News
Six Men Arrested For Invading Shrine
The police yesterday arraigned six people in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly invading a shrine and beating up a traditional chief.
The police charged JeliliAtiku, 51; MosuruSaula, 49; Hassan Nasiru, 42; MukailaImakiyo, 52; NureniSaila, 45 and JemilatKazeem, 56, female with conspiracy, breach of peace, arming self with dangerous weapons and threat to life.
The Prosecutor, Insp. AondohembaKoti told the court the defendants, who reside in Ejigbo, Lagos, committed the offence in April at Moshalasi Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, the Police
He said that the defendants and others at large conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by invading the shrine with dangerous weapons and assaulted a chief, GiwaLamoru.
“The defendants who invaded the shrine with cutlasses, iron rods, charms, planks, bottles among other weapons, beat up the chief of Ejigbo Land.”
Koti said that the defendants chased away the traditional ruler, priests and worshippers and locked up the entrance and doors of the shrine.
“The defendants constituted nuisance by removing the ‘Yemoja’ Sacred Staff from where it was placed and put it at the frontage of the shrine which is prohibited.”
The prosecutor said that the defendants attacked the palace when a date to celebrate the traditional festival of Ejigbo land called Omo-Agbo was announced.
“The defendants claimed that the king currently on the throne, was not the right person and that the festival will not hold,” the prosecutor said
The offence, he added, contravened the provisions of sections 56, 168, 170 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Our correspondent reports that Section 56 prescribes one-year jail term for threatening violence while section 411 attracts two years for conspiracy. Following their pleas of not guilty, Magistrate Mrs M.O Tanimola, admitted them to bail in the sum of N100,000 each with one surety each in like sum.
Tanimola ordered that all the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the matter until May 20.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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