Metro

Many Feared Trapped As Two-storey Building Collapses In Anambra

Published

5 months ago

January 30, 2025

There was palpable tension along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Awka, the Anambra State capital, when a two-storey building, still under construction suddenly caved in.

It was gathered that the structure, located near the CBN building in Awka and beside Diamond Pizza, opposite Five Star Restaurant was at it’s roofing stage before it collapsed late on Wednesday, while some construction workers were still working at the site.

Eyewitnesses near the scene said the structure suddenly caved in without any prior sign, adding that the number of workers trapped could not be ascertained yet.

The cause of the collapse and casualty figure has yet to be ascertained, but some officials from the materials testing department of the state’s Ministry of Housing had arrived the scene.

This is just as bystanders and other passers-by have initiated some rescue efforts in a bid to see if anyone trapped can be rescued.

The PUNCH correspondent who visited the scene, gathered that some workers have been rescued from the rubbles by officers of the State Fire Service who arrived the area shortly after the incident.

It was a chaotic situation at the scene as bystanders struggled for one thing or the other at the scene.

One of the eyewitnesses at the scene said, “The building collapsed this evening(Wednesday) as some artisans were carrying out some construction works at the roof of the structure.

“It was a two-storey building still under construction at it’s roofing stage. Although, the building made some noise as it was collapsing while some construction workers were at the site. No one can say the cause of the collapse for now, but some government officials arrived the scene shortly after and rescue efforts have begun.”

The Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who conformed the development when contacted, said police operatives have been deployed to the scene to maintain law and order.

“Police operatives led by Divisional Police Officer Central Police Station Awka have taken over the scene.

“Though the details are still sketchy, Operations to restore order are ongoing. Further details shall be communicated, please,” he added.
PUNCH

Metro

Boundary Dispute: One Killed, Four Injured As Protest Erupts In Edo Communities

Published

1 hour ago

June 16, 2025

Editor

One person has been reportedly killed and four others injured over a land dispute in Iyekogba, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.

A youth leader, Frank Osamede Osagie, was reportedly shot dead and four others injured during a meeting between two communities – Aye and Ikpebo – all in Iyekogba – aimed at discussion a boundary dispute.

Taking protest to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council on Monday, Bright Omoasuen, a leader of the Iyekogba communities said they had earlier petitioned the Inspector General of Police regarding the matter, just as he demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the youth’s killing.

He, on behalf of other protesters, alleged that one Marvis Agbontaen who was suspected to have carried out the attack still goes around freely.

He disclosed that the killing occurred during a meeting meant to resolve a boundary dispute between two sections of the community—Aye and Ikpebo.

He said. “We hold our meeting two times a month and the elders hold theirs every Tuesday, and these have been on for the past 10 years. This is what we use to manage the peace of the community.

“But on the 4th of June, 2025, there was a boundary that was demarcated about seven years ago between Aye and Ikpebo.

“It was the youth leader of Ikpebo, Mr. Marvis Agbontaen, that brought the idea of demarcating the boundary, and we agreed to settle the boundary problem on the 4th of June. But on that day, we waited for Mr. Marvis Agbontaen to come for four hours, but we did not see him. Then the elders decided to postpone the meeting for the upper Monday.”

Omoasuen said the situation, however, took a violent turn after Mr Agbontaen arrived with his boys and started shooting.

“Then, what we saw was that he was coming with his car with his boys. We saw him disembark from the vehicle with AK-47 and he started shooting. Our brother, Mr. Frank Osamede Osagie, was killed instantly, while four others were injured. The four injured persons were treated in the police clinic,” he added.

He claimed this is not the first time such an attack occurred in the area.

He, therefore, called on the police authorities to take swift and decisive action.

“Even before this one in Iyekogba, it has been happening elsewhere. That is why we are here. We do not want to take laws into our hands. We don’t want this to continue. That is why we are here. Please, help us. We are pleading that the police should intervene,” they said.

Attempts made to contact the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, SP Moses Yamu were not successful.

Metro

753 Duplexes: Abuja Court Admits Emefiele To N2bn Bail

Published

7 hours ago

June 16, 2025

Editor

Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court on Monday admitted the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to bail in the sum of N2 billion in a fresh charge of property fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed an eight-count charge against him in respect of the disputed 753 duplexes in Abuja.

The said property located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, measures 150,462.86 SQM and comprises 753 housing units.

When the charge was read to him, he, however, pleaded not guilty.

Following his plea, his counsel, Mathew Burkaa SAN applied for bail, which was not opposed to by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN.

Oyedepo, however, asked the court to expunge some paragraphs in the bail application, and the court granted that.

Ruling on the bail application, Justice Halilu held that bail is a constitutional right.

He added that the defendant(Emefiele) has been granted bail by two other judges and he did not go against the conditions and terms

”I admit the defendant to bail on the terms and conditions that the defendant’s travel documents which is already before justice Muazu is hereby attached as part of the condition .

“The defendant shall provide two sureties who must be residents of Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court.

“The sureties must own landed property within the jurisdiction of this court precisely in Asokoro , Maitama and Wuse 2 which valued at N2 billion” he held

Halilu further ordered that the sureties shall also do undertaking to produce the defendant in court always
all through his trial .

He added in the event the defendant jumps bail, they (sureties) will be put in prison.

He ordered that the defendant is granted from now to Wed (June 18) to vacate the ball or else risk going to prison.

He then adjourned until July 11 for continuation.

The charge number: CR/358/2025, borders on alleged having control of property reasonably suspected to be unlawfully obtained.

The offence, the EFCC said, is punishable under Section 319 of the Penal Code Law.

Emefiele was charged alongside one “Ocheme” who is at large.

Besides the housing estate, the two defendants are also charged with unlawfully keeping in their possession billions of naira in proxy accounts in Zenith Bank.

In count one of the charge Emefiele and Ocheme are being accused of knowingly having within their control the housing estate suspected to be unlawfully obtained contrary to the law.

While in count two, they were alleged to knowingly have in their possession the sum of N167 million domiciled in Kelvito Integrated Services’ account No: 1016232915, in count three they were alleged to have held the sum of N1.23 billion in the same account.

According to the anti-graft agency, the said sums were said to be reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.

In another count they were also alleged to have in their control another sum of N2.9 billion domiciled in Kelvito Integrated Services’ account No: 1016232915 domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc.

In count five, the commission stated that the defendants between January and December 2022, knowingly had under their control the total sum of N1.98 billion domiciled in Kelvito Integrated Services’ account No: 1016232915 domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc, which sum is reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.

In other counts they were also linked with the sum of N900 million and N600 million in Ifedigo Integrated Services’ account No: 1210750237 domiciled wit zenith Bank.

Meanwhile, in count eight, Emefiele was said to have in January 2021, forged a document titled, “Irrevocable Power of Attorney Between MG Properties Limited and H and Y Business Global Limited” with the intention of causing it to be believed that the said titled document was executed by or by the authority of H and Y Business Global Limited.

The offences, according to the EFCC, contravened the provisions of sections 319, 362 and 364 of the Penal Code.

Metro

‘One-way’ Driver Kills Tricyclist, Flees Scene – LASTMA

Published

9 hours ago

June 16, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) says a one-way SUV driver fled after colliding with a tricycle operator, resulting in the operator’s tragic death.

LASTMA General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, made this known in a statement on Sunday by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, Director of Public Affairs.

Bakare-Oki stated the fatal crash occurred at Origan, Oko-Afo, along the Badagry Expressway corridor in Lagos State.

The crash involved a commercial tricycle with registration MUS 716 QM and a Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC SUV with the custom plate “OSUNFNKE.”

Preliminary findings indicate the SUV driver was travelling in the wrong direction — commonly known as “one-way” — from Ile-Epo towards Oko-Afo, flouting traffic rules.

According to Bakare-Oki, this serious violation led to a head-on collision with the oncoming tricycle, resulting in fatal injuries to the tricycle operator.

The operator suffered severe trauma, including a dislocated knee, and was confirmed dead at the scene.

“In a shocking act of negligence, the SUV driver abandoned both his vehicle and the victim’s body and fled the scene.

“LASTMA officials quickly secured the site and escalated the matter to the Morogbo Division of the Nigeria Police Force.

“Police officers promptly took over the location while the Federal Road Safety Corps transported the body to Badagry General Hospital mortuary.

“To clear traffic, the damaged tricycle and SUV were removed by LASTMA and handed to police for investigation and possible prosecution,” he said.

Bakare-Oki condemned the incident, calling the driver’s conduct a grave threat to public safety and a breach of transport laws.

“This death highlights the deadly consequences of traffic lawlessness,” he said, expressing deep sorrow over the avoidable loss of life.

He lamented that, in spite of ongoing campaigns and enforcement, some drivers still display reckless disregard for traffic rules and other road users.

He reaffirmed LASTMA’s mission to ensure safer roads through active traffic control, public education, and strict law enforcement.

“This tragedy could’ve been avoided had the driver obeyed traffic signs and regulations,” Bakare-Oki stated.

He urged motorists to act responsibly, noting that even one life lost is a tragedy too many.

The general manager offered sincere condolences to the deceased’s family, praying they find strength and peace in their grief.

LASTMA reminded all road users to respect life and avoid dangerous acts like one-way driving that endanger public safety.