough investigation into the incident. We are crying for justice.

    “We want the Inspector-General of Police and Federal Government to know that the victim of the October 13 incident in Surulere is from Enugu State.

    “We want the family to be fully compensated to be able to take care of the people he left behind,” Ugwu said.

    Also, the younger brother of the deceased, Tobias, said that his late brother was the bread winner of their family and described his death as a big loss.

    The deceased hailed from Amofia Ibuzor Amaokwe in Udi LGA of the State.

  • Buttocks enlargement goes wrong as Lagos surgeon evades investigation

    Buttocks enlargement goes wrong as Lagos surgeon evades investigation

    A prosecution witness, Mrs Suzzy Onwuka, on Wednesday alleged that a a medical doctor, Anuoluwapo Adepoju, promised to enlarge the buttocks of patients who patronised her clinic.

    Onwuka, who works at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), made this known in a Federal High Court during the ongoing trial of Adepoju, a Lagos surgeon, charged with alleged evasion from investigation into a reported case of failed plastic Surgery.

    Adepoju, is charged alongside her Clinic, MedContour Services Ltd, on a five counts bordering on refusal to honour an invitation for investigation as well as production of investigation document.

    She was re-arraigned on July 17, alongside her Medical outfit, before Justice Mohammed Liman.

    She had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on self recognizance.

    At the last adjourned date, the witness, (Onwuka) had began her testimony and narrated before the court how the commission failed in its attempts to secure the presence of the defendant for investigation into the allegations.

    When trial resumed on Wednesday, an amended charge was read over to the defendant who again pleaded not guilty to all counts and trial continued

    The witness who had concluded her evidence in chief at the last date, was cross-examined by defence counsel, Mrs Maria Jones, who asked the witness when the complaint was made against the defendant.

    In response, the witness told the court that the complaint was filed against the defendant in April, although she could not remember the exact date.

    When asked what false statement was made by the defendant that warranted this charge, the witness replied:

    “Tthe defendant had guaranteed and assured her patients that she was going to enlarge their “butts” without side effects and that it was going to be a surgery that won’t affect their lives,”

    When defence counsel asked the witness ‘what do you mean by butts”

    The witness replied, “I mean, the complaints received showed that the defendant had promised to enlarge the buttocks of her clients without side effects,”

    She told the court that consumers of the defendant’s services, subsequently complained that her surgeries fell short of what was she had guaranteed after they had patronised her.

    On whether it is the duty of the FCCPC to investigate medical issues without recourse to the appropriate medical body the witness replied:

    “”The FCCPC is concerned with consumer of products and services and so, if the commission gets a complaint from consumers of goods and services, it is empowered to investigate such complaint,”

    On whether if the law setting up the Commission allows it to demand for the document it requested from the defendant, the witness replied that the law allows it as far as it affects consumers.

    When asked if the FCCPC conducts its activities on social media, the witness told the court that the Commission has its lawful place of business even though it has presence on social media.

    According to the witness, after invitations to the defendant to report to the Commission for investigation failed , the defendant was seen to have posted on her social media page that the Commission had no powers to investigate her.

    The witness told the court that consumers of the defendant’s services are out there on social media and also saw her post, adding that although the Commission had written to the Nigerian Medical Association, they were yet to receive a response till date

    Defence counsel then asked the witness”the defendant was detained at the State CID Panti for three days, so, why didn’t the commission give the defendant paper to make a statement before detaining her for three days”

    The witness replied: ” I don’t know about that”

    According to the witness, the defendant failed to honour several invitations for investigation by the commison, even when she had the liberty to honour such invitation.

    The witness also told the court that when the Commission eventually gained entrance into her medical premises, a call was placed across to her by her security guard but she refused to speak with the commission.

    When defence counsel asked the witness if a different law applied to the FCCPC in Nigeria, the prosecutor, Mr Abimbola Ojenike, raised objection on the grounds that the witness was not in a position to speak on such question.

    The court upheld the objection of the prosecution..

    The witness told the court that the defendant never showed up for investigation inspite of requests by the Commission, but rather, displayed on her social media page that the Commission had no right to investigate her.

    On whether the Commission had worked during the COVID-19 lockdown, the witness replied ” Yes, we are essential services,”

    Trial will resume on Dec. 2

    In the five-count charge brought against the defendants, the prosecution alleged that without sufficient cause, the first defendant failed to appear before the FCCPC in compliance with the commission’s summons dated April 15.

    The prosecution also alleged that without sufficient cause, the first defendant also refused and failed to produce document which she was required to produce in compliance with the commission’s notice of investigation dated April 14.

    The defendant was alleged to have prevented and obstructed the commission from carrying out its investigation into the said issue.

    The offences contravenes the provisions of sections 11(1)(a), 33(1)(a), 110, 113(1)(a) and 159(4) of the FCCPC Act, 2018.

  • Lagos Govt gives update on Pen Cinema bridge

    Lagos Govt gives update on Pen Cinema bridge

    The Lagos State Government on Tuesday announced that it was working round the clock to meet up with the promised completion and inauguration of the Pen Cinema flyover bridge in November.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye made the pledge at a stakeholders meeting to flag-off the rehabilitation of Iwaya Road in Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    Adeyoye said the government usually chose the best experienced contractors to execute its projects because of the determination and deliberate policies for quality infrastructure delivery.

    “We cannot afford to take bond money and then use it anyhow. It is not only that it is taxpayers money, it is bond money but it is ultimately tax payers money because you also pay tax so that we can refund that loan.

    “So we were deliberate to say these things must be done well, people must be able to see what we have used it for (N100 Billion bond).

    “That is why we have gone back to Pen Cinema to try to finish that bridge project and by the grace of God, that bridge would be commissioned by end of next month. We are working assiduously towards it and we will get there,” she said.

    She appealed to residents of Iwaya to take ownership of the proposed construction and report any irregularities noticed to her office

    She appealed to residents to call her lines anytime and day of the week to report irregularities on site.

    “If a contractor is not doing what is not right, please don’t hesitate to flag us. Taking ownership is key,” she said.

    She added that the Sanwo-Olu’s government was constructing roads to meet the needs of different communities across the state, adding that, no construction was done without consulting the people on what they need.

    She explaines that the administration had adopted strategies to ensure successful completion of durable roads across the state, adding that, her ministry was an enabler for all the other aspects of the Sanwo-Olu administration’s THEMES agenda.

    She listed various problematic roads including Mile 12 Road which engineering solutions and strategies helped to complete and deliver quality durable constructions to residents.

    She reeled out other achievements of the government since it came on board in 2019 and appealed for the support of residents and other Iwaya stakeholders during the proposed construction.

    Mr Olujimi Hotonu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure said the meeting was important to address all concerns of stakeholders before take-off of the project.

    Olujimi represented by an engineer, Mr Rotimi Thomas said rehabilitation of Iwaya road “will terminate sufferings” on the axis while boosting economic and social activities because of the strategic location of the road which had degenerated.

    He explained that a credible process was in place with collaborating sister agencies towards the relocation of services as well as Right of Way recovery for services and structures on the project path.

    The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development represented by Mr Saheed Animashaun, a town planner stressed the need to seek the consent of residents on ‘Right of Way’ (RoW) recovery of the project.

    “There is no way that some structures will not be removed but they will serve affected houses with notices. It is not immediately you are served that the structure will be removed,”he said.

    He explained the process of evaluation and compensation as well as a seven days final notice before removal of structure on the RoW of the project

    Presenting a brief the project, Mr Lateef Somide, the project supervisor said the strategic road starts from Onike and terminates at Makoko and was an access route to both the Third Mainland Bridge and UNILAG.

    He said that the 1.4kms road awarded to Eastline Development Ltd, would have drains with covered slabs on both sides of the road to serve as walkways to residents.

    “There will be relocation of services and it will be aligned with the road.

    “And there will be longitudinal and transverse side ducts to prevent future cutting of the road to lay cables,”he said.

    He explained that the area had high water table hence, the choice of interlocking stones as final layer to tackle previous problems of quick road degeneration.

    He listed other accessories to be included on the road including a 24 hour lighting system.

    In his remarks, chairman, Yaba LCDA, Mr Kayode Omiyale represented by Mr Lukam Thompson thanked the government for finally responding to the almost one year call; to fix the dilapidated road which had become an alternative route from gridlock.

    Omiyale said that the road through Adekunle to Makoko was an easy link to the University of Lagos.

    He thanked government for choice of construction materials meant to curb flooding of the road while calling for rehabilitation of other roads.

    He also commended ongoing dredging of a canal on the axis which he noted would make the proposed construction the best durable choice to combat flooding.

    He appealed that the only two inner roads in the area which were in deplorable conditions should be made motorable.

    Contractors on the project promised to adopt construction methods that would bring minimum discomfort to the area as well as employment of some residents for site works.

    Also residents on the axis took turns to thank the government for the project and raise concerns on the proposed construction.

  • VIDEO: Drama as Archbishop joins in #EndSARS protest in Lagos

    VIDEO: Drama as Archbishop joins in #EndSARS protest in Lagos

    The founder, Resurrection Praise Ministries, Archbishop Samson Mustapha Benjamin on Tuesday joined protesters to demand the reform of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Lagos State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Archbishop joined the protesters in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of the State.

    Earlier, he had called on President Muhammadu Buhari to personally address the demands of protesters in the #EndSARS campaign, which has rocked major cities in the country.

    He said a presidential directive and speech would go a long way to asuade the grievances of the protesters, and restore peace in cities were protesters have held away.

    Watch video below:

     

    One Nigeria, One Voice.
    The African Major Prophet Identify with the youths of Amuwo Odofin EndSars protesters At Apple Junction Roundabout Festac Town. Lagos. 13th Oct. 2020

    #EndSARS #jehovahsharpsharp

    Posted by Archbishop Samson Mustapha Benjamin on Tuesday, 13 October 2020

  • Lekki Toll gate on total lockdown as #EndSARS protesters block Lagos-Epe expressway

    Lekki Toll gate on total lockdown as #EndSARS protesters block Lagos-Epe expressway

    #EndSARS protesters on Monday barred motorists and commuters from passing through Lekki Toll Gate on Lagos-Epe expressway in continuation of the protest demanding an end SARS in the country.

    The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Mohammed Adamu, had on Sunday announced the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) following protests over reported excesses.

    Despite the disbandment, #EndSARS protesters, in the early hours of Monday stormed the Lekki Toll Gate section of the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos, to resume demonstrations.

    The development led to several hours of gridlock as commuters and motorists on their way to work were on standstill while others returned home.

    IGP Adamu had said a new policing arrangement to replace the now-defunct police unit would be announced in due course.

    He added that all officers of the disbanded SARS had been redeployed with “immediate effect”.

    Meanwhile, the protesters on Monday demanded that the police authorities “carry out psychological evaluation and re-training of all disbanded SARS officers before they are redeployed.”

    They also demanded the “release of all arrested protesters, justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families.”

    They also demanded “increased salaries for police officers as well as establishment of an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of police misconduct within 10 days.”

    One of the protesters, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the protesters were “demanding more than a mere disbandment of SARS but the immediate prosecution of officers found guilty of unprofessional conduct.”

    “The IG only made an announcement but we want President Muhammadu Buhari to also give an executive order on this. We don’t want audio ban,” another protester said.

    A protester, who works as a studio editor, Abiodun Olawale, said the people were angry because the government had been paying only lip service to police reforms.

    “This is the fourth time we are clamouring for the end of SARS and we will not relent until something is done.

    “Even the report of the last panel to reform the police is yet to be implemented, how can we believe the IG now,” he said.

    A resident of Ajah, Justine Emejom, said he drove out of his house as early as 5 a.m. on his way to office in Lagos Island but he had to turn back after over six hours of gridlock and frustration.

    “Despite efforts to maneuver through inner routes, following total standstill caused by the protesters, I had to drive back after I called my office to explain,” he said.

    Some Lagos-based artistes present at the Lekki protests were DJ EniMoney, Ex housemate, Omatshola of Big Brother Naija, Nigerian Dancer, Poco lee, Charles Okpocha, among others.

  • BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu grants Funke Akindele, husband State pardon

    BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu grants Funke Akindele, husband State pardon

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has granted State pardon to Mrs Funke Akindele-Bello and her husband, Mr Abdulrasheed Bello, who are both non-custodial convicts for offences related to the disobedience of COVID-19 lockdown regulations.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports a statement signed by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, said Sanwo-Olu acted based on the recommendations of the state advisory council on the prerogative of mercy.

    Recall that Akindele and her hubby, better known as JJC Skillz, were on April 6 arrested and arraigned before a magistrate court for hosting a party at their Lekki home on April 4. The party was to mark the birthday of JJC Skillz.

    The Lagos Magistrate Court in Ogba sentenced the sensational actress and her husband for breaching COVID-19 lockdown order. They were sentenced to three weeks of community service and directed to pay a fine of N100,000 each.

    The sentence was given by Chief Magistrate Yewande Aje-Afunwa at the Ogba Magistrate Court on Monday, April 6, 2020, after the celebrity couple were found guilty of hosting the house party during the government-ordered lockdown.

    According to the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the prerogative of mercy was under the powers conferred on the Governor by Section 212 (1) & (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

    Sanwo-Olu also approved the release of 56 inmates from various correctional centres in the State. The 56 released inmates were recommended by the Advisory Council after due examination of their case files and consideration of the length of time served, the gravity of the offence, old age and ill-health among other parameters.

    The Attorney General enjoined the beneficiaries to be good citizens and stay away from crime.

    The eight-member Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, headed by Dr Abayomi Finnih was inaugurated Governor Sanwo-Olu in December 2019.