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Tag: Lagos State

  • Lagos: Court declares Obasa’s removal as Speaker illegal

    Lagos: Court declares Obasa’s removal as Speaker illegal

    An Ikeja High Court on Wednesday declared that the removal of the reinstated Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa was illegal and unconstitutional.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Justice Yetunde Pinheiro, held that  the members of the house of assembly erred in the removal of Obasa as  speaker.

    The court further awarded N500,000 in damages for the unlawful and illegal removal of Obasa and for the psychological embarrassment caused to him.

    Pinheiro, also said that the plenary session which was held by the house in the absence of Obasa was invalid.

    She maintained that the session was convened without Obasa’s authority or a formal delegation of power, in violation of the House’s procedures.

    Pinheiro held that only the leaders of the House of Assembly had the authority to write to the Speaker to convene a meeting, and that the Chief Whip was not considered a leader for this purpose.

    The court noted that under Order 7 of the House Rules, there was a defined hierarchy, and Rule 30, which related to the authority of the Chief Whip, did not confer such powers on him.

    Accordingly, the court held that all steps taken toward reconvening the meeting were invalid, and that the fact a majority of members voted was inconsequential.

    “The defendant cannot validly remove the Speaker without complying with Order 2, Rule 9 of the Lagos State House of Assembly Rules.

    “The purported sitting of the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the purported removal of the claimant as Speaker, and the purported installation of the second defendant is illegal, null and void,” Pinheiro said.

    Earlier, while dismissing the preliminary objections for lacking in merit, Pinheiro held that a court of law could intervene where the provisions of the constitution had not been met during any proceedings of the House of Assembly.

    The court relied on Usman vs Kaduna State House of Assembly and held that “it must be noted that in cases where the constitution provides a procedure for the removal of a speaker and there is a lacuna, the court will intervene.”

    The court also relied on Agbaso vs Imo State House of Assembly and the recent Supreme Court decision involving the Rivers State House of Assembly and the Government of Rivers State.

    The court agreed with the claimant that the facts of the case raised justiciable issues that the court could adjudicate upon.

    Consequently,  the court  dismissed both preliminary objections.

    Obasa had on Feb. 12 filed a suit against the House of Assembly and the newly appointed Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, challenging the legality of his removal.

    Obasa’s Counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), contended that the speaker’s unlawful removal by 36 lawmakers occurred while the Assembly was on recess and while he was out of the country.

    Fashanu urged the court to declare the process unlawful, arguing that the sitting was invalid as it was convened without the Speaker’s authority or any formal delegation of power.

    His legal challenge was based on nine grounds, drawing on the interpretation of various provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as the Rules and Standing Orders governing the Lagos State House of Assembly.

  • Police investigate Lagos explosion

    Police investigate Lagos explosion

    The Police Command in Lagos State says it is investigating the explosion that occurred inside a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera dealer shop in Ikeja.

    The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

    He said that the incident happened on Friday at 6:35 p.m. at Kodesho Street at Computer village in the Ikeja area of the state.

    “The scene of the explosion and adjoining areas were immediately taken over and cordoned off by operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit of the command, the Mobile Police Detachment and Conventional Police Teams.

    “The scene was swept by the EOD experts of the command to ensure the safety of residents and facilitate a comprehensive investigation to determine the actual cause of the explosion,” he said

    The image maker said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Olohundare Jimoh, arrived at the scene within minutes for an on-the-spot assessment.

    “While investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the explosion and other factors that might have caused the incident, the CP urges Lagos residents to remain calm and not to panic

    “The public are enjoined to go about their lawful engagements and businesses peacefully without fear or apprehension, as the scene of the explosion and the adjoining area have been rendered safe and secured, ” he said.

    According to him, five persons inside and around the shop that sustained various degrees of injury have been rescued and taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for medical attention.

    The spokesperson said that the command assured the public of its commitment to maintaining peace and security throughout the state.

  • LASG moves to deflood Lagos Island

    LASG moves to deflood Lagos Island

    The Lagos State Government has set up an ad-hoc pumping station at Adeniji Adele underbridge to alleviate flooding in Aroloya Street, Ojo-Giwa, Binuyo, Oroyinyin, and surrounding areas.

    The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, made this known in a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina on Thursday in Lagos.

    Wahab said the move was part of the state’s efforts to address the temporary blockage of drains caused by ongoing construction work on Lagos Island.

    He added that the choice of Adeniji Adele underbridge for the pumping station was informed by the need not to disrupt the ongoing construction works in the listed areas.

    He said the measure would provide relief to the affected residents and business owners.

    He said: “The flooding was caused by a temporary blockage of the drains in the area as a result of the ongoing constructions, which was part of the total regeneration of Lagos island.

    “I urge business owners and residents to be patient with the state government as we work to complete this crucial regeneration project, which will ultimately benefit the community.”

    The commissioner added that the construction would be completed in a very short time and urged  stakeholders to contribute to the success of the project.

    He encouraged residents to properly dispose of their waste according to guidelines set by the Lagos State Government.

    “It should be noted that the state government has approved a total regeneration of Lagos Island; to include improving and expanding the drainage infrastructures.

    “These are primary and secondary channels, constructing pumping stations with smart sensors for flood control,” he said.

    He said the project also included promoting sustainable urban regeneration by reconstructing major roads within the area to address tidal challenges.

    “We appeal for the cooperation  of the residents and business owners with the contractors.

    “However, while efforts are being made to minimise inconveniences, occasional disruptions may occur.

    “Everyone must be rest assured that the welfare of Lagosians is paramount to the government,” he said.

  • Lagos GAC receives defected PDP governorship candidate into APC

    Lagos GAC receives defected PDP governorship candidate into APC

    The Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC) has received Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (a.k.a. Jandor), a former PDP chieftain and Visioner of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Recall that Adediran, the 2023 Lagos State Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to APC in March.

    In a statement issued by his spokesman, Pastor Gbenga Ogunleye, on Thursday in Lagos,  Adediran said he was received by  GAC members led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi.

    “In a significant show of unity and goodwill, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, Jandor, was warmly received by the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC) Chairman, Prince Tajudeen Olusi;  Badagry Division Apex Leader of APC and fellow GAC member, Chief Rabiu Oluwa; Sen. Ganiu Olanrewaju Solomon and Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro.”

    According to Adediran,  the reception took place in Saudi Arabia.

    “The meeting, which held during the Umrah pilgrimage, served as a symbolic moment of engagement between key stakeholders in Lagos politics, emphasising the importance of unity.

    “This encounter reflects a shared commitment to the progress and unity of Lagos State, underscoring the enduring values of collective responsibility and synergy in the furtherance of the vision of the ruling party,” Adediran said.

    Recall that Adediran resigned from  PDP on March 3, alleging indiscipline and betrayal by party leaders.

    Adediran, who leads the Lagos4Lagos Movement and was once an APC governorship aspirant, had defected to PDP from APC in 2021.

  • Just in: Lagos Gov’t summons Whistleblower over sex-for-marks scandal in public school

    Just in: Lagos Gov’t summons Whistleblower over sex-for-marks scandal in public school

    The Lagos State Ministry of Education has summoned Clement James, the whistleblower who exposed the sex-for-marks scandal at Babs Fafunwa Millennium Senior Secondary School in Ojodu-Berger.

    The scandal involved allegations of sexual abuse of at least 11 female students by a Further Mathematics teacher, Mr. Egberongbe Adegbenga Toheeb.

    A message sent to James on Friday, reads: “Please, I have the directive to invite you to the office on Monday, 7th April, 2025. Time: 10.00am. Venue: Office of Education Quality Assurance (Room 217).”

    The invitation comes amid allegations that the school management had attempted to cover up the scandal and intimidate James for exposing the abuse.

    The sex-for-marks scheme came to light after students began speaking out about how Mr Adegbenga allegedly lured them under the pretence of offering academic assistance but later coerced them into sexual relationships.

    One of the victims narrated how the abuse started when she was in Senior Secondary 1 class.

    According to her, the teacher initially pretended to help her improve her mathematics scores but later pressured her to meet him at a hotel near Alagbon bus stop.

    Another student detailed how he cornered her in a classroom, removed his belt, and attempted to assault her before she managed to escape.

    Investigations revealed that Mr. Adegbenga was not an official government teacher but was personally hired by the school principal. Sources said he had allegedly been abusing students for years before the scandal broke.

    Instead of protecting the victims, the school administration allegedly turned against James, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member and former student of the school, who played a key role in bringing the issue to light.

    On March 24, 2025, James was reportedly lured back to the school under false pretences, only to be ambushed. Teachers allegedly seized his phone in an attempt to delete evidence.

    When he resisted, male teachers reportedly blocked the door while the vice principal recorded the incident.

    James also alleged that he was locked in a toilet inside the principal’s office and was only able to escape when officials from the Education Quality Assurance department arrived for an unannounced visit.

    Further reports indicated that some teachers were instructed to turn students against James, with one, Mrs. Dikko, reportedly telling students in SS1E to chase him away if they saw him.

    Following public outrage, the Lagos State Ministry of Education’s Monitoring and Investigation Department arrested Mr. Adegbenga and handed him over to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA).

    He was later arraigned, remanded, and granted bail in the amount of N300,000. His next court hearing is scheduled for April 22, 2025.

    Despite the legal proceedings, school authorities have refused to acknowledge their role in shielding the accused teacher.

    When contacted the principal, Mrs. Osunrinde, she declined the call and later blocked the number. The vice principal, Mrs. Longe, also refused to comment, saying, “The matter is in court, and I will not make any comment on it.”

    The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, also declined to speak on the issue, stating that it would be “prejudicial” to discuss an ongoing case.

  • Sad as vehicle kills LAWMA official on duty in Lagos

    Sad as vehicle kills LAWMA official on duty in Lagos

    A commercial minibus, popularly known as a Korope in Southwest Nigeria on Monday night, knock to death, an official of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) at Ketu Bus Stop, Lagos State.

    TheNewsGuru learnt that the commercial minibus collided with a stationary LAWMA compactor truck, resulting in the fatal accident.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement on Tuesday attributed the crash to reckless driving by the minibus driver and negligence in the parking of the LAWMA truck.

    According to him, the driver of the minibus sustained severe injuries.

    “Preliminary investigations at the scene indicated that the accident occurred due to reckless driving on the part of the minibus and carelessness on the part of the parked LAWMA truck, which did not indicate it’s ‘parked’ status with a “C-Caution” sign at the required position and appropriate distance from the truck, thereby leading to collision with the LAWMA compactor truck.

    “Further investigations revealed that in the process of the accident, the minibus hit a LAWMA official performing his lawful duties. Unfortunately, the LAWMA official died before the arrival of the agency’s response teams.

    “However, the driver of the minibus sustained significant injuries and was given immediate medical attention by paramedics from the agency’s pre-hospital care unit at the incident scene,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated on Tuesday.

    The remains of the deceased were handed over to officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) for further processing.

  • FG announces closure of Independence Bridge in Lagos

    FG announces closure of Independence Bridge in Lagos

    The Federal Government has announced the closure of the Independence Bridge (Marina bound) starting April 1 for essential maintenance and rehabilitation works.

    The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, made this known in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

    She explained that the bridge would remain closed until the end of May 2025.

    Accoding to her, the closure will affect traffic traveling from Ahmadu Bello Way and Adeola Odeku towards Marina, Eko Bridge, and Onikan by Zone 2.

    Kesha advised motorists to plan their journeys accordingly and use alternative routes to avoid traffic congestion during the repair period.

    She apologised for any inconvenience the closure might cause and thanked the public for their understanding and cooperation as the government worked to ensure the safety and stability of road infrastructure.

  • Lagos residents lament lack of potable water

    Lagos residents lament lack of potable water

    Some residents of Lagos State have called on the State government to make potable water accessible to reduce the huge amount of money spent in buying water.

    They disclosed this in separate interviews on Monday in Lagos, against the World Water Day celebrated annually in March.

    They urged the State government to reduce the spread of water-borne diseases in the state by ensuring provision of potable water.

    According to the World Health Organisation, water scarcity affects one in three people in the African region and is getting worse with population growth, urbanisation, and increase in household and industrial uses.

    While some residents attributed lack of potable water in the state to poor management and inadequate infrastructure, others linked it to lack of enough investment and human capital.

    A resident in Akowonjo Local Government Area, Mr Ibrahim Mustapha, a businessman, who spoke with NAN, expressed dissatisfaction with the scarcity of potable water in their neighbourhood.

    “I don’t know why water remains a big challenge in a state that is surrounded by large bodies of water.

    “I am a 54-year-old man, and I can tell you that the last time I enjoyed public-sourced potable water was in my youth days.

    “We have had to rely on a private-generated water supply, which is not a good thing,” he said.

    He called on the state government to make the water issue a priority and get it done with once and for all.

    Another resident, Mrs Folake Davies, a dentist who lives around Yaba, told NAN that the unavailability of potable water had led to increased household expenditure.

    “This has resulted in  buying sachet water for drinking and borehole water in gallons for other domestic use.

    “This has added extra financial burden on residents that are struggling already and posing environmental challenges like plastic pollution.

    “Water scarcity also challenges the ability of residents to keep up with sanitation and healthful living habits, while predisposing them to water-borne diseases if the use of contaminated water continues,” she said.

    She called on the state government to find a lasting solution to this menace as it affects residents’ way of life.

    Another Makoko resident, Mr Saheed Abbas, an artisan, lamented the hardship that members of the community faced to access potable water which had made its retailing a lucrative business.

    “Before residents can access clean water in Makoko, they have to trek for a long distance. Some of them even use motorcycles to get clean water,” he said.

    Abbas appealed to the state government to make life easy for them with the resuscitation of potable water in the community.

    A resident living in the Igando area of the state, Mrs Lydia Anjorin, a business manager, was sad with the amount of money she used in purchasing water in the area.

    “This scarcity makes us spend significant amounts of money on bottled water and rely on potentially contaminated water sources, impacting our health and hygiene.

    “We demand that the authorities take steps to improve water access by building new water treatment plants, repairing existing systems, and implementing water conservation measures,” she said.

    Mr Kayode Aderibigbe, a Lekki resident, expressed his frustration with the area’s water shortage.

    “We often go without water for days, and when it’s available, it’s not even suitable for cooking or drinking.

    I was recently forced to relocate my family to my in-laws’ home due to a two-day water outage.

    “I had to stay at one of my properties in Magodo just to take a bath. The situation in Lekki is really disheartening,” Aderibigbe said.

    However, for Mrs Ese Ayanwun, a resident of Lekki, access to clean water has become a reality in her area due to the efforts of the local water works.

    Ayanwun said a water storage tank had been installed in her house that provides them with a reliable source of clean water.

    “This initiative has brought significant relief compared to when we had previously struggled with water scarcity and contamination,” she said.

    NAN reports that other areas such as Ajah, Ajao Estate, Ebute Metta, FESTAC and others also lack access to potable water.

    A general physician, Dr Tunji Akintade, says lack of access to safe water leads to a wide range of health problems, including waterborne diseases, malnutrition, and increased vulnerability to infections.

    Akintade stressed that safe and adequate water facilitates the practice of hygiene, critical to prevent morbidity and mortality, especially among children and vulnerable populations.

    According to him, contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to the transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and numerous neglected tropical diseases.

    “Safe and readily available water is crucial for public health, whether it is used for drinking, domestic use, or food production,” he said.

    He urged the government to improve access to clean and safe water to enhance the health of citizens.

    However, efforts to reach out to the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Water  Corporation, Mr Anifowoshe Rasaq, for his comment proved abortive as his number has not been responsive as of the time of filing this report.

    Meanwhile, NAN reports that the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, in a report, has assured Lagos residents of constant water supply by 2027.

    Wahab said this when he took a tour of the Adiyan Phase 2 ongoing water project at Iju area of the state.

    Wahab, who was impressed with the ongoing work, expressed optimism that Lagos residents would soon be enjoying uninterrupted water supply.

    He said that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, had  decided that the water problem must be solved.

    “To solve the water problem, we had to come to Adiyan 2, which is a 70 million gallons per day project and  the biggest.

    “We have mobilised the contractor, so we just came here to see what they are doing so far, and  I am glad the media men took the walk too.

    “With 70 million gallons and then we have Iju  with Adiyan 1 alongside micro and mini water works, majority of Lagos houses and homes will have pipe borne water which is our target and we are looking at sometime in 2027,”  he said.

  • Deaf man killed as commercial bus collide in Lagos

    Deaf man killed as commercial bus collide in Lagos

    A deaf pedestrian lost his life on Sunday when two commercial buses collided while he was waiting at a bus stop in Ikeja, Lagos State.

    The fatal accident involved two Suzuki mini commercial buses, popularly known as Korope in the Southwest.

    It was gathered that one of the vehicles, due to reckless speeding, lost control and violently crashed into a stationary minibus before striking the pedestrian.

    Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, stated that the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) had evacuated the deceased’s remains to the General Hospital, Ikeja.

    Reacting to the tragedy, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

    He also issued a stern warning to commercial transport operators about the critical importance of adhering to traffic regulations.

    He emphasised the necessity of regular vehicle maintenance, particularly ensuring the integrity of braking systems, to prevent avoidable accidents.

    Furthermore, Giwa reiterated the role of the Intelligence Transport System (ITS) speed limit monitoring sites at Alapere, Ogudu Road, and Nitel, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, in curbing speed violations and improving traffic management. He urged all drivers to strictly adhere to speed limits to reduce the risk of accidents.

    “Ensuring road safety is a collective responsibility. Indiscriminate speeding and flagrant disregard for traffic laws constitute an existential threat to public safety. I implore all motorists to strictly operate within legal parameters to avert needless loss of human lives,” he stated.

  • More families benefit from Glo Foundation’s ‘Food Drive’ in Lagos

    More families benefit from Glo Foundation’s ‘Food Drive’ in Lagos

    It was another momentous occasion for joy and relief in Lagos where Glo Foundation, the social responsibility arm of Globacom, made thousands of less privileged Nigerians at Ikota community in Lagos happy through the donation of cartons of food and household items to them.

    Two Saturdays ago, the Foundation was in Bariga where it shared food and other household items to thousands of vulnerable members of the community.

    At an emotional ceremony held within the community, thousands of beneficiaries, made up mostly of women, received their packs from officials of Globacom and their partners in the project, Lagos Food Bank Initiative.

    As early as 7 a.m., thousands of beneficiaries had gathered at the New Generation Baptist School, Ikota venue of the event waiting for the commencement of the distribution.

    While welcoming the beneficiaries before the distribution of the items, the Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Globacom, Jumobi Mofe-Damijo, affirmed Globacom’s commitment to helping the less privileged in society. She noted that one of the objectives of the Foundation was the provision of support to the most vulnerable segment of the society across the country.

    She added that “giving brings joy and smiles to the faces of the beneficiaries as we have seen here today. It also makes us happy that we are able to do something to touch the lives of others in a highly interdependent world”. She stated that the Foundation was working on other projects that would impact various segments across the country.

    The beneficiaries sang and danced at the event to show their joy and appreciation to Globacom. Some of them who shared their thoughts expressed happiness for benefitting from the gesture, and prayed that the company would be blessed in return for the gifts.

    The beneficiaries, who were mostly women, could not contain their joy and excitement at the event. Some of them, who spoke after receiving their food packages, praised and prayed for Globacom for extending such love and care to their community.

    Christina Itoro, an Akwa Ibom indigene, who operates a POS business within the community, expressed happiness at the content of the package. “When I opened the carton and saw the content, I was so excited. May God bless the company and the staff,” she said.

    On her part, Sarah Oliseh, who is a housewife, said: “I am very happy and so excited getting this from Globacom. It will definitely go a long way to help me and my family”.

    For Godwin Mary, who sells Kunu drink, Globacom has come to her aid at a time that her business was crumbling. The native of Benue State thanked Globacom for remembering her and other women in the Ikate neighbourhood.