Metro

PHOTOS: Lagos Muslims Protest, Petition Lawmakers Over

Published

2 years ago

August 17, 2023

Muslims, under the umbrella of the Lagos Muslim Community, have staged a protest over what they described as official marginalization in the list of commissioner-designates forwarded to the state House of Assembly by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The commissioners list released by Governor Sanwo-Olu allegedly has eight Muslims, and 31 Christians.

Muslims in their hundreds converged on the state’s house of assembly complex in the early hours of Wednesday.

The protest had in attendance heads of various Islamic organisations and scholars among other Muslims faithful, displaying placards, which reads the inscription, “MUSLIMS SAY NO OFFICIAL DISCRIMINATION.”

Addressing a large crowd of Muslim protesters at the venue, President, Muslim Community of Lagos State, Prof. Tajudeen .G.O. Gbadamosi, read a petition, which was submitted to the lawmakers.

President, Muslim Community of Lagos State (MCLS), Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi reading the protesters speech to the Lagos State House of Assembly members, representing Speaker Mudasiru Obasa
Other prominent Muslim leaders at the event included the Convener, Joint Muslim Forum (JMF) Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) Member Lukmon Olumo; Chief Whip/Chairman Commissioners-Nominee Screening Committee Mojeed Fatai Adebola, LAHA Member Jubreel AbdulKareem and MURIC Director Prof Lakin Akintola, among others.

The petition, titled, “Petition on the Discrimination against Muslims in the Nomination of Commissioners,” reads, “We are here today to express our grievance and dissatisfaction against the blatant disregard for justice, equity and fairness in the proposed Lagos State’ Executive cabinet as contained in the list of commissioners nominees submitted by Governor Sanwo-Olu to this honorable House for your screening and confirmation.

“As you are aware, the list is a classic case of discrimination and religious bigotry, as it has 31 nominees who are of the Christian faith and only eight (8) nominees who are Muslims. This is not a new development, especially since Governor Sanwo-Olu assumed leadership of this State, as a matter of fact, it is has been elevated to a level of official state policy to deny Muslims their deserved positions under the Sanwo-Olu adminustration.

“For instance, in 2019, when Mr. Sanwo-Olu became governor, he appointed 14 Special Advisers, and only one (1) among them was a Muslim. Again, his State Executive Council, which had 43 members, only 14 were Muslims, and the remaining 29 were Christians.

“Also, of the 23 commissioners, 10 were Muslims and 13 of them Christians. Only 15 Muslims, with 35 Christians, made up the body of 50 Permanent Secretaries in his first term. These are just a few among numerous ways in which the Sanwo-Olu administration deny Muslims in this state their rightful place and number in leadership.”

The petition further reads, “The Rt. Hon. Speaker and honorable members, we want you to note that this list from Governor Sanwo-Olu violates the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria particularly Section 14(4) and is further strengthened by section 192(2) both stating as follows.

“The composition of the Government of a State, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such Government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the Government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the peoples of the Federation.”

“192(2) Any appointment to the office of Commissioner of the Government of a State shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the House of Assembly of the State, be made by the Governor of that State and in making any such appointment the Governor shall conform with the provisions of section 14(4) of this Constitution.”

It reads, “With due respect Governor Sanwo-Olu’s list clearly violates these provisions of the Constitution and we accordingly call upon this honorable House not to endorse any action that violates our national grundnorm, especially one which equally violates good conscience and natural justice.

“The argument that Muslims have more elected officials in Lagos State in preposterous. This is even more so at a time when all the Six (6) Governors of the southwest are Christians and we the Muslims do not complain about this, because we recognise that they contested for offices and won.

“Why must Muslims in Lagos State always beg and fight for their constitutional rights especially since Mr Sanwo-olu became Governor? We recall with utmost sadness really, that until the Supreme Court ruled in favour of hijab for our school girls, successive Lagos Governments, never felt it should endeavor to align with the global best practice of accepting hijab in addition to abiding with the rule of law.

“The historic pro-hijab judgement was delivered in March 2022 and globally acknowledged. However, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s government in its peculiar idiosyncrasy chose to ignore this until a year later, after ceaseless pressure was mounted by well-meaning individuals.”

“We the Muslims of, and in Lagos State wish to categorically state that the entire leadership of the Muslim Community of Lagos State representing various Muslim organizations, unequivocally and unanimously reject the list of commissioner-designates of Governor Sanwo-Olu and we demand a reversal and review to reflect 60% in favour of Muslims in a fresh list.

“We call on the Lagos State House of Assembly to reject the list as similarly done in the Niger State House of Assembly, where a noticeably minority Christian population demanded a reversal of the list of commissioners to reflect fairness and equity to them.

“We also call on you and the House of Assembly to impress on the government the need to respect the diversity of the state’s population and to appoint a more representative cabinet. We believe that this is essential for the future stability and prosperity of Lagos State.”

Metro

Army Kills Notorious Bandit, Babangida, In Kogi

Published

21 minutes ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army under Operation ACCORD III, in conjunction with Other Hybrid Forces (OHF), have killed Babangida Kachala, a notorious bandit and second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, the leader of a bandit group operating within Masalaci Boka and Ofere Forest areas of Kogi State.

The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Hassan Abdullahi Lieutenant in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to newsmen, said on 11 September 2025, following credible intelligence on the movement of bandits within Ofere Forest and Ayetoro Gbede general area, the combined troops laid an ambush at a suspected bandit crossing point.

The statement read: “Although initial contact was not made, the troops, while withdrawing to base, ran into an ambush staged by the criminals along their route.

“In the ensuing firefight, the gallant troops engaged the bandits with superior firepower, neutralizing one of the criminals. The troops thereafter exploited the area, during which they recovered 1 fully loaded magazine, 31 mobile phones, a blood pressure machine, packs of Tramadol tablets, fetish charms, and the sum of ₦16,000 cash. Bloodstains observed at the scene further suggested that several other bandits escaped with gunshot wounds.

“Subsequent intelligence confirmed that among those who fled with gunshot wounds was Babangida Kachala, a notorious bandit and second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, the leader of a bandit group operating within Masalaci Boka and Ofere Forest areas of Kogi State. He was later confirmed dead.

“Troops of 12 Brigade under Operation ACCORD III continue to dominate the area of responsibility with patrols and ambushes aimed at totally decimating bandits and other criminal elements within the boundaries of Kogi State. The morale and fighting efficiency of the troops remain high as they sustain unrelenting pressure on the criminals.

“The Nigerian Army reassures the good people of Kogi State of its determination to restore lasting peace and security, while encouraging citizens to provide timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.”

Metro

Two Bodies Recovered From Yaba Building Collapse

Published

50 minutes ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

Photo: File copy

Yaba building collapse
Two male dead bodies have been recovered from a three-storey building that collapsed under construction on Friday night at Yaba, a suburb of Lagos.

Mrs Ibitayo Adenike, Acting Head, National Emergency Management Agency (Lagos Operations Office), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

NAN reports that so far, two dead bodies have been recovered, while four persons have been rescued and are currently receiving treatment.

Adenike said that the building at No 333 Borno Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, collapsed on Friday night by 8.30 p.m. trapping several persons.

She added that search and rescue operation was still ongoing.

She noted that the number of people still trapped under the rubble could not be determined until the building was completely brought down to ground level.

She listed emergency responders at the scene to include the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Building and Control Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, among others.

Metro

My Ex-wife Refused To Pack Out Of My House After Our Marriage Was Dissolved, Man Tells Court

Published

7 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

…I contributed N650,000 to the building of the house —Wife

…You’re now a tenant and trespassing, move out, court orders woman

A man, Quadri, has dragged his ex-wife, Gbemisola, before Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, on the account of illegal possession of his properties, a three-bedroom apartment she was living in and also his shop, where she displayed her goods.

Quadri stated that Gbemisola had been in possession of these properties for more than one year, after the court had pronounced their wedlock dissolved.

According to Quadri, since they were no longer husband and wife, he regarded Gbemisola as either a tenant or a trespasser.

He further stated that he served

Gbemisola notices to quit but that she remained adamant.

The plaintiff thus prayed the court to rule that the defendant should vacate both his house and shop without delay.

Quadri in his testimony said: “My marriage to my wife was pronounced dissolved by this honourable court last year August after I brought a divorce suit against her as a result of her atrocities which I could no longer tolerate.

“The court declared that we ceased to be husband and wife and ordered that we go our different ways.

“My lord, my ex-wife has refused to obey the court’s ruling.

“She insisted that she would neither move out of my house nor pack her wares from my shop.

“I raised these buildings through my sweat, but she is now laying claim to them.

“I enlightened my ex-wife in line with the law that she has automatically become a tenant or regarded as trespassing on my property since our marriage has been dissolved, but she obviously did not realise the gravity of these offences.

“I served her quit notices, but she remained adamant.

“My lord, I came to court that it might rule that my ex-wife vacates my three-bedroom apartment and shop without delay.”

Gbemisola, however, refused to be addressed as a tenant.

The defendant explained that she and the plaintiff both contributed financially to the construction of two properties he was now solely laying claim to.

Gbemisola insisted that the properties be sold and the proceeds from the sale shared among her, her ex-husband, and their children.

Gbemisola said in her evidence: “I refused to be addressed as a tenant in the house I contributed my hard-earned money towards its building.

“The two properties my husband is laying claim to are products of our joint efforts, so I cannot be referred to as trespassing.

“He bought the land for N700,000, while I contributed three times towards the building project.

“I contributed N200,000, N150,000 and N300,000 respectively.

“I visited the site at three different times to inspect the construction work going on at that time.

“I did not document the amount I contributed and those of other expenses because I did all I did out of love, and also for the sake of our children.

“He wants me to vacate the said apartment and shop because he wants to remarry.

“He wants to cheat me, and I will not allow it.

“My lord, I pray that the court should rule that we sell both properties and share the proceeds from it into three.

“He will take a share, I will take mine, and our children also will have theirs.”

The court president, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, giving her judgment stated that the defendant had no right to still be in possession of both property, the three-bedroom apartment, and shop since the court had dissolved their union after the plaintiff dragged her to court, laid claims against her and judgment was given after the court had heard both parties.

According to Akintayo, a landlord has unfiltered legal right to terminate a tenancy upon giving adequate notices.

She added that it is a settled position of law and requirement of the law that a landlord can claim possession of a premise once the required statutory notices have been issued and served on the tenant.

Akintayo ruling said, “The court hereby orders the defendant to vacate the three-bedroom apartment and shop on or before September 12,2025.”