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Curt Vacates Interim Order, Dismisses EFCC Suit Against Heartland Estate

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Curt Vacates Interim Order, Dismisses EFCC Suit Against Heartland Estate

Justice Peter Lifu of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has vacated an interim order granted against a property development company, U. S. Homes Depot Development International Limited.

The court sets aside an earlier order granted in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissio, EFCC.

U. S. Homes Depot Development International Limited is the owner of
Heartland Estate based in Owerri, Imo state.

Also, the court granted an order dismissing the interim forfeiture of the property as well the suit.

Joined as an interested party in the suit is Dr Ngozika Nwaneri.

The court had earlier granted an interim attachment/forfeiture of 10 hectares of land purchased by U.S Homes Deport Development International Limited in Heartland Estate, Owerri, Imo state.

The EFCC secured the order last year and shortly after that did nothing about the case.

The plaintiff, through its lawyer, Dr Lilian Ojima, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/963/2023, prayed the court for an order
vacating/discharging and/or setting aside the order of interim attachment/forfeiture granted by the in respect of 10 Hectares of land purchased by U.S. Homes Deport Development Intemational Ltd in Heartland Estate, Owerri.

The plaintiffs also prayed the court for an vacating/discharging and/or setting aside the order stopping any disposal, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale or alienation or otherwise of the property/asset in respect of 10 Hectares of land purchased by U.S. Homes Deport Development International ltd in Heartland Estate, Owerri.

They prayed the court for an order of vacating/discharging and/or setting aside the order authorizing the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to appoint a competent person/firm to manage the asset/property in respect of 10 Hectares of land purchased by U.S. Homes Deport Development International ltd in Heartland Estate, Owerri.

After listening to parties in the matter, Justice Lifu in his ruling dated September 10, 2024, held “Where the Court finds the evidence led by the Applicant reliable and believable and it is accepted as in the instant case, and the
evidence support the Applicant case, the Court will act on it in favour of the person so entitled.

“Going through the entire gamut of the instant Application, | hold that the Respondent (EFCC) has not justified the reason to enable the court refused the application of the Applicant.

“Consequently, | hold that the exparte order of this Court granted on the 8th day of August 2024 is hereby set aside. Ruling is so entered”.

Tinubu calls for respect of democratic process, people’s will

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Tinubu calls for respect of democratic process, people’s will

President Bola Tinubu on Friday called on all stakeholders in the upcoming Edo State governorship elections to conduct themselves peacefully and sportingly.

Tinubu conveyed this message in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘President Tinubu urges peace and civility in Edo State governorship elections.’

On Saturday, September 21, 2024, Edo State citizens will elect a new governor in what has been tagged a tough contest among three major candidates.

They include Asue Ighodalo, a prominent lawyer and corporate executive, running on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party; Monday Okpebholo, a senator representing Edo Central, who is running on a “Manifesto of Renewed Hope” on the All Progressives Congress and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Onanuga said, “The President implores the governorship candidates, political parties, and supporters to respect the democratic process and the people’s will.

“He believes in the voters’ ability to make informed decisions about their future leaders.

“President Tinubu emphasises that democracy thrives on civility, tolerance, patience, and respect for the rules of the game.”

The President, who noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission has committed to conducting a free and fair election, urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure a successful and peaceful process.

Tinubu commended the governorship candidates and political parties for their campaigns, which have focused on issues that matter most to the people of Edo State, including improving livelihoods, promoting economic growth, and contributing to national development.

He urged all citizens in the state to remain peaceful and respectful throughout the voting process, encouraging them to resolve any disagreements amicably through the constituted authorities.

In addition, “President Tinubu expresses unwavering confidence in the professionalism and integrity of security agencies and INEC officials.”

“He urges them to remain impartial and avoid any actions that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process,” Onanuga concluded.

Ogun community seeks end to open defecation, refuse dumping

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Ogun community seeks end to open defecation, refuse dumping

Residents of Ibafo Kara, in Ogun State, have appealed to the government to help address the twin problems of open defecation and indiscriminate waste dumping they are grappling with in the community.

Our correspondents who visited the community on Thursday observed that the practices, often carried out by individuals from neighbouring communities, were causing significant health and environmental concerns.

Some residents, who spoke with According to Metro in separate interviews, lamented that open defecation in the area had become a particularly pressing challenge that must be frontally confronted by the government. A trader, who identified herself simply as Mrs Shade, expressed her frustration with the situation, stating that people from a section of the country “are spoiling the neighbourhood with their unsanitary habits” while calling on the government to intervene by providing adequate sanitation facilities to prevent a disease outbreak.

She said, “There are a lot of refuse here every day and anytime I want to cross to the other end of the road, what I see is nothing to write home about. The Mallams in this area just come and pour their waste bin in the median, while some come from their streets and defecate there, especially at night. Please, let the Ogun State Government help us.”

Another resident, Mr. Alani, reechoed these concerns, highlighting the overflowing gutters hindering water flow and posing a threat to the roads. He urged the government to take action by sending workers to clear the gutters and install nets to prevent further contamination.

He said, “We don’t like the way refuse is dumped in the median in this area. The government is trying its best to eradicate it but we the citizens need to stop the dumping of refuse for the benefit of society at large. At the same time, we need the government to enforce the law and help us clean the road medians of refuse.”

An official of the local garage in Ibafo, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, also raised concerns about the impact of indiscriminate waste dumping and emphasised the need for stricter regulations to prevent bike riders from passing through the community indiscriminately, saying this act contributes to the littering problem. He called on the government to provide regular cleaning services to maintain the environment.

He said, “”The road users especially the okada riders are used to taking one way and that is very bad. It can cause accidents. The government should help us curb that and take a look at the gutter. There is no free flow of water because of the dumping of refuse in the gutter. The government should help us.

When contacted on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Ministry of Environment,  Mr. Rotimi Oduniyi, said the government had undertaken surveillance in the Ibafo-Kara area, and that they had arrested some people currently doing their community service.

He said, “There is surveillance around that area. We have arrested a lot of people who are doing their community service, and very soon, there will be the deployment of mobile courts to the area to keep an eye on these people. We have spoken to the residents in the area, telling them about the public toilet in the area, and that they should use it rather than using the median.

The most important thing is that we are going to relocate the Ibafo-Kara Market. We have given them a time limit of Tuesday, December 31, to move the market. They will move to the international market around the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, so that the issue will be resolved totally, and the Ogun State Government will take full charge of the market.”

He added that after the relocation, the government would take charge of the area and clean it up, as it is a border town that links most of the states in the southwestern region.

He also spoke about trading on the Ibafo bridge, saying, “We have warned them times without number and they still go back there. We just have to keep pleading with them and the people walking on the bridge to stop patronising them there. There is a lot of space in the market that they can use. We have appealed to them and have seized some goods but they still go back there. They come in there with the excuse that they have to feed their families and take care of children. We have to keep pleading with them.”

Houses submerged as flood sacks Kwara community

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Houses submerged as flood sacks Kwara community

Many houses and other properties, including farm crops, stayed afloat on the water in Bode-Saadu, headquarters of Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, as flood took over the community on Thursday.

The flooding was a result of the heavy rain that fell in the community as well as some other places between Tuesday and Thursday.

According to Metro, however, gathered on Thursday that the incident, which necessitated the visit of the state governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, did not record any loss of life.

Our correspondent further gathered that the incident was accentuated by the dualisation of the Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa Road by the Federal Government.

It was gathered that the flooding was exacerbated by the long rain of Wednesday evening, which lasted for more than five hours.

Residents, however, started to move out of their houses to upland and safer places in the community while household materials as well as domestic animals, were left behind.

Meanwhile, AbdulRazaq visited the Bode Saadu community on Thursday to sympathise with residents following the downpour that overflew the Arinun Bridge and initially submerged many houses in the area.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said that the governor was accompanied by the Commissioner for Special Duties, John Bello and the Special Adviser (Special Duties), Abdulrazaq Jiddah, adding that “the governor went round the affected areas in the community to have a firsthand account of the situation.

“We are here to commiserate with the people of Bode Saadu and make sure that everybody is okay and look at the causes of the flood,” he told reporters on the sideline of the visit.

“We have realised that with the major work going on with the dualisation of the Ilorin-Mokwa Road by the Federal Ministry of Works. They have built a temporary bypass. Somehow, there are some challenges around the bypass, which experts will look into. That is the cause of the flooding. The Director of Highway Federal Ministry of Works and other experts will be here to find an immediate solution to the problem. We have also deployed the State Emergency Management Agency for some relief measures.”

The governor also appealed to the residents to steer clear of setbacks, adding, “One of the major challenges we have nationwide is people not observing setbacks. It is a major problem. Half of the buildings wouldn’t have been affected if they had observed the right setbacks.

“We will intensify our efforts to ensure that people observe setbacks for the safety of all.”

Bello, who hails from the area, commended the governor for the visit.

Ajakaye said that the residents commended the governor for the visit, which they said again pointed to his commitment to the welfare of the people.

In another development, Governor Abdulrazaq also approved immediate rehabilitation of the Moro Steel Bridge, which links the state with Oyo State following significant cracks resulting from consistent use over the years.

Originally constructed decades ago by the Federal Military administration, the bridge’s deteriorating condition had made it dangerous for human and vehicular traffic.

“In the light of this, Governor Abdulrazaq has approved immediate rehabilitation of the bridge for safety reasons and ease of movement of the people,” a statement by the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Abdulquawiy Olododo, noted.

“This intervention is a stop-gap measure to address the immediate concerns of the people pending the completion of a new concrete bridge by the Federal Government.

“Work is already in progress, with the KWARMA team finalising the installation of new steel plates.This timely intervention will not only facilitate smoother and safer movement of people along that important economic corridor.”

CSOs tackle Lagos over eviction of plank market traders

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CSOs tackle Lagos over eviction of plank market traders

Some civil society organisations have condemned the decision of the Lagos State Government to evict traders from the Oko Baba plank market in the Ebute Metta area of the state.

The CSOs, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, and the Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation, and Protection, disclosed this in a statement jointly signed by their conveners, Nnimmo Bassey, Akinbode Oluwafemi, and Betty Abah, on Thursday.

They condemned the mode of operation of officials from the Lagos State Building and Control Agency, describing it as a violation of the fundamental rights of the traders.

The groups also claimed that the government had failed to comply with international regulations on housing and had displaced over 5,000 occupants of the market.

The statement read, “The exercises carried out at Oko Baba, which housed Lagos’ largest sawmilling facilities and parts of the Ayetoro community between September 14 and 17, have so far led to the displacement of more than 5,000 residents.

“The evictions have featured truckloads of armed thugs and police personnel moving into the communities at night and early in the morning, razing buildings and other facilities while shooting sporadically at everything and everyone in sight.

“We state categorically that these actions, for which Lagos State now has a grim global record and reputation, remain a clear violation of the human, housing, and socio-economic rights of affected community members.”

The groups decried the government’s failure to adhere to “local and international regulations on housing rights, in terms of adequate notice, relocation, or compensation for the affected residents.”

They therefore urged the government to engage with the community in addressing concerns about the market and to focus on upgrading the slum according to international best practices.

The statement continued, “In all this, the message we get is that the urban poor are clearly excluded from consideration in the building of a mega city as if they have no right to exist, yet they are roundly remembered and sought after at every election time.”

They added that the LASG should halt the eviction and apologise for its actions against the people it was meant to serve.

“We demand that the state government break free from the ugly past of the mass dehumanisation of the urban poor, as witnessed in past demolitions at Maroko, Badiya East, Otodogbame, Ilaje-Bariga, Monkey Village, and several others.

“We demand an apology from the state government for this grievous violation, compensation for the destroyed homes, businesses, schools, shops, and other facilities, and an end to all forms of threats and intimidation of community members,” the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, the LASG said that its decision to evict the traders was in the best interest of the state.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a recent telephone conversation with According to Metro, disclosed that the government had provided a new location for the traders in the Agbowa area of Ikorodu.

He also emphasised that those remaining at the Oko Baba plank market were the ones who refused to relocate to the new market location, which had road networks and accommodation.

“Those who were left at Ebute Metta were those who refused to move. They were illegal occupants of the market before, as there is no document allocating the place to them. The government had only been magnanimous by providing a new place for them.”

Omotoso added that the activities of the traders in the shanties posed a threat to the environment and the aesthetics of the state.

He continued by stressing that the recurring fire incidents in the market also posed a threat to the Third Mainland Bridge, necessitating the government’s action.

Police honour families of slain Katsina officers

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Police honour families of slain Katsina officers

No fewer than seven families of slain police officers from the Katsina State Command have been compensated with the sum of N500,000 each.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, in Katsina on Wednesday night.

The statement read in part, “On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Aliyu Abubakar Musa; the Deputy Commissioner of Police Administration, Aminu Usman Gusau, presented a cash gift to the families of the deceased police officers who lost their lives combating banditry in the state.

“This heartfelt gesture, awarded by the Katsina State Government, aims to support and honour the sacrifices of these brave police officers.

“The event, held at the police command headquarters, saw in attendance officers of the command and family members of the fallen heroes, where seven families of the deceased police officers were presented with a cash gift worth N500,000 each as a token of appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice made by our fallen colleagues.”

The statement further disclosed that DCP Gusau, while praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased officers, stated that the command stood in solidarity with their families and acknowledged the selfless service rendered by the brave officers.

“He equally appreciated the Malam Dikko Umaru Radda administration for the gesture, adding that it demonstrates its commitment to the welfare of families of officers who paid the supreme price in the ongoing fight against kidnapping and banditry in the state”, the statement noted.

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Man escapes death as fire guts vehicle in Lagos

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Man escapes death as fire guts vehicle in Lagos

A yet-to-be-identified male adult escaped death on Thursday after his Mercedes Benz C-Class car went up in flames at the Ikoyi-Lekki Link Bridge, in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The incident was said to have occurred due to an electrical spark in the engine unit.

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu, said in a statement on Thursday that its personnel received a distress call around 2 a.m., adding that the car was already razed when it arrived at the scene of the incident.

The LASEMA boss however noted that no lives were lost in the process.

The statement read in part, “The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency received distress calls at 2:10 am via its 767/112 Toll-Free Lines and swiftly deployed its Shark Response Team from the Lekki Base.

“Upon arrival at 2:13 am, LASEMA officials found the car, with an unidentified registration number, completely gutted by fire. Preliminary investigations revealed that an electrical fault from the engine unit caused the blaze. Fortunately, no lives were lost, and no injuries were reported.”

Oke-Osanyitolu further stated that the LASEMA’s Response Team, aided by officials from LASTMA, LCCI, and the Nigerian Police Force, worked to recover the burnt vehicle.

“The operation was successfully concluded, and the road is now clear for vehicular traffic,” he added.

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Bauchi man nabbed for stealing bus in Plateau

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Bauchi man nabbed for stealing bus in Plateau

The Plateau State Police Command on Thursday announced it had arrested Kabiru Mohammed, an indigene of Sabon Gari Narabi Toro LGA of Bauchi State, for allegedly stealing a Toyota Hiace vehicle.

The spokesman for the command, Alabo Alfred, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday said the suspect was arrested on Wednesday in Jos, the state capital three days after the bus was stolen.

The statement read, “The Plateau State Police Command is pleased to announce to the general public that a stolen Toyota Hiace bus, which was reported missing on Monday, September 16, 2024, has been successfully recovered.

“Upon receiving a report of the missing vehicle, our gallant operatives attached to the Bukuru Division immediately swung into action by executing stop and search operations within the area. Consequently, the vehicle was recovered in the possession of one Kabiru Mohammed, male, of Sabon Gari Narabi Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at about 0045hrs.

“The suspect is currently in our custody providing us with useful information that will lead to further recoveries. Upon the conclusion of our investigation, the suspect will be charged to court for prosecution.

“The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, is committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property within the state. Hence, he would not condone any act that could truncate the fragile peace on the Plateau.”

The PPRO further stated that the state police boss appealed to the public to always provide the police and other security agencies with useful, timely and accurate information that could enable them to serve the people better and aid operations on Plateau.

How policemen assaulted me over N100 extortion – Rivers driver

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How policemen assaulted me over N100 extortion – Rivers driver

A taxi driver identified as Umo Friday has accused some policemen at the Choba Division in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State of assaulting him after he refused them from extorting N100 from him.

Friday, a father of four, told our reporter on Thursday that the police officers attacked him, broke his car’s side mirror and threatened to shoot him along the NTA area of Ozuoba in the Obio/Akpor LGA, just when he was about to close operations on Wednesday.

The distraught driver said he had three stranded passengers whom he assisted from the Obiri-Kwere area to Ozuoba when he encountered the policemen at about 7pm on Wednesday.

He stated, “The three passengers, two women and a man, were stranded because they didn’t get transport. So, I assisted them. As we were going just after AIT in Ozuoba, there was a police checkpoint there.

“The officers now asked me for N100, I told them that I helped these three passengers, and that they were not paying me. The officers refused. The next thing one of them said I should park. Before I knew it, they broke my car’s side mirror and attacked me. I came down and said they must fix my side mirror.

Continuing, he said, “The road was now blocked and people gathered. Their fellow policemen were angry with them and they started begging.

“The policemen are from the Area Command in Choba. They should be cautioned because the way they are treating fellow Nigerians is not good. All of us are struggling.”

The taxi driver also said at one point the officers threatened to shoot him and called on the police authorities to caution their men on stop and search duties.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, proved abortive as her mobile phone was engaged for a long time.

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, had yet to reply to a text message sent to her as of the time of filing this report.

Commuters demand repair of collapsed Asaba-Onitsha Road

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Commuters demand repair of collapsed Asaba-Onitsha Road

Commuters have appealed to the relevant authorities to fix the deplorable Asaba-Onitsha Expressway to ease the burden on motorists and residents.

When According to Metro visited the collapsed section of the road, especially from the Koka flyover to the Asaba-Onitsha tollgate, on Thursday, our correspondent observed a complete failure of the road as motorists could hardly access it.

A taxi driver, Mr. Kingsley Uwa, lamented the deplorable state of the road, appealing to the federal and Delta State governments to come to the rescue of the road users by rehabilitating the road to stop the accidents that regularly occur along it.

He said, “It is bad that over four months now, we are suffering from this road without attention from the government.

“You can see the heavy traffic occasioned by the collapsed road. Everybody treks, or they must fall or hit another person because of the bad road. We are begging both the federal and state governments to help.”

Also, a shuttle bus driver, Mr. Charles Jibunor, called on the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to repair the failed portions of the road to ease the suffering of the indigenes.

He said, “The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, plays deaf to the road. We know that it is a federal road, but it passes through Delta State.

“Imagine the look of the Delta State capital, Asaba. Most of the people plying the road are majorly Deltans, and he doesn’t care about our suffering.

“A journey of 20 minutes will take you over two hours because of traffic. Every day, we are in one mechanic or the other, even the traders at the building material along the road are suffering because of no patronage as a result of the bad road.”

Meanwhile, a rights activist, Mr. Victor Ojei, has petitioned the Federal Government following the groaning of commuters occasioned by the collapsed expressway.

In an open letter addressed to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Delta State, seen by According to Metro on Thursday, Ojei called for immediate action on the road.

Ojei, who is the lead activist for Young Nigerian Rights Organisation, frowned upon the negligence of FERMA in the state.

“The Young Nigerian Rights Organisation, a civil society organisation committed to advocating the rights and well-being of citizens, expresses our deep concern regarding the alarming state of federal roads in Delta State. It is with a sense of urgency that we call on the Minister of Works and FERMA Delta State to account for their critical responsibility to ensure safe and passable roads for Nigerians.

“Despite the funds allocated for road maintenance, many federal roads in Delta State remain in deplorable conditions, posing significant risks to the lives of motorists, commuters, and residents.

“Numerous reports and complaints from road users highlight the hazards posed by potholes, erosion, and the neglect of critical infrastructure. These issues not only compromise road safety but also impede economic activities and development.”

He noted that as an agency tasked with maintaining federal roads, FERMA was mandated to regularly inspect, repair, and rehabilitate roads to ensure they meet acceptable standards, noting that the current situation in Delta State showed a clear dereliction of duty, with the people bearing the brunt of this failure.

“Explain the delay in addressing these long-standing road issues, especially along the Asaba-Benin Expressway (Koka flyover By Conoil junction, the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway, Ezenei Avenue by Bonsaac junction, the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway) in Delta State,” the petition concluded.

Ojei said the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens must remain a top priority, urging FERMA to take swift and decisive action to fix the roads because “Failure to act will leave us with no option but to pursue further legal and public interest actions to ensure accountability.”

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