The Lagos State Government has said it will be prosecuting all suspected hoodlums arrested in connection with the mayhem unleashed on the state between Tuesday and Wednesday in the aftermath of Lekki toll gate shooting by soldiers.
The state Ministry of Justice said on Saturday that the police had arrested 229 suspected hoodlums and their case files were being evaluated preparatory to prosecution on charges of arson, murder, stealing, malicious damage of properties, assault, etc.
A statement by the Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr Kayode Oyekanmi, said the state’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi, had gone round relevant police formations with her team “to evaluate files of those arrested by the police with a view to determining those that have prima facie case made against them.”
The statement read in part, “Two hundred and twenty-nine (229) suspects were arrested by the police for various criminal offences, ranging from arson, murder, stealing, malicious damage of properties and assault before and after the state-wide curfew imposed by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to restore law and order.
“After the evaluation exercise those that have cases to answer will be arraigned before the courts on Monday, while the release of those that have no case to answer will be ensured.
“Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) while calling on Lagosians to maintain peace, law and order in their respective communities, pledged the commitment of the state government to uphold the rule of law at all times.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Sunday said the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, told him the state would need N1trn for reconstruction in the aftermath of the destruction caused by hoodlums who hijacked the #EndSARS protests.
Gbajabiamila spoke while fielding questions from State House correspondents after a tour of some of the destroyed assets in Lagos.
He said, “The House of Representatives will do all it can to compensate all those who suffered brutality, including policemen that lost their lives in the process.
“However, we want to know what exactly happened at the Lekki Toll Gate. The judicial panel must reveal this. However, I want to encourage Nigerians to allow peace to reign.
“I learnt from the governor of Lagos State that it will take N1trn to rebuild what had been lost and asked him what’s the budget size of the state, he said about N1trn. You can see we are moving backward.
“Hence, we must consider the consequences of our actions before embarking on any venture. I therefore appeal to the youth to allow peace to reign henceforth. I still believe in the unity of Nigeria.”
The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said the #EndSARS protest, and its fallout, including the shooting of the peaceful protesters at the Lekki tollgate by soldiers, has “complicated matters” for him.
Tinubu lamented that he was first accused of sponsoring the #EndSARS protest, then later accused of sending soldiers to shoot at the protesters at the Lekki tollgate on Tuesday night to disperse them.
He said his political enemies falsely claimed that he sent soldiers to the tollgate because he has financial interest in the tollgate and he was losing revenue due to the prolonged protest.
He, however, described the claims as “complete and terrible lie,” saying they were being sponsored by his political enemies to pit him against the state and the Federal Government.
In a statement on Sunday titled, ‘The #EndSARS protests: A fundamental lesson in democratic governance,’ Tinubu stressed that he neither have investment in the Lekki tollgate nor sent soldiers to disperse the protesters but admitted that “I am, indeed, a promoter and financial investor in The Nation newspaper and TVC.”
He said he got prior information that facilities of both The Nation newspaper and TVC were going to be attacked by “certain malevolent elements” hiding under #EndSARS protests, yet he did not send soldiers or policemen there to prevent the attack, because he didn’t want anyone to die.
“There is no rationale that can adequately explain why I would order soldiers to repel peaceful protesters from the tollgate, where I have no financial interest, yet, choose to do nothing to protect my investments in The Nation and TVC,” Tinubu said.
He said the attacks on TVC and The Nation newspaper were carried out by the “hirelings” of his political enemies.
Tinubu said, “The present situation clearly does nothing to profit me politically or otherwise. It has complicated matters for me because many people now wrongfully blame me for a violent incident in which I played no part. Still, I stand strongly behind the people of Nigeria and affirm their right to protest peacefully.
“Along with all well-meaning, patriotic Nigerians, I want to see an end to all forms of institutionalised brutality and I shall do my utmost to see that this humane objective is realised.”
The House of Representatives is proposing naming and shaming persons who make false claims, presentations and representations that can mislead the government and Nigerians.
Such persons, if found guilty, may also be barred from holding public offices.
The proposal is contained in the ‘Bill for an Act to Provide for Moral Accountability for Nigerian Citizens and for Related Matters.’
Sponsor of the bill, Mr Awaji-Inombek Abiante, in the explanatory memorandum on the legislation said, “This bill seeks to make Nigerians morally accountable for their actions and inaction. The current attitude/behaviour of some Nigerians is inimical to public interest and the general development of our country (Nigeria), hence the need to enact this bill to safeguard the integrity of the country from being eroded through the actions/inaction of an individual or group of people.”
The bill, a copy of which our correspondent obtained last week, read, “(1) Every Nigerian, irrespective of his/her profession who (i) wilfully tell lies to Nigerians with a view to gaining an undue advantage over a personal or national issue; (ii) makes a false representation before any established authority investigating any administrative or criminal infractions, with the intention to hide or cover the truth, deceive or mislead such an authority with intent to escape justice; (iii) makes a false representation in any document for a personal gain or advantage; shall be named, shamed and black-listed.
“(2) Such an individual shall not be eligible to hold any public office whether elective or appointive.”
Senior pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Jesus Christ Ministry, Adewale Giwa says he would have fired Nigeria’s Vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo from the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Giwa, who was addressing his members on the state of the nation, in Akure on Sunday, wondered why the leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye could not come out clean and fire the Vice president for failing the church and the entire nation.
The cleric quoted Ephesians 5:11 to support his assertion by urging Adeboye to act appropriately for heaven’s sake.
“If I were the senior pastor of the church where the vice president attends, I would have fired him for joining a multitude to do evil.
“For five years, Pastor Adeboye tolerated Prof Osinbajo and decided to watch him mistreating Nigerians under President Muhammadu Buhari’s bad economic policies.
“If you cannot make the difference, why can’t you resign voluntarily and go back home? Why do you want to forgo your rewards in heaven just because you want to satisfy human beings?
“Under your watch, a bag of rice jumps from N7,500 to N42,000 within 5 years of your administration. So many Christians and Nigerians have been murdered without bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“Corruption, harassment and injustice pervade the nation under your leadership. Please, do not wait till I tell you that you have not only disappointed the church, but you have disappointed yourself.
“I won’t wait a minute to suspend you as a pastor under my leadership. Osinbajo is in the midst of destiny killers in Nigeria,” Giwa stated.
A former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, says he didn’t request security operatives to stop “attackers” that razed The Nation Newspaper and Television Continental to avoid bloodshed.
He made this known in a statement on Sunday titled, ‘The #EndSARS protests; a fundamental lesson in democratic governance’.
Hoodlums had massively looted shops and set fire to several public and private properties, including Television Continental and The Nation newspaper, both of which have been linked to him.
This followed the shootings of some protesters at the Lekki toll gate plaza by soldiers.
While Tinubu confirmed that he is a financier of the media houses, he denied making money from the Lekki toll gate plaza.
He said, “On the other hand, I am, indeed, a promoter and financial investor in the Nation newspaper and TVC. It was widely known and circulated through social media that certain malevolent elements were going to take advantage of the situation to attack the Nation newspaper facilities and TVC in Lagos.
“The attackers came. Both facilities were significantly damaged. Although equipped with prior notice of the imminent trespass, I did not call anyone to seek or request for the army or police to deploy let alone attack, kill, or injure those who razed and vandalized these properties. I did not want any bloodshed.
“These elements, mostly hirelings of my political opponents, wreaked their havoc and destroyed those buildings and facilities and I thank God that the employees of these two media institutions managed to escape largely unharmed.
“There is a deeper truth involved here. Burned buildings and damaged equipment can be rebuilt or replaced. There is no adequate substitute for the loss of even a single human life. I am not one to encourage violence. I abhor it. Thus, I did nothing that might endanger lives, even the lives of those who destroyed my properties.
“There is no rationale that can adequately explain why I would order soldiers to repel peaceful protesters from the toll gate where I have no financial interest, yet, choose to do nothing to protect my investments in the Nation and TVC.”
Brendan Rodgers saluted “world class” Jamie Vardy after he sealed Leicester’s late 1-0 win as spluttering Arsenal crashed to a third defeat in their last four Premier League games on Sunday.
Vardy was only fit enough for the bench after a calf injury, but Rodgers sent the striker on with 30 minutes left. Vardy responded with his sixth goal of the season.
The 33-year-old has made a habit of tormenting Arsenal and has now scored 11 goals in 12 Premier League games against them.
“Our plan was always to bring Jamie Vardy into the game and he can stretch it. That is why he is a big player,” Rodgers said after Leicester’s first win at Arsenal since 1973.
“He makes the big contributions in the big games. That shows you the level he is at and he is a world class player. I’m lucky to have him.”
Leicester climbed to fourth after ending a run of two successive league defeats.
“We deserved it, we played against a really good side and have players who can run in behind,” Rodgers said.
“To keep a clean sheet and play with the quality and calmness was good.”
Arsenal are languishing in 10th after a second consecutive league loss following their 1-0 defeat at Manchester City last weekend.
As well as the disallowed goal, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was disappointed by his team’s lack of cutting edge.
“I’m really disappointed, we had it in our hands in the first half and I don’t know how the hell Lacazette’s goal was disallowed,” Arteta said.
“They caught us with space at the back and in that moment we lost the game.
“It is difficult to create spaces with 10 men behind the ball, but we should have finished the game better. When it comes to those moments you can’t give away chances at the back.
“We still had some moments after the goal but gave away too many free kicks. It’s not an easy thing to do but we have to improve.”
The principle problem is a sudden dip in form for captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabon forward is without a goal in his last five league games — his worst drought since 2014, although he did net against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday.
Aubameyang has scored just once in the league this season, hardly the kind of form Arteta would have hoped for after handing the striker a lucrative new contract in September.
Arsenal’s ability to challenge for a top four place rests on Aubameyang leading the charge. So far this term he has been a flop.
LUIZ BLOW
Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno was at fault for the goal his side conceded in Vienna and the German nearly gifted Leicester the lead inside the first two minutes.
Leno came dashing way off his line but his attempted clearance went straight to James Maddison. The midfielder’s 40-yard effort floated just wide.
Alexandre Lacazette headed in from an Arsenal corner moments later, but the goal was disallowed for offside against Granit Xhaka.
Arsenal were on top and Bukayo Saka’s strike forced a good save from Kasper Schmeichel before Aubameyang headed over from Kieran Tierney’s cross.
Lacazette should have done better with a good chance from another Tierney cross before Saka shot into the side-netting.
Arsenal suffered a blow when David Luiz limped off early in the second half.
Arteta sent on Nicolas Pepe midway through the half in a bid to perk Arsenal up.
Bellerin brought a good save from Schmeichel when he met Aubameyang’s cross with a powerful volley.
But Arsenal were hit with a sucker punch in the 80th minute.
Youri Tielemans’ ball over the top for Cengiz Under was perfectly weighted and the Turk squared across goal for Vardy to head into the empty net.
Armed thugs have invaded and looted a warehouse in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where COVID-19 palliatives are believed to have been kept.
The building, located at Idu, close to the train station, was attacked while food items were being carted away.
The incident has led to tension in the area as residents were seen running for their lives.
Recall that security operatives on Saturday prevented a group of miscreants from gaining access into the Art and Culture building located at Area 10 in an attempt to loot the items.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has again reviewed the curfew imposed on the state to curb the civil unrest in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests against police brutality.
Sanwo-Olu had eased the 24-hour curfew on Friday to start from 6pm to 8am.
But in a notice on Sunday evening by his Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, the governor said the curfew time is now between the hours of 8pm and 6am, meaning that residents can go out by 6am and return home before 8pm.
The commissioner stated, “The curfew in Lagos State has been reviewed. Restriction time is now 8 pm to 6 am.
“Lagosians are enjoined to plan their journey times as they go about their lawful businesses. All schools remain shut till further notice.”
Meanwhile, members of the Federal Executive Council from the South-West zone and governors in the zone visited Sanwo-Olu on Sunday.
The governors and the ministers were in Lagos to commiserate with Sanwo-Olu over the large-scale destruction of public and private facilities by hoodlums who had hijacked the #EndSARS protests.
The delegation condemned the wanton destruction in the state by hoodlums and urged residents to embrace peace and eschew violence.
The delegation included Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; as well as Governors Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti.
Others are Minister for Sport and Youth Development, Sunday Dare; Minister for Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of Industry, Trade and Development, Niyi Adebayo; Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Minister of State for Health, Olorunimbe Mamora; Minister of State for Niger Delta, Sen. Omotayo Alasoadura; and Minister for Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite.
Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade, has ordered security agencies in the state to search houses to recover looted items and take legitimate action to halt violence.
Between Friday and Saturday last week, hoodlums and looters broke into over 35 government and private properties, looted several items and set some buildings ablaze.
On Friday members of the public numbering over 15, 000 had broken into the Cross River State government uncompleted Fabrication Academy and carted away thousands of COVID-19 palliative meant for people of the state.
Similarly the large crowd of persons trooped to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) along Barracks road, the Ministry of Works warehouses at Ekrinim 2, broke the warehouses and also made away with relief materials. Calabar South Local Government headquarters at Anantigha was also vandalized and looted.
Men, Women, some security personnel, young boys and girls were seen carting away hundreds of bags of rice, Indomie, salt, sugar, zinc and other items. Some people were heard shouting, “This is wickedness, it is our food let us pack it. Why did the government not give us since?”
The governor had on Friday announced a 24 hour curfew in the state yet properties were looted and burnt down on Saturday and they include, INEC Municipal Zonal office at Marian Road, Walmart at Marian, Federal Psychiatric Hospital along Calabar road, Senator Gershom Bassey’s family home along White house burnt and his private house at Axari Iso (vandalised and looted), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba’s house at Asari Iso vandalized, looted and burnt, Garment Factory at Goodluck Jonathan by-pass, Ayade’s filling station under construction, First Bank at Eight miles, Nigeria Ports Authourity at Harbour (vandalized and looted), Tinapa (vandlised and looted).
The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Cross River Newspaper Corporation (Chronicle) premises along Barracks road was looted and burnt on Friday night with some cars at the premises.
Others are Fabrication Academy (vandalised and looted) where COVID-19 palliative were hoarded since April, Larfage (Unicef) trucks with cement at Atimbo (vandalised and looted), NLC office-vandalised, CTRA office (100 Marian traffic regulatory office)–vandalised, Department of Petroleum Resources—vandalised, Atakpa Police Station—burnt down, NDDC office–vandalised, Ministry of Works warehouse—burnt down, Cross River State Roll back Malaria centre—vandalised, Boulevard joint—vandalised, Access bank by Mayne Avenue vandalized, Lawrence Henshaw Memorial hospital (IDH) at Edgerly vandalized and looted, Akpabuyo Police station burnt and others.
Ayade in a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita, said, “following the deployment of more soldiers to Calabar to help quell violence, Cross River Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has asked security agencies in the State to take legitimate actions to halt the arson and carnage witnessed in some parts of Calabar.
“The governor also wants the security agents to carry out a house to house search for looted property and arrest everyone involved in the looting of both public and private property in the state”.
Ayade said he understands the pains of the people and there was need to protect the collective commonwealth of the people which is currently under threat by some persons who are desperately trying to discredit the peaceful disposition of Cross Riverians.
He urged the security agencies to “take legitimate actions to ensure that calm returns to the State especially as the Government was already working towards ensuring the demands of those who genuinely participated in the #EndSARS match are met”.
The governor called on Cross Riverians to rise up and defend their land from criminal elements bent on destroying the image of the State.
The governor said the dusk to dusk curfew was still in place but this time around it is and “consequent upon this, everyone is advised to remain indoors as security agencies will not tolerate any non compliance”.
