Fuel Scarcity Returns To Lagos Amid Increased Pump Price

Fuel scarcity has made a troubling return to Lagos and its surroundings, as numerous oil marketers have closed their outlets, leaving motorists and consumers in a lurch. Last week, a similar issue was reported in Abuja, attributed by oil marketers to poor road conditions and the soaring cost of diesel for distribution. However, recent observations over the weekend have revealed that both independent and major oil marketers have halted operations, leaving the responsibility of serving customers in most parts of Lagos to NNPC Limited, the only remaining importer of the product. This scarcity has persisted despite fuel deregulation, as other operators have struggled to import petrol due to market instability and a lack of foreign exchange.  The informal exchange rate has reached over N1,000 per dollar, compounding the challenges faced by these operators. Chinedu Okoronkwo, the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has indicated that measures are being taken to address this crisis.  He stated, “Stakeholders have been meeting, and measures have been taken to enable oil marketers to access foreign exchange at a rate that will not disrupt the current price of the product.” Meanwhile, in Abuja, most major marketers that are still operational have raised their pump prices from N615 per liter to N625 per litre, adding to the woes of already burdened consumers.

Fatal Collision: 3 Die in Lagos Bus-Truck Accident

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) on Sunday said three persons died instantly in an auto crash involving a commercial bus and a truck. A statement by the agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, on Saturday, said the incident happened at Gbagada, by Charlie Boy Busstop. “Following a distress call received at 22:01hrs through the agency’s toll-free lines, LASEMA activated the Lagos State Emergency Response Plans with an arrival time of 22:17hrs. “Upon arrival of the agency’s LRT at the scene, it was observed that a white commercial bus lost control and crashed into a moving truck. “The 18-passenger commercial bus, with registration number JJJ-844YA and loaded to capacity, was heading to Ajah from Oshodi. “It lost control while on motion, rammed into a moving truck from behind and three people died instantly. “Two males and one female, all adults immediately lost their lives to the incident, while others sustained various degrees and categories of injuries,” he said. He added that out of the seven people injured, three were promptly administered pre-hospital care and ferried to Gbagada General Hospital for further treatment by the agency’s paramedics. “The three commodities have been bagged awaiting arrival of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, (SEHMU), to convey them to the morgue. “Light Tow Truck has been deployed to recover the affected vehicle from the busy road to forestall secondary incidents. “The LASEMA Response Team, LASEMA Pre-Hospital Care Team, Nigeria Police and Lagos Fire and Rescue Services were all present at the incident,” he said.

Environmental Degradation: Sanwo-Olu Seals Mile 12, Owode Onirin Markets

Lagos State government has sealed the Mile 12 International Market and the Owode Onirin Market on Friday for creating environmental malfeasance. The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources stated in Ikeja, that the markets were sealed because of indiscriminate dumping and burning of refuse, the filthy environment, and blocked drains. It stated that the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, directed the Lagos Waste Management Agency and “KAI’’ to seal the markets. “The reasons for sealing the markets are not unconnected with the indiscriminate dumping and burning of refuse, filthy environment, blocked and littered drains. “The action also followed illegal and indiscriminate parking and abandonment of trucks on the highway leading to the two markets, impeding free flow of traffic,’’ the ministry stated. 

Nigerian Navy Nabs Six Impostors In Lagos

The Nigerian Navy has arrested six persons posing as Nigerian Navy personnel to engage in fraudulent activities. The Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga stated at the weekend in Lagos, that the NNS BEECROFT’s patrol team arrested the suspects in a raid at Ajah area of Lagos State. “The raid resulted in the apprehension of impostors who carry out nefarious activities like extortion and intimidation of residents, among other despicable acts while claiming to be Navy personnel,’’ he stated. He added that two Toyota Hilux vehicles, fake Nigerian Navy identification cards and other related documents were seized from the impostors. “The impounded vehicles bearing the inscription `SAIL NAVY’, the suspects and other exhibits had been handed over to the appropriate agency for further investigation and prosecution,’’ Oguntuga stated. The commander urged citizens to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to appropriate authorities as collective effort was crucial in safeguarding the public from potential and fraudulent activities. Oguntuga also stated that eight stowaways were arrested on board a vessel on Thursday during NNS BEECROFT’s routine patrol of the maritime environment. “NNS BEECROFT’s patrol team arrested the stowaways inside the vessel’s rudder compartment and handed them over to the appropriate authorities,’’ he added. 

Tribunal Victory: Jandor, Rhodes-Vivour Should Join Me In Building Lagos -Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal judgement as a victory for all Lagosians, even as he called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Abdulazeez Adediran, and Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party, to join hands with him in building Lagos. Sanwo-Olu said this while addressing newsmen at the State House in Ikeja, after the11-hour judgment by a three-man panel led by Justice Arum Ashom at the Roseline Omotosho Court, Ikeja, Lagos. The panel in its unanimous decision, dismissed the two petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate Abdulazeez Adediran, and Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, his Labour Party counterpart. The governor lauded the judges for doing a good job, adding that they gave a well thought out and detailed judgment. Sanwo-Olu said the verdict was a call to greater service while assuring that his government would continue to work harder to deliver dividends of democracy to the people “It was a long, tough process but we are grateful that the voice of people of Lagos was heard and upheld. “The deputy governor and I are very privileged and thankful to residents for standing for and by us. It is a victory for all, no winner, no loser. “It is, however, an opportunity for more work and service. Therefore, we will continue to work harder to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people,” he said. The governor called on other candidates to join hands together to build a Lagos of their dreams. According to him, “l extend, again, an olive branch to my fellow contestants to join us in building the Lagos of our dreams. “If they have the passion to serve, we can work together because there is room for everyone to contribute meaningfully to the Lagos we all desire to see.” Reacting, Mr Olagbade Benson, Senior counsel to the Labour Party (LP) candidate, said the tribunal in his wisdom had delivered the judgment to the best of their knowledge. He advised all members of the party to stay calm and respect the rule of law. “The tribunal has done their part and we cannot ask for more. Therefore, we encourage every member of the Labour Party and all OBIdients to stay calm and obey the rule of law.” The tribunal chairman, Justice Arum Ashom in his lead Judgment had dismissed the petition filed by Rhodes-Vivour on grounds that it lacked merit. On the oath of allegiance to the United States of America by the deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the tribunal held that being a citizen of Nigeria by birth, his oath of allegiance to United State does not prevent him from contesting election. The tribunal, therefore, affirmed the declaration of INEC of the election of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat as the governor and deputy governor duly elected. On his part, reacting to the judgment, Mr Austin Akpomreta, defense counsel to the PDP governorship candidate explained that the next line of action would be taken after reviewing the judgment with his client. The election petition tribunal had also declared as dead on arrival, a petition of Adediran against Sanwo-Olu’s election. The tribunal held that evidence before it showed that the petition lacked merit. Adediran had contended that Sanwo-Olu was wrongfully nominated and sponsored by the APC and, therefore, was not qualified for the election. However, Justice Mikail Abdullahi, while reading the tribunal’s decision on the matter, held that the position did not form part of the grounds for disqualification for election into the office of a governor, under Sections 177 and 182 of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended). The tribunal also declared that it had no powers to inquire into the primary election of the APC which produced Sanwo-Olu, adding that the issue was a pre-election matter which did not fall under its jurisdiction.  

Gov Sanwo-Olu Sends Delegation To Late Mohbad’s Family

*Pledges To Support His Child’s Upkeep The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sent a delegation to visit the family of late singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Imole Aloba AKA Mohbad, whilst promising to support his child’s upbringing. The Governor said this on his X account on Tuesday, where he added that the delegation was led by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and other government officials. “Today I sent a delegation led by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat @drobafemihamzat, alongside my Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Commissioner for Youth, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende @bolajiogunlende, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso @gbenga_omo, and Special Adviser on Tourism, Mr. Idris Aregbe on a condolence visit to the mother of Ileri Oluwa Oladimeji Aloba aka MOHBAD,” he wrote. “@drobafemihamzat reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring a thorough investigation for Mohbad. I also want to reiterate that we are indeed on top of the situation. “He also assured the family of our support towards the upbringing and welfare of his son, Liam Imole Aloba. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Please, let’s allow the police and DSS do their jobs, and update us as the investigation is ongoing. Let us come together as a community to support one another during this difficult period.” Earlier, Governor Sanwo-Olu had mourned the singer and invited the Department of State Services (DSS) to join the probe into the star’s death. “I would like to assure everyone that I am not oblivious to the sad passing of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Imole Aloba (Mohbad). We have been closely working behind the scenes with relevant authorities, and keenly following the ongoing investigations,” he wrote on his X handle Tuesday. “However, in order to boost the investigations, I have invited the Department of State Services (DSS) to join the investigation and widen the dragnet with inter-agency collaboration and use of best-in-class technology to unearth the truth. “I have instructed that all those who may have played any role whatsoever in any event leading to the death of MohBad be made to face the law after a thorough investigation.”

Businessman Akindele denies N150m bribe allegations, secures N500m bail

Lagos-based businessman, Akintoye Akindele, has vehemently denied allegations of offering a N150 million bribe to the police in a bid to evade justice in a fraud case. The Managing Director of Duport Midstream Company entered a plea of not guilty to the one-count charge at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Tuesday. The charge, brought forth by the Inspector General of Police, represented by counsel Mr. Simon Lough, SAN, alleged that Akindele attempted to offer N150 million to suppress investigations into a petition against him lodged by Summit Oil International Limited. The charge also stated that Akindele made an initial payment of N50 million to a team of investigators led by Ibrahim Ezekiel Sini from the Federal Investigation Bureau. In the petition by Summit Oil, Akindele was accused of colluding with others to misappropriate $5,636,397 and an additional N73,543,764 belonging to the company. Upon the reading of the charges, Akindele pleaded not guilty, prompting the Police counsel to request an adjournment to gather witnesses to substantiate the case against the defendant. However, Akindele’s defense counsels, Mr. Henry Eni-otu and Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi from Law Corridor, made a compelling case for the defendant’s release on bail under lenient conditions. The defence highlighted that Akindele had been in police custody for over three weeks concerning the petition. Eni-Otu invoked Section 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, seeking the defendant’s admission to bail and assuring the court that Akindele would fully comply with the bail terms. In a swift decision, Justice Hamza Muazu granted bail to Akindele, setting the amount at N500 million, with two sureties required to have property ownership within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and verifiable title documents. As of the latest update, Akindele’s legal team, along with his friends and associates, were in the process of fulfilling the bail conditions for his release. The trial date, however, remains pending. This case marks another chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing effort to combat corruption and uphold the rule of law, demonstrating the legal system’s commitment to a fair and transparent judicial process.

Man defiles 12-year-old girl in bush

The Lagos State Government has called for more mandated reporting in the case of alleged defilement of a 12-year-old girl in the Ikorodu area of the state by one Mr. Ife Adekoya. The Executive Secretary, Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, who made this known in a statement in Lagos on Friday, said the agency swung into action on receipt of the report. “The case was immediately reported at the Imota Family Support Unit Police Station for investigation and was subsequently transferred to the Gender Desk Department of the Lagos State Police Command,” she said. Vivour-Adeniyi said that the mother of the survivor narrated that on June 16, her neighbor called her to inform her that her 12-year-old daughter had been defiled by a neighbor who lives on the next street. “The mother of the survivor claimed that she was informed the following day, having just returned from a trip with her husband. “The mother also alleged that a neighbor alerted her of the incident after engaging the survivor and noticing the suspicious act of the perpetrator, who was spotted with blood stains on his trousers. “Further questioning by the neighbor revealed that the alleged perpetrator lured the victim into the bush, closed her mouth, and proceeded to sexually assault her by penetration,” she said. She further said that the matter was charged to court and the perpetrator was arraigned before Magistrate Amope Layinka on July 26. “The suspect was arraigned and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Prison, pending the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPPs) advice, and the matter adjourned to Sept. 19,” she said. She noted that all forms of abuse, neglect, domestic, and sexual violence were crimes against the state, and that perpetrators would be made to face the full wrath of the law. Vivour-Adeniyi called on residents of the state to break the culture of silence by reporting all forms of abuse through its toll free line 08000-333-333, or visit its office at Novel House, Plot 3, Jobi Fele Way, Alausa, Ikeja.

Elevator Tragedy: NMA declares indefinite strike in Lagos hospitals

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos branch, has directed medical doctors in three government hospitals on Lagos Island to embark on an indefinite strike over the death of its member, Dr Diaso Vwaere. The directive is contained in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of NMA in the state, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu and Dr Ajibowo Ismail, on Wednesday in Lagos. Vwaere, a medical house officer with the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos, died on August 1, owing to the injuries sustained when the elevator she was in crashed from the 10th floor of the hospital building. NMA directed the doctors at the General Hospital, Odan; Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, and Massey Street Children’s Hospital to embark on the strike until investigations into the cause of the death were completed and justice served. “The information we got was that she was trapped in the elevator for more than 40 minutes before she was rescued. “We were also reliably informed that there was no blood available for resuscitation, and this has become a recurring issue as a result of the review made by the government on the previous policy on blood donation. “To us, this was an avoidable death and it’s unfortunate that it was allowed to happen. We are pained and we are mourning. “We are well aware that this same elevator has been a source of problem for many years during which several complaints had been made to all relevant agencies with no respite. “It is very painful that at a time when the country is battling with unprecedented brain drain, a young colleague that would have been expected to attend to 6,000 Nigerians was allowed to die a needless death,” the association said. It called for immediate, unbiased investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident. “That all those found culpable in this matter, especially the General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Management Agency, Ms Adenike Adekambi, are all brought to justice,” the association said. NMA also directed all the doctors in other government hospitals in the state to scale down activities as a mark of respect for their dead colleague. “Only emergency services should be rendered for the next five days,” it said. The association appealed to government to urgently begin an overhaul of the house officers’ quarters on the Island and repair the infrastructure in all government hospitals that needed attention. NMA also urged the government to revamp the blood transfusion system in the state for improved services. “We appeal to our colleagues to remain calm, as NMA Lagos State leadership is on top of the situation and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is not just served but seen to have been served,” the association said. It commiserated with the family of the late doctor, her colleagues on the Island, the Medical Guild, and the body of doctors in the state while praying for the fortitude to bear the irreparable and unfortunate loss.

China strengthens bilateral ties with Nigeria, visits Lagos with 3 ships

In a bid to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries, the Chinese Navy Escort Task Group (ETG) 162, comprising MSL Destroyer NANNING, MSL Frigate SANYA, and Supply Ship WEISHANHU, on Sunday, visited Nigeria. The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Chi Jian Chun, said that the visitation of the Chinese envoy, scheduled for July 2 to 6, would also enhance maritime security within the West African sub-region. The MSL Destroyer NANNING, made the port call at Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) Berth 21, while the other two ships remained at anchorage. Chun said that the delegation from China was big with more than 700 people and three ships to Nigeria. “The visit is to further deepen the relationship the two countries have with one another and also seek to strengthen and improve our relationship and cooperation with each other. “This visit demonstrates the harmony and symphony between Nigeria and China,” he said. The ambassador said that China and Nigeria would continue to work together and promote peace and harmony while also seeking ways to make contributions to the international community. “I believe that this visit will deepen the cooperation between both countries military sector so that we can work together to overcome obstacles. “We will continue to do more things to facilitate and promote the relationship between the two countries,” Chun said. Also, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Joseph Akpan, said the visitation would further help to cement the relationship between the two countries. This is “especially between the Nigerian Navy and the Chinese Navy as well as the military. This will help us fight crimes, especially in the Gulf of Guinea. “During their period of stay, our men will be interacting, we will be having some sporting activities, exchange of momentous and gifts. “We will also discuss the future of both navies, especially on how we can benefit from each other,” Akpan said. The FOC added that the term called ‘sea riders’ enabled some of the Nigerian Navy personnel onboard the Chinese ship and they could also have some of their own men onboard our ship. “This helps to foster friendship across the horizon,” Akpan said. The Chinese nationals resident in Lagos came out in their numbers to welcome the Chinese envoy at the NPA. There was also a rich display of the culture of the Chinese people which could be seen in the colourful display of their synchronised dance routine at the port.