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‘I used to be overwhelmed like a prison,’ attorney laments ordeal at Lagos police station

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‘I used to be overwhelmed like a prison,’ attorney laments ordeal at Lagos police station

A Nigerian lawyer, Timothy Olamide, has disclosed how an operative of the Lagos State Police Command allegedly beat him like a “condemned criminal” when he went to the police station in Ikeja on a case that had lasted a month.

Olamide stated that he received a “merciless beating” when he went to the station on behalf of his colleague.

He noted that while at the station, a police officer cautioned him that not all cases are handled by lawyers.

While narrating his ordeal via his X profile, @Timo_Olamide, on Wednesday, Olamide wrote, “Good morning @Lagos_PoliceCRU, @PoliceNG @BenHundeyin. I am Timothy Olamide Olaniyi, a lawyer from Lagos.

“I am contacting you in respect of the merciless beating I received from a police officer at the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja this morning.

“I went there on behalf of my colleague to find out about a client who was arrested sometimes last month but only for me to get there and was beaten like a condemned criminal. One of the officers told me that not all cases lawyers handle. I went there with all manner of respect and humility.”

In response, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, asked the lawyer to state the section of the police station in which the incident occurred, the name of the police officer involved and also suggested that he (Olamide) could report the case directly to the state police Complaint Response Unit.

Hundeyin wrote, “Which section? What’s the name of the police officer? Or simply come over to @Lagos_PoliceCRU. It’s in the same premises.”

One X user, @KingEsene, advised Olamide to lodge his complaint to a former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos State Branch, who served from 2017 – 2019, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN.

He wrote, “Please reach out to the learned silk immediately if you have not yet done so. @ChukaIkwuazom.”

On this, Olamide replied, “I have already done that through WhatsApp but he has not replied me yet sir.”

As of the time of filing this report, the outcome of the matter could not be ascertained by According Online.

This is not the first time lawyers will be brutalised by policemen in Lagos while carrying out their duties.

A 36-year-old lawyer, Olumide Sonupe, was hospitalised after he was said to have been detained by the police while seeking the bail of his client at the Moshalashi Police Station in the Alimosho area of Lagos State on December 30, 2023.

It was learnt that the lawyer’s health deteriorated upon his release from the police station on January 1, 2024, after spending two nights with his client in the cell.

On Thursday, January 11, some members of the Lagos State NBA branch held a peaceful protest against the unlawful arrest and detention of Sonupe

The lawyers who are members of about five branches of the NBA marched from its Ikeja secretariat, while displaying banners, to the command headquarters where the state Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, addressed them.

Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, then called on the Nigeria Police to conduct proper investigations into the case of brutality against lawyers in Lagos State.

2Baba, supervisor section techniques after two decades

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2Baba, supervisor section techniques after two decades

Renowned Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2baba, has officially parted ways with his longtime manager, Efe Omorogbe, who is the CEO of a talent management company, Now Muzik.

The announcement was made through a joint statement posted on Instagram by Now Muzik on Wednesday, citing a mutual agreement for the immediate termination of their partnership.

Omorogbe expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with 2baba, noting that their collaboration went beyond professional realms.

He wrote, “I am grateful to 2baba for the trust and for the friendship. I am proud of the brands we built together, the music we made; the fans we entertained.

“2Baba is one of the greatest Nigerian musicians of all time and it really is an honour to have had the opportunity to walk side by side with him, watching and helping him make magic over the past two decades.

“My team and I look forward to now supporting from the sidelines, and continuing to advocate for any and everything 2Baba,” Omorogbe stated.

Reflecting on their accomplishments over two decades, he assured ongoing support for the singer from the sidelines.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to achieve major milestones working with 2Baba over the last two decades. These achievements have defined an era and validated our collective contributions to the growth of the entertainment industry in Africa. For this, we are extremely proud,” he added.

2baba on the other hand acknowledged the pivotal role Omorogbe and the Now Muzik team played in his career, expressing gratitude while recognising that all good things must eventually end.

“I know it’s a cliche but every good thing must come to an end. I owe a lot of my career success to Efe and his team at Now Muzik.

“Everything I’ve been able to achieve is a result of the support of so many people and organisations working with me to bring my talent and vision to life. Now Muzik is one of such companies and I couldn’t be more grateful to them.”

Notably, 2baba joined Now Muzik management in 2004 after departing from The Plantashun Boiz.

Following the announcement, 2baba will be represented by his new management company, Hypertek Digital.

Reps transfer to test indiscriminate sale of gear

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Reps transfer to test indiscriminate sale of gear

The House of Representatives on Wednesday drew the attention of the Federal Government to the need to check the indiscriminate sale of drugs in the country.

This is just as it urged the Federal Ministry of Health to come up with a prescription policy to address incessant cases of drug abuse, particularly by young Nigerians.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion, titled, “Need to curb the indiscriminate sale of drugs and lack of adherence to prescription policy in Nigeria,” moved by a member representing Gamawa Federal Constituency, Bauchi State, Adamu Gamawa on the floor of the Green Chamber of the National Assembly during the plenary session on Wednesday.

In its editorial of February 27, 2024, The According painted a frightening pucture of the menace, saying, “An update by the NDLEA revealed that 14.3m Nigerians have become drug addicts.”

Leading the debate, Gamawa argued that the lack of a prescription policy on drugs and indiscriminate drug sales by pharmacists, patent medicine dealers, and street vendors, staffed by unqualified personnel ultimately, portends danger for the nation and her people.

He quoted the National Bureau of Statistics as saying that there is a frightening surge in the issue of drug abuse and misuse in Nigeria “With drug use prevalence statistics at 14,4 per cent of productive age in Nigeria (15-65 years of age), which is almost three times the global drug use Prevalence which stands at 5.5 per cent.

He said, “The House is concerned that a large percentage of drug abuse in Nigeria are prescription drugs obtained without proper prescription and most of the drugs sold by illiterate and semi-literate drug hawkers are counterfeit, substandard or expired, and therefore do not meet the quality, safety and efficacy requirement of regulated medicines.

“The House is aware that various empirical studies show that drug abuse is a significant facilitator of extreme terrorism, violent crimes, and high school dropout and this negatively affect community health, security, and stability, according to consumer studies.”

The lawmaker noted that if urgent actions are not taken to declare a state of emergency and allocate resources to the identification of drug abuse response and treatment, “A national catastrophe of unimaginable dimension is in the offing.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Health to develop a prescription policy that must be enforced just as it called on the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria to as a matter of urgency “Close all illegal outlets of pharmaceutical products including open drug markets and ensure that only prescribed drugs are administered to patients by qualified health practitioners and sanction erring pharmaceutical outlets.”

It further asked the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control to “Collaborate with the Standards Organization, Ministry of Information and National Orientation to continuously sensitise public awareness about drug abuse.

Consequently, the House mandated its Committees on Narcotics, Drugs, Healthcare Services, NAFDAC and legislative compliance to ensure compliance.

UNICEF urges extra funding in adolescent well-being

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UNICEF urges extra funding in adolescent well-being

The United Nations Children’s Fund says the rights of adolescent girls are threatened following global economic challenges, stressing the need for improved investment in their well-being.

Disclosing this on Wednesday virtually during a two-day media dialogue on investing in women to promote community health systems—a case study of the Mama2Mama initiative—Chief UNICEF Field Office Bauchi, Dr Tushar Rane, disclosed that one in seven girls in developing countries is married before reaching the age of 15.

According Online reports that the dialogue is in commemoration of International Women’s Day 2024 with the theme ‘Invest in women; she is the solution’.

Rane said, “Adolescent girls’ rights worldwide are under threat, with progress on key issues either stagnating or regressing on a global scale. In the face of challenges such as the ongoing global economic crisis, political turmoil, and humanitarian emergencies, adolescent girls are often overlooked, exploited, or placed in precarious situations.

“Shockingly, one in seven girls in developing countries is married before reaching the age of 15. Moreover, adolescent girls continue to face elevated risks of sexual violence.

“If present trajectories persist, the number of girls and women living in extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to increase by 2030. Nearly half of the adolescent girls in UNICEF programme countries suffer from anemia and lack access to essential health and nutrition services in the event of pregnancy,” Rane stated.

While urging for improved investment in the health, rights, and well-being of adolescent girls, Rane said such would generate a transformative ripple effect that uplifts entire nations.

“By providing adolescent girls with the necessary support, access, and opportunities to realise their potential, we enable them to become formidable agents of change.

Empowered girls can play a crucial role in tackling some of the most pressing global challenges, such as climate change, poverty, and conflict. Their contributions pave the way for inclusive and sustainable development, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.

“Let us together push for a world, characterised by equity and inclusivity, where girls and boys are empowered to access and benefit from the same rights, resources, opportunities, and protections, fostering a society where every person can thrive,” he added.

Speaking earlier, UNICEF’s Communications Officer, Opeyemi Olagunju, explained that the media dialogue was expected to highlight the impactful strides made by the Mama2Mama initiative.

“This initiative has improved health outcomes in the field office region, in Gombe, Bauchi, and Taraba states. Through this dialogue, we aim to advocate for continued investment in women to advance positive social change,” Olagunju said.

Refuse compactor falls off Lagos bridge, kills tricycle rider

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Refuse compactor falls off Lagos bridge, kills tricycle rider

A yet-to-be-identified tricycle rider has been crushed to death after the compactor of a refuse truck fell from a bridge in the Surulere area of Lagos State.

According Metro learnt that the incident happened on Tuesday evening.

The truck, owned by the Lagos Waste Management Authority, was said to be plying the Shitta bridge in the community when it developed a mechanical fault while in motion.

As a result, the driver lost control and collided with a Kia Saloon car on the bridge.

While confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said the impact of the crash caused the compactor to detach from the truck, crash down the side of the bridge, and fall on a mini commercial bus and a tricycle.

The Permanent Secretary of the agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who disclosed this in a statement noted that the tricycle rider died on the spot.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, received a distress call through the Toll-Free Emergency numbers 767/112, at 2215hrs yesterday night.

“The Agency activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans with Emergency Response Teams responding from Onipan, followed with necessary equipment from Cappa Base, the hub of LASEMA heavy-duty equipment in a 5-minute record time, at 2220hrs.”

“It was observed that a LAWMA PSP compactor truck was involved in a multiple accident when it reportedly suffered mechanical error (disengaged propeller), lost control and crashed into a Kia Rio Saloon car, registration number unknown, on Shitta bridge.

“Further information gathered at the incident scene was that the compactor thereafter crashed down the side of the bridge onto a seven-passenger mini-bus (Korope) and a tricycle (Keke Marwa), killing the tri-cyclist instantly on impact.”

The LASEMA boss added that the remains of the deceased were recovered from the scene of the incident and taken to the Infectious Disease Hospital, IDH, Yaba for further processing.

According to him, all three vehicles involved in the multiple accidents were moved to Iponri Police Station, while the LAWMA PSP compactor truck was taken to LAWMA yard at Ijora with the aid of the Agency’s Heavy Duty Equipment equipment (Elephant) at midnight.

“In attendance at the incident scene were the LASEMA Response Team, LASAMBUS, LASTMA, Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Surulere Divisional Office and Officers of the NPF from Iponri Police Station,” he added.

Tinubu directs instant free up of grains to FCT citizens

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Tinubu directs instant free up of grains to FCT citizens

 

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to facilitate the immediate release and distribution of grains and palliatives to residents to cushion the effect of the economic hardship.

The Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, disclosed this on Wednesday, in an emergency meeting with stakeholders and chairmen of the six area councils of the FCT.

She said the directive came in a letter from the Presidency, through the National Emergency Management Authority to the FCT minister, while also announcing the setup of a committee to carry out the directive within the next two weeks.

Some FCT residents had on Sunday attacked a warehouse in the Gwagwa-Tasha area of Abuja, belonging to the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat of the FCT Administration, looting food items and vandalising the building.

 

Mahmoud further stated that the letter was issued on February 29, 2024, meaning that they had only a week left to carry out the directive and ensure the proper distribution of the palliatives.

“Everybody knows how His Excellency, Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been going up and down to see how he will cushion the effect of the hardship in the country, especially, particularly the issue of food security. They have been having meetings through the Ministry of Agriculture and finally, we were able to get a lot that we have to distribute for our people, to tell us how Mr President has his people in his heart.

“So it was along this way that the Minister FCT, Nyesom Wike, was addressed through this letter, to call an important meeting with important stakeholders that were highlighted, which most of them are here, to see how we arrange some committees for transparency of the distribution of these palliatives that we are about to get, and then the preparation that we need to have, before these items are given to FCT for distribution,” she said.

She listed members of the Committee to include: Chairmen of Area Councils, FCT Emergency Management Agency, Traditional Rulers, Department of State Service, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Faith-based organisations, National Union of Local Government Employees, Nigeria Red Cross Society, Women Associations, Persons with Disability groups, youth associations, Principals of boarding schools, civil society organisations and the media.

Fubara approves employment of 500 well being employees in RSUTH

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Fubara approves employment of 500 well being employees in RSUTH

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has approved the immediate employment of 500 health workers in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.

The Chief Medical Director of the RSUTH, Prof. Chizindu Alikor, who disclosed this in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, lauded the governor for the gesture.

Recall that Fubara recently held a meeting with the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Health Management Board.

Prof. Alikor who confirmed the approval said it followed an official communication from the State Civil Service Commission to the RSUTH management.

He stated, “We received an official communication from the Rivers State Civil Service Commission conveying the approval of His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the board and management of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital to proceed immediately in employing 500 healthcare workers into the hospital.

“The directive of that communication is that all of this should commence immediately and should be concluded within the next three months. And the understanding is that the staff should have resumed work in the next three months.”

The RSUTH CMD also confirmed an earlier directive to promote over 400 of the state teaching hospitals that had not been promoted for more than eight years.

He said the development sparked off jubilation in the hospital.

According to him, “The entire hospital community received with great excitement and joy the approval by His Excellency Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the promotion of over 400 staff of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital who have not been promoted in the past eight to ten years.

“It was received with great joy, great excitement in the hospital.”

Reps search decongestion of Nigeria’s 244 correctional centres

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Reps search decongestion of Nigeria’s 244 correctional centres

The House of Representatives on Wednesday began moves to decongest the 244 correctional centres spread across the country.

This is as the lawmakers at a plenary session on Wednesday presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, called for a holistic overhauling of the system, including quick dispensation of justice for awaiting trail inmates as well as reforms and rehabilitation of the centres to global standards.

The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by member representing Ikwo/Ezza Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State, Mr Chinedu Ogah.

Leading the debate on the motion tagged, “Call to decongest Nigerian correctional service,” a member of the All Progressives Congress, Ogah lamented that over 70,000 inmates in the country face inadequate facilities despite government efforts, adding that “Some have not been charged with criminal cases, while some are unable to pay the fines imposed by the courts despite having their cases determined.”

He continued, “The House is disturbed that the Nigerian criminal justice system is plagued by flaws, with cases often lingering without resolution for years, thus overcrowding the correctional centers in various geopolitical zones.

“The House is also disturbed that a data system reveals that federal offenders comprise less than 10 per cent of correctional system inmates, leaving over 90 per cent to state offenses.

“We are also alarmed that overcrowding of the correctional facilities has led to a huge revenue drain for successive governments, leading to prison dilapidation, criminalization, and inability to separate awaiting trial inmates from convicted ones,” stressing that implementing the criminal justice system and the adoption of non-custodial measures would effectively reduce the overcrowding of national prisons.”

While referring the motion to its Committee on Interior, the House urged the Federal and state governments to provide comprehensive reforms of the country’s correctional system, including modernizing custodial centres, building new facilities, and redesigning the bail system.

It also tasked both layers of governments to “Propose legislation to allocate time for the speedy dispensation of justice and the number of inmates awaiting trial; examine the role of the federal and state governments in the correction of inmates; propose sustainable, efficient solutions to address the congestion in 244 jails nationwide and devise and promote effective reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates.”

The House also called on the federal and state governments to utilize their prerogatives of mercy to grant amnesty to deserving inmates, just as it urged the Federal Ministry of Justice to prevent delays in justice dispensation and enhance the process of meeting bail conditions.”

It further called on security agencies to avoid arbitrary arrests.

Tinubu congratulates Adesina on Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Management award

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Tinubu congratulates Adesina on Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Management award

President Bola Tinubu has felicitated the President, African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, on his award of the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.

Adesina bagged the prestigious leadership awarded on Wednesday at the 2024 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

As contained in a State House press statement issued on Wednesday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, “President Tinubu commends the AfDB President for his visionary and noble endeavour to transform agriculture in Africa and ensure food security on the continent, recalling the growth enhancement schemes revolutionising Nigeria’s agriculture value chains he introduced as the then Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.”

The statement added that Tinubu “acknowledges Dr. Adesina’s unblemished records, tried and tested integrity, as well as his immense leadership and development strides, particularly in agriculture, efforts of which have earned him numerous honours and recognition globally, including the World Food Prize in 2017.”

The statement noted that Tinubu “wishes the AfDB President more success at AfDB and strength in his service to Africa and to humanity at large.”

Adesina becomes the fourth and third Nigerian to bag the award after previous winners such as Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; former South African President, Thabo Mbeki; and renowned lawyer, Afe Babalola.

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Kogi LGAs pensioners lament non-payment of pensions

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Kogi LGAs pensioners lament non-payment of pensions

The Kogi State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Clement Ohida has appealed to Governor Ahmed Ododo to extend the recent improvement in the payments of pensioners in the state to Local Government pensioners.

Ohida said the appeal became necessary because “as of today no local government pensioners has been paid a dime as far as gratuity is concerned.”

Ohida said this shortly after the Central Working Committee Meeting of the Union held in Lokoja on Wednesday.

He however appreciated Governor Ododo over what he described as an “appreciable improvement in the percentage payments made to Pensioners after the payment of February pension.”

He also appealed for the harmonisation of pensions for pensioners who retired several years back.

The NUP chairman opined that the payment of 100 per cent pension to pensioners in the state is achievable based on the Federal Government policy asking that all arrears of pension be cleared.

He maintained that “while we are appreciating the State Government for where we are, we believe that payment of 100% pension is achievable.

“We call on the government to look into the aspect of payment of gratuity as this will help cushion the economic situation of our pensioners.”

The NUP Chairman said it is not normal that Pensioners should be paid a percentage pension, adding that, the appreciation the Union is making is occasioned by the fact that Local Government Pensioners have had to live with a percentage payment of pension for several years.

He said, “We are coming from a situation where Pensioners have had to live with 30-35 per cent of their pension for whatever reason. But progressively we’re now on 85 per cent reason for the appreciation.

“We are not unaware that many of our people are not happy about this development of percentage pension. But the fact that whatever you cannot get by fighting, you may not have a choice but to apply diplomacy to still arrive at it.

“As a union, we’re ready to bend backwards, the reason why we’re appreciating the Government and also asking for more in the areas of 100 per cent payment of pension, harmonisation and payment of gratuity.

“We equally appeal to the State Government on the need to harmonise pension in the state. We have pensioners who retired several years back and what they take is nothing to write home about.

“Some states have implemented what is called minimum pension making Pensioners take home something reasonable. In Kogi, we still have Pensioners who take as little as N5000. Now when that amount is paid based on percentage, you can imagine what it means for such a pensioner.”

He assured the present administration of the support and cooperation of pensioners in the state.

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