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Tag: LASG

  • Evans, TB Joshua, Rev King, others won’t escape justice – LASG assures

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday said suspected kidnapping kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans will not escape justice.

    It also assured that the duo of Prophet T.B. Joshua, founder of The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) and Rev. Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, a.k.a Reverend King, General Overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly would receive their judgements from the courts soon.

    Recall that Evans, who was arrested at his mansion in Magodo area of Lagos last year, is being prosecuted by the State Government in court alongside others for masterminding and executing series of high profile kidnappings and murder in the State.

    The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, who said this at the ongoing Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, said the State Government was committed to ensuring the logical conclusion of all pending cases in court and serve justice to the people.

    “On the Evans’ matter, the cases filed against him are ongoing in court. The issue is that the lawyer representing him is trying to play some games to delay the matter but in all his games, we have been defeating him in court.

    “We have filed different cases. Some are for kidnapping and some bordered on murder and his lawyer is fighting all the cases but what I can assure the people is that we are committed to ensure the matter is concluded and defeat him at the end of the day,” Kazeem said.

    While reeling out activities of the agencies under the Ministry in the last one year, the Attorney General said the State Government received and treated a total number of 11,451 cases through the Special Task Force Against Land Grabbers, Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) and the Special Offences (Mobile) Court in the last one year.

    He said the government also received 316 inquiries through the recently unveiled first state-owned DNA and Forensic Centre with 71 active cases currently ongoing bordering on homicide, rape, toxicology, child trafficking, serology, among others.

    According to Kazeem, the Anti-Land Grabbers Task Force designed by the present administration to fight the menace of forceful take-over of properties received 1300 petitions out of which 855 were concluded and 530 currently at various stages of resolution.

    “In the period under review, over 35 arrests of suspected notorious land grabbers were effected while 26 criminal prosecution cases against suspected land grabbers are presently ongoing,” the Attorney General said.

    Besides, the Attorney General said in a bid to enhance due diligence in property transaction, the State Government introduced the Real Estate Electronic Litigation Database designed for the provision of access to information primarily on properties which are subject of litigation, adding that since its launch, the portal has recorded over 1,000,000 hits and over 10,000 consistent users from Nigeria, United States, United Kingdom, South Africa and others.

    He added that through the Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC), the State Government received a total number of 47,292 new cases free of charge out of which 25,191 were resolved with others at various stages of resolution.

    “The total value of settlement of debt related matters achieved by the Centre during the period under review from May 2017 to April 2018 as settlement between parties was N1,352,745,391,” the Attorney General said, among other achievements by the State Government in the justice sector.

    Speaking on Hotel and Restaurant Consumption (Fiscalization) Regulations 2018, Kazeem clarified that it was neither a new law nor an additional tax, but a regulation aimed at ensuring that government gets due revenue.

    “It is a regulation and not a new law. It was made pursuant to an existing law that was already in operation. What this regulation essentially seeks to do is to allow the government to put certain equipment in the restaurant and hospitality organizations to properly monitor the revenue that is coming so we can know what exactly is due to the State Government.

    “It is not an additional tax; it is just to enhance transparency in collection of taxes that are due to the State. So, I want to clarify that carefully,” Kazeem said.

    On other high profile cases, he said it was gratifying to report that the cases were progressing in court, saying the Synagogue Church case for instance on the collapsed building which killed people was progressing well, adding that a no case submission filed by the accused persons instead of defending the case was recently dismissed by the Court, while the General Overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly, Rev. Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, a.k.a Reverend King who is presently on death roll imposed by the court would have his fate determined in due course.

  • LASG reveals number of buses to start operations at Ikeja Bus Terminal

    LASG reveals number of buses to start operations at Ikeja Bus Terminal

    The Lagos State Government says it will deploy over 800 buses soon to start operations at the newly inaugurated Ikeja Bus Terminal.

    Mr Ladi Lawanson, the state Commissioner for Transportation, made the disclosame during a visit to the terminal and the Oshodi Transport Interchange construction site on Saturday.

    According to him, the newly procured buses will enable efficient and effective transportation to classes of Lagos residents.

    “The state government is coming with multimodal and integrated transportation system which will take care of about four million people on a daily basis across the state.

    “The idea is to cater for Lagos residents of especially lower and middle classes, who cannot afford to fund their own cars everyday.

    “We should be expecting some buses like over 800 that Lagos State Government has procured to kick-start operation for the benefit of the residents,” he said.

    He noted that Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State, had about 900,000 inhabitants.

    “It is also a major transport hub on the Lagos mainland, as it is a major node of very important corridors in Lagos such as Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Agege Motor Road, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Oba Akran Way and Awolowo Way.

    “Ikeja Terminal is a key transport infrastructure constructed to improve efficiency in system connections, reduce traffic congestion caused by ongoing street loading and dropping off of passengers, reduce environmental pollution and improve security and safety of the commuting public,” he said.

    The commissioner said that Ikeja Bus Terminal was a small component of big picture of multimodal transport system planned by the government.

    According to him, the proposed Oshodi Transport Interchange – where three terminals will be integrated for buses to move people within and outside the state – is another big reform project of the government.

    The official noted that the state’s growth was exponential as an emerging mega city and Nigeria’s premier economic centre.

    “Lagos, no doubt, requires an integrated transport system to meet the demand of its over 20 million citizens and fulfill its aspiration as Africas foremost business and entertainment city.”

    Lawanson said that the state Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode was passionate to provide residents with transportation system of international standards which would be responsive to the core need of Lagos residents and teeming visitors.

    “Constructions are going on in 13 different bus terminals across the state to leverage their various operations.

    “We have Alapere Bus Shelter, Ilupeju Bus Depot, Yaba Bus Terminal, Anthony Bus Depot, Maryland Bus Terminal, Agege Bus Terminal, Ojota Bus Terminal, Oyingbo Bus Terminal, Tafawa Balewa Square Bus Terminal and other proposed corridors,” he said.

    According to the him, the facilities will provide over 3,000 jobs for youths and increase transport connections and inter-modal connectivity.

    He added that it wold eliminate “one chance” kidnapping and accidents associated with the current commercial bus regime.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari, on March 29, inaugurated the Ikeja Bus Terminal expected to provide comfort, safety, security and good travel experience for commutters.

    The facility covers about 1.14 hectares.

  • Land Use Charge: Outrageous amount in circulation unfounded, based on arrears – LASG

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday clarified the figures circulating in the media on the rate for the newly reviewed Land Use Charge Law of 2018, saying many of the numbers were based on several years of arrears on the levy not paid by affected property owners.

    Speaking at a news briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan said there were so many misconceptions and misinformation about the new law, adding that the law was a progressive enactment duly made by the House of Assembly and handed over to the Executive for implementation in the overall interest of the people.

    He specifically dismissed the humongous figures being bandied about on the social media, saying many of the calculations were based on arrears of many years of non-payment.

    “The fact is that this law took a long process to be made. It started as a bill and went through the first reading, second reading, public hearing to which all stakeholders were brought together to debate it and some of the relieves we have seen were part of the debate expressed by the stakeholders about the need to protect the vulnerable segment of the society. Having made the law, the Lagos State House of Assembly has handed it over to the executive to implement.

    “The second important part is that a lot of relieves have been built into the law but many people are confusing arrears with the actual figure. If you see those figures, ask whether it is for one year or arrears of several years of non-payment. The humongous figures that are being bandied around particularly in the social media relate to the arrears of many years of non-payment which are computed together,” Bamigbetan said.

    Also speaking, Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinyemi Ashade said the government has extended the period for tax payers to enjoy the 15 per cent discount in the reviewed Land Use Charge Law to April 14, 2018 in order to enable the implementation and enforcement of the new law, as well as allow many property owners to benefit from the discount.

    Ashade, who took time to clarify reactions in some section of the public on the new law, said under the old law, which had not been reviewed for over 15 years since 2001, the Land Use Charge rate was totally inaccurate and retrogressive and was depriving the State of keeping track of all economic activities that relate to land in Lagos State.

    He said the Law, which was reviewed by the Lagos State House of Assembly and signed into Law by the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on February 8, 2018 is a merger of all Property and Land Based Rates and Charges in the State.

    Ashade said: “There was an urgent need for the repeal, as the old law had not been reviewed for over 15 years, since 2001. Under the old law, the LUC rate was totally inaccurate and retrogressive which deprived the State of keeping track of all economic activities that relate to land in Lagos State.

    “The new law is a consolidation of Ground Rent, Tenement Rate, and Neighbourhood Improvement Levy. This charge is payable annually in respect of all real estate properties in the State, which means owners and occupiers holding a lease to a Property for ten (10) years or more are now liable to pay the annual LUC invoice charged.

    “Thus, the Tenement Rates Law, the Land Based Rates Law, the Neighbourhood Improvement Charge and all other similar Property Rates or Charges, Laws or amendments to any such property Laws shall cease to apply to any property in Lagos State as from 2018. Nonetheless, all pending invoices, orders, rules, regulations, etc. under the 2001 repealed Law shall continue to be in effect until such obligations are discharged.”

    Explaining the calculation of amount payable, the Commissioner said that property owners can determine the amount by multiplying the Market Value of their property by the Applicable Relief Rate of 40 per cent and Annual Charge rate.

    “Upon receiving a notice or not, the new law has made it possible for owners to calculate their charge, and enable prompt payment, which allows them to benefit from a 15% discount for early payment, applicable to payments made within 15 days of receipt of Demand Notice,” he said.

    Responding to fears of tenants that the new Law might force landlords to increase rent, Ashade said aside the fact that the Lagos State Tenancy Law 2011 was still in force, the incidence of payment for Land Use Charge under the new law is on the Landlord and not the tenant.

    He said the minimum rate was only increased from N1,200 it was in 2001 to N5,000, while there is provision for self-assessment and Assessment Appeal Tribunal under the new law.

    On vacant properties, Ashade said such would be treated based on owner-occupier and not as a commercial property, explaining that the target of government is to make commercial property owners to pay a little bit more.

  • Confusion as FG, LASG lay claim to N28.5m, properties ‘stolen’ by civil servant

    The Federal and Lagos State governments were on Tuesday logged down in a legal tussle over the rightful ownership of N28.5 million and houses allegedly acquired by corrupt means by a civil servant in the state.

    The funds and properties, which are subjects of a forfeiture proceedings, were traced to Alade Anifowoshe, a Director of Accounts in the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, and are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

    Rilwan Aikawa, a judge of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, had on December 7, 2017 ordered temporary forfeiture of the money and properties to the federal government.

    The properties, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, include six flats of three-bedroom apartments, six flats of two-bedroom apartments, and six flats of one-bedroom apartments on Adewale Osiyeku Street, Offin-Ile Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

    Others are four sets of three-bedroom duplexes at No. 6, Tunde Gabby Close, Dopemu Area, Pako Bus Stop, Agege, Lagos State; as well as a semi-detached three bedroom flat and a unit of three-bedroom terrace at Cranbel Court, Citiview Estate Arepo Ogun State.

    Also seized is a plot of land at Queen’s Garden Estate off Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    The EFCC had brought an application seeking the forfeiture of the properties as well as the money traced to Mr. Anifowoshe’s bank account.

    While granting the order of temporary forfeiture, the judge had ordered the EFCC to publish the court’s decision in a national newspaper notifying the respondent whose properties is sought to be forfeited to appear and show cause within 14 days why it should not be done.

    At the hearing on Tuesday, Wole Okenile, counsel to Mr. Anifowoshe, opposed the permanent forfeiture of the houses and the money recovered from his client, contending that the EFCC had not proven that the properties were proceeds of fraud.

    Mr. Okenile said the land which the EFCC is seeking forfeiture was bought for N50,000 by his client in 2000 and invited the Commission to show proof that it was acquired with the proceeds of unlawful activities.

    He also urged the anti-graft agency to actually prove that the properties and money were proceeds of crime instead of “dumping the documents” before the court.

    But while protesting at the forfeiture proceedings, Saheed Quadri, a Director of Civil Litigation at the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, urged the court to forfeit the money and properties to the state government instead of the federal government.

    Mr. Quadri argued that it was the funds of the Lagos State government that were allegedly diverted.

    But Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel for the EFCC, pleaded with the court to forfeit the asset to the federal government, saying Lagos State could always approach them for an agreement.

    After listening to the lawyers, the judge adjourned till January 31 for ruling.

    The EFCC, in its application, accused Mr. Alade of diverting funds from the Lagos State Public Works Corporation into the bank account of a company, MAJ Anny International Limited, where he is a director.

    According to an affidavit filed in support of the ex-parte application, an operative of the EFCC, Zayyanu Halliru, said Mr. Alade is the sole signatory to the company’s account.

    He added that Mr. Alade abused his position as “the final authoriser of the Internet banking system of the Lagos State Public Works Corporation.”

    The investigator said, “The respondent used his office and position to enrich himself with the funds from Lagos State Public Works Corporation to acquire landed properties within Lagos and Ogun states,” adding that the EFCC had recovered the properties.

  • LASG confiscates wanted Badoo kingpin, Alaka’s properties

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday sealed a Petrol Filling Station, a Hotel and Event Centre belonging to a suspected Badoo cult kingpin, Alhaji Alaka Abayomi Kamal.

    The structures, situated along Ijebu-Ode-Itoikin Road in Sabo area of Ikorodu were sealed for violating the State’s Urban and Regional Planning Law of 2010.

    The Police, had on December 22, 2017, declared Alaka wanted in connection with series of well-orchestrated killings and nefarious activities of the Badoo cult group in Ikorodu and Epe area of the State.

    Alaka is believed to be the ringleader of the Badoo menace.

    The State Government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said the order sealing off the structures was in pursuant to Section 60 of the said Law.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal, on Tuesday, paraded a Badoo kingpin arrested in the Ikorodu axis who confessed to the killings and took Police to their shrine in Imosan, a suburb of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, where the group’s chief herbalist, Fatai Adebayo was arrested.

    Adebayo, who is popularly known as Alese, was said to specialise in administering oath on Badoo members before they go for any operation.

    According to Ayorinde, “The Lagos State Government is joining the Nigerian Police in asking the said Alaka to come out of hiding and submit himself to the law in his own interest.

    “The State Government has also enjoined the Police to offer the public a reward for any useful information on the owner of the Alaka Filling Station, Hotel and Event Centre in Ikorodu.

    “The government is once again asking its citizens to go about their business without fear. We will leave no stone unturned in keeping the State safe in 2018,” Ayorinde assured Lagosians.

  • LASG assures lagosians, security will receieve top priority

    Lagos State government has assured the people of the state that the security of their lives and property will always receive top priority in the state.

    The assurance was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner For Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde.

    Ayorinde said the government’s pledge was a testimony to the fact that the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, is committed to growing the economy of the state.

    “Security, being one of the tripods upon which the administration of His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode is built, will continue to be given top priority to ensure the safety of lives and property, as well as to grow the economy of the state,” he said.

    In the spirit of the yuletide season, the commissioner said the state government has donated trailer-loads of Lake Rice each to the Nigerian Armed Forces and the police, as well as other security agencies in the state.

    He said the latest donation was part of the token to appreciate law enforcement agencies for their commitment and sacrifice to ensuring the security of lives and property of residents in the state.

    According to Ayorinde, there are 600 full bags of rice in each of the trucks donated to the security agencies.

    “The latest gesture by the state government to security agencies for the festive celebration is a continuation of the token to appreciate them for their efforts at maintaining law and order in the state. Lagos is indeed blessed with dedicated security personnel.

    “Despite all that has been done in the past and is still being done to assist security agencies – such as provision of critical logistics, allowances, insurance benefits, among others, the onus is on government to continue to utilise every opportunity to appreciate and motivate them to continue to put in their very best,” he said.

    The commissioner also recalled that Governor Ambode had equally donated N25million to the Nigerian Legion while launching the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem.

    He said the governor had also donated a trailer-load of rice on December 20 to aid the welfare of the families of fallen heroes.

  • LASG shuts down FESTAC Link Bridge after tanker explosion

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday closed a section of the FESTAC Link Bridge, where a tanker fire burnt down over 21 vehicles and five motorcycles last week.

    The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olawale Musa, said the decision was taken in order to save lives of motorists and other users of the bridge.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the bridge was engulfed in fire last Wednesday after a fuel-laden tanker upturned and spilled its content.

    Musa explined on Wednesday that the closure was as a result of an expert advice by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure that the integrity of the bridge was in doubt, and therefore needed to be closed down for repairs.

    He said, “Motorists using the link bridge will now be restricted to one section of the bridge for safety.

    “The closure will not lead to gridlock because adequate arrangement has been made to minimise the impact on connectivity.

    “More men and materials have been deployed in the area to manage traffic.

    “We urge motorist and commuters to exercise patience and cooperate with traffic officuals.”

    Musa assured residents of the area that they would enjoy seamless traffic during Yuletide period.

  • LASG disburse N1.2bn pension payments

    The Lagos State Government (LASG) has disbursed about N1.2 billion as pension payments of 286 retirees for December.

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, at the Retirement Bond Certificates Presentation on Wednesday, said his administration within the limited resources, innovated and ensured prompt payments of the pension obligations.

    The governor was represented by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr Akintola Oke.

    According to Ambode, prioritising pensioners’ welfare has moral, economic and social ramifications.

    He emphasised that it was such holistic view on “Pension obligations’’ that could put efforts directed at its managements and promotion achievable.

    “All governments and persons of goodwill ought to know that it is morally reprehensible for an employer to neglect benefits of its employees who gave the prime of their active years serving.

    “Thankfully, this is an area where the LASG, through the instrumentality of Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), has demonstrated its moral compass.’’ Oke said.

    Giving the state’s figure on pension performance, he said from August 2015 to December 2017, over N33 billion accrued pension rights had been paid to 8,262 retirees.

    “Accrued Pension Rights previously paid before the current administration from 2010-2015 amounted to N33,645 billion to 7,409 employees.

    “Therefore, since the commencement of the Retirement Benefit Bond Certification Presentation (RBBCP) in 2010, the state has paid accrued Pension Rights of over N66.6 billion to 15,671 retirees.’’

    Oke said that the government was also much committed to the regular contribution of the monthly deduction of 7.5 per cent from the salary of every employee.

    The Director-General of LASPEC, Mrs Folashade Onanuga, said that Ambode’s administration would continuously bolster the socio-economic well-being of citizens in spite of the pension liabilities on the state.

    According to the LASPEC DG, government, through the commission, had paid 104 named beneficiaries of deceased employees in the Mainstream Civil Service.

    “Insurance benefits of N325 million from August 2015 till date has been paid.

    “This insured benefit is by law to be paid to the named beneficiaries to alleviate the immediate needs of the family,’’ she said.

    She explained that within two years and six months, 28 RBBCPs had been held.

    “The total number of beneficiaries within the 30 months is 8,262.’’

    She advised pensioners to be wary of pension fraudsters, take very good care of their health and desist from spending on frivolities, among others.

    She said more innovations were introduced into the state’s pension Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, to ensure pension operations were seamless and less cumbersome.

    Thenewsguru reports that the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, attended the events.

  • Expect changes in the transport system, LASG tells NURTW

    The Lagos State Government has advised the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to prepare for the coming changes in the state’s transportation sector.

    Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, the Governor of Lagos State, gave the advice on Wednesday during the inauguration of the new NURTW state secretariat at Agege, Lagos.

    Ambode, represented by the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, urged the union to key into the plan of the state government in order to be relevant to the new policy.

    “We support the chairman on his efforts to bring a new look to the union in Lagos State.

    “But development goes beyond edifice and building structures; there must be adequate preparation for new government policy on transportation by the union.

    “Government has no plan to leave anybody or union behind in its plan to make the state a mega city.

    “So, I appeal to the union to key into government’s plan and prepare for the coming changes in transportation sector in the state,” he said.

    Ambode commended the union for employing the youth in the society, and by so doing, helping to reduce crime in the society.

    Alhaji Nojeem Yasin, the National President, NURTW, in his remarks, congratulated the state union on the Secretariat.

    He appealed to the members to give more support to the state union chairman, Mr Tajudeen Agbede.

    Yasin also thanked the Lagos State Government for its support to the union.

    Agbede, earlier in his speech, commended Ambode on the giant strides he had taken in the state.

    “The construction of several flyovers and new roads across the state have helped to reduce traffic congestion during the peak periods.

    “As partner in progress with the state government, we are always ready to contribute our quota to the success of the government,” he said.

  • Yuletide: LASG commences sale of LAKE rice

    The Lagos State Government on Thursday said a large number of bags of LAKE Rice had been approved for sale.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau, explained in Ikeja that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who facilitated the availability of the product of partnership between Lagos and Kebbi states, had ordered a fair distribution of the rice across the state.

    Suarau said, “The rice will be made available at the various accredited centres in the state, including Farm Service Centre, Odogunyan-Ikorodu; Farmers’ Mart, Surulere; Agric Input Supply Authority, Ojo; and Farm Service Centre, Temu-Epe.”

    The commissioner noted that Lake Rice was part of government’s drive to attain food sufficiency, adding that self-sufficiency was being given priority attention in the state.